DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,055

PORTEX, INC.
FORMERLY SIMSPORTEX
A SUBSIDIARY OF SMITHS GROUP PLC
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

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
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:
(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 March 18, 2002 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Portex, Inc., formerly
SimsPortex, a subsidiary of Smiths Group PLC, Fort Myers, Florida.
The workers produce disposable medical supplies, including
resuscitation kits and respiratory circuits.
The investigation revealed that criterion (2) has not been
met.
Both sales and production at the subject firm increased from
2000 to 2001.


Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Portex,
Inc., formerly SimsPortex, a subsidiary of Smiths Group PLC, Fort
Myers, Florida engaged in employment related to the production of
disposable medical supplies, including resuscitation kits and
respiratory circuits, are denied eligibility to apply for adjust-
ment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 27th day of March, 2002.



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