DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,733

CENTER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
BELLEVUE, OHIO

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 24, 2008, in response
to a petition filed by the International Union, United Automobile,
Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Region 2-B
on behalf of workers of Center Manufacturing Company, Inc.,
Bellevue, Ohio. Workers at the subject firm produced fireproof
safes and mailboxes. Workers are not separately identifiable by
product.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm declined absolutely with the permanent closure of
the facility in August 2008.
The subject firm did not shift the production of fireproof
safes and mailboxes to a foreign source or import these products
from abroad.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
fireproof safes and mailboxes in 2006, 2007, and during the period
of January through June 2008. The surveys revealed increased
import purchases of fireproof safes and mailboxes during the period
of January through June 2008, when compared to the same time period
in 2007.
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 fireproof safes and mailboxes
produced by Center Manufacturing Company, Inc., Bellevue, Ohio
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 Center Manufacturing Company, Inc., Bellevue,
Ohio, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 23, 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 5th day of September 2008

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