DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,555
AMERICAN FLANGE & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
A DIVISION OF GREIF, INC.
CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS

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, as
amended (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 sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on February 11, 2005 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at American
Flange & Manufacturing Company, Inc., a division of Greif, Inc.,
Carol Stream, Illinois. The workers produce steel, plastic and
aluminum closures.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined in January 2005 compared to
the same period in 2004. The plant is scheduled to close in May of
2005.
The investigation also revealed declines in employment at the
subject firm are related to a shift in production of closures
abroad with further shifts anticipated. Imports of closures have
increased during the relevant period, and are expected to increase
still further in 2005.
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 division 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 closures produced at American
Flange & Manufacturing Company, Inc., a division of Greif, Inc.,
Carol Stream, Illinois 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:
"All workers of American Flange & Manufacturing Company, Inc.,
a division of Greif, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
January 28, 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 16th day of March 2005.

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