An Orange County manufacturer is suing Stanley Black & Decker Inc. for more than $1.2 million for allegedly refusing to pay for zinc alloy used in the toolmaker’s Made in America program.
Eastern Alloys Inc. accused Stanley of breach of contract and unjust enrichment, in a complaint filed on May 8 in U.S. District Court, White Plains.
“Stanley refused to honor its obligations,” the complaint states, “leaving Eastern no choice but to commence this proceeding.”
Eastern Alloys is based in Maybrook and makes zinc alloys – strong, corrosion resistant metals – for the die casting, foundry, and steel coating industries.
Stanley is based in New Britain, Connecticut and is known for consumer and industrial products, including brands such as Stanley hand tools and DeWalt power tools.
For more than 50 years Eastern supplied zinc alloy to Ridco Casting Co. and Ridco Inc., of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. And Ridco used the materials to make die-cast products for Stanley’s Made in America program.
In 2018, Stanley allegedly agreed to guarantee payments if Ridco suffered financial distress, such as failing to pay invoice within 180 days, in a deal designed to “ensure an uninterrupted supply of zinc alloy” to Ridco.
Last year, Ridco fell behind on the 180-day payment threshold, according to the complaint. Eastern notified Stanley on May 30, 2025 that Ridco had defaulted on unpaid invoices and was in financial distress, and asked Stanley to help pay the invoices.
Stanley refused, the complaint states.
On Sept. 15, 2025, Ridco petitioned Superior Court of Rhode Island to appoint a receiver to wind-down company operations. Eastern learned of the receivership earlier this year and sought payment again from Stanley.
“Stanley,” the complaint states, “refused to honor the agreement.”
Eastern is asking the court to make Stanley pay $1,070,392 in unpaid invoices plus $148,492 in interest, for a total of $1,218,884.
Stanley spokesperson Debora Raymond did not reply to a message asking for the toolmaker’s responses to the allegations.
