,AEC,EJVEO JAN · fron1January l 1, 2008, through Septetnbet2l~.2009. b. the Monopolization Class: , All persons or entities in the United States that purchased Domestic DIPF directly

,AEC,EJVEO

JAN 10 2018 AT 8:30

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WtLL,;IA-::-:-M-=-r.-wA-LS_H __ fv1 CLERK

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT-OF NEW JERSEY

IN RE DUCTILE IRON PIPE FITTINGS Civ. No. 12-711 (AET)(LHG) ("DIPF") DIRECT PURCHASER ANTITRUST LITIGATION ORDER GRANTING

PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT BETWEEN.DIRECT .PURCHASER PLAINTIFFSAND

'. DEFENDANT-MCWANE, INC .. AND ITS DIVISIONS CLOW WATER SYSTEMS CO., TYLER PIPE

-~~~~~~----------............... ~-COI\iPANY, AND TYLERUNION THOMPSON, U.S.D.J.

TinS CAUSE having come before the Court on Direct Purcht:Jser Plaintiffs'

Motion for Preliminary Approval of Settlement with Defendant McWane, Inc. and

its divisions Clow Water Systems Co., Tyler Pipe Company, and Tyler Union

(collectively, "McWane"), by Lite. DePahna Greenberg, LLC, Interim Co-Liaison

Counsel; Fox Rothschild. LLP, Interim Co-Liaison Counsel;. Kaplan Fpx 8?-. .

Kilsheimer LLP, Interim Co~ Lead Counsel; and Cohen Milstein Sellers &. Toll

:PLLC, Interim Co-Lead Cou.nsel; and Direct Purchaser Plail1tiffs havirtg entered into

30146390 1

Case 3:12-cv-00711-AET-LHG Document 473 Filed 01/10/18 Page 1 of 30 PageID: 19215

a settlement agreement, dated October 26, 2017, with McWane ("Settlement

Agreement"); and the Court having reviewed the Motion, its accompanying

memorandum, the Settlement Agreement, and the file:

It is on this }~y of~JB, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:

1. Terms used in this Order that are defined in the Settlement Agreement

are, unless otherwise defined herein, used in this Order as defined in the Settlement

Agreement.

Preliminary Approval of Settlement Agreement

2. The terms of the Settlement Agreement are hereby preliminarily

approved, including the releases contained therein, as being fair, reasonable, and

adequate to the Settlement Classes, subject to the Fairness Hearing described below.

The Court finds that the Settlement Agreement was entered into at arm's-length by

highly experienced counsel and is sufficiently within the range of reasonableness

that notice of the Settlement Agreement should be given as provided in this Order.

Class Certification

3. Pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and in light

of the proposed Settlement, the Court· hereby finds that the prerequisites for a class

action have been met and certifies the following classes for settlement purposes (the

"Settlement Classes"):

30146390

a. The Price-Fixing Class: All persons or entities in the United States that purchased Open-Spec DIPF directly from any Defendant at any time

2


fron1January l 1, 2008, through Septetnbet2l~.2009.

b. the Monopolization Class: , All persons or entities in the United States that purchased Domestic DIPF directly from McWane from September 22, 2009, through Oecember31; 2013.

c. The Mc Wane/Sigma Conspiracy Class: All persons or entities in the United States that purchased. Domestic DIPF directly from McWane. or Sigma from September 22, 2009~ through December 31, 2013.

Excluded from the Settlement Cla:sses are the Known Opt;..OQ.ts, the

Defendants and theirparents, subsidiaries and affiliates (whether or not named as a

Defendant in this Action), federal governmental entities, and instrumentalities of the

federal govetllrI1ertt~ ''Known Opt-OUts" means the entities listed on Appendix A of

this Order and the S~ttlement Agreement, who, as of the Executipn D"t~, have

previously agreed with Mc Wane to either: (i) release their claims against Mc Wane;

or (ii) opt-out of any litigation or settlement class certified in the Action. Known

Opt~outs are not inch1ded in the Settlement Classes and sh:all not participate in the

settlement.

4. The Court finds that the certification of the Settlement Classes is

warranted irt light of the Settlemertt Agreement because (a) memberS' of the

Settlement Classes, are so numerous· that Joirtder is impracticable; (b) plaintiffs'

claims present common issues and are typical ofthe Settlement Classes; (c) plaintiffs'

and Settlement Class Counsel {defined below) will fairly and adequately represent

the Settlement Classes; and. (d) c0111.ll1C)l1 iss1.1es predominate over any individual

30146390


i$sues affecting the members> of the Settlement Classes. The: Court further finds that

representative plaintiffs' interests are aligned with the interests of all other members

of the Settlement Classes. The Court also finds ~ettlement of this action on a class

basis superior to other means of resolving this matter.

5~ The Court hereby appoints Kaplan, Fox & Kilsheitner, LLP and Cohen

Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC as Settlement Class C01.msel, having determined that

the requirements of Rule 23(g) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are fully

satisfied by this appointment

6. Plaintiffs City and County of Denver; Coastal Plumbing Supply

Company Inc.; GCO,. Inc. f/k/a Groeniger & Co.,; EI Line Supply Co. Ltd.; J()hn

Hoadley & Sons, Inc.; Mountain States Supply LLC; Mountainland Supply LLC;

and Public Works Supply Co.,. Inc. will serve as Class Representatives on behalf of

the Settlement Classes.

Notice to PotentiaLClass Members

7. Within 30 days after the date of the entry of this Order, Settlement

Class Counsel shall cause copies of tbe Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement,

$ubstantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit l, to begin to he mailed by first

class, postage prepaid, to each potential member whose address has been obtained

from any present or fonner defendant (the ''Notice Da.te"). A copy of a claim fonn,.

substantially in the form attached hereto a~ Exhibit 2, will be included.

30146390 4


8. As soon as practicable after the Notice Date, Settlement Class Counsel

shall ca\lse to be p11blisbed a Publicati<>n Notice, substantially in the form attached

hereto as Exhibit 3. The Publication Notice shall be published one time. in the Wall

Street Journal.

9~ On or before the Notice Date, Settlement Class Counsel shall ;cause the

Notice to be published on the following website: www.DIPFOirectSettlement.com~

10. Prior to the Fairness Ilearing,Settlement Class Counsel shall serve and

:file a.sworn.statement attesting·. to compliance with the provisions of paragraphs 1

through 3 of this Order.

11. As described ill the Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement, any

m.ember of the Setdement Classes may opt out of the McWane Settlement by

notifying the Administrator at the address provided. A Settlement Class Member

wishing to request exclusion shall mail a request in written fortn by first-Class mail"

postmarked no later than 60 days after the Noti® Date to the address of the

Administrator designated in the Notice. The exclusion request must clearly state (a)

the Settlement Class Member' S' name, address, and telephone number; (b) all trade

names or business names and all addresses (including any addresses that have.

received shipments of DIPF from defendants} you or your business have used, as

well as any subsidiatjes or affiliates who are requesting to be excluded .from the

class; (c) the nall1e of the Action ("In re Ductilelron Pipe Fittings ("DIPF") Direct

'30146390 5


Purchaser Antitrust Litigation, Civ. No. 12-711 (D.N.J.)"); and (d) a statement

indicating that you want to be excluded from the Mc Wane Settlement.

12. The request for ,exclusion shall not be effective unless it provides the ;,..~··

required information and is made within the time stated above or the exclusion is

otherwise accepted by the Court. Persons or entities that request exclusion from the

Settlement shall not be entitled to share the benefits of that Settlement, nor be bound

by any judgment, whether favorable or adverse.

The f aiJ]less Hearing

13. A Fairness Hearing is hereby scheduled to be held on 5 l\o}Hs at ......... " .................................... .

lQ· .. oO>rM before the undersigned at the Clarkson S. Fisher Building & U.S.

Courthouse, 402 East State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08608, to consider the

fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the McWane Settlement, and the request

for attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and incentive awards.

14. All papers in support of final approval of the Mc Wane Settlement and

the request for litigation expenses, attorneys' fees, and incentive awards shall be

filed thirty (30) days before the Fairness Hearing.

15. Any member of the Settlement Classes that has not provided

notification of its intent to opt out of the Mc Wane Settlement in the manner set forth

above may appear or object or both to the fairness, reasonableness, and adequacy of

the Settlement Agreement or in opposition to the request for attorneys' fees,

30146390 6


litigation expenses, and incentive awards; provided, however, that no person shall

be heard in opposition to or support of the Settlement Agreement, and no papers or

briefs submitted by or on behalf of any such ;person shall be accepted or considered

by the Court, unless, twenty (20) days or more before the Fairness Hearing, such

person (a) files with the Clerk of the Court a signed statement that indicates such

person's pQsition, and its basis, with regard to the Settlement and includes proof of

membership in the relevant Settlement Class; and (b) serves copies of such

statement, as well as any other papers or briefs that such person files with the Court,

either in person or by mail, upon Settlement Class Counsel and. Counsel for the0

releva.llt Settling Defendant(s).

16. The date of the Fairness Hearing shall be set forth in. the Notice and

Publication Notice, but shall be subject to adjournment by the Court without further

notice to the members of the Settlement Classes other than that which may be posted

at the Court and on the Court~s web$ite.

Settlement Administration

17. To effectuate the Settlement Agreement and the Notice provisions; the:

Court hereby approves Garden City Group, LLC as the Claitns Administrator

("Administrator';) to be responsible for: (a) establishing a P. 0. Hox and. website (to

be included in the Notice of Settlement of Class Action) for the purpose of

communicating with Settlement Class Members~ (b) disseminating Notice to the

30146390 7


Settlement Classes; and ( c) accepting and maintaining documents sent from the

Settlement Class Members, including exclusion requests.

18. The Court approves Settlement Class Counsel's designation of

Citibank, N .A. as Escrow Agent.

Other Provisions

19. In the event that the Settlement Agreement is terminated in accordance

with its provisions, the Settlement Agreement and all proceedings had in connection

therewith shall be null and void, except insofar as expressly provided to the contrary

in the Settlement Agreement, and without prejudice to the status quo ante rights of

representative plaintiffs, Mc Wane, and the members of the Settlement Classes.

Honorable Anne E. Thompso , U.S.D.J.

30146390 8


Appendix A

Known Opt·011~, Inclusive ofTlteir Subsid.iaries, Divisions. and Affiliates:

I. A/Ir. B Pipe &,Supply Ille. 2. ActPfpe •Supply, Inc. 3. Aguaworks Pipe & Supply LLC 4. Atlas Utility·Suppl)'.Cornpany s. Bakerl1tiUty Supply Corp. 6. Blair SupplyC()rp. 7. Brent Material CQmpany 8. C&B Plpin& lnc. 9. ·Cl. Thornburg Co"' Inc. 10" Consoli~ Pi~,& $µpply CQ .•

Inc. 11 •. COb$01idated. Supply Co .. 12~ C:orfx Wattt l"rodu~ts (Us) Inc_. I 3. ·custom Fab, lite:~ 14. Dana Kepner Company, loo. IS. EJ USA.Inc. 16. Bverett J. Pre$00tt, lnQ •. 17. EtnaSupply' ll. Ferguson Enterprises, Ino. l9~ First Supply LLC 20~ FortUine Water Worlt$ 2t. O&C Supply Co., Ille. 22. Hayes Pipe Supply, In~ 23.ij.p. fowl~rCompany, Ip~. 24. H.D. Supply Waterworks, Ltd, 25. llJinQisM~, Inc. 26., lsi Hawaii Water Solutions 27. J&R Supply Inc. ~ti.. Kendall Supply, Jnc~ 29. LB Waterlnc. 30. Mid American Water 31. Midwest Municipal Supply, Ino .. 32. M:inneso~.Pipe & Eqµipnieni 33. Municjpal Supply 34. NationaJ Road Utility Supply, Inc. 35. Ne>1'thwestPipe M<>ntanEt 36. Pace Supply Corp. 37. Pi()n• Supply 38~ Pipelines In~. 39. R&B Company

40., Southern Utility Su.,ply 4l~T.Mina Supply, Jnc~ 42 •. 'f~ Water Products; Inc. 43.'rtumbull IndUstries, Inc. 44. Underground Pi~ & Valve Co~ 45~ Uni~ St.tes Ptpo and Foundry

Company 46. l.JSP Holdings, Inc. 47. Os Pipe Fabrlcatlon, LLt 48. U1ility Equi~cnt Company 49. lJtility Pipe Sales Co •• Inc;. $0. Viking supply $1. W~Wa•W()rksSupply

Compt1ny 52. Winwholesale Inc. 53. Zimmer & Fran~n Inc.,



'IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICTCOUl{T FOR. THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY

IN RE DUCTltE IRON PIPEFilTINGS ("DIPF'~ t>lRECT PlJRCHASERANTf(R{)ST.LITIQAtION

Civ. No.12-711 (AET)(LHO)

lf You Direc.tly ·Purchase.:t.DiJ~tile Iro1.1Pipe Ji'ittlµgs betwteQ January 11; 2008, and December 31; 2013, You Could Be

Aff'~~ecl by Pr()po~d Cl••• At:tion Settlem~t

Afederal court authorized this Notice.. This·~ not <uolicitation,from~ a. lawyer or· a claimsfiling service.

There· is a Prol>QSed S~t,tlem~t, i~ Ii cl~$ ~jort I~wsu.it ~ailed. In .~ .. I>@#l(t !ton Pipe Fittings. (''J)IPF') Dit~ct Purchaser AntitnJSt Litigation, which is pending in the United States District Court for the District ofNewJersey ~

•

.•

•

•

Under the McWane Settlement,~cWane,In~. an~ its divisionsClow Water Systems Co., Tylet.PiJ>e Company, and Tyler Union (collectively; "McWane" or "Settling Defendant") have agreed to pay $8,787 ,soo •. McWane bas asserted a.m1m])er ofdefenses to plaintiffs' churns. and d®ies all wr911g<ioing, but .. bas $ettl¢d to llv<>id tbe c()$t and risk .of 11· trial.

This Proposed Settlement pert8ins to a class action lawsuit brought on behaltofdirect purchasers. There.are two other lawsui~ that ~·also pending in the same Court, one l>roug~t on ~~half ofindirect purchasers, and the other brought by the State.ofJndiana. This Proposed Settlement applies only to direct purchases of DIPF, and thus are separate from any $ettlements reached in eith~· of th" other lawsuits.

''Ductile. Iron Pipe Fittings'' or ''OlPF ," as · th<>s~ t~nns are used in this sett1¢tnent, are items ·used to join ductile iron pipes, valves, and hydrtµtts within.water system~ ··l\S well as to change, divide, o:r direct the flow of water~ "Ooniestj~ DIPF/' as that term is uaed m. this Settlement; means DIPF that is produced in the United States for dome$tic-ottty specifications. "Open-Spec DlPF" metµtS DIPF that is sold for use in waterwork$ proJ~ withoµt d.ome~tic~only specifications. · ·

The• Mc Wane settlement is in addition to· two .earlier settlements w1th f~er defendants SIGMA Corporation and its subsicJ.iary SIGMA Piping J'.>roducts Corporatipn (together, "SIOMA") and Star Pipe Pro<Juc:ts, LUL ("Star"), as described in an earlier notice~ SIGMA, Star, and McWane are collectively referred to as '"defendants."

• Plaintiffs claim that, from at least as early as January 11, 2008,. through at least as· late as September 21, 2009, defendants engaged in a conspiracy to fix prices for Open-Spec DIPF in the United States ill violation of the antitrUSt laws. Plaintiffs also claim that, from at least as early. as September 22,. 2009, through December 31, 2013, defendant McWane illegally mon0polized, .and defendants SIGMA a.nd McWan~ conspired to restrain trade in and me>nopolize, the marketfor DomesticDIPF in· the United States in violation of the antitrust.laws. Pl~11ti.ffs al1ege that, as a result of d¢fendalit$' anticompetitive conduct, plaintiffs. and rt1¢Jnbers of tbe settlement classes paid more for· DIPF and Domestic DIPF than they Qtherwise would liave paid ~bsent the ~ticoIJ1p~titive c()ncfuct McWane denie$ all of plaintiffs' claims and ha.ca asserted various defenses. The Court ha.S not made any .decision as to. the .merits of .the plaintiffs' allegcitions.

• Approval of the propo~ settlement by the Court will ~sQlv~ t:his lawsuit.

• Y<>ur legal rigbtnVill be affected whetller or not you act. This Notic~.includesinfon:nation on thelawsuitand ~gardfug the McWane Settlement. Please read the entire Notice carefully~

QUESTIONS? CALLTOLL·FRF.B 1•888;.;298•6316

1


• Th~e rights and options - and .the deadlliles to e:xerds., tlt~µi - ·a@· explajned ill this Notice .•

QUESTIONS? CJ\L~ TotL-F'REE l-88$-298-(531()

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Postmarked by


BASIC·: JN'FORM.A.TION ............................................................ " ............. , ........................... .-............................................ - ................................ 4

J. 'Why».did 1 get this··Notice? ................................. ; .................. ~ ........................................................................................................... 4

i·. What~$ tj::ris"~awsuit: abcl.llt?~ ... •:·•·.······-.··.·t··· ... ~.··~.····~·~··· .. ··•?·~·.··.· ... ••;·•.·~····~····~·~··········•·······~··.~·.•·.•·.•·········"··· ... ·····:·•: .. ••··•·•:····•··•--.········•·.··:•······~···4 3:. Who ·are the Defendants? ......................... "''"'"'''''''·''''' ............ ~.·~•··~···~·······•.•.•.•·.~.···: .. •.•••••:••:· ... ······•·· .. ····~··•h•.•"•'~···~·.••.•.•-.·.•~·.·····~·~"····: ... 4:

4. Why is this: a .class.· action? ........................... ~···· ................................................................................ - ..................... - .•..... 4

s:. Wlly :is th.ere: a.Propos.ed: Settlern.ent:wjth .MCWANE?.: ............ :.-.......................................................................................................... 4

6. How do·l.know if I am .Part of the.MCWANE Settleme11t? ........................ :···················:•0:•".'''"'·•.•···~ ...... •.·•:·•·····••·.-··:~·················""'"··S 7. l'm. still. ·not sure ifJ·am· included ..................................................................................................................................... S

THE sE.NEFlts·: .OF ·THE MC.W:ANE ·SET.TLEl\fEN,T .................................................................. M ........................................................... s 8~ What· d()es theMOWANE· Settl,e:ill~t:p:rovi4~?.,.!".•·.·••-.•·•··;•••.······;;•·•• ....... ; ....... ;.•:·.·:·.•·-,······~·.-••-.•·•··· .. ···~-·· .................... ,;··-··•:·••••••••·'"''·-:S

9. How· do I.get a·payment? .......................................................... ._.!.•.~···· .. ···.·.~··~ .. ····~.·· ... ·.·.·~······· .. : ... ····~·~ ................ : .. •• .. ······"~·············~ .......... S;

lO. How .. much will my payment'be? ................................................................................................................................... 6

l:l. Whettwill..l:recelve .a .. payment? ·•·•·••i·••·;·······•·•·•••·•••••""·;··•;· ............. ~;;···········"······ ........................................................ -........... .-6.

12~ What ·aft>, I giving up ·tc>: get -a paymc:m Qt stl:ly in the $e~eroep.tst ............. _ ... _ ................... ~······--·················"·····•·; .. 6 EXCLUDIN.G·YO.lIRSELF "FROM THE MCWANE: SETTLEMENT .... ~··• .......... "···~~., .... ~~-·~~~~·-·~~~··~~ .... ·.~~·~·· ... ~·~~~~~~··~~-~-~· .. ~·· . .-··~·~6·

1·3. How do .. lget out of theMcVIANE:SettJement? ................................................................................................................ 7

14~ ttieJtc::b_id,¢ IJ1yselff canlrec~iy~ Jn.Qb,ey fl:QJ]] ·the Mc\VANE Settlement? ·:·····•·· .. •······•"··:···········;······"············;······· ... ····7

1 S. Do I have a lawyer in this case? ....................................................................................................................................... 7

16... How will .the. lawyers.: be paid? .................. : ........................................................................................................................... .7

.OBJECl'ING t() THEMC:W~E SET'tLEMENT, TllE PLAN OF-ALLOCATION ORTHE REQtmST FOR l!EES, EXPENS.ES,: .AND· INCENTIVE· AW ARDS: ~:t'.~~~,~-~·"~~~-·.~~-~-·~~~~~'.!.~···~~!~~~~··~-~"··~·~·-··~~9'!1!~.~·~--·~-··~·~~~·.~~ .. ~'"~~~~~-~ .... ~,~··11:·'~ ..... ~ .... ~.~·--:-···~·~-~~.~~~·~.~-:

17. How do IJeU the court that I don't like theMCWANESettlement or the Plan ofAllocation or the Reqt1.est .fQr.f~s,: Expenses,.-·or. in.centi:v~· .. awl,\l'd,s? ................................ : ..... ~ ................................................................................... 8

ts. What is the: di:ffeten..ee betWeen obj~ctll:tg and excludli:ig? ..... ; .............................................. ; •. ; .......... ; ......... ; .............. 9 THE: couRT-'.s.:FAIRNEss ·HE:ARIN'G-•••• " ............................... ~ ........ o: .. ~ .............. ~." ... ~ ... ~~ .. ~!'~·"~·~·.·~~·· ... ·~-~·~··~·-· .. ~~·-·:~·~· ... ~~,·~'!~·-·~~~·~·~···-·!t.•.·~~9-

19. When and where will the court decide whether to approve theMCWANE Settlement? ....................................... 9

20. Do I ha.v~ t.o· .. come t(> ·the :h¢aring'?·:·:· ..................... : .... _ ........ : ................ : ............................................................. ; ............................... : ................ 9

21. May I speak· .. :at. ·the ·hearing? .................................................................................................. •:··":"·· ......... ; ......... ~ .............. ;., ............................ 9

Ilf You· DO-"NO.THING .................. ~ ••••• 4 ................... -. ................................................................. - ••••••••• "."··-··~·H•ff••··~···~ ........ ~ ..................... ·1.o

22. What: happens ·ifldo nothing at all'?~ ................................................................................................................................... 10

GETTIN"G· Mon mFoRMAT10N .............. ~.····~·~-·~~ ............ _ .............. ~.···-.. ~···~··· .. ~·~··~··-~~-................... ~············"·····--·~·········· .. ··~· ............. 10

23. Are there more.·details about. theMCWANE Settlement· ot the Plan ofAllocati<>n? ... ~···~·! ............... ~~·· .................. 10

24. l:low ·do I.get more·infomation? ... , .......................................................... ~ ..................................................................... 10

EXlll'.BJl .i ........... ~··· .. ·········~···········~·············· .. ·~······ .. •.•••M•••••••M••••······~··•.-M•.•••••••••M•••itM•••· .. •••••••••••••••••••• ...................................................... 11

Qtm$1"ION$? CJ\LLTOLL•FREE 1·888-298~6316

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Yo'1 <>t: Y<>ur ®tnPanY m11y have purcliasec1 .DWF cf~ily fr()m. on¢· o.r mOJ;e. of the d~fe~~is dµring the Ptmod frpm and including January ll. 2008, up to:and including December 31, 2013.

Th~ Coµrt has ciirected that this Notice be<sent to you because, as a possible member of the settlement class, you have the right to know about the· Mc Wal1e Settlement in this class actiOn lawsuit and aoout all Your options before the Court decides wheth~r •o approve the Mc Wane Settlement.

Thi& Notice explains th~ lawsuit, theMcWane Settlement, and your legal rights.

The CQurt $11p~$llig the .c::ase i$. the Unj~ States District ~oqrt for the District of New J¢J'Sey~ The cu.~· is can~ In re Duciile Iron Pipe Fitti~gs ("DIP F"J Direct Purchaser .Antitrust Litigation, Civ. No. 12'-711. The people. who sued are the plaitttiffs, and the cQinpattl~ tbey sued a.r¢ called defen<lari~ •. Th~ defendamt tha~ has aweeti ~<> tlris pt<:>l>Q~ settlement is McW ane .. Earlier settlements<had been reached with defendants SIGMA and Star, and those settlements have already been awroved.by the Co'lirt

~~y'·~ii~~,;·•;·<.

