Department of Labor

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,493

TITAN PLASTICS GROUP INC.
TECH CENTER
PORTAGE, MICHIGAN

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
And Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply
For 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 on May 31, 2006 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Titan
Plastics Group Inc., Portage, Michigan. The workers are
engaged in support activities related to the production of
plastic automotive components.
All workers of Titan Plastics in Portage, Michigan were
previously certified eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under petition number TA-W-52,768, which expired
November 5, 2005.
This investigation determined that the work in the Tech
Center of Titan Plastics Group in Portage, Michigan,
supported the production of plastic components produced by
an affiliated firm in El Paso, Texas, whose workers are
certified eligible for adjustment assistance.
The investigation revealed that employment at the
subject firm declined between May 26, 2005 and May 26, 2006.
Furthermore, the declines in employment are related to
the shift in the production of plastic components to Mexico,
a country that is party to a free trade agreement with the
United States.
In addition, 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program
that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the
Trade Act are:

1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are
adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion 2 has not
been met.
The investigation revealed that the workers' skills are
easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico
of articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Titan Plastics Group Inc., Tech Center,
Portage, Michigan, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after November 6, 2005
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



I further determine that all workers of Titan Plastics
Group Inc., Tech Center, Portage, Michigan, are denied
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 29th day of June, 2006


/s/Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance