DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,115

THE HON COMPANY
WOOD PRODUCTS GROUP
WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification 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. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on April 30, 2001 and filed on behalf of workers at The
Hon Company, Wood Products Group, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The
workers produced office furniture.
The investigation revealed that company-wide sales and plant
sales increased in 2000 compared to 1999 and in January-March
2001 compared to the same period in 2000.
Company-wide production decreased in 2000 compared to 1999
and in January-March 2001 compared to the same period in 2000.

Employment decreased in 2000 compared to 1999 and in
January-March 2001 compared to the same period in 2000. Layoffs
occurred on March 16, 2001; May 11, 2001; and, May 25, 2001.
Company imports of non-wood seating, in terms of units and
sales volume, increased in 2000 compared to 1999 and decreased in
January-March 2001 compared to the same period in 2000.
The Department conducted a survey of major declining
customers of the subject firm in 1999, 2000 and January-March
2001. The survey revealed that a respondent which accounted for a
significant percentage of subject plant's sales decline in
January-March 2001 compared to the same period in 2000 increased
its purchases of office furniture from other domestic firms
wholly manufactured in foreign countries in January-March 2001
compared to the same period in 2000.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with office furniture produced at The Hon
Company, Wood Products Group, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
contributed importantly to the decline in sales or production and
to the total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
 "All workers of The Hon Company, Wood Products Group,
Williamsport, Pennsylvania who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after April 12, 2000 through
two years from the date of certification are eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the
Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 28th day of August, 2001


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