[Federal Register: July 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 144)]
[Notices]              
[Page 44282]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jy03-36]                        

[[Page 44282]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 36-2003]

Foreign-Trade Zone 234--Gregg County, TX, Application for Subzone
Status, Eubank Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (Air Conditioning and
Heating Equipment), Longview, TX

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board
(the Board) by Gregg County, Texas, grantee of FTZ 234, requesting
special-purpose subzone status for the air conditioning and heating
equipment manufacturing plant of Eubank Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
(Eubank) (a subsidiary of Fedders Corporation), located in Longview,
Texas. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the
Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the
regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on
July 21, 2003.
    The Eubank plant (9 acres/140,000 sq.ft.) is located adjacent to
Interstate Highway 20 and FM2011 in Longview (Gregg County), Texas. The
facility (140 employees) is used to produce air conditioning units
(window/wall, unitary, condensing) and components (A-coils), air
handlers, and furnaces for export and the U.S. market. The finished
products are manufactured from domestic and foreign-origin components.
Components that are, or may be, purchased from abroad (representing

approximately 25% of finished product value) include: gases classified
under HTSUS heading 2903--saturated/unsaturated chlorinated derivatives
of acyclic hydrocarbons; fluorinated, brominated or iodinated
derivatives of acyclic hydrocarbons; halogenated derivatives of
cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic hydrocarbons; halogenated
derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons; polystyrene, styrene
acrylonitrile, ABS and MBS copolymers, plastic gaskets/washer/seals/o-
rings, v-belts and fasteners, articles of hard rubber, printed labels,
glass fiber yarn (Category 201; must be admitted under privileged
foreign status--19 CFR 146.41), glass fiber fabric, steel cloth/
netting/fencing/bands, fasteners, radiators, hot-air distributors,
copper bars/rods/profiles/tubes/pipes/fittings, aluminum bars/rods/
profiles/plates/ sheets/strips/foil, compressors, pumps, fans, hoods,
furnace burners, filters, valves (check, safety relief, control,
regulator), electric motors, transformers, conductors, rectifiers,
power supplies, capacitors, switches, terminals, connectors,

switchboards, circuit breakers, contractors, wire, thermostats,
regulators, and controllers (duty rate range: free--7.4%)
    FTZ procedures would exempt Eubank from Customs duty payments on
the foreign materials used in export production. On its domestic sales
and exports to NAFTA markets, the company would be able to choose the
duty rate that applies to the finished air conditioning and heating
equipment and components (free, 1.4%) for the foreign-sourced inputs
noted above. Foreign status merchandise and domestic merchandise
destined for export would be exempt from certain local inventory taxes.
Eubank would be able to defer Customs duty payments on foreign-origin
finished products that would be admitted to the proposed subzone for
U.S. distribution. Duties would be deferred or reduced on foreign
production equipment admitted to the proposed subzone until which time
it becomes operational. The application indicates that subzone status
would help improve the plant's international competitiveness.

    In accordance with the Board's regulations, a member of the FTZ
Staff has been designated examiner to investigate the application and
report to the Board.
    Public comment on the application is invited from interested
parties. Submissions (original and three copies) shall be addressed to
the Board's Executive Secretary at the following addresses:
    1. Submissions via Express/Package Delivery Services: Foreign-Trade
Zones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Franklin Court Building--
Suite 4100W, 1099 14th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005; or,
    2. Submissions via the U.S. Postal Service: Foreign-Trade Zones
Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, FCB-4100W, 1401 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC 20230.
    The closing period for their receipt is September 26, 2003.
Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the
foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period
(to October 14, 2003).
    A copy of the application will be available for public inspection
at the Office of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board's Executive Secretary at

address No. 1 listed above and at the U.S. Department of Commerce
Export Assistance Center, Business Education Building 119H, One
University Place, Shreveport, LA 71115-2399.

    Dated: July 21, 2003.
Pierre V. Duy,
Acting Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-19138 Filed 7-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P