DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,471

NOFFSINGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
HERMISTON-WEST DIVISION
HERMISTON, OREGON

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 February 2, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Noffsinger Manufacturing Company, Inc., Hermiston-
West Division, Hermiston, Oregon. The workers were engaged in
the production of agriculture belts and products for farm
cultivating machinery.
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 agriculture belts and
products for farm cultivating machinery. The survey revealed an
increased reliance on imported agriculture belts and products
for farm cultivating machinery purchases during the period under
investigation.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there were
increasing aggregate United States imports of agriculture belts
and products for farm cultivating machinery from 2003 to 2004.
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 agriculture
belts and products for farm cultivating machinery produced at
Noffsinger Manufacturing Company, Inc., Hermiston-West Division,
Hermiston, Oregon, contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production by that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"Workers of Noffsinger Manufacturing Company, Inc.,
Hermiston-West Division, Hermiston, Oregon who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
February 1, 2004 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 16th day of March, 2005.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

_____________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance