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WELBILT v THE TRANE CO Click to find out why . . .



Keywords & Phrases
CaseNo: C.A. No. 17,876, CourtCode: CC, CourtName: IN THE COURT OF CHANCE;RY OF THE STA.TE OF DELSIWARE, Plaintiff: WELBILT, State: DE Delaware, UniqueCaseRef: DE>CC>00017876, Welbilt, American Standard, Trane, American, Motion, Delaware, Discovery, Texas, Trane Company, Welbilt Holding, Alter Ego, Trane-de, Hirsch, Welbilt Corporation, Texas Action, Subsidiaries, Protective Order, Agreement, Trustee, Welbilt Parties, Bankruptcy, Facts, Adversary Proceeding, Dismiss, Mcwane Doctrine, Parties, Holding, Joseph Bainton, Opening, Compel, Jurisdiction, Welbilt Holding Company, Holding Company, Vacate, Delaware Corporation, Elizabeth, Motions, Support , ContentID: 120239673

Case Documents
1 2002-03-19 LETTER OPINION
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 131709
3 pages
PDF
2 2001-04-25 REPLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO VACATE STAY
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 115489
9 pages
PDF
3 2001-04-18 BRIEF OF THE TRANE CO AND AMERICAN STANDARD IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION TO VACATE STAY
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 115490
23 pages
PDF
4 2001-04-03 MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO VACATE THE STAY
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 115491
11 pages
PDF
5 2000-11-17 MEMORANDUM OPINIONS
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 100194
10 pages
PDF
6 2000-09-14 REPLY BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 102495
12 pages
PDF
7 2000-08-31 REPLY MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 102496
11 pages
PDF
8 2000-08-18 REPLY BRIEF OF THE TRANE CO. AND AMERICAN STANDARD IN SUPPORT OF MOTIONS TO DISMISS OR STAY
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 102497
19 pages
PDF
9 2000-08-16 ANSWERING BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO COMPEL
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 102498
25 pages
PDF
10 2000-08-02 PLAINTIFFS MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO COMPEL
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 102499
11 pages
PDF
11 2000-04-04 AMENDED COMPLAINT
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 101309
7 pages
PDF
12 2000-03-09 COMPLAINT
[ see first page and extracted highlights below  ] ItemID: 101310
10 pages
PDF
Total Documents: 12 documents , 151 pages
Price: $ 74.95


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1 . LETTER OPINION

EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
PLAINTIFFS
DEFENDANTS
PARTIES
COUNSEL
CHANCERY
SCHEDULING
UNCERTAINTY
CONTINUATION
SUPPORT
PROMPT
INDIVIDUAL PLAINTIFFS
REASONS
VACATE
MOTION
TRANE COMPANY
EDONIS
ESQUIRE
WILMINGTON
HEREBY
DELAWARE
DEL
MCDOWELL-WELLNMN ENGINEERING
CBST IRON PIPE
MCWANE CBST IRON
REGISTER
PRETRIAL SCHEDULE
SCHEDULING CONFERENCE
PROMPTLY THEREAFTER
COMPLAINT
                                        C O U R T   O F   C H A N C E R Y
                                                     OF THE
                                         S TATE  O F   D E L A W A R E


                                                                                            C
S                                                                                                O
     TEPHEN  P .   L A M B
VICE-CHANCELLOR                                                                 W I L M I N G T O N





                                                March 19, 2002

        Elizabeth M.  McGeever  , Esquire                      J. Joseph Bainton, Esquire
        Prickett, Jones  & Elliott                             Bainton McCarthy & Siegel, LLC
        13 10 King Street                                      26 Broadway
        P-0. Box 1328                                          New York, NY 10004-1840
        Wilmington, DE 19899

        David C. McBride, Esquire
        Christian D. Wright, Esquire
         Young, Conaway,  Stargatt & Taylor
         1000 West Street
         P.O. Box 391
         Wilmington, DE 19899-0391

                    RE: Edonis  Corporation, et al. v. The Trane  Company, et al.
                              C.A. No. 17876

         Dear Counsel:

                    I have reviewed and considered the materials submitted by the parties

          and the arguments advanced by counsel at the two recent hearings on

          plaintiffs' motion to vacate the stay. I have also reviewed the Memorandum

          Opinion of November 17, 2000 in which I granted the defendants' motion to

          stay this action in.favor of the action then pending against all the plaintiffs in


Edortis  Corp., et. al v.
Tire  Trarte Contparty,  et al.
CA.  No. I7876
March 19, 2002
SNIPPETS:
  • David C. McBride, Esquire Christian D. Wright, Esquire Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor
  • Wilmington, DE 19899-0391
  • Edonis Corporation, et al. v.
  • Dear Counsel:
  • I have reviewed and considered the materials submitted by the parties
  • plaintiffs' motion to vacate the stay.
  • 2000 in which I granted the defendants' motion to
  • The Texas state court has now determined
  • is in a position to render a prompt decision on the merits of the underlying
  • There are some factors that support a continuation of the stay, e.g., the
  • continuing uncertainty about the application of the automatic stay provisions
  • controversy between the individual plaintiffs and the defendants.
  • The Trane Company, et al. C.A.
  • The defendants shall respond to the complaint within 20 days.
  • Promptly thereafter, the court will conduct a scheduling conference to set a
  • pretrial schedule in this case.
  • Original to Register in Chancery
  • ' McWane Cbst Iron Pipe Corp. v. McDowell-Wellnmn Engineering Co., 263 A.2d 281 (Del.
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • For the reasons stated in the Court's letter to counsel of even date,
  • IS HEREBY ORDERED this lgth day of March, 2002, that the ORDER

  • 2 . REPLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO VACATE STAY

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    COURT
    TRANE
    PLAINTIFFS
    TEXAS
    TRUSTEE
    PARTIES
    BANKRUPTCY COURT
    MOTION
    VACATE
    ADVERSARY PROCEEDING
    ALTER EGO
    DELAWARE
    WELBILT HOLDING
    BAINTON
    INDIANA
    IND
    HIRSCH
    COUNSEL
    MCCARTHY
    PAPERS
    PREJUDICE
    BANKR
    PROSECUTE
    DECLARATION
    ASSERT
    SALAH
    YORK
    MOVING PAPERS
    PROGRESS
    
                      IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
    
                                   IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    WELBILT CORPORATION, a
    Delaware corporation and
    WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY,
    a Delaware holding company,                               C.A. No. 17876-NC  ,
    MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL
    YIH, RICHARD L. HIRSCH,
    DAVID L. HIRSCH, LAWRENCE
    R. GROSS,
    
                Plaintiffs.
    
                V.
    
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a division
    of AMERICAN STANDARD, INC.,
    a Delaware corporation,
    
                Defendant.
    
                               REPLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF
                            PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO VACATE THE STAY
    
                                            PRICKETT, JONES  t% ELLIOT?
                                            Elizabeth M. McGeever
                                            1310 King Street
                                            Wilmington, DE 19801
                                            (302) 888-6500
                                            Attorneys for Plaintiffs
    
    OF COUNSEL:
    BAINTON, MCCARTHY & SIEGEL, LLC
    J. Joseph Bainton
    Andrew H. Beatty
    John G. McCarthy
    130 East 35th Street
    New York, NY 10016
    (212) 725-7780
    
    Dated:                April 25, 2001
    
    
    
    17211   1\135682vl
    
    
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation and WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY, a Delaware holding
  • PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO VACATE THE STAY
  • THE OPPOSING PAPERS SUBMITTED BY TRANE DO NOT CONTEST
  • No Progress In Indiana or Texas.
  • The Trustee's Untimely New Adversary Proceeding Against
  • Welbilt To Suffer Grievous Prejudice.
  • In r-e Curry Printers, 135 B.R. 564 (Bankr.
  • N.D. Ind.
  • Trustee of the Chapter 7 Estate of Consolidated Industries Corp.
  • piercing claims it has purported to assert against th.e Welbilt Parties in litigation
  • that it has obligations to Trane as the alleged alter ego of Consolidated.
  • THE OPPOSING PAPERS SUBMITTED BY TRANE DO NOT CONTEST ON A FACTUAL BASIS ANY OF THE ARGUMENTS
  • No Progress In Indiana or Texas
  • Bankruptcy Court seeking a declaration that it is at liberty to fsue Welbilt on alter
  • As Texas Judge Louis Gohmert's letter to counsel makes plain,
  • any time soon, much less in advance of the Jul,y 2 trial date in the Salah action.
  • Welbilt was and intended to continue to prosecute this action in the good faith belief
  • Every current attempt by the Trustee to assert a claim against
  • BAINTON MCCARTHY & SIEGEL, LLC J. Joseph Bainton John G. McCarthy Andrew H. Beatty 130 East

  • 3 . BRIEF OF THE TRANE CO AND AMERICAN STANDARD IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION TO VACATE STAY

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    COURT
    AMERICAN
    TEXAS
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    ADVERSARY PROCEEDING
    DELAWARE
    TRUSTEE
    SUBSTANTIAL PREJUDICE
    ALTER EGO
    COUNTY
    PARTIES
    PERSONAL JURISDICTION
    TRANE
    SALAH CLASS ACTION
    WELBILT CORPORATION
    WELBILT HOLDING
    DEFENDANTS
    BANKRUPTCY
    RESOLUTION
    CLASS ACTION
    ALTER EGO LIABILITY
    OPPOSITION
    DISCOVERY
    STIPULATION
    PROCEEDS
    COURT RESOLVES
    PLAINTIFFS
    RENDERING PROMPT
    LITIGATION
    
                  IN THE COURT OF CHANCE;RY  OF THE STA.TE  OF DELSiWARE
    
                              IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware
    corporation, WELBILT HOLDING
    COMPANY, a Delaware holding company
    MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL YIH                 ;
    RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L.                    1
    HIRSCH, and LAWRENCE R. GROSS,                 1
                            Plaintiffs,            ;
            V.                                     ) C.A. No.  17876-NC
    
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware                  E
    corporation, and AMERICAN                      >
    STANDARD,, INC., d/b/a THE TRANE:              1
    COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,
                                                   i
                            Defendants.            1
    
    
                      BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS THE TRANE COMPANY P&i '
                       AMERICAN  STANDAFtD,  INC. IN OPPOSITION  TO  :  i
                         UNTIFFS'   MOTION TO VACATE THE STAY  ;                ;  :  :    -,i
    
                                           YOUNG CIONAWAY STARGATT &TAYLOR, LLP I'. !
                                           David C. McBride                     -' -
                                                                                . ,.
                                           Martin S. Lessner                   ..'  ,
                                                                          .
    OF COUNSEL:                            Christian Douglas Wright            c  +
    MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LL!P Eleventh Floor, Wilmington Trust Center
    Mark Shinderman                        1100 North Market Street
    Martin D. Bern                         Wilmington, DE 1.9801
    Malcolm A. Heinicke                    (302)  57Z-6600
    33 New  Mo:ntgomery  Street
    19th Floor                             Attorneys for Defendants The  Pane Company
    San Francisco, CA  94.1059781          and American Standard, Inc.
    
    POTTER MINTON, P.C.
    Michael E. Jones
    500 Plaza Tower, P.O. Box 359
    Tyler, TX 75702
    
    Dated: April 18, 2001
    
    
    WP3.625083   1
    
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCE;RY OF THE STA.TE OF DELSiWARE
  • IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
  • WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY, a Delaware holding
  • RESOLUTION OF WELBILT'S OBJECTIONS TO PERSONAL
  • WELBILT HAS EAILED TO SHOW THAT AMERICAN
  • STANDARD'S ADVERSARY PROCEEDING AGAINST THE
  • TRUSTEE FOR RELIEF FROM THE BANKRUPTCY STAY WILL
  • TEXAS ACTIClN CAN
  • resolution of` related litigation in the District Court of Smith County, Texas, Cause
  • is American Standard's brief in opposition to the Motion to Vacate the Stay.
  • American Standard has been communicating with the Trustee
  • ' Plaintiffs are clsllectively referred to herein as "Welbilt."
  • American Standard hopes and-expects to complete a stipulation to that effect in the
  • once the Tex.as Court resolves the personal jurisdiction in
  • discovery can proceed in that case while American
  • alter ego and breach of fiduciary duty claims against t:he Welbilt corporate entities
  • Welbilt's mewling about the Sai'ah class action is a red herring,
  • jurisdiction is presented with the question of VVelbilt's alter ego liability and resolves
  • Parties respectfully request that this Court.
  • ' As this Court is aware, Welbilt initially mistakenly sued The Trane Company, a separate
  • Because the only proper defendant in this action is American Standard, Inc., any reference to
  • that Welbilt:had not sh.own that the Texas Court was incapable of rendering prompt
  • Action until the barikruptcy court resolves the adversary
  • parries to the substantial prejudice of the Welbilt Partj.es?"
  • WILL BE UNABLE TO GET RELIEF FROM THE BANKRUPT'CY STAY BEFORE THE TEXAS ACTION PROCEEDS TO
  • ' A copy of the complaint in Adversary Proceeding No. 01-4047 is attached as Exhibit A. It
  • Welbilt argues in its brief that trial in the Salah class action litigation provides

  • 4 . MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO VACATE THE STAY

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    COURT
    TRANE
    TEXAS
    WELBILT CORPORATION
    TRANE COMPANY
    PLAINTIFFS
    WELBILT PARTIES
    DELAWARE CORPORATION
    WELBILT HOLDING
    MOTION
    VACATE
    JOSEPH BAINTON
    ELIZABETH
    MCGEEVER
    KING STREET
    MCCARTHY
    PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
    PREJUDICE
    JURISDICTION
    DECLARATORY JUDGMENT
    DANIEL YIH
    WILMINGTON
    DISCOVERY
    ALTER EGO
    SALAH CLASS
    SIEGEL
    LLC
    JOSEPH BAINTON ANDREW
    BEATTY JOHN
    
               IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
    
                                 IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    WELBILT CORPORATION,  a
    Delaware corporation and
    WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY,
    a Delaware holding company,                            C.A. No. 17876-NC
    MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL
    YIH, RICHARD L. HIRSCH,
    DAVID L. HIRSCH, LAWRENCE
    R. GROSS,
    
            Plaintiffs,
    
            V.
    
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a
    Delaware corporation, and
    AMERICAN STANDARD, INC.,
    d/b/a THE TRANE COMPANY, a
    Delaware corporation,
    
              Defendants.
    
                                  MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF
                          PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO VACATE THE STAY
    
                                         PRICKETT, JONES & ELLIOTT
                                         Elizabeth M. McGeever
                                         1310 King Street
                                         Wilmington, DE 19801
                                         (302) 888-6500
                                         Attorneys for Plaintiffs
    
    OF COUNSEL:
    BAINTON, MCCARTHY  & SIEGEL, LLC
    J. Joseph Bainton
    Andrew H. Beatty
    John G. McCarthy
    130 East 35th Street
    New York, NY 10016
    (212) 725-7780
    Dated:              April 3, 2001
    
    
    17211.1\13417ov1
    
    
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation and WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY, a Delaware holding
  • THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, and AMERICAN STANDARD, INC., d/b/a THE TRANE
  • PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO VACATE THE STAY
  • Elizabeth M. McGeever
  • 1310 King Street
  • Wilmington, DE 19801
  • PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.
  • THE WELBILT PARTIES ARE: SUBSTANTIALLY PREJUDICED BY
  • Trane Still Does Not Have Authority To Prosec-ute The Texas
  • The Texas Court Still Has Not Determined Whether It Has
  • Therefore Trane Would Suffer No Prejudice By Vacating The
  • Plaintiffs Welbilt Corporation `, Welbilt Holding Company
  • , Marion H. Antonini, Daniel Yih, Richard L. Hirsch, David L.
  • that it has obligations to Trane as the alleged alter ego of Consolidated.
  • seeking, among other things, a declaratory judgment that they
  • determined that the Texas Court had jurisdiction over the persons of the Welbilt
  • discovery and the pre-trial conference in its declaratory judgment action in the
  • namely the Salah Class Action.
  • Joseph Bainton, dated March 31, 2001, is a copy of the docket sheet from Trane's

  • 5 . MEMORANDUM OPINIONS

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    COURT
    WELBILT
    DELAWARE
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    WELBILT PARTIES
    DEFENDANTS
    ESQUIRE
    JURISDICTION
    BANKRUPTCY
    HOLDING
    PROCEEDING
    HIRSCH
    TRANE
    DISMISS
    MOTION
    PENDING
    COMPLAINT
    RELIEF
    EXERCISE
    PULVER
    DAVID
    TRANE COMPANY
    MCWANE
    DISTRICT
    LITIGATION
    ADVERSARY PROCEEDING
    PERSONAL JURISDICTION
    JUSTICE
    KIRKLAND
    
                 IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
    
                                   IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
          WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware               )
          Corporation, WELBILT HOLDING
          COMPANY, a Delaware holding company,          i
          MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL YIH,               )
          RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L. HIRSCH,)
          and LAWRENCE R. GROSS,
                                                        ;
                             Plaintiffs,                >
                                                        >
                      V.                                >     C.A. No. 17876
    
          THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware
          Corporation, and AMERICAN STANDARD,  )
          INC., d/b/a THE TRANE COMPANY, a              >
          Delaware Corporation,
                                                        i
                             Defendants"                >
    
    
                                       MEMORANDUM OPINION
    
                                    Date Submitted: Septernber 29, 2000
                                     Date Decided: November 17, 2000
    
          Elizabeth M. McGeever, Esquire, Elizabeth A. Wilburn, Esquire, PRICKETT, JONE,S
          &  ELLIOlTT,  Wilmington, Delaware, J. Joseph Bainton, Esquire (argued), BAINTON
          MCCARTHY & SIEGEL, LLC, New York, New York, Attorneys for Plaintiffs.
    
          David C. McBride, Esquire (argued), Martin S. Lessner, Esquire, Christian Douglas
          Wright, Esquire, YOUNG,  CONAWAY,  STARGATT  & TAYLOR, LLP,
          Wilmington, Delaware, Mark Shinderman, Esquire, Martin D. Bern, Esquire, Malcolm
          A. Heinicke, Esquire, MUNGER, TOLLES  & OLSON, LLP., San Francisco,
          California, Michael E. Jones, Esquire, POTTER, MINTON,  ROBERTS, DAVIS CSL
          JONES, P.C., Tyler, Texas, Attorneys for Defendants.
    
    
          LAMB, Vice Chancellor
    
    
    
    `4
    
    
    
    
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • Corporation, WELBILT HOLDING
  • RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L. HIRSCH,)
  • THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware
  • Elizabeth M. McGeever, Esquire, Elizabeth A. Wilburn, Esquire, PRICKETT, JONE,S & ELLIOlTT,
  • The defendants move, in addition, to dismiss the
  • subject matter jurisdiction in equity over Count II.
  • case should be stayed in favor of the action filed in Smith County, Texas, I do
  • On February 29, 2000, American Standard, Inc.,
  • , filed a complaint in the District Court of Smith County, Texas, Cause
  • against Defendants Welbilt Corporation
  • ' The individuals nalned as defendants in the `Texas Action, together with Welbilt Corp. and
  • Delaware corporation" seeking declaratory relief on issues
  • the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
  • the automatic stay provision of the federal bankruptcy code prevents its litigation
  • in Texas until the Bankruptcy Court ruled on the adversary proceeding.
  • been made or attempted have all challenged the personal jurisdiction of that court
  • The Delaware Supreme Court held in the seminal case of McWane Cast
  • action pending in another jurisdiction.
  • orderly and efficient administration of justice.
  • In advancing this argument, the Welbilt Parties rely, on Pulver v. Stafford
  • cases the foreign action was first-filed and objections to the exercise of personal
  • Pulver and Kirkland were statutory summary proceedings
  • For all the foregoing reasons the motion to stay will be granted,

  • 6 . REPLY BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    DEFENDANTS
    DISCOVERY
    COURT
    WELBILT
    ALTER EGO
    EGO CLAIM
    DETERMINATION
    CORPORATE VEIL
    MOTION
    DISMISS
    AUTHORITIES
    WELBILT HOLDING
    AMERICAN
    SUPPORT
    TRUSTEE
    FLETCHER
    JUSTIFIES PIERCING
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    LAW
    SUBSIDIARIES
    DELAWARE
    IMPROPER
    PARTIES
    INDIANA
    BANKRUPTCY COURT
    FIRST DISCOVERY
    PLAINTIFFS CITE
    OPENING
    CONTRACT
    
                IN THE COURT OF CHANCEKY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
                            IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    
    WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware
    corporation, WELBILT HOLDING
    COMPANY, a Delaware holding company,
    MARION H.  ANTONINI,  DANIEL YIH
    RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L.
    HIRSCH, and LAWRENCE R. GROSS,
    
                           Plaintiffs,
                                                                        7.
    
          V.                                    C.A. No.  17876-NC   i                 .
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware
    corporation, and AMERICAN
    STANDARD, INC., d/b/a THE TRANE                                                    .  .
    COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,                                                   <
                                                                              .        -
    
                           Defendants.
    
    
           REPLY BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS THE TRANE COMPANY AND
                        AMERICAN STANDARD, INC. IN SUPPORT OF
                   DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER
    
                                            YOUNG CONAWAY STARGATT
                                               & TAYLOR, LLP
                                            David C. McBride
    OF COUNSEL:                             Martin S. Lessner
    MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LLP              Christian Douglas Wright
    Mark Shinderman                         Eleventh Floor, Wilmington Trust Center
    Martin D. Bern                          1100 North Market Street
    Malcolm A. Heinicke                     Wilmington, DE 1980 1
    33 New Montgomery Street, I9th Floor    (302) 571-6600
    San Francisco. CA 94 105-978 1          Attorneys for Defendants The Trane
                                               Company and American Standard, Inc
    POTTER,  MINTON, ROBERTS, DAVIS
      &JONES, P.C.
    Michael E. Jones
    500 Plaza Tower, P.O. Box 359
    Tyler, TX 75702
    
