DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,120

AGFA CORPORATION
A SUBSIDIARY OF AGFA-GEVAERT
WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS

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), 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated June 23, 2004 in response to a
petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of Agfa
Corporation, a subsidiary of Agfa-Gevaert, Wilmington,
Massachusetts. The workers produce electronic prepress equipment.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
plant decreased during the period of January through May 2004
compared to the same period in 2003.
The investigation also revealed the preponderance of declines
in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift in
production of electronic prepress equipment to Belgium and
Slovakia. Imports of this equipment are likely to increase.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive those produced at the subject firm
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:



"Agfa Corporation, a subsidiary of Agfa-Gevaert, Wilmington,
Massachusetts who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after June 11, 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 14th day of July 2004.

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