DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,806

LAUFEN INTERNATIONAL, INCORPORATED
CANTON DISTRIBUTION CENTER
CANTON, OHIO

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 10, 2007 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Laufen International,
Inc., Canton Distribution Center, Canton, Ohio. The workers
perform warehousing and shipping duties for an affiliated plant
engaged in the production of ceramic wall tile.
The investigation revealed that employment at Laufen
International, Inc., Canton Distribution Center, Canton, Ohio
declined during the period under investigation.
The investigation further revealed that the subject location
supported production at an affiliated plant (United States
Ceramic Tile Company, East Sparta, Ohio) which is under an
existing TAA certification (TA-W-60,983). The plant was
certified on the basis of imports contributing importantly to the
layoffs at the facility.
In addition, 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 subject facility are
50 year of age or older 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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with ceramic wall tile produced by
the firm contributed important 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 Laufen International, Inc., Canton
Distribution Center, Canton, Ohio who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after July 9, 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 18th day of July 2007.


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance