DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,346

RPI, INC.
dba OXFORD AUTOMOTIVE
PRUDENVILLE, 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 January 18, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of RPI, Inc., a division of Oxford Automotive,
Prudenville, Michigan. The workers produce automotive component
stampings and weld assemblies for the automotive industry.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined from 2003 to 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
customers regarding their purchases of automotive component
stampings and weld assemblies. The surveys revealed a reliance
on foreign purchases 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 production of automotive
component stampings and weld assemblies produced at RPI, Inc., a
division of Oxford Automotive, Prudenville, Michigan,
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:
"Workers of RPI, Inc., a division of Oxford Automotive,
Prudenville, Michigan, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 6, 2004,
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 1st day of March, 2005.



/s/ Linda G. Poole
_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance