To avoid confusion caused by an ongoing court case in the US involving a separately incorporated company, Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems USA Inc, has changed its name to Hightech Tunnelling Systems Inc.
Senior vice president Jack Brockway explained: "The name change was necessary as a result of confusion caused by the bankruptcy of Herrenknecht Corporation, a separate company, over the failed application of a Micro TBM by a Seattle based contractor." He continued: "Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems USA Inc has never been involved in the dispute, commercially or technically, and is not affected in any way by the bankruptcy. Nonetheless, some of our customers have been confused."
Brockway refers to the case between Herrenknecht Corporation and contractor Frank Coluccio Construction. Herrenknecht Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection following the award of $5.8M against it in favour of Frank Coluccio in a dispute over a defective micro TBM (T&TI, Feb 2001).
Brockway concluded: "To clear up any confusion, Hightech Tunnelling Systems Inc will represent Herrenknecht large diameter hard and soft ground TBMs. Hightech Tunnelling Systems Inc will maintain the same staff and resources to support large bore tunnelling machines in North America."
