Findings of the Investigation

BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL

TA-W-53,793

KEELER BRASS COMPANY
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF TALENT TREE, INC.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Determination and Basis

Increased customer imports (C-2)

Previous Determination: N/A

Number of Workers Affected: 137

Total Number of Workers: 375

Petitioner: State agency representative

Product: Furniture hardware

SIC: 3469

RELEVANT DATES:
Institution Date: 12/12/2003
Petition Date: 12/02/2003
Impact Date: 12/02/2002

File: S:/ONR/OADWTAAR/DTAA/WPDOCS/CASE/T1/53793

Investigator: Christiane Plante

Supporting Evidence

Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan is the subject of
this investigation. Workers at the subject firm produce
furniture hardware such as handles, door plates, and hinges;
workers are not separately identifiable by product line.






DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,793

KEELER BRASS COMPANY
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF TALENT TREE, INC.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

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 (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 December 12, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a State agency representative on
behalf of workers of Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids,
Michigan. The workers at the subject firm produce furniture
hardware; workers are not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm leased
some of its production workers from Talent Tree, Inc., Grand
Rapids, Michigan.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm decreased absolutely during the
period of April through December of 2003, when compared to the
same period in 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of furniture
hardware. This survey revealed increases in imports of furniture
hardware during the period under investigation.
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 the furniture hardware
produced at Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
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 Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, and leased workers of Talent Tree, Inc., Grand
Rapids, Michigan producing furniture hardware at Keeler
Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after December 2,
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 28th day of January, 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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