The E.J. Bartells Company

E.J. Bartells’ History With Asbestos

The E.J. Bartells Company used asbestos in many of its products until the late 1970s. Edwin J. Bartells founded the company in 1923 to provide a wide range of insulation and refractory products. Refractory materials are heat-resistant products used to line furnaces, pipes and other equipment exposed to high temperatures. Asbestos was added to these products because the mineral resisted fire and heat.

Bartells supplied asbestos products to major industrial clients including Boeing, Xerox, Intel, Apollo Sheet Metal and J.H. Kelly. Workers handling these products faced a high risk of asbestos exposure, which could later lead to serious illnesses like mesothelioma.

The E.J. Bartells Company phased out asbestos from its products in the late 1970s. Distribution International acquired and merged with the company in 2015. TopBuild acquired Distribution International in 2021 and continues to operate the business under its ownership.

Bankruptcy and Asbestos Trust Fund 

The E.J. Bartells Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000 after facing thousands of asbestos-related claims. The bankruptcy court confirmed a reorganization plan in 2001 that required the company to establish a $20 million asbestos trust fund to compensate people. 

This trust was specifically designed to address asbestos liabilities arising from the company’s insulation and refractory products. Reportedly as of 2008, the trust had paid approximately $15 million in asbestos-related claims. The trust continues to administer claims, though it doesn’t maintain a public website or release regular updates.

Litigation & Specific Lawsuits

The original E.J. Bartells Corporation faced many mesothelioma lawsuits because of its use of asbestos. Former employees and people who worked with these products filed claims, citing exposure that led to serious illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

In one prominent case, the wife of a former machinist and electrician sued multiple companies for her husband’s asbestos exposure, including The E.J. Bartells Company. A jury found the company partly responsible for his death from pleural mesothelioma and awarded the family $3 million in punitive damages, $1.5 million in noneconomic damages and $307,000 in compensatory damages.

Another lawsuit involved the family of a former employee who died from asbestosis. They pursued death benefits, disability benefits and funeral cost compensation. The family reached a settlement with some of the third-party defendants and received $750 monthly payments over 20 years

E. J. Bartells Asbestos Products

The E.J. Bartells Company manufactured a variety of asbestos-containing products that were widely used in construction and industrial settings. These products were heat-resistant and durable, which made them valuable for insulating pipes, ductwork and other equipment, but dangerous when fibers became airborne.

Asbestos-Containing Products

• Adhesives
• Cement
• Duct connectors
• Insulation
• Insulation pads and tapes
• Pipe coverings
• Sealants
• Tapes

Workers who installed, maintained or repaired these products faced elevated risks of asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Family members and others could also be exposed through secondary contact, such as handling contaminated clothing or dust from work areas.

Jobs at Risk From E. J. Bartells’ Products

Many workers handled E.J. Bartell’s asbestos products in their jobs, which put them at risk for serious respiratory diseases and cancers. Exposure could occur during installation, maintenance or repair of these materials.

Higher-Risk Occupations

• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Insulators
• Pipe workers
• Plumbers

Former employees of The E.J. Bartells Company should consider regular health screenings for potential asbestos-related illnesses. Workers at the current company, or those in other industries using its products today, do not face the same exposure risks.

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