DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,388

FOAM FABRICATORS, INC.
FOREST CITY, ARKANSAS

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 November 10, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by a state agency representative on
behalf of workers of Foam Fabricators, Inc., Forest City, Arkansas.
Workers at the subject firm produced foam packaging for TV's.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm declined absolutely with the permanent closure of
the facility in October 2008.
The subject firm did not shift the production of foam
packaging to a foreign source or import these products from abroad.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customer regarding purchases of foam
packaging in 2006, 2007, January through October 2007, and January
through October 2008. The survey revealed increased import
purchases of foam packaging during the relevant period.
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 foam packaging produced by Foam
Fabricators, Inc., Forest City, Arkansas 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 Foam Fabricators, Inc., Forest City, Arkansas,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after November 7, 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 19th day of December 2008

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