After the US International Trade Commission (ITC) established an order in July 2016 requiring India-based Viraj to stop importing, marketing and selling stainless steel products in the United States for a period of 16.7 years, Viraj appealed the US ITC decision to the Federal Circuit court.
The court this week upheld in full the ITC orders, which covers stainless steel products including semi-finished steel, wire rod, bars, angles, wire, flanges and fasteners. The orders also apply to Viraj-made stainless steel sold by other parties.
The case stems from allegations made by Valbruna Stainless of Fort Wayne, Indiana, that Viraj engaged an ex-employee to steal Valbruna’s manufacturing trade secrets and customer lists from its Vicenza, Italy, location. Based in part on evidence of misconduct and unfair practices plus showing Valbruna spent an average of 16.7 years developing the stolen manufacturing trade secrets, the ITC issued an order to exclude all stainless steel products manufactured by Viraj from the US for 16.7 years.
Valbruna Stainless employs more than 220 people and has recently invested in a $30 million expansion of its Valbruna Slater Stainless Fort Wayne manufacturing facility.