DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,455

OGIHARA AMERICA CORPORATION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM ACTION ASSOCIATES
HOWELL, 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 (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 May 7, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on
behalf of the workers of Ogihara America Corporation,
Howell, Michigan. The workers produce automotive body
panels. In particular they produce Class-A stampings
(fenders, hoods, doors, roofs, etc.).
The investigation revealed that Ogihara America
Corporation also leased workers from Action Associates.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales
decreased during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
major declining customer(s) regarding purchases of Class-A
stampings in 2005, 2006 and January through April 2007. The
survey revealed increasing import purchases while reducing
purchases from the subject firm during the relevant period.
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 determine that increases of imports of
articles like or directly competitive with automotive body
panels produced by Ogihara America Corporation, Howell,
Michigan, 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 Ogihara America Corporation, Howell,
Michigan, including on-site leased workers from Action
Associates, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after May 4, 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 14th day of August 2007.


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