Environamics v . Master Pump CV-96-476-M 01/08/97 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Environamics Corporation, Plaintiff v. Civil N o . 96-476-M
Master Pump Company, Defendant.
O R D E R
Environamics Corporation brings this diversity action against Master Pump Company ("Master Pumps"), 1 seeking to recover damages it sustained as a result of Maser Pumps’ alleged breach of contract. Presently before the court is Master Pumps’ motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction.
Background
Environamics is a Delaware corporation, with a principal
place of business in Hudson, New Hampshire. It manufactures and
sells pumps and pump technology for use in industrial
applications, such as petrochemical plants, paper mills, and food
1 Although identified by plaintiff as “Master Pump Company,” the corporate defendant is actually “Master Pumps and Equipment Corporation.” processing facilities. It manufactures its products exclusively in New Hampshire and sells those products primarily through a series of distributors located throughout the country. Master Pumps is a Delaware corporation, with its principal offices in Dallas, Texas. It was established in 1968 to provide repair services to oil field engines, compressors, and pumps. In 1972, it began operations as a distributor for a number of pump manufacturers. It operates exclusively in the southwestern United States and has never maintained an office or presence in New Hampshire.
In 1995, Environamics approached Master Pumps and solicited
it to act as one of Environamics’ distributors. The parties met
in Dallas to negotiate a possible agreement. Subsequent
negotiations took place via telephone, facsimile, and mail
between New Hampshire and Texas. Eventually, Master Pumps agreed
to be a distributor for Environamics, apparently believing that
it would be distributing Gould Pumps. Environamics presented
Master Pumps with a Distributor Agreement and claims that the
terms of that agreement govern the parties’ relationship. Master
Pumps, on the other hand, counters that before executing the form
Distributor Agreement, it made several revisions to it and says
2 that Environamics never executed that revised agreement. The
record is decidedly unclear on that point, as the parties have
submitted substantially different versions of the Distributor
Agreement, each claiming that its own submission is the relevant
document.
Despite the apparent confusion surrounding the status of the Distributor Agreement itself, Master Pumps placed a purchase order with Environamics. Environamics claims (and Master Pumps does not dispute) that the initial shipment of pumps by Environamics was delivered FOB (“free on board”) Hudson, New Hampshire. Accordingly, Master Pumps took delivery and accepted title to that shipment in New Hampshire. Subsequent shipments were delivered FOB Kenner, Louisiana.
In the spring of 1996, apparently at the insistence of Environamics, Master Pumps sent two of its employees to New Hampshire to attend Environamics’ Specialist Training School, to receive training with regard to the manufacture, installation, and application of Environamics’ pumps. When Master Pumps (and its customers) later learned that Environamics was not supplying Gould Pumps, Master Pumps’ business stalled. Environamics claims
3 that Master Pumps breached the Distributor Agreement (or at least
its version of the agreement) by failing to make additional
purchases of pumps and pump technology, as required by the terms
of the Agreement, and by failing to reimburse Environamics fully
for pumps that it delivered.
Jurisdictional Inquiry
I. Generally. It is well established that in a diversity case personal
jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant is governed, at least
in part, by the forum state’s long-arm statute. Goldman,
Antonetti, Ferraiuoli, Axtmayer & Hertell v . Medfit Int’l, Inc.,
982 F.2d 686, 690 (1st Cir. 1993). And, when personal
jurisdiction is contested, the plaintiff bears the burden of
establishing that the court has such jurisdiction. Kowalski v .
Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, 787 F.2d 7 , 8 (1st Cir.
1986).
Allegations of jurisdictional facts are construed in the
plaintiff’s favor, Buckley v . Bourdon, 682 F.Supp. 9 5 , 98 (D.N.H.
1988), and, if the court proceeds based upon the written
submissions of the parties without an evidentiary hearing, the
4 plaintiff need only make a prima facie showing that jurisdiction exists. Kowalski, 787 F.2d at 8 ; Boit v . Gar-Tec Products, Inc., 967 F.2d 6 7 1 , 674-75 (1st Cir. 1992). Nevertheless, the plaintiff’s demonstration of personal jurisdiction must be based on specific facts set forth in the record in order to defeat a defendant’s motion to dismiss. And, "in reviewing the record before i t , a court ‘may consider pleadings, affidavits, and other evidentiary materials without converting the motion to dismiss to a motion for summary judgment.’" VDI Technologies v . Price, 781 F.Supp. 8 5 , 87 (D.N.H. 1991) (quoting Lex Computer & Management Corp. v . Eslinger & Pelton, P.C., 676 F.Supp. 399, 402 (D.N.H. 1987))
Before a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a
non-resident defendant, the plaintiff must show, first, that the
forum state’s long-arm statute confers jurisdiction over the
defendant, and second, that the exercise of jurisdiction comports
with constitutional due process standards (by establishing that
the defendant has sufficient "minimum contacts" with the forum
state). Kowalski, 787 F.2d at 9-10. New Hampshire’s corporate
long-arm statute, N.H. RSA 293-A:15.10, authorizes jurisdiction
over foreign corporations to the full extent permitted by federal
5 law. McClary v . Erie Engine & Mfg. Co., 856 F.Supp. 5 2 , 54
(D.N.H. 1994). 2 Stated another way, New Hampshire’s corporate
long-arm statute is coextensive with the outer limits of due
process protection under the federal constitution. Accordingly,
the court’s "proper inquiry . . . focuses on whether jurisdiction comports with federal constitutional guarantees." McClary,
supra, at 5 2 .
Before a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a foreign defendant in a manner consistent with the Constitution, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant has "certain minimum contacts with the forum such that the maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice." Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia, S.A.
2 In McClary v . Erie Engine & Mfg. Co., 856 F.Supp. 52 (D.N.H. 1994), this court (Devine, J.) held: [T]he Legislature’s elimination of the restrictive long-arm language contained in [the former statute] and its provision for the service of foreign corporations by mail demonstrate that it intended RSA 293-A:15.10 to authorize jurisdiction over foreign corporations to the full extent allowed by federal law. Because RSA 293-A:15.10 reaches to the federal limit, the traditional two-part personal jurisdiction inquiry collapses into the single question of whether the constitutional requirements of due process have been met.
Id., at 5 5 .
6 v . Hall, 466 U.S. 4 0 8 , 414 (1984). And, before finding that a
defendant has such "minimum contacts," the court must be
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Environamics v . Master Pump CV-96-476-M 01/08/97 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Environamics Corporation, Plaintiff v. Civil N o . 96-476-M
Master Pump Company, Defendant.
O R D E R
Environamics Corporation brings this diversity action against Master Pump Company ("Master Pumps"), 1 seeking to recover damages it sustained as a result of Maser Pumps’ alleged breach of contract. Presently before the court is Master Pumps’ motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction.
Background
Environamics is a Delaware corporation, with a principal
place of business in Hudson, New Hampshire. It manufactures and
sells pumps and pump technology for use in industrial
applications, such as petrochemical plants, paper mills, and food
1 Although identified by plaintiff as “Master Pump Company,” the corporate defendant is actually “Master Pumps and Equipment Corporation.” processing facilities. It manufactures its products exclusively in New Hampshire and sells those products primarily through a series of distributors located throughout the country. Master Pumps is a Delaware corporation, with its principal offices in Dallas, Texas. It was established in 1968 to provide repair services to oil field engines, compressors, and pumps. In 1972, it began operations as a distributor for a number of pump manufacturers. It operates exclusively in the southwestern United States and has never maintained an office or presence in New Hampshire.
In 1995, Environamics approached Master Pumps and solicited
it to act as one of Environamics’ distributors. The parties met
in Dallas to negotiate a possible agreement. Subsequent
negotiations took place via telephone, facsimile, and mail
between New Hampshire and Texas. Eventually, Master Pumps agreed
to be a distributor for Environamics, apparently believing that
it would be distributing Gould Pumps. Environamics presented
Master Pumps with a Distributor Agreement and claims that the
terms of that agreement govern the parties’ relationship. Master
Pumps, on the other hand, counters that before executing the form
Distributor Agreement, it made several revisions to it and says
2 that Environamics never executed that revised agreement. The
record is decidedly unclear on that point, as the parties have
submitted substantially different versions of the Distributor
Agreement, each claiming that its own submission is the relevant
document.