    Dated: September 14, 2000
    
    
    WP3:53&555.2                                                                   56886.1001
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCEKY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY, a Delaware holding
  • THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, and AMERICAN
  • REPLY BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS THE TRANE COMPANY AND
  • AMERICAN STANDARD, INC.
  • DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER
  • TABLE OF AUTHORITIES.
  • THE DISCOVERY WHICH PLAINTIFFS SEEK IS NEITHER
  • SUCH TIME AS THE TRUSTEE PERMITS THE PARTIES TO
  • PURSUE THE ALTER EGO CLAIMS OR THE INDIANA
  • BANKRUPTCY COURT MAKES A DETERMINATION
  • to even one authority to support their proposition that the discovery is relevant,
  • corporate veil is a question of law.
  • Defendants' Answering Brief in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion to Compel and Opening Brief
  • combination with any other pertinent evidence, justifies piercing the corporate veil of the
  • only facts potentially relevant to the alter ego claim against Welbilt and Welbilt Holding
  • position or refute defendants' position, m, plaintiffs cite Wavman v. Amoco Oil CO.~
  • for the proposition that American Standard's conduct with respect to its own subsidiaries
  • and held that the conduct of the parties to the alleged contract could
  • plaintiffs cite Fletcher v. Atex.
  • THIS DISCOVERY IS PROCEDURALLY IMPROPER UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE TRUSTEE PERMITS THE PARTIES TO
  • I5 See Defendants' Reply Brief in Support of Their Motions to Dismiss to Dismiss or Stay (D.I.

  • 7 . REPLY MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    TRANE
    COURT
    PLAINTIFFS
    MOTION
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY
    WELBILT CORPORATION
    WELBILT HOLDING
    DISCOVERY
    DELAWARE
    HIRSCH
    DEFENDANTS
    COUNSEL
    JOSEPH BAINTON
    DANIEL YIH
    ELIZABETH
    SUBSIDIARIES
    ANTONINI
    COMPEL DISCOVERY
    ATTORNEYS
    PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
    EVIDENCE
    JONES
    ELLIOTT
    MCGEEVER
    WILMINGTON
    BAINTON MCCARTHY
    SIEGEL
    LLC
    
                  IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
    
                                     IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    
     WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware                >
     corporation and WELBILT HOLDING                ) C. A. No. 17876-NC
     COMPANY, a Delaware holding company,
     MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL YIH,                ;
     RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L. HIRSCH,
     and LAWRENCE R. GROSS                          i
    
                      Plaintiffs,                   i
    
            V.                                      ;
    
     THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware                  i
     corporation, and AMERICAN STANDARD,            >
     INC., d/h/a THE TRANE COMPANY,
     a Delaware corporation,                        i1
                      Defendant.                    )
    
    
    
                         REPLY MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF
                            PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
    
                                                PRICKETT, JONES  & ELLIOTT
                                                Elizabeth M. McGeever
                                                Elizabeth A. Wilburn
                                                1310 Ring Street, P.O. Box 1328
                                                Wilmington, DE 19899
                                                (302) 888-6500
                                                Attorneys for Plaintiffs
                                                Welbilt Corporation and
                                                Welbilt Holding Company
    OF COUNSEL:
    
    BAINTON  MCCARTHY tk SIEGEL, LLC
    J. Joseph Bainton
    130 East 35'h Street
    New York, New York 10016-3815
    (212) 725-7780
    
    Dated: August 3 1, 2000
    
    
    
                                                                                                  
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware
  • No. 17876-NC COMPANY, a Delaware holding company, MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL YIH,
  • RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L. HIRSCH, and LAWRENCE R. GROSS
  • THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware
  • PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
  • PRICKETT, JONES & ELLIOTT
  • Elizabeth M. McGeever
  • Wilmington, DE 19899
  • Attorneys for Plaintiffs
  • Welbilt Holding Company OF COUNSEL:
  • BAINTON MCCARTHY tk SIEGEL, LLC J. Joseph Bainton 130 East 35'h Street New York, New York
  • PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.
  • Plaintiffs Welbilt Corporation, Welbilt Holding Company,
  • American Standard, Inc., d/b/a The Trane Company.
  • admission by American Standard -- which claims not to so dominate its wholly-owned
  • Welbilt's counsel, which is not worthy of further response.
  • evidence it requires to determine the matters presently before it; and only the Welbilt
  • THIS DISCOVERY MOTION SHOULD BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HEARING AND

  • 8 . REPLY BRIEF OF THE TRANE CO. AND AMERICAN STANDARD IN SUPPORT OF MOTIONS TO DISMISS OR STAY

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    COURT
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    DEFENDANTS
    TRANE-DE
    DELAWARE
    TRANE COMPANY
    WELBILT
    MCWANE DOCTRINE
    TEXAS ACTION
    HOLDING COMPANY
    MOTIONS
    DISMISS
    PROPER
    DANIELS
    SUPPORT
    SUBSIDIARIES
    DISCOVERY
    JURISDICTION
    DISTRICT COURT
    AGREEMENT
    SMITH COUNTY
    MAHONEY DECL
    SHINDERMAN
    AFFIDAVIT
    TRANE DIVISION
    ALTER EGO
    JURY TRIALS
    INCORRECT
    ASSERTION
    
                                                                                 ORIGINAL
                       IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
                                  IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    
    WELBILT CORPORATlON,  a Delaware
    corporation, WELBILT HOLDING
    COMPANY, a Delaware holding company,
    MARION  H.  ANTONINI, DANIEL YIH
    RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L.
    HIRSCH, and LAWRENCE R. GROSS,
    
                                Plaintiffs,
    
                 V.                                      CA. No.          17876-NC        '            :
                                                                                                 ."
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware                                                               - .
    corporation, and AMERICAN
    STAN:DARD,  INC., d/b/a THE TRANE
    COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,
    
                                Defendants.     I
    
    
                        REPLY BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS THE TRANE COMPANY
                          AND AMERICAN STANDARD, INC. IN SUPPORT OF
                               JIJEIR  MOTIONS TO DISMISS OR STAY
    
                                                     YOUNG  CONAWAY STARGATT
                                                        & TAYLOR, LLP
                                                     David C. McBride
    OF COUNSEL:                                      Martin S. Lessner
    MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON LLP                       Christian Douglas Wright
    Mark  Shinderman
            L                                        Eleventh Floor, Wilmington Trust Center
    Martin D. Bern                                   1100 North Market Street
    Malcolm A. Heinicke                              Wilmington, DE 1980 1
    33 New Montgomery Street, 19th Floor             (302) 571-6600
    San Francisco, CA 941 OS-978  1                  Attorneys for Defendants The Trane
                                                        Company and American Standard, Inc.
    POTTER, MINTON, ROBERTS, DAVIS
       &JONES, P.C.
    Michael E. Jones
    500 Plaza Tower, P.O. Box 359
    Tyler, TX 75702
    
    Dated: August  l&2000
    
    
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • WELBILT CORPORATlON, a Delaware corporation, WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY, a Delaware holding
  • REPLY BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS THE TRANE COMPANY
  • JIJEIR MOTIONS TO DISMISS OR STAY
  • Mark Shinderman
  • TRANE-DE BECAUSE TRANE-DE IS NOT A PROPER
  • PLAINTIFFS' ARGUMENT THAT AMERICAN
  • TEXAS HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE
  • Trane-DE is not a proper party to this action.
  • The Texas Action is the first-filed action under all of the
  • improper discovery.
  • and that it is American Standard which is the proper party.
  • Plaintiffs are incorrect in stating that defendants have "argued for a different standard"
  • the "Mahoney Affidavit" or "Mahoney Decl.
  • the Trane division involved in the events underlying the
  • has two main U.S. subsidiaries, American Standard and American Standard International
  • plaintiffs' assertion that Trane-DE signed the 1996 Agreement is
  • Plaintiffs focus on the fact that someone executed the 1996 Agreement
  • plaintiffs cite Mr. Daniels' affidavit as support for their claim that
  • However, nowhere in Mr. Daniels
  • PLAINTIFFS' ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE CLEAR APPLICATION OF THE MCWANE DOCTRINE ARE WITHOUT MERIT
  • Consolidated's alter ego status
  • Jury trials are not available in the Court of Chancery.

  • 9 . ANSWERING BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO COMPEL

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    PLAINTIFFS
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    COURT
    DEFENDANTS
    MOTION
    WELBILT HOLDING
    DISCOVERY
    PROTECTIVE ORDER
    DELAWARE
    FACTS
    TRANE COMPANY
    OPENING
    HIRSCH
    COMPEL
    ALTER EGO
    BANKRUPTCY
    TEXAS ACTION
    SUBSIDIARIES
    LEXIS
    AGREEMENT
    CORPORATE VEIL
    DECLARATION
    AUTHORITIES
    CORPORATE FORM
    STAYED PENDING RESOLUTION
    DISREGARDED CORPORATE
    AMENDED COMPL
    DISTRICT COURT
    INDIANA BANKRUPTCY COURT
    
                 IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
                             IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware                                       ORIGINAL
    corporation, WELBILT HOLDING
    COMPANY, a Delaware holding company,
    MARION H.  ANTONINI,  DANIEL  YlH
    RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L.
    HIRSCH, and LAWRENCE R. GROSS,
    
                           Pl.aintiffs,
                                                                           i`
    
           V.                                    C.A. No.  17876-NC       i
                                                                                   _
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware
    corpa'ration,  and AMERICAN
    STANDARD, INC., d/b/a THE TRANE
    COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,
    
                           Defendants
    
    
         ANSWERING BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS THE TRANE COMPANY AND
                      AMERICAN STANDARD, INC. IN OPPOSITION TO
    PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO COMPEL AND OPENING BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF
                      DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER
    
                                             YOUNG  CONAWAY STARGATT
                                                & TAYLOR LLP
                                             David C. McBride
    OF COUNSEL:                              Martin S. Lessner
    MUNGER  TOLLES & OLSON LLP               Christian Douglas Wright
    Mark. Shinderman                         Eleventh Floor, Wilmington Trust Center
    Martin D. Bern                           I 100 North Market Street
    Malcolm A. Heinicke                      Wilmington, DE 19801
    33 New Montgomery Street, 19th Floor     (302) 571-6600
    San Francisco, CA 94105-9781             Attorneys for Defendants The Trane
                                                Company and American Standard, Inc.
    POTTER, MTNTON, R.OBERTS, DAVIS
      & JONES, P.C.
    Michael E. Jones
    500 Plaza Tower, P.O. Box 359
    Tyler, TX 75702
    
    Dated: August 16, 2000
    
    WP3 : 526978.3                                                               56866.1001
    
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L. HIRSCH, and LAWRENCE R. GROSS,
  • THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware corpa'ration, and AMERICAN STANDARD, INC., d/b/a THE TRANE
  • ANSWERING BRIEF OF DEFENDANTS THE TRANE COMPANY AND
  • IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO COMPEL AND OPENING BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF
  • DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER
  • TABLE OF AUTHORITIES.
  • STATEMENT OF FACTS.
  • WHETHER THE MANNER IN WHICH PLAINTIFFS HAVE
  • THE DISCOVERY SOUGHT BY PLAINTIFFS IS UNDULY
  • BANKRUPTCY TRUSTEE HAS TAKEN THE POSITION
  • The Court Which Ultimately Decides the Alter Ego Issues Should
  • LEXIS 10646.
  • Plaintiffs Welbilt Corporation,
  • Welbilt Holding Company, and the individuals identified in the complaint (collectively,
  • and that American Standard filed an action in the District Court of
  • The instant action was filed in direct response to American Standard's firstfiled action, and
  • American Standard and American Standard's subsidiaries.
  • On July 20, 2000, plaintiffs filed a motion to compel.
  • (Amended Compl., fi 9.)
  • Consolidated entered into an agreement, dated January 29, 1986,
  • DISCOVERY AS TO HOW AMERICAN STANDARD MAINTAINS ITS OWN CORPORATE FORM HAS NO BEARING ON THE
  • Indiana bankruptcy court resolved the issue of whether the bankruptcy stay applied to the
  • ANY DISCOVERY SOUGHT BY PLAINTIFFS SHOULD BE STAYED PENDING RESOLUTION OF DEFENDANTS' MOTION
  • Deciding Whether Plaintiffs Have Disregarded Corporate Formalities.

  • 10 . PLAINTIFFS MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO COMPEL

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    DISCOVERY
    WELBILT
    DEFENDANTS
    DEL
    INTERROGATORIES
    TRANE COMPANY
    OBJECTIONS
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    MOTION
    COMPEL
    ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE
    HARTNETT
    COURT
    REQUEST
    LAW
    SUBSIDIARIES
    MATTER
    DELAWARE CORPORATION
    HIRSCH
    BAINTON
    YORK
    SUPR
    ALTER EGO
    PARTY
    DIRECTORS
    HERETO
    EXHIBIT
    PRODUCTION
    PRIVILEGE
    
       IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
    
                            IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    WELBILT CORPORATION, a
    Delaware corporation and
    WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY,
    a Delaware holding company,                        C.A. No. 17876-NC
    MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL
    YIH, RICHARD L. HIRSCH,
    DAVID L. HIRSCH, LAWRENCE
    R. GROSS,
    
            Plaintiffs,
            V.
    
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a
    Delaware corporation, and
    AMERICAN STANDARD, INC.,
    d/b/a THE TRANE COMPANY, a
    Delaware corporation,
    
            Defendants
    
    
    
                           PLAINTIFFS' MEMO:RANDUM  OF LAW
                           IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO COMPEL
    
                                              PRICKETT, JONES  & ELLIOTT
                                              Elizabeth M. McGeever
                                              Elizabeth A. Wilburn
                                              1310 King Street, P.O. Box 1328
                                              Wilmington, DE 19899
                                              (302) 888-6500
                                              Attorneys for Plaintiffs
            OF COUNSEL:
    
            BAINTON MCCARTHY & SIEGE:L, LLC
            J. Joseph Bainton
            130 East 35th Street
            New York, New York 10016-3815
            (212) 7257780
            Dated:          August 2, 2000
    
    
    17211.1\119574v1
    
    
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
  • WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation and
  • WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY,
  • d/b/a THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,
  • PLAINTIFFS' MEMO:RANDUM OF LAW
  • BAINTON MCCARTHY & SIEGE:L, LLC
  • New York, New York 10016-3815
  • PLAINTIFFS' MOTION TO COMPEL SHOULD BE GRANTED
  • Atkins v. Hiram, Del.
  • No. 12887, 1993 WL 545416, Hartnett, V.C..
  • Supr., 517 A.2d 1058.
  • Order pursuant to Chancery Court Rule 37 compelling defendants,
  • Company and American Standard, Inc., d/b/a The Trane Company
  • As set forth in the Amended Complaint, Welbilt was not a party to
  • Interrogatories and a First Request for Production of Documents on
  • objections and provide no answers or documents whatsoever.
  • Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter,
  • the discovery of admissible evidence,
  • Identity of directors and officers of American Standard from
  • of its subsidiaries (Interrogs.
  • Welbilt was the alter ego of Consolidated because Welbilt and Consolidated
  • by the work product or attorney client privilege.
  • defendants provided no information to justify redaction other than selfserving letter)

  • 11 . AMENDED COMPLAINT

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    WELBILT
    PLAINTIFFS
    AGREEMENT
    DELAWARE
    HIRSCH
    TRANE COMPANY
    AMERICAN STANDARD
    COURT
    LAWS
    DAVID
    HOLDING
    PRINCIPLES
    COUNSEL
    DANIEL
    BUSINESS
    STOCK
    OBLIGATIONS
    TRANE FURNACES
    DRAFT
    RICHARD
    LAWRENCE
    GROSS
    D/B/A
    DEFENDANTS
    AMENDED COMPLAINT
    PURSUANT
    CHANCERY
    CONNECTICUT
    CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    
            IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE                                7
                             IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
    WELBILT CORPORATION, a
    Delaware corporation and
    WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY,
    a Delaware holding company,                     C.A. No. 17876-NC
    MARION H. ANTONINI, DANIEL            i
    YIH, RICHARD L. HIRSCH,
    DAVID L. HIRSCH, LAWRENCE
    R. GROSS,
    
           Plaintiffs,
    
           V.
    
    THE TRANE COMPANY, a
    Delaware corporation, and
    AMERICAN STANDARD, INC.,
    d/b/a THE TRANE COMPANY, a
    Delaware corporation,
    
           Defendants.
    
                          NOTICE OF FILING AMENDED COMPLAINT
    
    TO:    David C. McBride, Esquire
           Young,  Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor
           Rodney Square North
           Wilmington, DE 19801
    
           PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Chancery Court Rule 15(a),
    
    plaintiffs file herewith an Amended Complaint attached as Tab A.
    
