DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,035

SUMMIT PRODUCTIONS
EQUITY MANAGEMENT GROUP DIVISION
FORT WAYNE, 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 March 20, 2008, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Summit Productions, Equity Management Group Division, Fort Wayne,
Indiana. Workers at the subject firm manufacture handbags.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales and
production at the subject firm declined from 2006 to 2007 and
during the period of January through February 2008 when compared to
the same time period in 2007. The subject firm will close
permanently in May 2008.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's sole
customer regarding its purchases of handbags in 2006, 2007, and
January through February 2008. The survey revealed increased
imports of handbags during the relevant period.
In addition, 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 handbags produced by Summit
Productions, Equity Management Group Division, Fort Wayne, 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 Summit Productions, Equity Management Group
Division, Fort Wayne, Indiana, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 18, 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 30th day of April 2008


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