Despite the apparent confusion surrounding the status of the Distributor Agreement itself, Master Pumps placed a purchase order with Environamics. Environamics claims (and Master Pumps does not dispute) that the initial shipment of pumps by Environamics was delivered FOB (“free on board”) Hudson, New Hampshire. Accordingly, Master Pumps took delivery and accepted title to that shipment in New Hampshire. Subsequent shipments were delivered FOB Kenner, Louisiana.
In the spring of 1996, apparently at the insistence of Environamics, Master Pumps sent two of its employees to New Hampshire to attend Environamics’ Specialist Training School, to receive training with regard to the manufacture, installation, and application of Environamics’ pumps. When Master Pumps (and its customers) later learned that Environamics was not supplying Gould Pumps, Master Pumps’ business stalled. Environamics claims
3 that Master Pumps breached the Distributor Agreement (or at least
its version of the agreement) by failing to make additional
purchases of pumps and pump technology, as required by the terms
of the Agreement, and by failing to reimburse Environamics fully
for pumps that it delivered.
Jurisdictional Inquiry
I. Generally. It is well established that in a diversity case personal
jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant is governed, at least
in part, by the forum state’s long-arm statute. Goldman,
Antonetti, Ferraiuoli, Axtmayer & Hertell v . Medfit Int’l, Inc.,
982 F.2d 686, 690 (1st Cir. 1993). And, when personal
jurisdiction is contested, the plaintiff bears the burden of
establishing that the court has such jurisdiction. Kowalski v .
Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, 787 F.2d 7 , 8 (1st Cir.
1986).
Allegations of jurisdictional facts are construed in the
plaintiff’s favor, Buckley v . Bourdon, 682 F.Supp. 9 5 , 98 (D.N.H.
1988), and, if the court proceeds based upon the written
submissions of the parties without an evidentiary hearing, the
4 plaintiff need only make a prima facie showing that jurisdiction exists. Kowalski, 787 F.2d at 8 ; Boit v . Gar-Tec Products, Inc., 967 F.2d 6 7 1 , 674-75 (1st Cir. 1992). Nevertheless, the plaintiff’s demonstration of personal jurisdiction must be based on specific facts set forth in the record in order to defeat a defendant’s motion to dismiss. And, "in reviewing the record before i t , a court ‘may consider pleadings, affidavits, and other evidentiary materials without converting the motion to dismiss to a motion for summary judgment.’" VDI Technologies v . Price, 781 F.Supp. 8 5 , 87 (D.N.H. 1991) (quoting Lex Computer & Management Corp. v . Eslinger & Pelton, P.C., 676 F.Supp. 399, 402 (D.N.H. 1987))
Before a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a
non-resident defendant, the plaintiff must show, first, that the
forum state’s long-arm statute confers jurisdiction over the
defendant, and second, that the exercise of jurisdiction comports
with constitutional due process standards (by establishing that
the defendant has sufficient "minimum contacts" with the forum
state). Kowalski, 787 F.2d at 9-10. New Hampshire’s corporate
long-arm statute, N.H. RSA 293-A:15.10, authorizes jurisdiction
over foreign corporations to the full extent permitted by federal
5 law. McClary v . Erie Engine & Mfg. Co., 856 F.Supp. 5 2 , 54
(D.N.H. 1994). 2 Stated another way, New Hampshire’s corporate
long-arm statute is coextensive with the outer limits of due
process protection under the federal constitution. Accordingly,
the court’s "proper inquiry . . . focuses on whether jurisdiction comports with federal constitutional guarantees." McClary,
supra, at 5 2 .
Before a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a foreign defendant in a manner consistent with the Constitution, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant has "certain minimum contacts with the forum such that the maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice." Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia, S.A.
2 In McClary v . Erie Engine & Mfg. Co., 856 F.Supp. 52 (D.N.H. 1994), this court (Devine, J.) held: [T]he Legislature’s elimination of the restrictive long-arm language contained in [the former statute] and its provision for the service of foreign corporations by mail demonstrate that it intended RSA 293-A:15.10 to authorize jurisdiction over foreign corporations to the full extent allowed by federal law. Because RSA 293-A:15.10 reaches to the federal limit, the traditional two-part personal jurisdiction inquiry collapses into the single question of whether the constitutional requirements of due process have been met.
Id., at 5 5 .
6 v . Hall, 466 U.S. 4 0 8 , 414 (1984). And, before finding that a
defendant has such "minimum contacts," the court must be
satisfied that the defendant’s conduct bears such a "substantial
connection with the forum state" that the defendant "should
reasonably anticipate being haled into court there." Burger King Corp. v . Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 4 6 2 , 473-75 (1985) (citing World-
Wide Volkswagen Corp. v . Woodson, 444 U.S. 286, 297 (1980)).
II. General v . Specific Jurisdiction.
A court may exercise either general or specific jurisdiction over a defendant. "General jurisdiction exists when the
litigation is not directly founded on the defendant’s forum-based contacts, but the defendant has nevertheless engaged in
continuous and systematic activity, unrelated to the suit, in the forum state." United Elec. Workers v . 163 Pleasant Street Corp., 960 F.2d 1080, 1088 (1st Cir. 1992). Environamics does not contend that Master Pumps engaged in "continuous and systematic activity" in New Hampshire, nor does it ask the court to exercise general jurisdiction over Master Pumps. S o , if the court may properly exercise personal jurisdiction over Master Pumps, it must be specific jurisdiction.
7 A court may exercise specific jurisdiction when the cause of
action arises directly out o f , or relates t o , the defendant’s
forum-based contacts. United Elec. Workers, 960 F.2d at 1088-89.
In an effort to assist district courts in determining whether
they might properly exercise specific jurisdiction, the Court of Appeals has formulated a three-part test:
First, the claim underlying the litigation must directly arise out o f , or relate t o , the defendant’s forum-state contacts. Second, the defendant’s in-state activities must represent a purposeful availment of the privilege of conducting activities in the forum state, thereby invoking the benefits and protections of that state’s laws and making the defendant’s involuntary presence before the state’s courts foreseeable. Third, the exercise of jurisdiction must, in light of the Gestalt factors, be reasonable.
United Elec. Workers, 960 F.2d at 1089.
Discussion
The jurisdictionally relevant facts presented in this case
are substantially similar to those in Environamics v . Thelco, N o .
FED. R. CIV. P. -96-68-M, slip o p . (D.N.H. August 2 6 , 1996),
cited by Environamics in its opposition to Master Pumps’ motion
to dismiss. Here, as in Thelco, Environamics claims (and the
facts support) that: (i) Master Pumps knowingly established a
long-term contractual relationship with a New Hampshire
8 corporation, which it knew manufactured and sold its products exclusively in and from New Hampshire; (ii) the Distributor Agreement provides that it shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Hampshire (see Burger King, 471 U.S. at 4 8 2 ) ; (iii) Master Pumps purposefully directed numerous telephone calls, facsimile transmissions, and mail to Environamics and into the State of New Hampshire (see Burger King, 471 U.S. at 476; Sawtelle v . Farrell, 70 F.3d 1381, 1389-90 (1st Cir. 1995)); (iv) consistent with the provisions of the Distributor Agreement, Master Pumps took delivery of at least one shipment of pumps FOB Nashua and, therefore, actually took title to those products in New Hampshire; (v) payments to Environamics under the Distributor Agreement are to be directed to its office in New Hampshire (see Ganis Corp. of California v . Jackson, 822 F.2d 1 9 4 , 198 (1st Cir. 1987)); and (vi) Master Pumps (albeit at the apparent insistence of Environamics) sent two of its employees to New Hampshire to attend a series of training seminars conducted by Environamics for the benefit of its distributors.
Based upon the foregoing, the court concludes that Master
Pumps knowingly and purposefully availed itself of the privilege
9 of conducting business in New Hampshire, United Elec. Workers, 960 F.2d at 1089-90, and that this litigation (to enforce Master Pumps’ alleged obligations under the Distributor Agreement) arises from or relates to Master Pumps’ contacts with this state. Id. In light of all of the factors discussed above, the exercise of in personam jurisdiction over Master Pumps is reasonable. See Donatelli v . National Hockey League, 893 F.2d 459, 465 (1st Cir. 1990) (discussing the so-called "Gestalt factors" which a court should consider when determining whether the exercise of personal jurisdiction is appropriate).
In short, Environamics has made a prima facie showing that
Master Pumps’ conduct bears a sufficiently substantial connection
with New Hampshire that it should reasonably have anticipated
being haled into court in this forum to answer for its alleged
breach of the Distributor Agreement. Master Pumps has
established sufficient "minimum contacts with [New Hampshire]
that the maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional
notions of fair play and substantial justice," Helicopteros
Nacionales De Colombia, 466 U.S. at 4 1 4 , and therefore, the
exercise of personal jurisdiction over Master Pumps comports with
constitutional due process standards.
10 Change of Venue
Master Pumps also moves, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1404(a), to
transfer this case to the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Texas. Section 1404(a) provides:
For the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a district court may transfer any civil action to any district where it might have been brought.
Authority to transfer a case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1404(a) is
committed to the court’s broad discretion. United States ex rel.
LaValley v . First Nat’l. Bank, 625 F.Supp. 5 9 1 , 594 (D.N.H.
1985). When ruling upon a motion to transfer under Section
1404(a), the court will consider such factors as the "convenience
of the parties and witnesses and the availability of documents
needed for evidence." Buckley v . McGraw-Hill, Inc., 762 F.Supp.
430, 439 (D.N.H. 1991). Master Pumps bears the burden of
demonstrating that those factors weigh in favor of transfer. Id.
"[T]he Supreme Court has held that ‘[u]nless the balance is
strongly in favor of the defendant, the plaintiff’s choice of
forum should rarely be disturbed.’" Id. (quoting Gulf Oil Corp.
v . Gilbert, 330 U.S. 5 0 1 , 508 (1947)).
11 Applying this standard, transfer is not warranted here.
First, although it certainly would be more convenient for Master
Pumps to litigate this matter in Texas, "[t]ransfer is inappropriate if the effect is merely to shift inconvenience from one party to the other." Buckley, 762 F.Supp. at 439 (citations omitted); see also Crosfield Hastech, Inc. v . Harris Corp., 672 F.Supp. 5 8 0 , 589 (D.N.H. 1987) (in order to justify transfer, the balance of conveniences must strongly favor the moving party). Moreover, the convenience of the witnesses is the most
significant factor to be considered in Section 1404(a) analysis.
Buckley, 762 F.Supp. at 440. Here, the plaintiff has alleged
that most, if not all, of the witnesses so far identified, live
in New Hampshire. While it is plain that many of Master Pumps’
witnesses reside in Louisiana or Texas and that it would
certainly be more convenient for Master Pumps to litigate this
matter in Texas, the court cannot conclude that Master Pumps has
sufficiently demonstrated that transfer is appropriate.
Finally, the "interests of justice," Gulf Oil Corp., 330
U.S. at 5 0 8 , do not mandate transfer of this matter.
Environamics’ principal place of business is in New Hampshire,
the majority of the witnesses relating to its claims (as
12 distinguished from those relating to the counterclaims which
Master Pumps says it plans to file) are in New Hampshire, the
injury, if any, was keenly felt here, and Master Pumps is
properly subject to suit in New Hampshire. In the final
analysis, this case belongs in New Hampshire.
Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the court holds that it may, consistent with constitutional requirements of due process and fundamental notions of justice and fairness, exercise in personam jurisdiction over Master Pumps. Additionally, the court holds that transfer of this matter to the Northern District of Texas is not warranted. Accordingly, Master Pumps’ motion to dismiss and/or transfer (document n o . 5 ) is denied.
SO ORDERED.
Steven J. McAuliffe United States District Judge
January 8 , 1997
cc: Daniel P. Schwarz, Esq. Douglas L . Ingersoll, Esq.January 8 , 1997