DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,715

FORMICA CORPORATION
ODENTON, MARYLAND

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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on January 22, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Formica Corporation, Odenton, Maryland. The workers
produce automotive parts and tooling used to produce them. In
particular, the workers produce solid surface polyester sheets.
The workers of Formica Corporation, Odenton, Maryland have
received a previous certification TA-W-58,345, that expired on
December 29, 2007. The facility was certified on the basis of
increased imports following a shift in production to China.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance of declines in
employment at the subject facility is related to a shift in
production of solid surface polyester sheets to China. The
investigation further revealed that the subject firm has also
increased imports of solid surface polyester sheets to the United
States.
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 was a shift in production from the
workers' firm or subdivision to China, of articles like or directly
competitive with solid surface polyester sheets produced by Formica
Corporation, Odenton, Maryland, and there has been or is likely to
be an increase in imports of like or directly competitive articles.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Formica Corporation, Odenton, Maryland, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 30, 2007 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 19th day of February 2008


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