Weber deals with Made-in-USA fallout

A settlement to a class-action lawsuit launched against grill-manufacturer Weber over its “Made-in-USA” claims is heading to a final approval hearing July 20 in San Diego. 

The original lawsuit filed in February last year alleged that Weber violated the law by designating Weber grills and certain accessories as "Made in USA."

On its web site, Weber denies any wrongdoing: “Weber believes that because all Weber grills and the disputed accessories are designed and engineered in the USA, and all grills save for one line are manufactured and assembled in the USA using component parts primarily made in the USA, it did nothing wrong.”

Still, the case winds on. Among the important dates is an April 30 deadline for consumers to file a claim. The proposed settlement provides: a payment of $2.00, $5.00, or $9.00 to class members composed of those who purchased a Weber grill or accessory between Feb. 15, 2007 and Feb. 15, 2012.

 Weber also agreed to pay costs of the settlement process. 

In the original complaint, lawyers for a California resident who bought a grill alleged that certain Weber’s grill products “are substantially made, manufactured or produced from component parts that are manufactured outside the United States.” 

The complaint pointed specifically to charcoal grate and the charcoal separator (both made in China) and the hinged grilling grate, made in Taiwan.

In the future, Weber may describe certain products as “Made in USA, incorporating globally sourced component parts” on products that have foreign made component parts.

Also part of the settlement was an agreement that Weber would request that Home Depot and Lowe’s post a summary notice of the settlement at each of its stores for the duration of the claims period.