DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,193

A. WIMPFHEIMER & BRO., INC.
DOING BUSINESS AS AMERICAN VELVET COMPANY
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 October 9, 2008 in response
to a petition filed by a state agency representative on behalf of
workers of A. Wimpfheimer & Bro., Inc., doing business as American
Velvet Company, Stonington, Connecticut. The workers at the
subject firm produced pile fabrics.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm decreased absolutely with the cessation of
operations on June 13, 2008.
The investigation revealed that there was an increased
reliance on imported pile (and tufted) fabric to that of domestic
production according to aggregate United States imports for the
most recent dataset available - the period of January through
September 2007 compared to the same period one year prior.
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 facility 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 pile fabrics produced by A.
Wimpfheimer & Bro., Inc., doing business as American Velvet
Company, Stonington, Connecticut, contributed importantly to the
total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales
or production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of A. Wimpfheimer & Bro., Inc., doing business as
American Velvet Company, Stonington, Connecticut who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
October 8, 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 4th day of November 2008

/s/ Linda G. Poole

__________________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance