Baker Hughes, Inc. v. Schwarz

833 S.W.2d 292, 19 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 13, 1992 Tex. App. LEXIS 1584, 1992 WL 133423
CourtCourt of Appeals of Texas
DecidedJune 18, 1992
DocketNo. A14-91-01294-CV
StatusPublished

This text of 833 S.W.2d 292 (Baker Hughes, Inc. v. Schwarz) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Baker Hughes, Inc. v. Schwarz, 833 S.W.2d 292, 19 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 13, 1992 Tex. App. LEXIS 1584, 1992 WL 133423 (Tex. Ct. App. 1992).

Opinion

OPINION

SEARS, Justice.

This is an appeal from a judgment in favor of appellees in a breach of contract action. Charles N. Schwarz and A.L. De-Cell brought suit against Baker Hughes, Inc., and the case was tried before a jury. When the jury failed to reach a verdict, the trial court declared a mistrial; however, all parties moved to set aside the order and agreed to submit the case to the court for determination. The trial court entered judgment for the plaintiffs, awarded damages of $2,000,000.00, pre-judgment interest of $783,333.00, and additional daily interest of $555.00. We reverse and render.

Hughes Tool Company, now known as Baker Hughes, Incorporated, possessed a large inventory of unfinished and semi-finished drill collar material and finished drill collars. This inventory was known as the “Oncor Drill Collar Bar Inventory.” Baker Hughes had ceased its manufacture and sale of drill collars, and on January 9, 1987, the corporation entered a contract with Pri-deco, Inc. giving the latter the right to purchase the inventory. Hughes reserved the right to accept offers from third parties to purchase not less than 25% of its inven[294]*294tory, however Prideco was given the right of first refusal pursuant to the following provision:

In the event Hughes wishes to accept an Offer, it shall first give Prideco notice of the Offer and Prideco shall then have ten (10) days from the issuance of said notice in which to advise Hughes whether it wishes to purchase the Drill Collar Material under the same terms and conditions as contained in the Offer. In the event Prideco does not wish to purchase the Drill Collar Material, Hughes shall be free to sell the Drill Collar Material to the party making the Offer or to any other party under the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Offer.

On March 6, 1987, appellees met with Dean Weeke, a representative of appellant, and offered to purchase the entire Oncor inventory for cash. After their meeting, Mr. Weeke sent a letter to Prideco notifying it that an offer had been made for the purchase of the inventory for $1,391,-000.00. Pursuant to the contract, Prideco was given until March 16, 1987 to exercise its right of first refusal. On March 10, 1987, Prideco notified appellant in writing that it wished to purchase the drill collar material for the same terms and conditions of the third-party offer. Pursuant to a request by Prideco to review the actual offer, Mr. Weeke contacted appellees and requested the offer be reduced to writing. Appellees sent the following letter on March 12th:

We are pleased to confirm our offer to purchase the Hughes Oncor Drill Collar Bar inventory.... Offered price is $0.16/Lb to apply to full length bar inventory on hand at the time of closing. Preliminary inventory estimates would translate to approximately $1,400,000. We further understand that a third party has the right of refusal to be exercised by 5:00 PM, Monday, March 16, 1987. In addition should they fail to close by that time, our offer would be accepted....

Mr. Weeke then responded by letter stating, “I have received and hereby acknowledge your offer....” On March 25, 1987, appellees attempted to tender to Hughes a conditional bank draft “as payment in accordance with our agreement of March 12, 1987.” The draft required Hughes to issue a bill of sale which not only warranted title to the inventory, but would also indemnify appellees against claims arising from any failure by Hughes to discharge its obligations. Hughes did not accept the bank draft. The sale of the inventory to Prideco was completed on March 26, 1987 by payment in full. Appellees subsequently brought a cause of action against appellant for breach of contract. Appellees’ petition claimed appellant breached an oral contract entered into on March 6, 1987, and later confirmed in writing.

In its first point of error, appellant contends that the trial court erred in finding that a contract was entered into by the parties because there was legally and factually insufficient evidence to support this finding. The trial court held in its findings of fact and conclusions of law that: an oral contract was entered into on March 6,1987; Weeke had promised that if Prideco failed to exercise its right and pay by March 16, 1987, that appellees would have ten days thereafter to consummate the sale; and, appellees sent a written confirmation of the contract on March 12, 1987. Appellant challenges these findings as-well as other related findings.

In addressing a “no evidence” point, the reviewing court considers only evidence and inferences favorable to the verdict or finding and disregards all contrary evidence. See Best v. Ryan Auto Group, Inc., 786 S.W.2d 670, 671 (Tex.1990). If there is some evidence, more than a mere scintilla, then the challenge fails. See Responsive Terminal Sys. v. Boy Scouts of America, 774 S.W.2d 666, 668 (Tex.1989). Where there is a factual sufficiency challenge, the reviewing court examines all of the evidence to determine whether the finding is so against the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust and clearly wrong. In re King’s Estate, 150 Tex. 662, 244 S.W.2d 660, 661 (1951).

A contract is that which is contemplated and agreed to by the parties. The mere fact that one party believes a contract ex[295]*295ists is not enough. Wiley v. Bertelsen, 770 S.W.2d 878, 882 (Tex.App.—Texarkana 1989, no writ). Additionally, when determining the terms to which the parties assented, we must rely on objective standards and not the subjective state of mind. Gordin v. Shuler, 704 S.W.2d 403, 407 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1985, writ ref’d n.r.e.). The fact that one party expects something does not conclusively show an enforceable agreement. Id. A writing which confirms an agreement, conditioned upon further acceptance, is insufficient proof of confirmation as a matter of law. Adams v. Petrade Int'l, Inc., 754 S.W.2d 696, 706 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1988, writ denied).

The evidence clearly establishes that the parties entered into a contract for appellant to sell its inventory to appellees. Mr. Weeke testified that when he notified Pri-deco of appellees’ offer, he knew the inventory was sold. Due to the oral contract, Prideco would buy if the option was exercised, or appellees would buy if Prideco declined to purchase.

The problem arises in appellees’ belief that Prideco had to exercise its option and pay within ten days. Regardless of the intent or belief of the parties, any contract entered into was subject to the rights of Prideco. Further, there was no requirement that Prideco pay within ten days of notice. It was only required to exercise the option within ten days by announcing its intent to meet the offer of a third party. No agreement between these parties could alter the rights of Prideco. However, because we find an oral contract existed, we overrule point of error one.

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Related

Modern Aero Sales, Inc. v. Winzen Research, Inc.
486 S.W.2d 135 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1972)
In Re King's Estate
244 S.W.2d 660 (Texas Supreme Court, 1951)
Wiley v. Bertelsen
770 S.W.2d 878 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1989)
Adams v. Petrade International, Inc.
754 S.W.2d 696 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1988)
Best v. Ryan Auto Group, Inc.
786 S.W.2d 670 (Texas Supreme Court, 1990)
Responsive Terminal Systems, Inc. v. Boy Scouts of America
774 S.W.2d 666 (Texas Supreme Court, 1989)
Gordin v. Shuler
704 S.W.2d 403 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 1985)

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833 S.W.2d 292, 19 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 13, 1992 Tex. App. LEXIS 1584, 1992 WL 133423, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/baker-hughes-inc-v-schwarz-texapp-1992.