DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,972

KAC HOLDINGS
d/b/a/
KESTER
DES PLAINES, 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 an 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 April 14, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers of KAC
Holdings d/b/a/ Kester, Des Plaines, Illinois. The workers at
the subject firm produce a variety of related products including
bar and wire solder, solduforms, paste solder and chemicals.
Declines in employment at the subject plant are threatened
and are attributed to a shift in production to Mexico, a country
that is party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
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 conclude that there was a shift in production
of bar and wire solder, solduforms, paste solder and chemicals
produced at KAC Holdings d/b/a/ Kester, Des Plaines, Illinois,
to Mexico. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:


"All workers of KAC Holdings d/b/a/ Kester, Des Plaines,
Illinois, engaged in the production bar and wire solder,
solduforms, paste solder and chemicals who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after March
29, 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 11th day of May 2005.
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance