DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,162

EXCEL FINISHING INC.
OLD FORT, NORTH CAROLINA

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated,
or are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on October 2, 2000 in re-
sponse to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Excel Finish-
ing Inc., Old Fort, North Carolina. Workers were engaged in the
dyeing and finishing of textiles. The investigation revealed
that criterion (3) has not been met.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA -
4186).
This investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the Old Fort, North Carolina plant declined to zero
in October 2000, when the subject firm closed permanently.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major
declining customers of Excel Finishing Inc. regarding their
purchases of textile dyeing and finishing in 1998, 1999, and
January-September 2000. The survey revealed that no respondent
reported using foreign sources for textile dyeing and finishing
while decreasing purchases from the subject firm during the
relevant time period.
The investigation further revealed that Excel Finishing Inc.,
Old Fort, North Carolina did not import articles that were like
or directly competitive with the articles produced at the subject
firm.Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Excel
Finishing Inc., Old Fort, North Carolina, are denied eligibility
to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade
Act of 1974.
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 18th day of December, 2000.

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