Japan's Benkan Corp., one of the world's oldest manufacturers of welding fittings, filed for court protection from creditors in early September, saying it was unable to meet obligations estimated at more than $480 million.
On July 27, seven months after emerging from Chapter 11, Laclede Steel Co. once again filed to be put under its protection while the company attempts to close its steel-making facility in Alton, Ill., and sell its Pipe Division in Fairless Hills, Pa.