DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,809

VITCO, LLC
NAPPANEE, INDIANA

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 the workers of
Vitco, LLC, Nappanee, Indiana. The workers were engaged in
the production of metal stamping, porcelain and enamel
products (used to assemble or sold as component parts for
gas grills, lantern hoods, sinks, table tops, stoves and
ovens).
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined from January through June 2007 over the
corresponding 2006 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
declining customers regarding their purchases of metal
stamping, porcelain and enamel products (used to assemble
or sold as component parts for gas grills, lantern hoods,
sinks, table tops, stoves and ovens) in 2005, 2006 and in
January through April 2007 over the corresponding 2006
period. The surveys revealed that customers increased
import purchases during 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 metal stamping,
porcelain and enamel products (used to assemble or sold as
component parts for gas grills, lantern hoods, sinks, table
tops, stoves and ovens) produced by Vitco, LLC, Nappanee,
Indiana 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 Vitco, LLC, Nappanee, Indiana who
became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after June 29, 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 1st day of August 2007




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