The Anchor Packing Company

The Anchor Packing Company was established in the early 1900s in Canada. The company became a leading manufacturer of sealing products throughout North America. Anchor also produced various industrial materials during World War II. Many of the company’s products were used in high heat environments, which made a durable material like asbestos attractive. Unfortunately, the company ended up exposing many people to the dangerous substance. The company discontinued its use of asbestos in 1984 and continues to face lawsuits involving asbestos exposure.

The Anchor Packing Company began in the early 1900s. The company’s Canadian operation was established as an associate of the company’s operation in the United States. Anchor started producing industrial sealing materials that contained asbestos as early as 1908 before the establishment of the company’s Canadian location.

The company widened its operations from 1917 to 1935 and increased its range of products to include brake linings and gaskets. Asbestos was utilized in these products due to its durable nature. Asbestos-containing products became even more desired during the second world war and the company further increased its operations from 1939 to 1945.

Anchor focused on developing various molded products that were not yet available in Canada and expanded the product line to the United States. Most asbestos materials remained in production until 1984, including brake lining and gasket materials.

In 1987, Garlock Sealing Technologies acquired Anchor Packing Company. By this time, Anchor had discontinued the use of asbestos-containing materials. Anchor continued to function as a subdivision of Garlock Sealing until 1993 when the company shut down operations. While Anchor is no longer in operation, the company continues to face asbestos exposure claims.

The most common types of asbestos-containing products manufactured by Anchor include brake linings and gaskets. Countless workers who interacted with Anchor Packing Products were exposed to asbestos. Some of the most common types of workers who interacted with these products include chemical plant workers, factory workers, oil refinery workers, and steamfitters.

In 2010, Anchor faced over 850,000 claims involving asbestos exposure. The company ultimately paid $387 million in associated costs. In one Anchor case, a shipyard worker pursued compensation from the Anchor Packing Company as well as several other operations. The jury ultimately ruled in favor of the worker and awarded $1,100,000 to the man. The same legal action included the case of another sheet metal worker who had been exposed to Anchor’s products in the 1970s while cutting metal materials. The man was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1994 and passed away the next year. The man’s family was ultimately awarded $3,000,000 in noneconomic damages, which included to his wife $1,000,000 for loss of consortium and $2,000,000 for damages caused by the wrongful death.

Garlock Sealing Technologies owns Anchor Packing Company and pursued Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010. As a term of emerging from bankruptcy, the company was required to establish the Garlock Sealing Technologies Settlement Fund, which compensates asbestos exposure victims.

If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos-manufacturing products manufactured by the Anchor Packing Company, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact an attorney at the Throneberry Law Group today for assistance.