The Malleable Iron Range Company, known later as Monarch, manufactured appliances from 1896 to 1985. Malleable used asbestos in the insulation and other components of its stoves and ranges. The company faced asbestos lawsuits and eventually closed without establishing a trust fund.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer, you might be entitled to substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
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Did Malleable Iron Range Use Asbestos?
Asbestos was once used in many industries as an insulator and to protect against heat and fire. Malleable used asbestos insulation in ranges and stoves for many years.
Malleable Iron Range Co. History
Silas McClure and A.C. Terrell founded Malleable Iron Range Co. in 1896. The business began as a small stove factory in St. Louis.
- Within three years, the founders named the company Malleable Iron Range Co. and started a line of coal and wood-burning stoves. Monarch became the brand name and signature line of the company’s most popular stoves.
- The stove line became so popular that the company made a deal with well-known inventor Sam Insull to make electric ranges under the Fedelco brand.
- Household appliances and products followed, including washing machines, vacuum cleaners, irons, and more. A Monarch stove, specially designed for the trip, accompanied an expedition to Antarctica in 1934.
- Malleable grew to its greatest extent after World War II. It continued to add products to its line, including refrigerators, furnaces, gas water heaters, and electric water heaters.
- Many of Malleable’s products were residential, but the company also sold to public utility companies. By the 1960s, most utility companies stopped purchasing these types of appliances to reduce power consumption.
- This and other issues, such as competition from larger companies like General Electric, led to financial troubles for Malleable.
- During the 1970s, oil shortages helped give the company’s wood-burning furnace production a boost. Still, it wasn’t enough to save it from dire financial loss, especially after asbestos-related lawsuits were filed against the company.
- Until the 1940s, the Malleable used asbestos in the linings of its ranges, resulting in employees, contractors, and consumers developing life-threatening illnesses.
Malleable Iron Range Co. closed its doors permanently in 1985. The company also filed for bankruptcy protection, but it was because of the mounting debt due to low sales, and therefore, it never established an asbestos trust fund.
Malleable Iron Range Co. Asbestos-Containing Products
Malleable Iron Range Co.’s Monarch ranges were the primary product that used asbestos. Asbestos was primarily used in the insulated linings of these products.
The company stated that the “Triple Asbestos Wall” in its stoves helped battle corrosion and rust. The water heaters and other appliances sold to power companies likely also contained asbestos.
Who Was Exposed to Malleable Iron Range Asbestos Products?
Homeowners with Malleable and Monarch ranges were at low risk for asbestos exposure. As long as the linings remained intact, they were unlikely to give off asbestos fibers.
At greatest risk of exposure to asbestos from Malleable products were the workers who built, installed, or repaired them. Malleable’s factory employees could have been exposed to asbestos from handling asbestos materials.
Workers who installed, removed, and repaired Malleable ranges also faced exposure risks. By manipulating the ranges and stoves, they risked damaging asbestos materials that could release fibers into the air.
Malleable Iron Range Co. Asbestos Claims and Lawsuits
Most asbestos-related lawsuits and claims against Malleable Iron Range Co. came from workers at the company’s manufacturing plants.
The company’s lawsuits and asbestos-related claims aren’t as substantial as many of the other manufacturers who used asbestos, as Malleable stopped using asbestos in the 1940s. Most other manufacturers continued to use asbestos until the late 1970s or mid-1980s.
Malleable eventually filed for bankruptcy. It stopped operations in 1985 and never reopened. Its Monarch brand continued for a few more years with other companies.
Malleable Iron Range Co. Contamination Sites
In 1987, the Metal Ware Corporation of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, bought the former Malleable Iron Range Co. from MAFCO, the company’s name formed after Malleable went bankrupt.
Malleable reportedly left its production plant in such disarray that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources carried out a hazardous waste investigation.
In addition to discovering numerous other contaminants, asbestos was found throughout the plant’s pipes. The EPA assisted with the cleanup, and an allocated $369,000 was provided to assist in removing the damage.
If You Were Exposed to Malleable Asbestos Products
If Malleable Iron Range’s products exposed you to asbestos, you could be at risk for mesothelioma. Contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to learn about your legal options. Malleable is no longer in business, which makes getting compensation more challenging.
A lawyer or asbestos law firm can review your work history and find other ways to seek compensation. There were likely several companies that exposed you to asbestos. You could be eligible for a lawsuit or to make claims with asbestos trusts.
Additional Help and Legal Resources for Asbestos Victims
Don’t forget to fill out our form for our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
