DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,619

STERLING AND ADAMS BENTWOOD, INC.
LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA

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 in response to a petition
received on April 28, 2003 and filed on behalf of workers at
Sterling and Adams Bentwood, Inc., Lenoir, North Carolina. The
workers produced curved plywood rails and bent plywood panels for
furniture production.
The investigation revealed that subject plant sales,
production and employment declined during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
curved plywood rails and bent plywood panels for furniture
production during 2001, 2002 and January through March 2003 over
the corresponding 2002 period. The survey revealed that a major
customer increased their purchases of imported curved plywood
rails and bent plywood panels, while decreasing their purchases
from the subject plant during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with curved plywood rails and bent
plywood panels at Sterling and Adams Bentwood, Inc., Lenoir,
North Carolina 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 Sterling and Adams Bentwood, Inc., Lenoir,
North Carolina who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after April 25, 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, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of June, 2003.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance