DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,179

CHIPPENHOOK CORPORATION
DESIGNERS GROUP INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
NORTH STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT

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 April 14, 2008 in response to
a petition filed by the Connecticut state Rapid Response Coordinator
on behalf of workers of Chippenhook Corporation, Designers Group
International Division, North Stonington, Connecticut. The workers
produce displays and cases for jewelry and watches.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm anticipates
separations at the North Stonington facility. Production at the
subject facility declined in 2007 compared with 2006, and continued to
decline in 2008.
The subject firm has an increasing reliance on imports of
products like or directly competitive with those produced at the
facility, contributing importantly to the decrease in production and
employment there.
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 displays and cases for jewelry and watches produced
at Chippenhook Corporation, Designers Group International Division,
North Stonington, Connecticut, 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 Chippenhook Corporation, Designers Group
International Division, North Stonington, Connecticut, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after April 11, 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/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance