DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,818

AGFA CORPORATION
BREVARD, NORTH 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
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 in response to a petition
received on February 11, 2002, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Agfa Corporation, Brevard, North Carolina.
The workers produce medical X-ray film and the polyester base
chemicals used in its manufacture.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined in 2001 compared with 2000, and is
expected to continue to decline further in 2002 compared with
2001.
The investigation further revealed that Agfa Corporation,
Brevard, North Carolina sharply increased its imports of X-ray
film and polyester chemicals in 2000 compared with 1999, and
continued to significantly increase imports in 2001 compared with
2000. Company officials have stated that this reliance on
imports will continue in the future.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with medical X-ray film and poly-
ester chemicals produced at Agfa Corporation, Brevard, North
Carolina 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 Agfa Corporation, Brevard, North Carolina,
who become totally or partially separated from employment on
or after March 23, 2002, the date of expiration of a
previous certification, 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 21st day of March, 2002.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance