A U.S. Department of Justice statement called McWane one of the largest manufactures in the world of ductile iron pipe. Thirteen plants in the United States and Canada make pipes used in municipal and commercial water and sewers.

In March, Tyler Pipe Company, a McWane division in Tyler, Texas, paid a $4.5 million fine and is subject to five years probation after pleading guilty to submitting a false statement and violating the Clean Air Act, according to the Justice Department.

In September, Union Foundry Company, another division of McWane in Anniston, Ala., was fined $4.25 million in fines and community service after pleading guilty to illegal treatment of hazardous waste and worker safety violations that resulted in the death of an employee.

In December 2003, Atlantic States, a subsidiary of McWane in Phillipsburg, N.J., and managers were charged with alleged conspiracy to violate federal clean air and water laws, violating workplace safety laws, and obstruction of the government's investigation. The case is now being tried.

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com