           In compliance with Court of Chancery Rule 15(a), plaintiffs also file herewith
    
    a black-lined version of the Amended Complaint attached as Tab B.
    
    
    
                                         PRICKETT. JONES  & ELLIOTT
    
    
                                          /+                               '  ,
                                          c&q  (!*.i,  /;;J I  ;`I';  '    I'. /,A
                                                                           `1          /' 1'
                                          I
                                         Elizabeth M. McGeever
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • WELBILT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation and
  • YIH, RICHARD L. HIRSCH, DAVID L. HIRSCH, LAWRENCE R. GROSS,
  • AMERICAN STANDARD, INC.,
  • d/b/a THE TRANE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,
  • Defendants.
  • NOTICE OF FILING AMENDED COMPLAINT
  • David C. McBride, Esquire Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor
  • PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Chancery Court Rule 15,
  • plaintiffs file herewith an Amended Complaint attached as Tab A.
  • In compliance with Court of Chancery Rule 15,
  • OF COUNSEL:
  • WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY,
  • DAVID L. HIRSCH, LAWRENCE 3 R. GROSS,
  • d/b/a THE TRANE COMPANY, a § Delaware corporation,
  • in Stamford, Connecticut.
  • organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with a principal place of business
  • Holding's capital stock is owned by Welbilt.
  • Plaintiff Daniel Yih served as a director of Consolidated from October
  • Plaintiff Richard L. Hirsch served as a director of Welbilt from prior to
  • Non-Party Consolidated Industries Corporation
  • subsequently transferred the stock of Consolidated to Holding.
  • respective rights and obligations of the parties, all of which are either domiciled in
  • Agreement"), Consolidated agreed, among other things, to manufacture certain
  • claim that the Trane Furnaces were defective in their design or manufacture.
  • "first draft" of a new agreement and the Draft was circulated for
  • Principles, showed its investment in Consolidated as an "asset held for sale".

  • 12 . COMPLAINT

    EXTRACTED KEY WORDS
    TRANE
    PLAINTIFFS
    HOLDING
    AGREEMENT
    OBLIGATIONS
    INDIVIDUAL PLAINTIFFS
    DECLARATORY RELIEF
    DUTIES
    LAWS
    PURSUANT
    LIABILITY
    ALTER EGO
    FIDUCIARIES
    DELAWARE
    DANIELS
    HIRSCH
    PRINCIPLES
    SUBSEQUENT
    CONTROVERSY
    PARTY
    ACCORDANCE
    THREATS
    CONNECTICUT
    STOCK
    COURT
    TRANE FURNACES
    DRAFT
    TRANE CONTENDS
    SUE WELBILT
    
         y< `! `v`>  oi:;$b
    +$;~;j;;LT
    4                  IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE                               
    
                                            IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
    
             WELBILT              C O R P O R A T I O N ,   a
             Delaware               corporation         a n d   5
             WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY,  5
             a Delaware holding company,  5
             MARION H. AKTONINI, DANIEL
             YIH,      R I C H A R D   L .   H I R S C H ,   5
             DAVID L. HIRSCH, LAWRENCE
             R. GROSS,
    
                      Plaintiffs,
    
                      V.
    
             THE            TRANE       COMPANY,
             Delaware corporation,
    
                      Defendant.
    
                                                           COMPLAINT
    
                                                            The Parties
    
                      1.          Plaintiff Welbilt Corporation ("Welbilt") is a corporation organized
    
             existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with a principal place of business
    
             in Stamford, Connecticut.
    
                      2.          Plaintiff Welbilt Holding Company  ("HoXding")  is a corporation
    
             organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with a principal place of business
    
             in Stamford, Connecticut. Holding's capital stock is owned by Welbilt.
    
                      3.          Plaintiff Marion H. Antonini served as a director of Welbilt from
    
             October 15, 1990 through January 5, 1998.                     Antonini served as a
    
    
    
    
    
              17211.1\106294v1
    
    SNIPPETS:
  • WELBILT HOLDING COMPANY, 5
  • Delaware corporation,
  • in Stamford, Connecticut.
  • organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with a principal place of business
  • Holding's capital stock is owned by Welbilt.
  • Plaintiff Richard L. Hirsch served as a director of Welbilt from prior to
  • Defendant The Trane Company is a division of American
  • justiciable controversy between Welbilt, Holding and the individual plaintiffs, on
  • Holding and the individual plaintiffs in matters arising from Trane's
  • In this action plaintiffs ask the Court to determine the
  • respective rights and obligations of the parties, all of which are either domiciled in
  • Agreement"), Consolidated agreed, among other things, to manufacture certain
  • claim that the Trane Furnaces were defective in their design or manufacture.
  • the respective rjghts and obligations of one to the other pursuant to the 1986
  • "first draft" of a.
  • proposed to impose upon it duties and obligations to Tram?.
  • "Welbilt Corporation should not be listed as a party to the
  • In a subsequent letter dated January 25, 1.996, Mr. Daniels further
  • prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
  • Principles, showed its investment in Consolidated as an "a.sset held for sale".
  • Consolidated undertook certain obligations to Trane in respect of products liability
  • Trane has subsequently threatened to sue Welbilt,
  • five individual plaintiffs claiming that Consolidated was the alter ego of Welbilt
  • declaratory relief pursuant to 10 Del.
  • Trane contends that Welbilt and Holding
  • Trane's threats to sue Welbilt and Holdings in an effort to make them
  • und.er the 1986 and 1996 Agreements or as fiduciaries.
  •    |