DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,340

TITAN WHEEL CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA
SALTVILLE, VIRGINIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met – the sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on November 1, 2002 and filed by the company on behalf
of workers at Titan Wheel Corporation of Virginia, Saltville,
Virginia. Workers at the Saltville, Virginia location produce
wheels, rims and component parts for earthmoving/construction
industry.
The investigation revealed sales, production and employment
declined during the relevant period.
The U.S. Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
primary customer regarding its purchases of wheels and rims during
2000, 2001 and January through October 2002. The survey revealed
that the customer increased their imports of wheels and rims, while
decreasing their purchases from the subject firm during the
relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with wheels and rims produced at Titan
Wheel Corporation of Virginia, Saltville, Virginia contributed
importantly to the total or partial separation of workers and to
the decline in sales or production and at that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:







"All workers of Titan Wheel Corporation of Virginia,
Saltville, Virginia who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after October 25, 2001 through two years
from the date of certification are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 26th day of November, 2002.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance