DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,567

BGF INDUSTRIES, INC.
HEAVYWEIGHT ELECTRICAL FABRICS DIVISION
SOUTH HILL, 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 investigation was initiated on April 23, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
BGF Industries, Inc., Heavyweight Electrical Fabrics Division,
South Hill, Virginia. The workers at the subject division produced
heavyweight fiberglass fabrics for the printed wiring board
industry.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject division decreased absolutely from 2001
to 2002. The subject division closed on September 30, 2002.
The investigation further revealed that the subject division
did not import heavyweight fiberglass fabrics or shift production
of heavyweight fiberglass fabrics to a foreign country.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject division's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of heavyweight
fiberglass fabrics. This survey revealed increases in imports of
heavyweight fiberglass fabrics during the period under
investigation.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with heavyweight fiberglass fabrics
produced at BGF Industries, Inc., Heavyweight Electrical Fabrics
Division, South Hill, Virginia contributed importantly to the total
or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production and at that division or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of BGF Industries, Inc., Heavyweight Electrical
Fabrics Division, South Hill, Virginia who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after April 22, 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 20th day of May, 2003.



/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance