DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,018

CREATIVE CONVERTING - APPLETON
A DIVISION OF HOFFMASTER GROUP, INC.
WORKERS WAGES WERE ALSO REPORTED UNDER ANOTHER CORPORATE NAME -
SOLO CUP OPERATING CORPORATION
APPLETON, WISCONSIN

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 September 10, 2008 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Creative
Converting - Appleton, a division of Hoffmaster Group, Inc.,
Appleton, Wisconsin. Workers at the subject firm produce paper
plates and napkins.
In addition, workers wages were reported under another
corporate name - Solo Cup Operating Corporation.
Employment and production at the subject firm declined
comparing the period of January to August 2008 to the same period
in 2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding purchases of paper plates and napkins
and like or directly competitive articles for 2006, 2007, January
through August 2008, and January through August 2008. The survey
revealed increased imports of paper plates and napkins and like or
directly competitive articles.
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 do not possess skills that are 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 paper plates and napkins produced
at Creative Converting - Appleton, a division of Hoffmaster Group,
Inc., Appleton, Wisconsin, 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 Creative Converting - Appleton, a division of
Hoffmaster Group, Inc., including workers whose wages were
reported under another corporate name - Solo Cup Operating
Corporation, Appleton, Wisconsin, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after September 9,
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 21st day of November 2008

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