The lawsuit alleges that (i) defendants entered. into price-fixing agreements in the alleged market for Open-Spec DIPF in the United States. iil violation of the antitrUSt laws~ (ii) McWane monopolized the· alleged market for Domestic DIPF in Ute Unit¢d. St11.tes in yiolation of the antitrust laws, and (iii) SIGMA and Mc Wane 'Conspired to restrain trade and to monopolize the alleged market for Oom,¢stic DIPF in the United States in violation ot the .antittu$t laws.: The lawsuit claims that, ·~·a r.eault, plaintiffs paid mQre fot Op¢n-St>« DIPF and 0C)m¢s.tic P.IP.F purcb~ed fr()m defen4a.nts than they otherwise;wouldJmve paid. ·

Defendants have denied all these claims, deny any wrongdoing, and have asserted various defenses to the claims. The Court has .not niade any d.etision as to the m¢rits t>,fth phdntiffs; all¢gations.

)JN~J~i···J>~~i-~tc····

The: Defendants are:· Mc \Vane, tnc~, and its divisions, ClowWater Systems Co., Tyler Pipe Company, and TyJer·Uirion; SlGMA CotpQrat:ion and. SIGMA Piping PtP4u.ct~ G<>rp9mti9n; ®-4 Star Pip¢ Ptoduc~, ,Ltd~

In a class action, one or more individuals or entities; called class representatives, sue on behalf of others who have $iillilar claim$. The class repre.sentatives in this cas~< ~ the City and County of Den.v~r~ Coa$tal :Plun:ibing Supply Company.Inc.; GCO, Inc. f/k/a Groenf ger & Co.; HI Lfue Supply Co. Ltd.; John Hoadley & Sons, Inc~; Mountaln States SUpply LLC; and Mountairtland Supply LLC. An additional entity, Ptd:>lic Wotics Supply Co., hie~ s«.ved: .as • cJas., representative until. May 2016~ Each of the cwrent andfmmer class representatives devoted signi:fieant time and effort to lhe,case by colle.cting and searching 1heir company documents for production tt> the Ilefendailts, and responding; to Written intem>gatmies served by 1heI)efendants. A.ll butPublic Wmks prepared and sat for depositions.

The class repre!lentati.ves 8Ild the individuf11S or entities with similar claims are individµally class members, together comprising a class~ One court resolves the settlement-related issues for all class members, except for those who exclude themselves fr<Jm the settlement. U.S. Distri~t Judge Anne E~ T:honipson is in charge of this class action.

Mc Wane has denied all liability and wrongdoing 'i:n this ca$¢ a.tld has asserted various d~fens.es to th~ plaintiffs' claims. Th~ Court did not decide in favor of the plaintiffs or McWane. Instead, both sides agreed to the Mc Wane Settlement. That way, they avoid the cost and .risk of a trial, and the class members affected will get compensation. the class representativ~ and. c:lass coU.ns~l tbiilk the Mc Wf11,le Settlemen~ is t11e best ~1.11~ fo:r ·~ class i:peµibers.

QUESTIONS? CALL ToLL-FREE1·888-298-63 l6

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Wuo lS AFFECTED BYTJiE McWANE SETTLEMENT

To see if you are affected by the Mc Wane Settlemen4 you firsthave to determine if you are a class member.

J:udge Tb<)mpson h~ d~ided that.for pµrpQSes 0:f tbe M~W•n~ $¢ttlement ·th~e a.re~~ settlem~t cl8$ses:

(1) All persons or entities in the t.J1lited States thatplll'Chased ()pen ... Spec OIPF directly from any Defendant at ~y time .from January l l, 2008, thrt>11gh S~pt¢nib¢t 21; 2009;

(2) All persons or entities in the United States that :purchased Domestic DIPF directly from McW ane or SIGMA at ~y tim~ ~om September 22.2009, throug}l Dec~ber 3lt 2() l~; and

(3) All pers9ns 01' eD.titie$ in 61~. United States that ptitCJiased DoID.estic PIPF Qitectly frQni McWane at any time from September22, 2009, through Decetnb~ 31, 2013.

Exclµde(f from ~e Mc Wane Settlement Classes ate dc:fen<l(lnts and. their parents, sljbsidiaries and affiliates, wh~er or not named as a defendant in this action, federal governmental entities,.and instrumentalities o:f the federal government~

Also excluded from the McW ane Settlement Classes are certain companies thathave otherwise agreedto exclude then.ts~lv~ fi;om the Sett1~¢rtt. 'fh()!;E:l excl11cied comMtll¢$ ~.listed on EJdJ.ibit l ofthi$ l'l<>ti.~e.

If you are still not sure if you are .a class member; you can ask for free,help. See Question 24 below'

THE BENEFITS oF. THE Mew ANE SETTLEMENT

1~: '.-W~.~9~ ,.':~e)t~}.~~,,_ ... _, fliq~~. Und¢r th~ McW~e S~ttlexnent, Iv!~Wan~ has a8l"~d·to pay ·$$,787,500 iJ1 c~sh (''the· Mc\Vaµe S~~leJl1ent F~(f,,). McWanehas agreed to pay theSettlement.Am.ount into an escrow account on or befhreUecerilber 8, 2017.

J

ff you ate a Settl~ent class member a,n<t do not eX,clude yol.1I$elf from. the Settlemen~ you may be eligible to receive • payment To qualify'for a payment, you must send in a Claim Form, whichis enclosed with this Notiee. Please read: the instructions carefully. · .

You must fill out the Claim Form and .include all the information the form asks for. Be sure to sign it, and mail it byfirstclass mail in the enclosed envelope postll'lark~ nolater than tQ the address below.

DlPF •DirectPutchaser Antitrust ·Litigation c/o GCG P.O~ Box l 0220 Dublin, OH43017._5720

If the Court approves the Settlement (see "The Court's Fairness Hearing,, below), payments from the McWane Settlement Fund will be distributed at a later dat¢ to members of each class who submit valid and timely clailns. In the fut~ y<>u should mallitau1 al1 Qf yo'QI' records of purch~~s of DIPF fi'om. d~endants during th~ period January ll, 2008 through December 31, 2013.

There are speciallzed companies that may offer to fill out and file your claim in return for a percentage of the val'1e of yotit' clllillt. The CoUrt has not a11thorized an:y c>f these companies to contact you. B~fote ro~ sign·~ c<>n~¢t with C>11e ()f these companies, you should examine the claim-filing process provided here and decide whether usi'ng a specialized company i$ worth th~ ~ost. You can always s~khelpftee of ch~ge .fr01ll the Claim$ Admmistra~or or Clas$Couns¢1.

QtiEsrtoNs? CALL Tott-FR.EE I-888•W8-6316

5


Class Counsel has ptopoSed a Plan of Allocation describing the divisfon ofthe McWane Settlement Fund .among cws members~

Un~~r the Plan of Alloc~ti()ll, part of the McWane, Settlenumt Fµl).d will be used t9 PflY ~omeys' fees l:llld ~xpenses ~pproved by the Court, ·as well as inc~ntive awards tor each of the current and former class representatives, whose participation and contribution t<> the cas&:is d~.cribed in QUestion 4 above. Th~ ~tnahiing atn.olll'its (th~ ·~Net McWane Settlement F.t111d") will be distributed ~o cli!SS lll~mbers that. submit valid ~d timely claims~

TheNetMcWane Settlern.ent Fund will be distri,buteA on a pro ratabasi~;ll!Ilo11gall memb~ of the Mc Wane Classe$ who submit valid and timely claim forms for purchases ofdpen~Spec DIPF from January ll, 2008, through September 21, 2009, frotn SIGMA, McWan~ or St• and for purchases. of Domestic DIPF from September 22, 2009, through December 31, 2013 from SIGMA or McWane~ In other words, each Mc Wane Settlement class member shall be paid ·a percenta.ge of the Net McWarie Settlement Fund that each class member's recognized clailll bears to the total of all r~ognized claim$ submitted by all Mc Wane Settlement class members who file claims.

As fµrtp.er described below, if a class member·ex~ludC$ itselfftvm the Mc Wane Settlement Ch1ss, itwill not be able. to share in. the dlstributfon from the net. settlement Jund for the settl~ent from which the class member elect$ t<> be excluded,

If you wish to object to the Pbm ofA.Ilocaµon. you must fjle yQlJ.I' objection by ---·as d~scnoed in Question 17 below;

Th~ McWan~Settlement Fund will bedist:rfbutedto classmernbers atQ. la.tertitne after the claim fonns are distributed and processed by a Claims Administrator and the Court has. authorized distnlmtion.

_ _'{~~'',~J'ruY~~liffl·•···-rQ ~~l 1~:f.~-'~i[.i;J:[~l!'.2;· . ~~~~ l.Jnless you exclude yourself or have already excluded yourself from the McW ane Settl.ement, you are staying in the Settlement, and thatmeans thatyou cannot sue; continue to sue, or be part of any other.lawsuit againstMcWane aboutthe legalissues ill this ~ase. It also llleans thatall of the Court's ordeJ'S will apply to yoµ and legajly (>indyou .

.li1 exc:Mnge fc>r th¢. consideration pr.ovi4ed, th~ S~tden;ient Agr~ provide~ tliat there will be a release ,of claims against McWane and the Releasees (as· defined in 4V 29 of the McWane Settlement Agreement). the McWane Scttletnent:Agt~ent, however, doe~ not rel¢4Se any CJ.aims relating to indirect t>lll'Cb8$es of PIPF, any cl~s base<! upon purchases of DIPF brought by the State of Indiana, or claims. relating to DIPF arising in the ordinary course of business fot any product defect, product perforntan.ce.t· <>r .breach <>f Wart"anty or.for breach of contracfbased c>n pr<>duct defect• product performance. or wammty, relating to DIPF. The Settlement Agreement with Mc Wane provides the specific and. full ~i:; of the releases. 118. to McWane, but broadly the Agreemcmt coll1pletely teleas¢s, acquits~ and fQrever disch~ges McW ane and the Releasees from any and all other claims arising at any time prior to the Execution Date of the Settlement Agreement , under arititru$t; unfair competition, or similar ~Vis relating to the . $Upply, pricin& tilarketingr clistribution, and sal~ ofDIPF.

ne M:cWane Settleme11t Agreement, which is avail,able at www~DIPFDirectSettlement.com, more fullY describes the legal claims that you give up if you stayin the class.

i:XCLUl)ING xo~RSELF FROM 'fHE M(:\VA~E SETTLEME~T

If you wantto keep the right whether to sue or continue to sue Mc Wane on yom own about the legal issues being resolved in this case, then you musttake steps to get out of the McWane Settlement This is called excluding yourself..:_ or sometimes referenced as ''opting out.:>' If you opt out of the. Mc Wane SCttlement, you will not receive any payment fro~ theNet McWane Settlement Fqp,d.

QuEsrtoN's? CALL.Totu·FREE 1•888•298'-6316.

6


... .. ........ ...... .. .. .. . .................. .

· .. ;:13·~·••.•···. 19:~"1)&.1·~,~·••·<JtIT•··•·qf••·~~•-:Mt:~msl'f~~~t.~···'· m.·,·····, ... , a To exclude yow:selffrotn the Mc\Vane Settlement, you must send aJetter saying that you want to be excluded trom.·the ~settl¢.tt.t¢nt. the 1eft¢r ~JJ$f irlcltid¢ t.bef ()lfowing infC>nnation:

• A statement indic;iting thatyou want to be excluded.fti.>m the Mc Wane Settlement.

• The case name: ln re Ductile. Iron Pipe Fitting8 (''DIPF;'). Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation, Civ~ No~ 12-711 (D~N.J.).

• Y()-gr.1:Ulllle, a.dctress, teleph.C>JJ.c: JJ.urnb«, and your $i~.,

• All trade tt8llles ·or business names amd all addresses (including any addresses that have received shipments of DIPF. from defendants) you or your business h~ve used, as well as any subsidiaries or affiliates who are ~uesting to .be exclµded from the class.

Your 1ettet,tn11St be postmarked. by ___ and sent to:

OlPF Direct PurehaserAntim:ist ~iijgatiQil'. c/() QCG

J>() Box 1 ()22() Pu,blirt, QH 430l7.;S72Q Phone: l-888~298-6316

www,DIPFOitectSettlementcdm ..

If you ask .to be excluded from· the McWane Settlement you will. not get any payment from the Net Mc Wane S~ttlenient Fund an~ you c•nnot9bject tp th~ M~Wane $~#1em~11t

Unle$$ you ~~ludeJourself1 if th¢ Mc Wane Settlement i$ appl'.Qy~d. by tl1¢ Co~. you give up any right tt:> sue Mc Wane for the claims that the Mc Wane Settlementresolves~ Ifyou have a pending lawsl.iit aga}nst McWane involving the same legm issues in -~ c8$e, $peak to your la\VYet in that case :itturtediately~ (Xou ItlU$t exclude yourself from the class i11 order to: continue your own lawsuitagainst.McWane~)

No. If you decide to· exelude yourself from the McWane Settlement, you. will not be able· to. receive money from the Settlement.

TllE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU

Ye$~ the Court has appointed Robert 1'L K.aplfili. ofl<aplaii'FQx & Killllhein>,~ LLP and:Ki(A. Pi~on <>f Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC ("Class Counsel"} to represent the class on an interim basis and. for purposes of the McWane Settlement If you \Vant to be represented by your own lawyet and have that lawyer appear in court fot you· concc::ming the :rv.t:cW~~ Se~lem~t, you may hire one at your OWI1exp~~~

You are not personally tesIJ9nSible (or payment; of attorneys' fees or expenses for Class Counsel. Anhis time, Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve from the McW ane Settlement Fund an award of up to $2,929,166.67 (one-third of the total amount of the McW~e Settlement) fot attotneys~s fees, in addition to teimbursement. from the Mc\Vane Settlement Fµn~ not to ~x~eed $1,200~000.00, for Class ColJllsel's 011t.i.iof..pock.et costs ami ~penses incurred in the prosecution of the lawsuit Class Counsel will also seek incentive· awards of no more than $15,000.00 for each of the eight entiti~ Who served- as proposed class representatives while tbe case was pending (wh()se role and contributiQtt to the· case. is described in Question 4, above)~

QUE8TIONS7 CALL Tou;~FRE,E l-888·298-63 l 6

7


... OB.JECTING .. TO THEMCWANE.SETTLEMENT, THEPLAN OF ALLOCATION OR THERE6UEST FOR FEES, ·.

JU~Q~~E~. ~]) i!li£~!!"E~)Y,.\:~S Yo~ can ~Uthe Colll:t that y911 do_n'tilgree with the Mew tille S«tl~m~Iit, ()r the Pla,n 9fA1locatit>I), 91'. the Reqµ~t for Fees,Expenses9 and Incentive Awards.

You canobjecttotheMcWsne Settletnentif you are. a memb~ Qfan aIJprQpriate settlement clasa or settl~ cl8$$eS andhave.hQt optec:I ()Utof thatsettlement clas$~ You can .obje¢ ifyot1do not like any part of the Mc Wane Settlement, orifyO\l disagree with. the Plan of Allocation or the Request for Fees, &penses or Incentive Awards. You can give re$0Ils for your object.ions. The Court will coD$id.erye>ur views,butth~ Settlem~tmay still be approved in$Pite of your objections.

To object, you must send a letter to the Court thatinc1udes the following:

• A statement .indicating that you object to the McWane s·ettlement, or the Plan of AllocatiOn. or the Request for Fees,. Expenses, or IIlcentive Awards, Ui. In' te Du~ti1¢ Iron,. Pipe Fittings ("DIPF") Direet Purch~ Antitnis~ -Litigation, Civ~No. 12-71 l (D.N.J.).

• Ytn1tnam~, ~nidl'esS7 telephonenJlll)bet, and your signature.

• 'f,l:t¢ t:el!SC>Il$ yoµ object;

• Pre>of9f yo~ 111eJnbership, i.nth<' settlem~nt class, su9h as ~voic:es showing thatyou $atisfy the definition

it1 Question 6. Youmust file the objection with the C<>Urt at the follo\1/ing addres$ by_..., ___ _

Clerk of Court

l.Jniteg Sta~es Di~trict Co\lrt forthe District of New Jersey 402 East State Street Trenton, NJ 08608

You must also mail copies of the objections to the following attorneys by ........ · .... ___. ................................................ .

Kit A. Pierson R<>hett N. ~•plan COHEN MILSTEIN SELLERS & TOLL PLLC

1100 NewYotk Avenµet NW KAPLAN FOX &KILSBEIMER LLP

850 ThitdAvenue, 14th Ffoot Suite 500 West

W~hingt<>n, DC200Q5 New York;NewYork 10022

1299 Pennsylvania Ave. NW W asbington~ DC 20004

Tel: 202-639~7905 [email protected]

Jana.Seidl@bakerbotts~com William.lavery@bak~botts.qotn

QUEsno~s? CALLToi.L·F~ J .. 888-.298-6316

8.


Objecting is simply telling the Court thatyou do notHke something about the Mc Wane Settlement, or about the Plan. of Allocation, or about the Request for Fees, Expenses, and :Incentive Awards. You can object to the McW ane S¢itlement only if you stay in the Settlement Classes. Excluding means that you are rem.ov1ngyourselffrom the Settlement CJasses and will have no. right to proceeds from the Settlement. from which you exclude yourself. If you exclude y®rself fr,om the Mc Wane Settlement, you also have no right to obj~t as• to the Settlement because that S~ttlemem no longer affects you.

Tm Cow1''.s ... FA1:RNEss.HEARtNG.

The Court will hold a fairness hearing to decide whether to approve the McWane Settlement, the Plan of Allocation, and the R¢que$ for recs, EX.J)Qlse$; and ln¢¢ntiveAwards~ YoUJllityt but need 11<>~ attend t® b@ripg~ Ify()u qo. att¢n,fJ you may ask the Q;nut's permission to speak (see Question 21 for instructions), but you do·not have to participate in the hearing if you do attend.

I:·~~~"':wu~~!~·~t'il:w~i'f~:g9~r1~!~.~~! ~~·~·~~~·~i:!tQ~i.:~1:M~~~~:s~~~~~····1·,·: •:i••·n·•:··!iii:m.j:11.::•:•::1·.: The Courtwill hol~ a Fairness Hearing at .. ···.. ..... .. . ... .. on ........ · .. ..·.. . .. >' at the United States Disttfot Couitfor the District of New Jersey; 402 East State: Street, Trenton, 'N) 08608. The hearing may b¢ tll<>vtd to ·a different~ dati; ot •tiiftt}• Without additional ttoti¢e~ $0 you sh<>ul4 ~h«~ tb,e sett}eJUeilt website www.DIPFDirectSettlementcom..before making ·travel plans. At the .Faiiliess Hearing, the Court will consider whetber.theMc\Vane Settlementi:oJ fair, reasoIUlble, and adequate a.rt~ whether to "pprove the Plan 9f_Alloeatfon and tbe Request for F~~' µperis~, .lllld mc~tive A.wa+qs. I\lc;lg~ Thompson will listen to class members who have asked to speak at the hearing. If there are objections or comments, the· G()urt will consider thein ~t tha.~ fune. After the hearing, the Cottrt Will decide whether to approve th¢ McWane S~ttleµient, the Plan of Alloca;tion, ~cl the Reqµest for Fess, Expenses, and Incentive Awards~ We do not know how long a d~sion will take, to be made.

:;::;~g~:':,'·: l~il,,~·!~1•·'~q~·:·~····~;~~~?it) No. Class Counsel will be prepared to answer any questions the. Court may have at the hearing .. However, you are welcome to attend the hearing at your own exp¢ilse. If you send. ~ objection, you do not have to come to coUrt to explf,li~. As long as yo\l uiailed YC>UJ:' writt¢n objection on time as set out in this .Notice, the Coµrt will consider it. You may also pay another lawyer to attend, but it is.not-required.

,•···•·••i:~~i•·:rM,1)1.ju$~!t~:~t·~~!:1.~J;j~g~•··•·······

You may ask the Court for permission to speakat the Fairness Hearing. If you wish to do so, you are encouraged to send a letter. stating the following:

• "Notice of Intentionto Appear in In re Ductile Iron Pipe Fittings ("DIPF'') Direct Purchaser Antitruit Litig(lticm.Civ.N<>• 1Z-7l l (P.N:~J.)~"

• The position you will take aui4 youri:~asol1S.

• Y Ou.I nam.e, addte$S, telephon~ numbet(, and y01.11' sigµature.

• Proof of your membership in the class, such as invoice$ shoWitig that you sati~fy the definitfon iI1 QlJ.~tion 6.

YourNotice ofln:tentfon tQ Appear m11st. be file4 wit.h the Coµrt attfie foUowitlg addre$s by __ :

Clel'k .of Court

United States District Court for the District ofNew Jersey

402.EastState Street J'reµton~ NI Q$608

Qms'floN's? CAU T()LL'·FllEE l-888-298-6JIJ)

9


You must also mall copies of the Notice of Intention to Appear to the attorneys listed in Question 11 above~ so they ,are rec¢ived no later than,__..,.

IF You Do NoTJDNG

••.••·•·uw•: ···•··•w~l'•.•.•~'~Ns<~·ir1lQ···N9~<;~•··.~f~?t··· ··mm:. m1.:\.•m., .. •.•.•••·•t.n

If you do·notlrlng, you, will rcmiain in the classes for the McW ane Settlement If you remain. in the classes, to qualify for a payment you must send in a Claim Fonn, which is enclOsed with thi.S. Notice. See the discussion under Qtlestion 9 abc>ve for filrth~ inionnatie>n.

····•····23~; ••.·•.·m:,~~~9~ij~~~.~.~9~~iij~W~.$.1~1'~~r.~~l~-~9~-;~~~~Ii9~~;········· ... . ........ , This Notice summarizes the McWane SettleJl1ent. More details are in. the MbWane Settfoment Agreement. YQ\l ca.t:l :get ¢e>pie8 qfthe $ettl~tm.t Agn:ement by vi,siting.www.DIPFDirectSettlement.com~

Clf!sS couns¢l will file a rnotion for final ax>Ptova] ofth~ McW• SettleqteIJ,t, the Plan .of i\llo~~ti9n.1iJ1d the Request for Fees, Expenses, and Incentive Awards which wiil contain additional information. These :papers are currently due to be fited by and will be available at~~P~!"~~ctSettl?'fAAt.com ..

Y~A>H ··.u·ow:'1:~x~~~~<>g• .. mJ-()•1i~~'.~•·•··1·1 If you have q\lestions or want more information, you may visit the official settlement website at :www.DIPFDirectSettlementcom, ·~Qntact the Claitns A.4mllli$trator t<>ll-tree •t I-~~8-298•9316, or Write to either ofthe . folloWfng counsel for Piafutiffs:

K.itA. Pierson COHEN MILSTEIN SELLERS & TOLL PLLC

lTOO New York Av~ue; NW Suite 500 West

WashlngtoD;, OC .2()()()5

DATE0: _,.2017

Robert N. I<aplan KAPLANFOX& KlLSBEIMERLLP

850 Third Avenu.e, 14th F199r New York, New York 10022

J3Y ()RJ)EROFtiiE COURT UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FORTHE DISTRICT OF NEW.JERSEY

QUESTIONS? CALL TOLL-FREE 1-888-298~316

10


Exhibit.1 Known Opt•OUts, Inclusive of Their Subsidiaries; Divisiop.s, and Affiliates:

l. A& B Pipe & Supply Ille. 47. Us Pipe Fabrication, LLC 2. A~tJ>ipe & Supply; Ille~ 3. Aguaw<>rks Pipe & SupplyLLC 4. Atlas Utility Supply Company

48. Utility Equipm.ent Comp~y 49~ Utility Pipe Sales Co~· Inc. SO. Viking Supply

5. Belk~ Utility Supply C9rp. 6. Blair S:upply Corp~

51. West~ Water WQtb Supply Com~Y 52. Win.wholesale me. .

7. Brent Material Company 53. Zimmer & Francescon Inc. ~. C&.B Piping, Inc. 9. CI Thornblirgco.,.In¢. l<t Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co~, Inc. 11. Consolidtited Supply Co. 12. Com Water Products (Us) Inc. 13. Custom Fab, Inc~ 14. D~ .K.~ner Company:, Inc;~ 15. EJ USA, ln¢. 16. Everett J: Prescott, Inc. 17. EtnaSupply 18. fergu$.on, Entetprise8, Inc. 19. First Supply LLC . 20. Fortiline Water Works 21. (J~C S11pply Co., .me~ 22. Hayes Pipe ·supply, Inc. 23. H.D.FowlerCompany,Inc. 24. H.D. SµpplyWaterwotks,. Ltd. 25. IllinoisMet«t Inc. 26. Isi Hawaii Water Solutions 27. J&R $µ.pply Inc. 28. Kendall Supply, Inc. 29. LB Water Inc. 30. Mid A.Jp~~all W~ter 31. Midwest Munieipal Supply, Inc. 32. Minnesota Pipe &. Equipment 33~ ~unicipll,} Supply 3.4. National ff:Qtui Utiljty Supply, Inc~ 35. Northwest Pipe.Montana 36. Pace Supply Corp. 37. :Pione¢t Sµpply 38. Pipelines Inc. · · 39. R&B .Company 40. Southern Utility $upply 41. T. Mina Supply, Inc. 42. Texas Water Products, Inc~ 43. Trumbµll Industries, Inc. 44. Underground Pipe & Valve Co~ 45. United States Pipe and Foundry Company 46. USP Holdings, Ino~

QUF..snoNs? CALL Tou.-FREE 1-888-298-6316

ll


Exhibit2


•

DIPF Direct Purcha$er Antitrust Litigation c/oGCG DP1 •

OP1123456189o

llll~llHllHI JANE CLAIMANT 1234THAVE A.PT5 SEATTLE, WA 67890·

P~O~ BQx 1022() l>ubiln, OH 43017·5720

Toll~ree: 1 (888) 298i.8318 ·WWW .DIPFDlrectSettlement.com

CLAIM FORM FOR.SETTLEMENT WITH DEFENDANTMcWANE

l~~U~lllllll~llllllllll~~llllll eontrc>I N<>= 1~678®

Claim No:

l.f you .believe you qualify as· a member of the Settlement Clau, as defined ·below, you must submit a tirneiy andvalld Settlement Claim Form (11Claim FormD) by ·first<la$S mail po,tmarked. by , 201~ to the address below for.you to recei~~ anypeyme~tas a result of the Settlement with.McWane •. Inc~ and its divisions.Clow Water Systems Co., TylerPipe Company, and Tyler Union (collectively~. •McWaneD or "Settling Defendant") in the lawsuit/n re>Duc;ti/f!l llPn Pipe Fittings (':DIPF''J Direct PutC/JaserAntitru.$t Litigation.

DIPF .Direct Purchaser Antitrust Settlement (Direct Purchasers)

c/oGCG P.O~ Box 10220

Dublin, OH 430l7~720

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

This Claim Fonn relates to the proposed settlement With McWane; the. last remalriing defendant in In re Ductile /ton. Pipe Fittings ("DIPP')DirectP.urchaserAntltrustLJtlgation, Cb1. No. 12-711 (AET)(LHG), p~nding in th~ United States Di~triet Covrt for the Di$trict of New.Jer$ey.

The McWane Settl•ment has three classes: (1) An persons or· entities in the United. States that purchased Open-Spec DI PF.directly from any Defendant at any time from January 11. 2~08, thro\Jgh September 21, ~009;. (2) Ail per$ons or entitles in the United States that purchased Domestic DIPF directJy from McWane e>r SIGMA at any .time .ftoni September 22, 2009, through December 31, 201.3; .and (3.)'All persons or entities in the United States th{it p4rchased Pome~tlq PIPf (jlreQtly frc)m McV'/$118 at aoy tlrTie fre>m September ~. 2009; through Dec~mb~r 3t, 2013. Excluded ftOJTi the classes are persons or entities that previously agreed with McWane to either: (I) release their claims against McWane; or (II} opt-outof any litigation or settlement class .certified in the Action.

DIPF. are. Items use~ to join ductile lroai pipes, valves~ and hydrants within wate~ systems a~ well as to chang~, divide~ Qr direct tt"te fle>w of water. Oorne~.tic DIPF means DIPF that is produc~d iii the United St$tes for domestic;.only specifications. 110pen-"Spec DIPF" means DIPF' that is sold for use In waterworks projects without c:tornestic;-only specifications~

Please fill out this form completely and accurately. Do not file a claim if you are an indirect p&Jrchaser, as defined below, or if you have opted outor excluded yourself from the,classes.

Pleas$ also note tb~r~ ~re specia,D~ed companies that m~y offer to jill out ~od file your clah;n in r~tum for a percentage of the value of your claim. The Court has not authorized any of these companies to contact you. Before you sign a contract with one of these companies, yo~ should examine the claim filing process· providedin the accompanyln9 Notice and decide whether using a specialized company is worth·the cost You can a!Ways s,eek help from the Ctaims Administrator or Cla,$S Counsel without charge. ·

QUESTIONS? CALLTOLL-FREE 1 (888)298-6316 "To vl$W GCG'• Privac:y Notlc:e, pl•a•t vlsl•- ~.c~oose(;C~~t:C>"'1F>rfy~cy-11(Jti~ ... • •


•'· 1111111111111 lllllHllH!HI • SECTION A: CLAIMANT INFORMATION

SECTION B: SETI"LEMENT CLASS

The proposed McWane Settlement Is for the benefit of direct OIPF purchasers onjy, that is.i individuals or· entities In the United States who bo~ght PIPF (jjrectly from SIGMA, .$tar or McWane (McWane includes McWane, lnq. an(,:I its divisions Clow Water Systems Co., Tyler Pipe Company, and Tyler Union) and not those who purchased DIPF from any other company.

Ql.J.E$JION$? CALLTOLL-FREE 1.(888)298~16 2


1' 1111111111111 llllllHllllllHI •

SECTION c: PURCHASE INFORMATION

Complete this sectipn only ifye>u ~re a member. of the $ettJernent Cla$ses~ Please attach $dditie>nal pag(;t$ if needed~ You must provide all requested information or your claim may be rejected. ·

•

•

first, separat~ly list belcw Uie t~tal~ t>y time period of only your purchase$ Qf Open-Sp~· DJPF rllade directly from McWane, SIGMA o.r Star from Janµary 11. 2008, th.-ough Septem®r Z1, 2009. Purchases. from c:ompanies qther than McWane, $1GMA or Star are noteligible .to be considered for claims purposes.

Sec<)f'td, ~aratt\lly listbelow the totals ~Y time pfjriod of only your purcha~es of Dornesti~ DIPF mad~ dire¢tlY from McWane or ·SIGMA from September 22i 2009, thrQugh December 31.. 201.3. P~rchase$ frQm c»mpanies other than McWa.n~ or Star SIGMA are t"lot eligipl~ tp t)e cc:m~gt:tr$d for cliiirns purposes.

The yearly totals must be in U.S. dollars and reflect the net amount paid after deducting any discounts, repatE11S1 UtJC~$• freight thilrQ~ Eind cf ElliV&.ty cbatgEIS•

I. Open-Spec DIPF Purchases

QUESTIONS? CALLTOLL .. FREE 1 (~88) 29e-6316 3 •


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Iii. Domestic DIPF f:'urchases Only

SECTION D: SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION OF THE COURT

By signing below, you are submitting to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey if questions cont:f3rning yourctaim in the McWane Settlement need to be resolved. ·

SECTION E: QUESTIONS

lf you have question$ or wEint rn<>re informatlc>n.. you can vi$1t the official settlement website at www~DIPFOlrectSettfement.com; contact the Claims. Administrator toll..,free at (888) 298-8316; or write to any of the tollowi.og coµosel tor Plaintiffs:

Kit A. Pierson COHEN MILSTEIN SELLERS & 'TOLL PLLC

t 100 New York Avenue NW Suite 500 West

Washington, DC 20005

Robert N. Kaplan KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP

85() Third Avenue, 14th Floor New York, NY 10022

QUESTIONS? CALL TOLL-FREE 1 (888) 298-6316 4


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SECTION F: SUBSTITUTE. IRS FORM W-9

Ptease complete the Substitute IRS Form w~e b.elow so that pertinent tax repe>rtin9 may be completed tor any sememf;!nt award you may rec;eive~ . .

