DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,921

HICKORY CHAIR
A SUBSIDIARY OF HDM FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA

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 January 21, 2009, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Hickory Chair, a subsidiary of HDM Industries, Inc.,
Hickory, North Carolina. The workers produce upholstered furniture
and casegoods.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment declined
during the period under investigation.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding their purchases of upholstered
furniture and casegoods during 2007 and 2008. The survey revealed
an increased reliance on imports of upholstered furniture and
casegoods.
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 upholstered furniture and
casegoods produced at Hickory Chair, a subsidiary of HDM
Industries, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina, 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 Hickory Chair, a subsidiary of HDM Industries,
Inc., Hickory, North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 16, 2008,
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 26th day of February 2009



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