DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,867

VANGUARD SUPREME
A DIVISION OF MONARCH KNITTING MACHINERY CORPORATION
MONROE, 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 April 29, 2009 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Vangaurd Supreme, a division of Monarch Knitting Machinery
Corporation, Monroe, North Carolina. Workers at the subject firm
produce circular knitting machinery.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales and
production at the subject firm declined from 2007 to 2008, and
during the period of January through April 2009 when compared to
the same time period in 2008.
The United States Department of Labor surveyed the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
circular knitting machinery in 2007, 2008, and January through
April 2009. The surveys revealed increased imports of circular
knitting machinery during the period under investigation.
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 circular knitting machinery
manufactured by Vangaurd Supreme, a division of Monarch Knitting
Machinery Corporation, Monroe, 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 Vangaurd Supreme, a division of Monarch
Knitting Machinery Corporation, Monroe, North Carolina, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after April 28, 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 21st day of July 2009


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