ConMed Corp. is suing a former sales rep and rival Champion Orthopaedics Inc., alleging that they conspired to poach customers from the University of Massachusetts hospital system.
Scott Andrews had worked as a service tech for a ConMed distributor until October 2008, when ConMed’s Key Largo, Fla.-based Linvatec subsidiary hired him as a sales associate to service accounts in the U-Mass. Medical system, according to court documents. He quit in June, signing on instead with Natick, Mass.-based Champion as a sales associate, according to the documents, to sell competing products made by Arthrex Inc.
The lawsuit, accuses Andrews of violating an agreement he signed when ConMed hired him, barring the disclosure of any information "that gives an actual or potential competitive advantage" to ConMed, including customer information, marketing and merchandising data, for two years after leaving the company. The agreement also had a one-year ban on Andrews working for "any organization engaged in competition" with ConMed.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, also accuses Champion of encouraging Andrews’ alleged breach of contract. ConMed wants an injunction barring further disclosure of trade secrets, damages, pre-judgment interest and legal fees.
