$6.5 million judgement against Futuresoft Technologies set aside

A $6.5 million dollar judgement against machinery supplier Futuresoft Technologies Inc. (FTI) and its director Dr. Weining (Wayne) Song, has been set aside by a judge in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. FTI will still have to defend itself in a lawsuit for fraudulent misrepresentation filed by St. John’s, Nfld.-based wood-plastics composite (WPC) start-up Newlab Plastics Ltd.

The ruling, handed down on July 28, 2006, also instructed the Manalapan, N.J.-based FTI and Song to file respective defenses in order for Newlab’s lawsuit to continue.

The judgement, awarded in May 2006, was the result of Newlab’s lawsuit, which alledged it paid FTI upwards of $875,000 for WPC processing equipment, materials and mechanical and electrical setup, only to find the equipment, most of which was shipped from China, unsuitable for use; and that the failure of the business cost Newlab $300,000 in both personnel and leased space. (See Canadian Plastics, July/Aug. 2006)

In his affidavit filed in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Song claimed FTI made every effort provide a proper WPC installation for Newlab; that the equipment supplied was demonstrated to function successfully and that any damage was corrected by FTI. FTI also claims Newlab’s losses were the result of its failure to understand and become familiar with the WPC extrusion system; that the Newlab team lacked experience, market resources and a long-term reliable source of raw material; and finally that Newlab owes FTI the balance of just over $200,000.

FTI’s legal team declined to comment on the July 28 verdict. On August 4, lawyers for FTI and Dr. Song filed a Demand for Particulars with Newlab’s legal team requesting that it provide additional documentation to allow FTI and Song to file their respective defenses with the court.

The newly-constructed Centre for Health & Safety Innovation (CHSI), was opened in Mississauga, Ont., on September 20. The facility is home to the Electrical & Utilities Safety Association (E&USA), the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA), the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) and the Transportation Health and Safey Association of Ontario (THSAO), which combine to represent approximately 80 per cent of Ontario’s workforce.

“The CHSI is the nexus for health and safety in Ontario, bringing the world’s best knowledge to our workplaces through this state-of-the-art facility”, Maureen C. Shaw, president and CEO of IAPA and chairperson of the CHSI board of directors, said.

The facility is located at 5110 Creekband Rd.