SIGMA, Star Pipe Price-Fixing Class Action Settlement

Pipe manufacturers SIGMA Corporation and Star Pipe have agreed to pay a total of $8,528,750 in order to settle a class action lawsuit that alleged the companies engaged in a price-fixing scheme for ductile iron pipe fittings (DIPF). The pipe fitting class action lawsuit settlement is only partial because a third named defendant, McWane Inc., is still negotiating a deal.

SIGMA, Star Pipe and McWane were hit with the pipe fitting class action lawsuit in February 2012 over allegations that the companies conspired together in order to fix the price of ductile iron pipe fittings.

According to the SIGMA/Star Pipe class action lawsuit, the companies engaged in anticompetitive conduct that allowed them to control the prices of the pipe fittings. These particular iron pipe fittings are typically used in wastewater and municipal systems.

The price-fixing class action lawsuit claims that Sigma and Star Pipe engaged in this antitrust behavior from as early as January 2008 through June 2011.

The plaintiffs further alleged that SIGMA and McWane were a part of a secondary price-fixing conspiracy to help McWane dominate the pipe-fitting market. According to the pipe fitting class action lawsuit, McWane and SIGMA worked together to monopolize the market from September 2009 through December 2013.

SIGMA reached a $4.9 million price-fixing class action settlement in May. According to the terms, the total amount will be paid in three equal amounts by May 2017.

By July, Star Pipe agreed to a $3.6 million pipe fitting class action settlement. The company will also pay it in three installments, beginning in September.

The Star Pipe/SIGMA class action lawsuit claimed that because of the anticompetitive conduct between the defendants, Class Members paid more for ductile iron pipe fittings than they otherwise would have.

SIGMA and Star Pipe have not admitted to engaging in a price-fixing scheme; however, they have agreed to settlement terms in order to avoid the expense of further litigation.

Who’s Eligible

The SIGMA pipe fitting class action lawsuit is open all Class Members who purchased a ductile iron pipe fitting from any defendant, at any time between Jan. 11, 2008 through June 30, 2011.

In addition, the SIGMA class action settlement is also open to all Class Members in the United States who purchased domestic DIPF directly from McWane or SIGMA at any time from Sept. 17, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2013.

For the Star Pipe class action settlement, Class Members include all U.S. residents who purchased DIPF directly from any defendant at any time from Jan. 11, 2008 through June 30, 2011.

Potential Award

Varies.

Each pipe fitting settlement Class Member will receive a percentage of the total settlement fund.

Proof of Purchase

In order to receive payment, Class Members must submit a valid Claim Form before the deadline. The Claim Form covers both the Sigma and Star Settlements, and you only need send in one Claim Form to participate in both price-fixing settlements.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM

Claim Form Deadline

01/29/2016

Case Name

In Re: Ductile Iron Pipe Fittings (DIPF) Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 3:12-cv-00711, in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Final Hearing

01/28/2016

Settlement Website

www.DIPFDirectSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

DIPF Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o GCG
PO Box 10220
Dublin, OH 43017-5720
888-298-6316

Class Counsel

Robert N. Kaplan
KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP

Kit A. Pierson
COHEN MILSTEIN SELLERS & TOLL PLLC

Defense Counsel

Counsel for SIGMA Corporation:
Matthew A. White
Leslie E. John
BALLARD SPAHR LLP

Counsel for Star Pipe Products Ltd.:
Gregory S.C. Huffman
Nicole L. Williams
THOMPSON & KNIGHT LLP