History:

Founded in 1931, Prince Rubber and Plastics Co., Inc.  was originally a supplier of rubber and plastics to the automotive, steel, and emerging electrolytic chemical industries.  During World War II, the company handled rubber assemblies for Bell Aircraft, Curtis-Wright Co., and other companies involved in the war effort.

Prince Rubber and Plastics later branched into the heavy chemical industry in the Niagara Falls area, due to inexpensive power and sources of salt, which was used to make brine for the heavy chemicals.  The company originated as a collaboration between the founder, Sidney W. Prince, and a Hooker Chemical engineer in Niagara Falls, NY. They wanted to develop compounds of rubber and plastic that would be able to stand up to the corrosive nature of manufacturing chlorine and caustic soda.  In the heavy chemical industry, the parts produced are used in the electrolytic cells for the production of chlorine, caustic, hydrogen, and chlorate.  Products are utilized in the pulp and paper industry, with the production of gaskets and process piping for the bleaching process in paper mills.  The Panacea® product line was developed; it consisted of high-performance, corrosion-resistant rubber and plastic products.  This product was specifically designed and manufactured for the Chlor-Alkali, Pulp Bleach, other Chemical Industries, as well as OEM, Semiconductor, and Laboratory Industries around the world.

The Panacea® compounds that Prince developed were used in gaskets, piping systems, flexible hoses, and a variety of uses that were beneficial to many plants’ operations, creating products with a longer life, reliable cell parts and longer lasting piping systems.  Products include custom-molded rubber, custom-extruded rubber, custom fabricated gaskets and seals, custom thermoplastic fabrication, thermoplastic piping systems, and tube and hose assemblies used across the globe.

Prince Rubber and Plastics Co., Inc. has a long-standing relationship with several Western New York Companies, including Xerox Corporation, Eastman-Kodak Company, Eastman Machine Co., Gaymar Industries, Inc., and Columbus McKinnon Corp.  In 2003, the custom manufacturer, fabricator, and supplier of elastomeric and plastic products had sales of more than $7 Million.

In June 2016, after decades of being owned by the Prince family, Prince Rubber and Plastics was bought entirely by its employees as a stock-ownership company, with all employees having a vested interest in the performance of the company.

In 2020, Prince moved its headquarters from its former Arthur Street location when it acquired the 45,000 sq. ft. facility at 45 Hazelwood Dr., Buffalo. The new facilities enabled Prince to expand its production, inventory capacity, and shipping efficiency. Today, Prince maintains its Northern Headquarters at 45 Hazelwood Drive and its Southern Division is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Asbestos Exposure and Prince Rubber & Plastics Co., Inc.

Up until the 1970s, workers were exposed to asbestos-containing materials used during maintenance and repairs on production equipment, boilers and steam pipes. Block insulation, pipe covering, gaskets and insulating cement contained asbestos.  In order to ensure a tight seal between pipe flanges and equipment within the steam system, asbestos-containing gaskets were utilized in boilers, pumps and valves. Gaskets were frequently removed and replaced during maintenance procedures. Workers fabricated new gaskets from sheets of asbestos-containing gasket material, or they used prefabricated gaskets. When workers scraped or fabricated gaskets, asbestos fibers became airborne. Many workers were not aware of the dangers of exposure to asbestos dust and carried on their work without masks or protective gear.

Workers who handled asbestos-containing materials, or those who worked in the vicinity of where these materials were utilized, are at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.  During maintenance and repair procedures on the steam system, workers removed asbestos-containing insulation in order to access equipment. After the procedure was completed, new insulation was applied. Removing, applying or handling asbestos-containing insulation caused asbestos dust and fibers to become airborne, which workers inhaled.

The attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC have gathered a vast amount of information about the type and variety of asbestos-containing products manufactured by Prince Rubber and Plastics Co, Inc.  It is important to secure legal representation as soon as possible after a diagnosis of mesothelioma or lung cancer. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos, and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.