DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,561

CONCEPT FABRICS, INC.
ASHEBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

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 July 15, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Concept Fabrics, Inc, Asheboro, North Carolina. Workers at the
subject firm produce fabric for commercial seating and panels:
polyolefin woven upholstery fabric and panel fabrics 100 percent
polyester. The workers are not separately identifiable by product.
Employment, sales, and production decreased during January
through May 2005 when compared to the same time frame in 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of polyolefin woven
upholstery fabric and panel fabrics 100 percent polyester during
2003, 2004, and during January through May 2005. These surveys
revealed that the customers' imports of panel fabrics increased in
the relevant period.
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)(B) of
Section 222 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 fabric for commercial seating
and panels: polyolefin woven upholstery fabric and panel fabrics
100 percent polyester produced at Concept Fabrics, Inc, Asheboro,
North Carolina 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 Concept Fabrics, Inc, Asheboro, North Carolina
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after July 12, 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 22nd day of August 2005.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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