FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – PCB distributor Circuitronix has won a nearly $1.1 million verdict against Shenzhen Kinwong Electronic, alleging the printed circuit board manufacturer stole trade secrets and breached contracts.

The case was filed in July 2017 after several disputes and a settlement agreement in 2010.

Circuitronix was distributor for Kinwong since 2005.  It accused the fabricator of circumventing the distributor to supply boards to several key customers, including Kimball Electronics, General Motors, Nissan and Philips Medical, among others.

“On information and belief, without revealing its true intentions, Kinwong fraudulently induced [Circuitronix] to enter into the settlement agreement and disclose valuable confidential commercial information, including the identity of its valuable exclusive customers and accounts,” the complaint said. The suit alleged the defendant “repeatedly and systematically violated its contracts and fiduciary duties,” over many years with the intention of shorting Circuitronix millions of dollars.

The original complaint constituted six charges, but possible damages to be awarded were reduced.