DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,810
SOLON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
SKOWHEGAN, MAINE

TA-W-40,810A
SOLON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
SOLON, MAINE

TA-W-40,810B
SOLON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
PLYMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE

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
eligibility 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 on February 11, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers
at Solon Manufacturing Company, Skowhegan, Maine (TA-W-40,810);
Solon Manufacturing Company, Solon, Maine (TA-W-40,810A); and
Solon Manufacturing Company, Plymouth, New Hampshire (TA-W-
40,810B). The workers produced wooden paint paddles, tongue
blades, ice cream sticks and other miscellaneous wood products.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
declined at the subject firm during the relevant period.
The subject firm does not import and has no plans to begin
importing.
The Department of Labor surveyed major customers of the
subject plants regarding their purchases of wooden paint paddles,
tongue blades, ice cream sticks and other miscellaneous wood
products in 2000 and 2001 time periods. A major customer
reported decreased purchases from the subject firm while
increasing imports of wooden paint paddles, tongue blades, ice
cream sticks and other miscellaneous wood products.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has been
filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-5736, NAFTA-
5736A and NAFTA-5736B).
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced by Solon
Manufacturing Company, Skowhegan, Maine; Solon Manufacturing
Company, Solon, Maine and Solon Manufacturing Company, Plymouth,
New Hampshire 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 Trade Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers at Solon Manufacturing Company, Skowhegan,
Maine (TA-W-40,810); Solon Manufacturing Company, Solon,
Maine (TA-W-40,810A); and Solon Manufacturing Company,
Plymouth, New Hampshire (TA-W-40,810B), who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after January
15, 2001, 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 19th day of March 2002


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