Auburn Plastics, which was located in Auburn, New York, was originally established as Auburn Button Works in 1876 by John H. Woodruff. The company originally manufactured its products in Auburn’s post office located on Exchange Street.  In 1900, the company moved its operations to 1900 Washington Street opposite Dunn & McCarthy. As the company’s product line moved into plastic molded materials, a much larger plant was purchased on Canoga Street in 1911. In the 1930s and 40s the company grew and began to expand its thermoplastic line. A second plant was purchased on 24 McMaster Street in order to accommodate the company’s growth during World War II.  From the late 1800s up until the 1950s, Auburn Button Works manufactured pearl and shellac buttons, typewriter keys, butt plates for rifles, 78-rpm records, and a variety of other plastic goods.  In 1957, Auburn Button Works changed its name to Auburn Plastics because the company stopped manufacturing buttons and continued to manufacture molded plastic products.

Individuals who worked at Auburn Plastics in Auburn have recently developed and died of mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to asbestos.  Up until the late 1970’s, asbestos could be found as a component of high heat temperature, raw, plastic materials. Auburn Plastics utilized molding compounds that contained raw asbestos fibers.  During the manufacturing process, workers were exposed to asbestos when they formed molded plastic parts for a variety of equipment, including pots and pans, cameras and typewriters. Asbestos was also incorporated into insulating materials that lined pipes and boilers at Auburn Plastics. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC represents former and retired workers who were once employed at the Auburn Plastics a.k.a. Auburn Button Works in Auburn, NY. In the process of representing workers and their families, we 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 were once employed at Auburn Plastics in Auburn, NY and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.