A class of direct purchasers accused the four major polyester staple fiber producers of conspiring to raise prices over several years.
Retained by Williams & Connolly and by Sidley Austin
A class of direct purchasers accused the four major polyester staple fiber producers of conspiring to raise prices over several years. On behalf of two of the defendants, Nan Ya Plastics Corp., America and Wellman, Inc., Cornerstone Research assisted Professor Edward Erickson of North Carolina State University in evaluating the validity of the plaintiffs’ class certification arguments. Professor Erickson presented an empirical analysis of prices, margins, and supply and demand factors to demonstrate that polyester staple fiber comprises several differentiated products that supply separate and distinct markets. In doing so, he showed that the fact of impact and amount of damages could not be established with class-wide proof. Both defendants have settled with the class.
