Serious welding problems at China-based steel fabricator
International Desk
August 01, 2009
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) on Thursday cited serious welding problems at a China-based steel fabricator as an example of why American-made product should be utilized in domestic infrastructure products. As American Metal Market Magazine has reported, significant welding problems at Zenhau Port Machine Co. (ZPMC), a steel fabricator in Shanghai, have halted shipments of Chinese-made steel intended for the eastern span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge.
AAM Executive Director Scott Paul said, "Timely and quality completion of the Bay Bridge is critical to the safety of Californians who have already experienced disaster first hand. Yet, the decision to use Chinese steel is of real concern, with delayed shipments and reports of faulty engineering pushing the completion back by months. Subsidized Chinese products may be cheaper at the time of bid, but we have seen what happens when faulty engineering and manufacturing both threatens the safety of Americans and drives up the final cost to the taxpayer."
"When officials overseeing the project visit with Zenhau Port Machine Co. in Shanghai, they should demand that it produce steel on time and at the quality our taxpayers deserve. If not, their contract should be voided," Paul continued. "There are plenty of domestic producers and workers who would be happy to provide high-quality, affordable American steel. We think this calls for further scrutiny from Congress and Federal transportation authorities."
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) is a non-partisan, non-profit partnership forged to strengthen manufacturing in the U.S. AAM brings together a select group of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers. Our mission is to promote creative policy solutions on priorities such as international trade, energy security, health care, retirement security, currency manipulation, and other issues of mutual concern.
AAM Executive Director Scott Paul said, "Timely and quality completion of the Bay Bridge is critical to the safety of Californians who have already experienced disaster first hand. Yet, the decision to use Chinese steel is of real concern, with delayed shipments and reports of faulty engineering pushing the completion back by months. Subsidized Chinese products may be cheaper at the time of bid, but we have seen what happens when faulty engineering and manufacturing both threatens the safety of Americans and drives up the final cost to the taxpayer."
"When officials overseeing the project visit with Zenhau Port Machine Co. in Shanghai, they should demand that it produce steel on time and at the quality our taxpayers deserve. If not, their contract should be voided," Paul continued. "There are plenty of domestic producers and workers who would be happy to provide high-quality, affordable American steel. We think this calls for further scrutiny from Congress and Federal transportation authorities."
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) is a non-partisan, non-profit partnership forged to strengthen manufacturing in the U.S. AAM brings together a select group of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers. Our mission is to promote creative policy solutions on priorities such as international trade, energy security, health care, retirement security, currency manipulation, and other issues of mutual concern.
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