Armstrong Contracting and Supply Corporation (ACandS Inc., aka AC&S) was established in 1958 as the insulation contracting division of Armstrong Cork. In New York State, ACandS established offices in Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and New York City. In 1969, Irex Corporation acquired ACandS from Armstrong Cork. In 2002, ACandS filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to establish a trust to resolve all current and future asbestos claims against the company.  The ACandS Asbestos Settlement Trust was created in 2008 as part of the ACandS Chapter 11 Joint Plan of Reorganization. The trust was created to process and pay (or “liquidate”) valid asbestos personal injury claims, although ACandS was allowed to restructure and remains in business today. 

Prior to federal regulations placed on asbestos in the 1970’s, ACandS utilized asbestos-containing materials at commercial and industrial sites throughout the United States. Workers who handled or worked in the vicinity of asbestos-containing materials, are at risk for developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Employees who worked for ACandS,  many of which were Asbestos Workers Local #4 members, applied asbestos-containing products manufactured by Turner & Newall, Owens Corning, Pittsburgh Corning, Ruberoid, Armstrong and Eagle-Picher. Asbestos-containing fireproof insulation, pipe covering, insulating cement and block insulation were applied at numerous locations throughout Upstate New York, such as DuPont, Bethlehem Steel, Xerox Tower, IBM Endicott and Carrier Corporation.

ACandS utilized fireproof insulation for fireproofing, soundproofing and insulation purposes. Fireproof insulation was manufactured as a dry mix of asbestos and Portland cement. Fireproofing was mixed with water and sprayed onto structural steel with a hose. Large clouds of asbestos dust and fibers were emitted when fireproofing materials were applied. It was typical for tradesmen, such as electricians or pipefitters, to scrape fireproofing from structural steel in order to install pipes and conduits. Disturbing fireproofing material also caused asbestos fibers to become airborne, which workers inhaled.  Workers who handled or worked in the vicinity of asbestos-containing materials, are at risk for developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Asbestos-containing pipe covering, insulating cement and block insulation were applied and removed by individuals who worked for ACandS. Asbestos was incorporated into insulation because of its fire resistant properties. Asbestos-containing insulation was typically used in heating and cooling systems, factories, manufacturing facilities and boiler rooms. Steam boilers were covered with block insulation and insulating cement. Workers also applied insulating cement to pumps, valves and pipe elbows. Applying and removing asbestos-containing insulation emitted asbestos dust and fibers.

Some of the many locations throughout Upstate New York where ACandS worked are:

 

ACandS utilized and distributed Limpet brand asbestos-containing fireproofing, and used it for fireproofing, soundproofing and insulation purposes.  The asbestos-containing fireproof insulation was manufactured as a dry mix of asbestos and portland cement. The asbestos-containing fireproofing was mixed with water and sprayed onto structural steel with a hose; a process that resulted in large clouds of asbestos-laden dust overwhelming the entire breathing zone in the area.  Other tradesmen, such as electricians or pipefitters, would often scrape fireproofing from structural steel in order to install pipes and conduits. This process of disturbing fireproofing material also caused asbestos fibers to become airborne, which workers breathed in unavoidably. 

Our attorneys have gathered a vast amount of information concerning the type and variety of asbestos-containing products to which our clients were exposed. If you or a loved one once worked for ACandS and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, please contact us for a free case evaluation.