American Standard, Inc.

American Standard (AS) is one of the biggest and most well-known manufacturers of air conditioning, bath, kitchen, and plumbing products. The company used asbestos in products up until the 1980s. Consequently, many AS workers as well as other individuals who worked around AS products developed serious injuries including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Consequently, AS has been involved in a large number of asbestos exposure lawsuits.

AS’s origin started at the end of the 1800s when a salesman took control of Michigan Radiator & Iron Company, which manufactured radiators. The man later combined his operation with several others and formed American Radiator.

In the late 1920s, American Radiator combined with Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company to create American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation. In the 1930s, AS became the biggest bathroom fixture manufacturer. Over the proceeding few decades, products offered by the company expanded to include several industries including air conditioning, bath products, and kitchen products. In the 1980s, American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation discontinued its use of asbestos.

Following several notable acquisitions, in 1983 AS saw its biggest acquisition following the purchase of the Trane Company, which was the country’s biggest distributor of commercial air conditioning supplies. This acquisition helped AS reach over $5 billion in annual sales by 1997. Later in 2007, Bain Capital Partners purchased AS’s plumbing product line, and AS adopted the Trane name. Also in 2007, the Ingersoll-Rand Company acquired Trane for $10.1 billion.

This series of mergers meant that the new company management became involved with asbestos liability cases. Countless asbestos cases have since been filed against AS as well as its subsidiaries. Unlike many companies that were involved in asbestos litigation, AS has not filed for bankruptcy but instead has been able to resolve billions of dollars in settlements by drawing on the company’s own funds.

AS as well as the associated companies of Trane and Ingersoll-Rand used asbestos in their products. The company frequently used asbestos for its durable and heat-resistant nature. Some products manufactured by AS known to contain asbestos include Cobra Railroad brake linings, Ingersoll-Rand pumps and compressors, Kewanee Round Type “R” Boilers, and Trane refrigeration products.

Because AS’s products were widely used throughout the country, countless types of workers were exposed to the danger of asbestos. Countless mechanics were routinely exposed to these materials when working on brake linings in vehicles. Other types of workers who focused on maintenance work or repair on equipment like boilers or plumbing equipment were also exposed to asbestos. Some types of workers who were exposed to asbestos include boiler fitters, construction workers, HVAC technicians, and mechanics.

Following a mesothelioma diagnosis, you or a loved one should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney at the Throneberry Law Group. If you were exposed to asbestos-containing products manufactured by American Standard, remember you have rights. You should also remember that our lawyers understand the challenges commonly faced by asbestos exposure victims and remain committed to fighting for the results they deserve. Contact us today for assistance.