Hasselblad sues its ex-boss over deals with Sony
Hong Kong-based former chief executive is accused of wrongful and negligent conduct
A top camera company is suing its Hong Kong-based former senior executive for undisclosed damages, claiming he caused losses while placing orders with Sony, a High Court writ says.
Hasselblad Limited and Uferahal Limited, formerly known as Hasselblad Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong) Limited, say Larry Hansen failed in his duty while working as chief executive officer for the group between July 2011 and October last year.
The Hasselblad group, whose cameras were used in America's Apollo moon-landing missions in 1968, allege Hansen allowed the group's subsidiaries to enter into purchase agreements with Sony without proper authority and disregarded the requirements and financial capabilities of the group.
"As a result of wrong and negligent conduct on the part of [Hansen] during his employment as CEO of the Hasselblad Group, [the two plaintiffs] have suffered losses and damage, for which [Hansen] is liable to provide compensation and/or other relief," the writ says.
The writ alleges Hansen's management of the business resulted in significant delays in product launches, loss of sales, revenue and business opportunities.
The two companies accuse Hansen of authorising his subordinate to issue purchase orders with new suppliers for camera components in breach of the group's order to freeze costs.