Columbia Machine Works Resolves Dispute with Contractors & Industrial Supply Company
02/06/2015 - Columbia Machine Works Inc. (CMW) and Contractors & Industrial Supply Company Inc. (CIS) have agreed to resolve a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee styled Contractors & Industrial Supply Company Inc. v. Columbia Machine Works Inc., Case No. 1:14-cv-00060.
In the lawsuit, CIS alleged that CMW misappropriated trade secrets and engaged in unfair competition when it released a line of graphite electrode lifting and handling products to the steel industry in May 2014. CMW filed counterclaims alleging that CIS made defamatory statements and engaged in unfair competition based, in part, on making false statements to the steel industry about CMW’s electrode lifting and handling products. Although both parties dispute the claims against them, they agreed that a swift out-of-court resolution was the best outcome for their respective businesses and the steel industry as a whole. As a part of the resolution, both parties will continue to market and sell electrode lifting and handling products.
CMW’s president and CEO, John K. Langsdon, III, said, “My grandfather started our family business in 1927, and over our 87-year history, we have always produced high-quality products through responsible and ethical business practices. We are happy to have this dispute behind us, and I wish CIS and Mr. Schiller all the best in their future business endeavors.”
CIS’s president, Tom Schiller, said, “In our 45 years of business specializing in the development, design and manufacturing of custom overhead lifting equipment I have always strived to stay true to the “Golden Rule of Business” our founder and my father taught me: “Be fair, honest, put yourself in your customer’s shoes and treat them like you want to be treated.”
Columbia Machine Works Inc. is a family business that has operated out of Columbia, Tenn., since 1927. During its long history, CMW has performed research, design, development and manufacturing services in a variety of industries, including the steel industry. In addition to its electrode lifting and handling products and services, CMW also provides large capacity CNC and conventional machining, large capacity metal fabrication, and industrial maintenance products and services.
Contractors & Industrial Supply Co. Inc. (CIS) was formed with an entrepreneurial spirit by Hank and Mary Schiller in 1970. CIS initially concentrated on the development, design and manufacture of customized overhead lifting equipment. In 1994, Tom Schiller established the Electrode Handling Division of CIS. CIS provides rigging solutions and electrode handling equipment to industries throughout the world. Please visit www.electrode-handling.com for more information about CIS.
CMW’s president and CEO, John K. Langsdon, III, said, “My grandfather started our family business in 1927, and over our 87-year history, we have always produced high-quality products through responsible and ethical business practices. We are happy to have this dispute behind us, and I wish CIS and Mr. Schiller all the best in their future business endeavors.”
CIS’s president, Tom Schiller, said, “In our 45 years of business specializing in the development, design and manufacturing of custom overhead lifting equipment I have always strived to stay true to the “Golden Rule of Business” our founder and my father taught me: “Be fair, honest, put yourself in your customer’s shoes and treat them like you want to be treated.”
Columbia Machine Works Inc. is a family business that has operated out of Columbia, Tenn., since 1927. During its long history, CMW has performed research, design, development and manufacturing services in a variety of industries, including the steel industry. In addition to its electrode lifting and handling products and services, CMW also provides large capacity CNC and conventional machining, large capacity metal fabrication, and industrial maintenance products and services.
Contractors & Industrial Supply Co. Inc. (CIS) was formed with an entrepreneurial spirit by Hank and Mary Schiller in 1970. CIS initially concentrated on the development, design and manufacture of customized overhead lifting equipment. In 1994, Tom Schiller established the Electrode Handling Division of CIS. CIS provides rigging solutions and electrode handling equipment to industries throughout the world. Please visit www.electrode-handling.com for more information about CIS.
