DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,022

IDEAL FORGING CORPORATION
SOUTHINGTON, CONNECTICUT

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on Sepetmeber 26, 2003, and filed on behalf of workers at
Ideal Forging Corporation, Southington, Connecticut. The workers
produce steel forgings.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined at the subject facility during the relevant
period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
rubber injection molds during 2001, 2002, and January through
August 2003 over the corresponding 2002 period. The survey
revealed that major customers increased their purchases of
imported steel forgings, while decreasing their purchases from
the subject firm during the relevant time period.
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.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with rubber injection molds produced
at Ideal Forging Corporation, Southington, Connecticut, 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 Ideal Forging Corporation, Southington,
Connecticut, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 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, and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 22nd day of October 2003.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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