Garlock Sealing Technologies
Based in Palmyra, New York, Garlock Sealing Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EnPro Industries, Inc. Its beginnings were humble, founded by Olin J. Garlock in 1887 when he developed a seal for rods used in locomotive steam engines. Garlock’s innovative product proved to be superior to those in use at the time and eventually became an industry standard.
Today, Garlock leads the market in rubber compounding as well as in the use of non-metallic materials in the manufacture of seals and sealing products. It employs more than 1,800 employees who work at 15 different facilities located in eight countries. Having diversified from the railway industry, Garlock products are now used in a wide array of industries that range from food technology to aerospace. Since 2009, EnPro has acquired a number of businesses designed to bolster its Garlock Seals Group, both expanding its market reach and deepening its presence in markets the company already serves.
Garlock and Asbestos
The broad reach of Garlock’s markets and the depths of its product lines indicate that the asbestos the company used in manufacturing sealing products could have wide-ranging effects. The asbestos-containing products that Garlock manufactured and sold include:
- Seals
- Gaskets
- Sheet Gaskets
- Asbestos Cloth
- Packing Material
- Pump Packing
- Ring Packing
- Rope Packing
- Sheet Packing
- Valve Packing
Apart from those who worked as Garlock employees in the manufacturing of its asbestos-containing products, workers in a number of other industries that utilized these products may have been exposed to asbestos. Examples of industries in which Garlock’s asbestos products may have been used include:
- Chemical and Petrochemical
- Electronics Manufacturing and Assembly
- Plumbing
- Mining
- Power/Electrical Generation
- Gas or Oil Refining
- Aerospace
- Pharmaceutical
- Food Manufacturing and Technology
- Paper and Pulp Mills
- Steel Refining
Given the breadth of Garlock's product lines and the industries in which they may have been used, it is practically impossible to cover all the industries and occupations that may have been affected by the company's asbestos-containing products.
Garlock and Asbestos Litigation
Garlock buckled under the weight of more than 900,000 asbestos-related claims and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010. Prior to filing for reorganization under Chapter 11, the company had addressed all its asbestos claims through litigation. However, with concerns that some of the plaintiffs in asbestos lawsuits against the company were in fact “double-dipping” (receiving payments from established asbestos trust funds of other manufacturers and then pursuing a claim against Garlock through litigation channels). Garlock believes that Chapter 11 reorganization will help it fund a trust to address the mesothelioma claims against it in a fair and equitable manner.
Prior to filing for bankruptcy protection, Garlock had been tenacious in defending itself against asbestos-related lawsuits. While several multi-million dollar verdicts were handed down against it, the company successfully defended many, many others. As evidenced by its reasoning behind seeking Chapter 11 protection, Garlock has zealously protected itself from being blamed for asbestos exposure that could be linked to one of its competitors. The company went so far as to object to W.R. Grace & Co.’s reorganization plan because, as a co-defendant in many asbestos lawsuits, Garlock would be left holding the bag for Grace’s share of responsibility.
Garlock’s tenacity in defending itself has, at times, backfired, with some juries seeing the company’s aggressiveness as impunity and slapping it with millions of dollars in punitive damages. Evidence in some cases demonstrated that Garlock was aware of the risks of asbestos exposure as early as the 1940s, yet continued to market asbestos-containing products into the 21st century. Ultimately, with its decision to enter bankruptcy protection, Garlock has admitted that asbestos litigation was becoming too expensive and that funding a trust for asbestos claims is the most cost-effective way to address the issues. As a result of its bankruptcy filing, all pending asbestos litigation will be halted. Once Garlock emerges from bankruptcy, all such litigation will likely be affected by the creation of the contemplated asbestos claim trust.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
