Lincoln Electric
John Lincoln, an electric motor designer, founded Lincoln Electric Company in 1895. His brother James, another electric engineer, became the general manager of the entire operation by 1914. The company quickly grew to include other product lines, including welding sets, rechargeable batteries for electric automobiles and the first variable-voltage single-operator portable welding machine.
Lincoln Electric is one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of arc-welding equipment, industrial electric motors and high-tech cutting equipment. Although the company maintains their headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, they now run manufacturing operations in over 20 countries and their products are distributed in over 160 countries worldwide.
The company's history was continually prosperous. During World War II, Lincoln was the largest arc-welding producer in the world and received a number of repair assignments. During these years, Lincoln adopted a company-wide ‘guaranteed employment’ policy, assuring employees of two years or more that they would never be laid off. The promise was upheld and soon permanently integrated into company policies.
Lincoln Electric continued to expand during the 1950s and 1960s. An international division was opened Rouen, France in 1953. Despite declines in sales during the recession of the 1970s and 1980s, the company stayed true to its no-layoff policy, emerging from the recession solvent and debt-free.
The 1990s brought another rush of sales and industrial growth to Lincoln Electric Company, marked by expansion of the workforce and dozens of new acquisitions throughout the world. Despite a brief struggle in 1992 and 1993, Lincoln Electric recaptured its position at the forefront of the industry and continues to remain a leading name in their field. For many decades, Lincoln Electric was the largest producer and seller of industrial arc welding and cutting products.
Lincoln Electric and Asbestos
Lincoln's products were primarily distributed to construction, mining and general manufacturing companies. Their welding rods, one of their most popular products, were made with as much as 15 percent asbestos. Even basic use of this welding tool released asbestos dust and fibers into the air, where the welder or any nearby worker could easily inhale them. Even though the use of asbestos in Lincoln's products was discontinued by 1981, many welders had already been exposed to the mineral.
Lincoln Electric currently faces thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits, primarily because of their use of asbestos in welding rods. However, the company's annual reports show that Lincoln has won a number of these cases, and the number of asbestos lawsuits against the company has declined since the early 2000s.
Lincoln's 2008 annual report states, “Since January 1, 1995, we have been a codefendant in asbestos cases resolved as follows: 34,460 were dismissed, 11 were tried to defense verdicts, four to plaintiff verdicts, one was resolved by agreement for an immaterial amount and 553 were decided in favor of us following summary judgment motions.” Lincoln indicated that based on their previous success in these lawsuits, no major financial setbacks should occur.
Resources for Lincoln Electric Company Employees
Because of the prevalence of asbestos in Lincoln Electric's products, the workers who developed and handled these materials may face an elevated risk of developing mesothelioma. The symptoms of this asbestos-related condition can take up to 50 years to appear; even past employees of the company may now be facing health complications from prior asbestos exposure. If you would like to receive a complimentary information packed explaining more about the symptoms, treatment options and legal options associated with mesothelioma, please fill out the form on this page.
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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.
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