DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,057

N & E REFRACTORIES, INC.
d/b/a INTERNATIONAL CERAMIC WELDING
DEMOTTE, INDIANA

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 September 3, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers
at N&E Refractories, Inc., d/b/a International Ceramic Welding,
Demotte, Indiana. The workers are engaged in employment related
to the production of refractory (crush brick).
The investigation revealed that criterion (2) has not been
met.
The investigation further revealed that there was no decline
in sales or production at the subject plant during the relevant
period. Plant sales or production increased from 2000 to 2001
and further increased from January through July 2002 over the
corresponding 2001 period.
A NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment petition has been filed on
behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-6497).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at N&E
Refractories, Inc., d/b/a International Ceramic Welding, Demotte,
Indiana, are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 18th day of October 2002.



/s/Elliott S. Kushner________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance