Aurora Pump Company

Aurora Pump is named for Aurora, Illinois, which is where the company operates. Established in the 1900s, the company was created by three engineers. When it began, Aurora manufactured a range of products including double cylinder plungers and reciprocating pumps for deep wells. The company was forced to pursue bankruptcy after competition in the pump industry damaged its profitability.

In the 1920s, Aurora was discharged from bankruptcy and began producing turbine pumps. Asbestos was placed in these pumps from the 1920s to the 1980s. During this period, Aurora was sold several times. In 1937, the men who found the company sold the company due to poor sales due in part to the Great Depression. The new owners of the company continued to experience low sales.

During World War II, the company finally began to prosper. During this time, many companies placed asbestos in their product due to the material’s durability. The company continued to do well due to its renewed interest after the war. The United States Army and Navy relied on Aurora’s pumps, which were used in bases as well as ships and submarines.

In 1952, company ownership changed again when New York Air Brake acquired it for $3 million. At this time, Aurora Pump became a division of the larger company.

Later in the 1960s, Aurora was sold to the General Signal Company, and asbestos continued to be used in its products until the 1980s. In 1997, the company was sold to Pentair Pump Group, which is still Aurora’s parent company today.

Due to its heat-resistant nature, Aurora placed asbestos in various products. The company’s products were widely used due to the company’s role in the pump industry. Some products manufactured by the company include condensate systems, end suction pumps, split case pumps, booster systems, fire pumps, and regenerative turbine pumps. Some of the types of workers at Aurora that were commonly exposed to asbestos include HVAC workers, insulators, boiler repair workers, and steamfitters.

Aurora continues to remain involved in asbestos exposure lawsuits. One lawsuit was filed in 2017 by a man who developed colon cancer following decades of exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by Aurora. Despite the large number of asbestos lawsuits in which the company has been involved, Aurora has not filed for bankruptcy or created an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims.

Following exposure to asbestos-containing products, it often takes decades for signs or symptoms of mesothelioma to show. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to products manufactured by Aurora Pump, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact the Throneberry Law Group today to schedule a free case evaluation.