DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-52,542

COLUMBUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
ASHEVILLE, OHIO

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on August 12, 2003, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Columbus
Industries, Inc., Asheville, Ohio. The workers at the subject firm
produced OEM (residential) filters; workers are not separately
identifiable product line.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined absolutely from 2001 to 2002 and during the period of
January through July 2003 when compared to the same period in 2002.
The subject firm ceased production in October 2002.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the subject firm
shifted production of the OEM (residential) filters from Asheville,
Ohio to a country (Mexico) that is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of
1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance (ATAA) for older workers.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion 2 is not met.
The investigation revealed workers in the workers' firm
possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that are
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of Columbus Industries, Inc., Asheville, Ohio who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or after
August 11, 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;" and
"I further determine that all workers of Columbus
Industries, Inc., Asheville, Ohio are denied eligibility to apply
for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of
the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 10th day of September, 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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