Signal International

Signal International, LLC is a Mobile, Alabama based marine construction firm specializing in the construction of large ocean going structures such as offshore drilling rigs, production platforms and barges.[1] The company also has operations in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Orange, Texas.

Corporate

The company was formed after the acquisition of Friede Goldman Halter in 2002. In 2010 the company acquired Bender Shipbuilding and Repair in Mobile, Alabama. The purchase came after Bender filed for bankruptcy. The cost was $31.2 million.[2] Dick Marler is the President and CEO.[3] In 2005 the company hired over 300 workers for a single project to create a floating hotel to serve offshore workers.[4] In 2014 Signal was awarded a $4.5 million government contract to repair and refurbish a navy product tanker. The firm employed an additional 150 workers for that contract.[5]

Controversy

In 2008 the company was sued in United States federal court. Allegations centered on 12 guest workers who claimed that Signal forced them to live in squalid living conditions. In May 2013 suits were filed by 83 other workers with similar claims. In August 2013 the Southern Poverty Law Center filed additional suits representing 500 more workers.[1] In February 2015, a federal court jury awarded $14.1 million in damages to 5 workers arising from the original suit.[6]

References
  1. "Company Overview of Signal International, LLC". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  2. Wilkinson, Kaija (January 15, 2010). "Signal International buys Bender's Mobile shipyard for $31.2 milli". Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  3. "Signal International History". Signal International. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  4. Tortorano, David (April 21, 2005). "Signal to hire 300 Pascagoula, Miss.-area workers for drilling-rig conversion". Sun Herald (Biloxi). Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News.
  5. Finch III, Michael (March 28, 2014). "Signal International's shipyard in Mobile awarded $4.5 million contract to repair tanker". Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  6. "Judge rules against Signal International, awards Indian guest workers $14M in trafficking case". The Associated Press. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
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