Manufacturer Background
Plastics Engineering Company (Plenco) of Sheboygan, Wisconsin is one of the principal U.S. manufacturers of asbestos-filled phenolic molding compounds during the asbestos era. Plenco is named as a defendant in publicly filed U.S. asbestos litigation including the Duke v. CBS Corporation et al. case (Cause No. 1822-CC00339, City of St. Louis MO) — alongside many other Plenco-related U.S. asbestos cases. Plenco allegedly manufactured asbestos-filled phenolic molding compounds (including Plenco grades 343, 349 black, 371 black, 400 brown, 432, 466-100, 482 black, 485, 508-140-flow, 509, 1523, 1580, 1581, 2308, 2571, 2580, 4300, 4304, 4414, 4548, 15190 and numerous additional grades — see dedicated AP product pages) at its Sheboygan, Wisconsin plant from 1934 onward. In 1982, Plenco allegedly acquired the GE Genal phenolic molding compound business, further consolidating Plenco’s position in the U.S. asbestos-filled phenolic compound supply chain.
Documented Asbestos-Bearing Products
- Plenco asbestos-filled phenolic molding compounds (see ~40+ dedicated Plenco compound-grade AP product pages)
- Plenco grades 343, 349 black, 371 black, 400 brown, 432, 466-100, 482 black, 485, 508-140-flow, 509, 1523, 1580, 1581, 2308, 2571, 2580, 4300, 4304, 4414, 4548, 15190, and many more
- GE Genal phenolic molding compound business acquired by Plenco 1982
- Asbestos-filled phenolic compounds shipped to U.S. transformer manufacturers, switchgear plants, motor manufacturers, and downstream end-users throughout the asbestos era
How Workers Were Exposed
Per publicly filed allegations in U.S. asbestos litigation, workers were allegedly exposed to Plastics Engineering Company (Plenco) asbestos-bearing components during:
- Original manufacturing and assembly at Plastics Engineering Company (Plenco) plants
- Industrial installation of Plastics Engineering Company (Plenco) components into transformer, pump, valve, electrical-distribution, and process-equipment assemblies
- Field service, maintenance, and rebuild — including in-service component replacement and overhaul at utility substations, transformer service centers, refineries, power plants, paper mills, and broader industrial facilities
- Dismantling and decommissioning — removing aged asbestos-bearing components from field equipment
- Machining, drilling, sawing, and grinding — finishing operations on cured asbestos-bearing components
Workforce Trade Hub
- Transformer Manufacturing-Plant Worker
- Transformer Service-Center Rebuilder
- Utility Substation Electrician / Lineworker
- Industrial Substation Electrician
Component Supplier Crosswalk
- Phenolic transformer spacers (asbestos-bearing)
- Westinghouse Micarta transformer-grade laminate
- Transformer asbestos paper / craft paper insulation
- Transformer asbestos gaskets (flange, bushing, tap-changer)
Legal Considerations
Workers exposed to Plastics Engineering Company (Plenco) components at any U.S. transformer plant, service center, utility substation, industrial facility, pump or valve installation, or downstream end-user site may have legal rights if they have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease.
Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956
All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.
This information reflects exposure pathways and product documentation drawn from publicly filed asbestos litigation, federal regulatory records, and industry archives. It does not constitute a finding of fact or liability with respect to any specific manufacturer, supplier, or facility operator.