DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,743

CHARLESTON FORGE (PLANT 1)
A SUBSIDIARY OF HEARTHSTONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-62,743A

CHARLESTON FORGE (PLANT 5)
A SUBSIDIARY OF HEARTHSTONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-62,743B

CHARLESTON FORGE (PLANT 7)
A SUBSIDIARY OF HEARTHSTONE ENTERPRISES, INC.
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA

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 January 25, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Charleston Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone
Enterprises, Inc., Plant 1, Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-62,743),
Charleston Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone Enterprises, Inc.,
Plant 5, Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-62,743A), and Charleston
Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone Enterprises, Inc., Plant 7,
Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-62,743B). The workers at the subject
firms are engaged in activities related to the production of metal
household furniture. Workers of Plant 5 (TA-W-62,743A) produce the
wood tops and shelves that incorporate into the production of metal
household furniture produced by workers in Plant 1 (TA-W-62,743)
and Plant 7 (TA-W-62,743B).
Workers of Plant 1 (TA-W-62,743) and Plant 5 (TA-W-62,743A)
were certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance
(TAA) (TA-W-58,234 and TA-W-58,234B, respectively) on December 1,
2005. Those certifications expired on December 1, 2007.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment declined at the subject firm from 2006 and 2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms' customers
regarding their purchases of metal household furniture during 2006
and 2007. The survey revealed customers increased their imports of
metal household furniture during the relevant period.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with metal household furniture
produced by Charleston Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone
Enterprises, Inc., Plant 1, Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-62,743),
Charleston Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone Enterprises, Inc.,
Plant 5, Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-62,743A), and Charleston
Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone Enterprises, Inc., Plant 7,
Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-62,743B) 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 Charleston Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone
Enterprises, Inc., Plant 1, Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-
62,743), and Charleston Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone
Enterprises, Inc., Plant 5, (TA-W-62,743A) Boone, North
Carolina (TA-W-62,743A), who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 2, 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"
and,
"All workers of Charleston Forge, a subsidiary of Hearthstone
Enterprises, Inc., Plant 7, Boone, North Carolina (TA-W-
62,743B), who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 24, 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 13th day of March 2008


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