Zambelli alleges breach of contract
Each of the two fireworks companies has been in operation for more than 100 years.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — In the Fireworks Capital of America, one of the country’s largest fireworks companies is accusing a top designer of breaking his contract to work for a cross-town competitor.
Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, which bills itself as the “First Family of Fireworks,” and Pyrotecnico, which traces its history to 1889, have long been competitors in New Castle.
Competition between the companies was always respectful, according to Zambelli’s attorney, but Zambelli is now accusing Pyrotecnico and Matthew Wood of trying to destroy or damage its business.
The family-run Zambelli company offered Wood a job in 2001, taking him in “as a trusted trainee” and making him one of its “most creative pyrotechnicians and choreographers,” according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh.
It accused Wood of exploiting trade secrets, saying he and Pyrotecnico cost it money, clients, market share and a loss of confidential information.
The suit also alleges “Pyrotecnico and Wood have acted ... with the intent of harming Zambelli and destroying and/or damaging Zambelli’s business.”
Wood did not return a phone message left Thursday at his Boca Raton, Fla., home. A message left for Pyrotecnico also wasn’t returned.
According to Zambelli’s suit, Wood choreographed Zambelli events around the country, including a New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square.
Wood resigned in February saying, “At this point in my career, I feel there is a better direction for me to go,” according to a copy of the letter filed with the suit.
He gave 11 days’ notice, which violated an agreement he signed with Zambelli that he would give three months’ notice, according to the suit. The agreement also said he wouldn’t work for a competitor for two years.
Zambelli warned Pyrotecnico about Wood’s contract, but it pursued Wood anyway, the suit said.
Zambelli is asking the court to prevent Wood from working anywhere in the pyrotechnics business in the country for two years. Zambelli is seeking more than $75,000 apiece from Wood and Pyrotecnico and unspecified lost revenue caused by what he described as a breach of contract.
Mark Willard, Zambelli’s attorney, acknowledged the suit was unusual.
“The competition between these two companies has always been up-and-up,” he said Thursday. “They’re both good companies and are run by good people, and this is out of character.”
Last year, the Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency got the trademark for the “Fireworks Capital of America” from the U.S. Trademark Office because it is home to the two companies.
Zambelli, founded in 1893 by Italian immigrant Antonio Zambelli, has staged thousands of shows in the United States and abroad, including July Fourth celebrations, presidential inaugurations, Super Bowls, the Kentucky Derby, concerts and parades.
Pyrotecnico is about as old and similarly stages large fireworks shows around the country, including at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, according to its Web site.