DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,430

ASSOCIATED HYGIENIC PRODUCTS, INC.
A SUBSIDIARY OF DISPOSABLE SOFT GOODS INTERNATIONAL
OCONTO FALLS, WISCONSIN

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 (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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on August 12, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by PACE International on behalf of workers at
Associated Hygienic Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Disposable Soft
Goods International, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. The workers produce
adult incontinence products.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined absolutely during the
period under investigation.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of adult incontinence
products. This survey revealed an increase in imports of adult
incontinence products during the period under investigation.
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) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the affected workers possess
skills that are easily transferable in the local area.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in this
investigation, I determine that I determine that increases of
imports of articles like or directly competitive with the
production of adult incontinence products produced by Associated
Hygienic Products, Inc., Oconto Falls, Wisconsin contributed
importantly to the total or partial separation of workers and to
the decline in sales or production at that firm or subdivision. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Associated Hygienic Products, Inc., a
subsidiary of Disposable Soft Goods International, Oconto
Falls, Wisconsin, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after July 19, 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
I further determine that all workers of Associated Hygienic
Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Disposable Soft Goods
International, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, are denied eligibility to
apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 17th day of September, 2004

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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