DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,108

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOAM, INC.
ALSO KNOWN AS LAZY PET PRODUCTS
A SUBSIDIARY OF UNITED PET GROUP
HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative 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 investigation was initiated on October 11, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Southern California Foam, Inc., also known as Lazy Pet
Products, a subsidiary of United Pet Group, Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
The workers at the subject firm produce pet beds and loungers.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased during the period of January through October
2005 compared to the same period in 2004. It is anticipated that
the subject firm will permanently cease operations October 31,
2005.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased reliance on imports of pet beds and loungers during the
period of January through October 2005 compared to the same period
in 2004.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 an increased reliance on imports of
articles like or directly competitive with pet beds and loungers
produced at the subject firm 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 Southern California Foam, Inc., also known as
Lazy Pet Products, a subsidiary of United Pet Group, Hazleton,
Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 10, 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 3rd day of November, 2005.

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