Simplex Time Recorder Co. v. Federal Insurance

The plaintiff (Simplex) is a Massachusetts corporation that manufacturers, tests, and supplies alarm and electronic supervisory systems. It supplied such equipment to an electrical subcontractor, Halfhill Electric Company (Halfhill), for installation in an apartment and yacht building being constructed in Honolulu, Hawaii. The general contractor, Grinnell Fire Protection System Company, had furnished a payment bond for the job which named the defendant (Federal) as surety. Simplex was not paid in full due to the bankruptcy of Halfhill midway through the job. It therefore sought payment from…