A trial court verdict against Kohler Co. by former Kohler plumbing distributor, Coburn Supply, was recently reversed after an appeal by Kohler to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Coburn, a Beaumont, Texas-based wholesaler, originally charged Kohler with terminating a relationship, which had built gradually over the course of 60 years, without reasonable notice. Kohler, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of plumbing and kitchen supplies, will not have to pay any of the final judgment, which was in excess of $2.9 million, for compensation for damages.
“As with all its distributor relationships, Kohler Co. places a high value on open and honest communication and the judgment in this lawsuit reflects that,” said Ron Pace, president, Plumbing Americas.