DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,432

PHOENIX FINISHING CORP.
DIVISION OF NRB INDUSTRIES
GAFFNEY, SOUTH CAROLINA

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 eli-gibility 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 December 17, 2001, filed by the company on behalf of
workers at Phoenix Finishing Corp., division of NRB Industries,
Gaffney, South Carolina. The workers produced finished broadloom
fabrics (acetate, polyester).
Investigation findings revealed that the subject plant
experienced declines in sales, production, and levels of
employment.
The United States Department of Labor conducted a survey of
major customers of the subject firm. That survey showed that
customers of the subject firm increased imports of finished
broadloom fabrics (acetate, polyester).
The investigation also revealed that the subject facility
is vertically integrated with two other NRB Industries plants in
Radford, Virginia, for which there is an existing certification,
TA-W-38,284.
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 those produced by Phoenix Finishing
Corp., division of NRB Industries, Gaffney, South Carolina,
contributed importantly to the decline in sales and production
and to the total or partial separation of workers of the subject
firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:


"All workers at Phoenix Finishing Corp., division of
NRB Industries, Gaffney, South Carolina, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 1, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 4th day of April, 2002.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
__________________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer
Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance