More than 900 steel beams vanished from an Indiana warehouse, setting off a federal lawsuit that pits an Illinois steel manufacturer against a Decatur-based manufacturer and its logistics affiliate.
Samuel, Son & Co. (USA) Inc. filed a lawsuit on Oct. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division, accusing Decatur Steel Industries LLC, MJS Logistics LLC, and Decatur Steel executive Matt Marleau of failing to account for more than 900 steel beams, theindianalawyer.com reported. The missing inventory came to light during a June 16 on-site audit.
Samuel’s records indicated that 1,050 steel beams should have been resting in the warehouse. The audit revealed only 105 pieces remained.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants shipped beams to other warehouse customers without verifying whether the stock belonged to Samuel. On Aug. 6, Samuel issued a written demand to Decatur Steel and MJS Logistics for all property and a complete accounting of inventory, including all sales and transfers, setting an August 14 deadline for a response.
Decatur Steel subsequently released internal records detailing the mismanagement of Samuel’s products, which included storing items at MJS and selling them without consent. Tracking records produced in the response contained notes from Decatur Steel personnel such as “something is wrong here” and “THIS TOTAL IS PROB WRONG.”
Marleau did not immediately reply to a request for comment from theindianalawyer.com, and an MJS representative declined to comment on the matter.
Samuel claims the delays in providing an accurate inventory accounting significantly damaged its business and customer relationships. The lawsuit includes counts of breach of bailment and negligence, seeking compensatory damages to be determined at trial, pre- and post-judgment interest, suit costs, attorney’s fees, and enhanced damages.
The case is Samuel, Son & Co. (USA) Inc. v. Decatur Steel Industries LLC et al., 1:26-cv-00544.
