DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,147
MAHLE ENGINE COMPONENTS USA, INC.
R & D CENTER
MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN

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 October 1, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of the R & D Center of Mahle Engine Components USA, Inc.,
Muskegon, Michigan. The workers provide technical and design
support, including prototype fabrication, for domestic piston ring
production at affiliated facilities.
The investigation revealed that a reduced demand for the
support services at the R & D Center originated at affiliated
facilities in Manchester, Missouri; Muskegon, Michigan and
Franklin, Kentucky that produced piston rings. Workers at these
three domestic plants have independently been certified by the
Department of Labor as adversely affected by imports and deemed
eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance benefits.
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 piston rings produced by Mahle
Engine Components USA, Inc. contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers at the R & D Center in Muskegon,
Michigan. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:


"All workers of Mahle Engine Components USA, Inc., R & D
Center, Muskegon, Michigan who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after September 30, 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 October, 2008

/s/ Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance