DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,896

ADVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN

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 on August 11, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Advantage Technologies Inc., Plymouth, Michigan. The
workers at the subject firm produce pneumatic lumbar supports.
The workers are covered under an existing certification,
TA-W-55,183, that expires on August 13, 2006.
This investigation revealed that the preponderance in the
declines in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift
in production of pneumatic lumbar supports, 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.
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 do not possess skills that are easily
transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry are
adverse.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that there has been a shift in
production from Advantage Technologies Inc., Plymouth, Michigan
to Mexico of articles that are like or directly competitive with
pneumatic lumbar supports produced by that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Advantage Technologies Inc., Plymouth,
Michigan who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 14, 2006, 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 August, 2006

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