Haveg Industries, Inc.
Haveg Industries, Inc., was founded in 1929 in Wilmington, Delaware. The company began as a wire, cable and plastic manufacturer, which focused on meeting the demands of the aerospace industry.
In 1933, a factory was opened in Marshallton, Delaware, near the outskirts of Wilmington, Delaware. Haveg expanded its capacity to create a wide range of plastic products. Notably, Haveg supplied the wire harnesses used by NASA for the Apollo space program. Haveg produced the intricate wiring for the “Command Module” and “Lunar Module,” which were used in 1965 on the Apollo 8 space capsule. The company grew to eventually operate plants in Taunton, Massachusetts, Winooski, Vermont, and Santa Fe, California.
From 1955 through 1981, Haveg was exchanged by a number of owners, first Hercules, Inc., and then Champlain Cable Corporation. Finally, in 1980 Haveg was acquired by AMETEK, Inc. Unfortunately, Haveg used asbestos in resin and plastic products, specifically in products called ‘Haveg 41 Standard,’ ‘Haveg 50 For Alkalis’ and ‘Haveg 60.’ Haveg 41 was a product which was used as a heat-resistant liner to insulate pipes. Haveg 60 was used as a high grade plastic by companies such as Boeing. Both of these products were produced in Newark, Delaware. They were used in the construction industry, aerospace, chemical industry, textile industry, metallurgical industry and petroleum industry.
As early as the 1920s, physicians recognized that exposure to asbestos caused severe sickness when asbestosis was identified by British medical journals. At the same time, insurance companies in the United States and Canada stopped selling life insurance to asbestos workers. Moreover, safer substitutes for most asbestos uses were known as early as the 1930s. Nevertheless, Haveg chose to protect its substantial profit margins rather than discontinue use of the mineral.
Additionally, the asbestos fibers remain in a person’s lungs for years and symptoms may not develop for decades. Thus, Haveg’s victims might live for decades without knowing of the deadly injury they sustained. Accordingly, many Haveg employees and customers were placed in serious danger due to contact with asbestos. If you or a loved one has been injured by Haveg Industries, Inc., it is important that you contact The Gori Law Firm immediately for more information on your rights.