Dunkirk Radiator was founded in 1928 by Earle C. Reed at the same time as The Utica Companies of Utica New York. While they were founded jointly and shared products, they sold to different markets.

Dunkirk Radiator manufactured radiators and boilers until the 1940’s when it shifted its efforts to help Uncle Sam. During World War II, Dunkirk Radiator was the biggest manufacturer of landmines, bomb noses, and hand grenades. It resumed manufacturing and production of boilers and heating systems when the war ended.

Before World War II, Dunkirk Radiator specialized in making cast-iron boilers and radiators. It began making sheet metal products in the 1950’s at a newly added facility, the former Sanitary Receiver Co. In 1992, Dunkirk Radiator purchased Ultimate Engineering (Massachusetts), and in 1998, it further expanded when it purchased Pennco, Inc. (Pennsylvania).

A merger of Dunkirk Radiator and The Utica Companies in 1999 formed the new ECR International, Inc., named for its original founder, Earle C. Reed. ECR International, Inc. manufactures air-conditioning, domestic hot water heating, and furnaces. ECR operates from its Dunkirk facility, located on Middle Road in Dunkirk, New York. It was purchased by BDR Thermea in December 2015. According to Dun & Bradstreet, ECR International has 130 employees at the Middle Road location in Dunkirk, New York.

Workers at Dunkirk Radiator were exposed to asbestos-containing materials used in the radiators and boilers made by Dunkirk, as well as from the components of the boilers, such as gaskets, valves, pumps, brakes, and packing. Up until the late 1970s, numerous residential boilers and furnaces contained asbestos insulation on both interior and exterior surfaces. Asbestos served as an excellent insulation material because of its durability and fire-resistant properties. Asbestos insulation also allowed for boilers and furnaces to operate properly. Massive exposure to asbestos occurred when boilermakers, plumbers and/or HVAC personnel installed, maintained and removed residential and commercial boilers and furnaces. Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford has represented tradesmen who worked with boilers manufactured by Dunkirk Radiator.

In the process of representing these workers and their families our attorneys have gathered numerous medical and liability documents that could be instrumental in your legal representation. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of working with or around Dunkirk boilers and/or radiators, contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.