DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,769
TAKATA PETRI INC.
STEERING WHEEL DIVISION
A SUBSIDIARY OF TK HOLDINGS, INC.
PORT HURON MICHIGAN

TA-W-54,769A
TAKATA PETRI INC.
STEERING WHEEL FRAME DIVISION
A SUBSIDIARY OF TK HOLDINGS, INC.
PORT HURON MICHIGAN

Certifications 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on April 22, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Takata Petri, Inc., Steering Wheel Division, a subsidiary of TK
Holdings Inc., Port Huron, Michigan (TA-W-54,769) and Takata
Petri., Steering Wheel Frame Division, a subsidiary of TK Holdings
Inc., Port Huron, Michigan (TA-W-54,769A). The workers at the
subject facility are separately identifiable by division and
product produced. The workers at the Steering Wheel Division
produce steering wheels. The workers at the Steering Wheel Frame
Division produce steering wheel frames. Both divisions operate at
the same location.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance in the
declines in employment at the Steering Wheel Division is related to
a shift in production of steering wheels to a country (Mexico) that
is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
The investigation also revealed that the preponderance of
declines in employment at the Steering Wheel Frame Division is
related to a shift in production of steering wheel frames to
Brazil. Company imports of steering wheel frames increased in
fiscal year 2004 (April, 2003 - March, 2004).
In addition, 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 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 Takata
Petri, Inc., Steering Wheel Division, Port Huron, Michigan. I also
determine that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with those produced at Takata Petri, Inc., Steering
Wheel Frame Division, Port Huron, 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
certifications:


"All workers of Takata Petri, Inc., Steering Wheel Division, a
subsidiary of TK Holdings Inc., Port Huron, Michigan (TA-W-
54,769) and Takata Petri, Inc., Steering Wheel Frame Division,
a subsidiary of TK Holdings Inc., Port Huron, Michigan (TA-W-
54,769A) who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after April 22, 2003 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 10th day of May, 2004.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance