DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,277

HOULTON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
HOULTON, MAINE

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 investigation was initiated on March 24, 2003, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Houlton International Corporation, Houlton, Maine. The workers at
the subject firm produced hardwood furniture components.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm decreased absolutely from 2001 to
2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of hardwood furniture
components. This survey revealed increases in imports of hardwood
furniture components during the period under investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with hardwood furniture components
produced at Houlton International Corporation, Houlton, Maine
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 Houlton International Corporation, Houlton,
Maine who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 24, 2002, through two years
from the date of certification, are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 27th day of June, 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance