Bell & Gossett Company

Bell & Gossett (B&G) manufactures heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and other parts used in plumbing. The company began as a small family-run business over a century ago and grew to become one of the biggest plumbing manufacturers in the country. As B & G expanded, the company began to focus more on creating products to improve heating systems. Beginning in World War II and lasting to the 1980s, the use of asbestos throughout the country increased substantially. B & G is one of the companies that used asbestos. Unfortunately, countless workers were exposed to asbestos, and as a result, were subject to severe health risks.

Founded in 1916, B & G was founded by two businessmen in Chicago. The company made and sold hardening compounds. In 1918, B & G began producing water heaters. Later, in 1929, the company began selling both heating systems and pumps. In the 1940s, the company began using asbestos in its products.

In the second World War, the US military hired B & G to supply various plumbing products including pumps and tank track pins. B & G’s contribution to war efforts represented over half of its business at the time.

Following the war, B & G remained a pump industry leader. In 1954, the company began running an HVAC training center for its workers. This facility has trained more than 50,00 employees over the years in maintaining HVAC systems.

At the start of the 1960s, ITT Corporation acquired B & G. While ITT Corporation became the biggest supplier of dewatering pumps in the world. B & G also continued using asbestos. When federal asbestos laws were passed in the 1980s prohibiting the use of asbestos, B & G discontinued its use of asbestos. B & G later faced countless asbestos lawsuits. Since 2011, B & G has operated under the name of Xylem Incorporated. Even though it used asbestos, the company continued in its position as a pump and valve manufacturing industry leader. Some of the asbestos-containing products made by B & G include gasket, B & G Hydro Flo Systems, and packing materials.

B & G has been involved in various asbestos lawsuits due to the company’s previous use of asbestos. One lawsuit in which the company was involved included a worker who contracted mesothelioma after working at a valve factory from the 1970s to 1980s. The worker was later awarded a multi-million dollar settlement from several parties including B & G. Despite the large number of asbestos lawsuits in which the company was involved, B & G has not created an asbestos trust fund. Instead, B & G compensates asbestos exposure victims directly from its finances.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should not hesitate to contact the Throneberry Law Group to schedule a free case evaluation. Our lawyers can help review your case and assess if compensation can be pursued from the parties who are responsible for your asbestos exposure.