SECTION G: CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that:

1. The lnforrn(:ltlqn provtd~ In UJJ$ (;I aim Form Is· aeclJ~te ~net compl•te Jo the b•~t ot my. kOQWled9•, Jnt()rroa~<>n and. belief; ··· ·

2:, I have documentation to. support my clalm and agtee to. provide additional information to the Clalrns AdmlniStrate>rto support my c.lalrtt if necessary;

3~ I am authorized to submit this Claim Fonn on behalf of the member of the Settlement Class' named above; 4. I am not a defendant or a parent, employee, subsidiary. affiliate or ca-conspirator .of a defendant; 5. This Claim F<.lt:m was not flied on behalf of a government entity or agency; 6~ [have n()tassign~d or t~nS,ferred (or purport~ to assign or transfer) or submitted <tny other claim for the

same purchases. of DIPF and have not autho~zed any person or entity to do so on my behalf; and 7~ I have read and; by signing below, agree· to all .of the terms and oonditiOns set forth in this Claim Form.

QUESTIONS? CALI.. TOLL,.fREE 1 (8~8) 29~316 5



Exhil>it3


If You Directly Purc:hased Ductile Iron Pipe Fittings ~tween January 11, 2008 and December 31; 2013, Voll Could Be

Affected by a Propo$ed Class Action Set:tlernent Pltf!J'.e read the entire 1/Qtice ~refal~. Th~se Se~tlem,ents 1fl!lY aff~ctyqw rights~

Wll.- ls thlsJaw5ult about? There ia a Proposeci Settkment; iii a class acti(Hl lawsuit•

called Inn DUi:tJ1elronPipe Fittl#g.t ("DIPF")Dincl •

value of your cJailiL The CourtJm not authorized any of tbese C9JD~s'to con~~Y~~efore yo.a ~i:r1ltj with. one of these compiliies, you can a'J.ways seek help· f~.~eClah:MJ\d~~ttalor91' gassCoµP.~J111iIµig yaurClaim; hrt/Uisli AntitnUt ~·· which is pending in.

·the United States Dmrict Court fur the District of New: Jersey. Th~ defendanmin this laW!Uit ~ McWane,.Inc, Can I Exchacte Myself?

. and its divisions Claw Water Systems ~o;~· Tyler Pipe If you want to keep the rlgbtto sue or contbiueto sue CQmpan.y, aiid 'fyter Up.ion (CQJlectively "McWane~'k • McWane aboQt the legal Jisues .m this c:a.41e, .Jhen. Y'11:! ·SIGMA Corporation and its. subsi4iary SI(JMA Piping 0 must c:XcludC yomself fi'Om me .. Settlement CJUses. Ir ·~ Corporation. (together, "SIGMA"); aiid Stm: ·You~eytHl~'f;eif,fromtlleSt!ttteinetltOasses,.~ . Pipe Pr!)docts. Ltd. (''Star''). . • will 11ot get any ~~·~ tbe8ettle1ilent • . · The McWane settlement is iD addition to tWo earlier 'IQ·· ex.ciluci,e yout.semJY<>U ·~ust. ~d a letter. $8ymg ~~ts with ~feiidants S1GMJ\ an~ $tlr. .that you want to , · · , tuded;. In~portanl instlUCtm

This tawSUit alleges that ftom lanuafy l l, . 2008 • about bow to extl elf .ean be obtimed from ~gh $~~Jlet' :tl• ~0()9. ~l'.1Ki1!n~ engaged in; a.. . ' . Your letter must be conspiracy to fiX pdces fut ,D1Pf in the. United StateS QB#! ;JJ , 'i., in. violatio~ of' th~ antittµst .J.aws. Pl~tiifs also cljlim How

001 that fi'om September 22, 2009 tfuough oecetnbet 31, · · · · · · · , , 2CU~. ciefen~t Mc Wane illega)ly ~uonopol~zed, ~·· ¢ S~eni~t'if YOll ~a S"ttl~me1't defendants. SIGMA and Mc Wane conspired to restrain• ., ':Ve not excluded yOUi'Sdf; ~-~e 8Jl9.mo119PC>Jµef .~· .. ~. ~~JAesti~·J:)I.~F must .send ~ . .lettet· m the ~. in the United States in Violation Of. the .antitriist 111,\VS~ .~~.to object may be obtained from I>efcn~ts ~coy all of plaintjffi' all~gatjons. · · · · , Y®r letter must. be

Am·l 8 Class Member?

Who Represents Me? The Coun ))as appointed. Kit A. Pierson of Cohen

Mi1stem Sel• ·&.1\>ll ·JJLL.q· ~d R,$ert l\t. J{ai>l~ of Kaplan Fox .& Kil&heimer LLP tO .represent lhe SeUlement Cla$S,IfyQU want:. fu; be represented by yi;n,11' own lawyer,. you may·hire one at yOTlr own.expense.

T11eSe.biwyers '.Will ask the dlµrt tQ approve an award ofattomeys'feeinanamount.upto$2.929;166.67(onethll:d of the. t~al am~t of the Mc Wane Settlement), and :reimbursemc:olfm costs and expenses in an amount

What does the Settlement provide not to exceed $112()(),000.l)Q, amf:in,cx:nti~ ll'\Vanh 9fup • and how do I get a payment? to $15,000 for each of the eight class representatives.

Under· the Mc Wane Settlement, McWane. w agreed··· The request for att()p:leys~ ~. ~ns¢a, al1d intentiye · to pay $8~78?.SOO. lfyoµ are 11. ~tlement Class awmds will be available fOt View'ing on the website Member; you may be eligible to reeeive payment from: belQW once it.is filed with the Court the S,ettlcrllC!JJt To. qµalJfy . for .payme1#1 .. yµu mu!it : When .wUJ tlle JaidP d~cle? complete and seiid in a valid ... Claim fonn, available at The Cou.rt will boJd a Fairness. Hearing to decide \yWlV DIPFDirectSett)ement;com; Be ~ t0 sig11 the Whetbedo approve the terms of the Mc Wane Settlement Claim F<Jrm ·and· mail it by .first-ciass mail p0stmarked 8' (J'une] am. on.M:onlb __.:. 20L; ai the United S~~s noJa,t"" ~1'1.1 MQ11lh _;.o 2()L, lo. DIPF Direct Purcba5er District Court for· the District Of New Jersey~ 402 Ea.~. AntitrostSettlement./c/o GCO, P.O. Box 10220, Dublin,. state Si:tect. Trenton; NJ ~. You may appeilf ~ ~ Oli 43()17"'.5720. · hearing, but you are not i'ecfOired to do so. The hearing If the Court apPre>ves the M¢Wane Setilement. the Net , may .be moved to a different date or time without notice,. ~~~nt Fund wi.J,l. be 4isttj~ut¢ Qn a proJat!l basis You shciuld check the. Settlement. Website below fot among allSettlement Class Members who submit valid. ~8•

and timely Claim Fonns. . This Notice 1s only a sUJDmiit.Y. Far more There are speeiauzoo· OOlilpanies that may :otl'et to fill • intomudlo~ . ~t Qie website belqw or ~all

out ~4 ftle yo11r.claim in rilllr'.ftfor a percent&ge of die• 1 (888) 298i-Q16. ~ "Co ~ ..... ~ ~ .,

'www.CDIFH:CDirec:tSettlement.€om ·


,AEC,EJVEO JAN · fron1January l 1, 2008, through Septetnbet2l~.2009. b. the Monopolization Class: , All persons or entities in the United States that purchased Domestic DIPF directly

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