The Raymond Corporation has confirmed it will appeal against a USD14 million verdict for wrongful termination of a former dealer.

The June 19 verdict, reported in Forkliftaction.com News #113, found Raymond unfairly treated Minnesota Supply Company (MSC) in terminating its dealership arrangement in 1997.

Raymond president and chief executive James Malvaso said the judgement was "erroneous" and his company had acted in a "highly ethical and responsible" manner.

A Raymond statement said MSC's performance "dramatically" declined in the early 1990s and, in response to Raymond's concerns, MSC committed to improve its performance. When it did not, both companies agreed to end their relationship, Raymond said.

Although MSC executed a "termination by mutual consent" document when the companies parted, it "was able to convince the trial court that it should not be bound by its own document", the statement said.

"After several years of sub-standard performance, and attempts on Raymond's part to mutually remedy (the) situation, Raymond ... entered into a termination by mutual consent agreement with MSC," Mr Malvaso said.

"This latest verdict is yet another example of a legal system that is out of control. Raymond will use all available avenues to right this erroneous verdict."