Product Description

Stokes Machinery Company was a leading American manufacturer of compression, transfer, and closure molding presses used in phenolic molding plants from the 1930s through the 1980s. Stokes presses came in multiple capacity configurations — including 50-ton transfer, 200-ton transfer, 150-ton compression, and 250-ton closure machines — and were standard equipment across the U.S. phenolic-molding industry.

Stokes equipment was used in the molding of asbestos-filled phenolic compounds — the thermoset matrix used for electrical switchgear arc chutes, barrier insulators, panelboard backings, breaker housings, and other heat-resistant electrical and industrial moldings. Per publicly filed allegations in U.S. asbestos litigation, Stokes phenolic presses were installed at Square D Company plants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Peru, Indiana, and other Square D facilities, as well as at independent phenolic molders nationwide.

Stokes has appeared as a corporate defendant in publicly filed U.S. asbestos litigation.

Asbestos Content

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed asbestos litigation that Stokes phenolic molding presses incorporated asbestos in one or more of the structural roles common to compression and transfer presses of the era:

Heated platen insulation — Stokes compression and transfer presses used steam-heated or electric-heated platens operating at 300°F to 400°F to cure the phenolic compound in the mold cavity. Plaintiffs alleged the platens were insulated with asbestos-containing material.

Steam-jacket gaskets and packing — Steam-heated platen systems used asbestos-bearing gaskets at flange joints, packing at valve stems, and rope packing at shaft seals.

Steam supply line insulation — The steam supply and condensate return piping serving the platens was alleged to be wrapped in asbestos-containing pipe insulation.

Press frame and tie-rod insulation — In some configurations, the structural press frame near the heated platens was alleged to include asbestos lagging.

Preheater insulation — Thermex and Mytron preheater assemblies used alongside Stokes presses to preheat phenolic preforms before molding were alleged to incorporate asbestos insulation.

How Workers Were Exposed

Phenolic press operators, plant maintenance mechanics, millwrights, and pipefitters were exposed during multiple Stokes-related operations:

  • Gasket replacement — Platen flange gaskets and steam-line gaskets were periodically replaced; workers scraped and cut asbestos sealing material.
  • Insulation removal and repair — Torn or damaged platen insulation required stripping and replacement of asbestos-bearing material.
  • Mold changes — Required leaning over hot platens and disturbing asbestos-bearing insulation in the immediate breathing zone.
  • Steam-line repair — Pipefitters working on steam supply, condensate return, and valve trim disturbed asbestos pipe insulation.
  • Cure-cycle interactions — Operators standing at the press during cure cycles were exposed to fiber released from disturbed platen insulation.
  • Press rebuilding — Major rebuilds required stripping all asbestos-bearing insulation and gasket material.

Plaintiffs alleged that phenolic press operators, mold setters, plant maintenance mechanics, millwrights, pipefitters, plant electricians, and bystander workers — including tumbler, deflash, and machining operators working in adjacent areas — were exposed to airborne asbestos fiber during these routine activities.

Plants Where Stokes Phenolic Presses Were Installed

Per publicly filed allegations in U.S. asbestos litigation, Stokes 50-ton transfer, 200-ton transfer, and 150-ton compression phenolic molding presses are documented at the Square D Cedar Rapids, Iowa plant — including in the alleged 1959 consolidation transfer of asbestos-filled phenolic molding capacity from Square D’s Peru, Indiana plant to Cedar Rapids. Stokes presses were standard equipment at electrical switchgear, breaker, and panelboard manufacturers — including Square D, Westinghouse, General Electric, and independent phenolic molders nationwide.

This information reflects facility history, 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.

Documented End-User Plants and Worker Populations

Stokes phenolic compression, transfer, and closure molding presses were the dominant U.S. phenolic-press line and were installed across virtually every major U.S. phenolic-molding plant of the asbestos era. Stokes-related worker exposure occurred at:

Electrical Switchgear and Panelboard Manufacturers

  • Square D Company — per publicly filed asbestos litigation allegations, Stokes 50-ton transfer, 200-ton transfer, and 150-ton compression phenolic molding presses are documented at the Square D Cedar Rapids, Iowa plant (including the alleged 1959 consolidation transfer of asbestos-filled phenolic molding capacity from Square D’s Peru, Indiana plant), and Stokes presses were also installed at Square D Columbia, Missouri, Lincoln, Nebraska, Middletown, Ohio, Lexington, Kentucky, and Asheboro, North Carolina facilities
  • Westinghouse Electric Corporation — phenolic molding for circuit breakers, switchgear, and Micarta laminate at multiple Westinghouse plants
  • General Electric Company — phenolic molding for GE electrical switchgear and components
  • Federal Pacific Electric Company and other independent U.S. switchgear molders

Other Phenolic-Molding End-User Industries

  • Independent phenolic-molding houses — supplying asbestos-filled phenolic moldings to U.S. electrical, appliance, automotive, and industrial OEMs
  • Phenolic appliance-component molders — handles, knobs, switches, timer housings, terminal blocks for consumer and commercial appliances (Toastmaster, McGraw-Edison, Sunbeam, Hamilton Beach, GE Small Appliance, Westinghouse Small Appliance)
  • Phenolic automotive-component molders — distributor caps, ignition components, fuse blocks, terminal blocks, and other underhood phenolic moldings for U.S. automotive OEMs and tier-one suppliers
  • Phenolic industrial-component molders — supplying phenolic-asbestos parts to industrial OEMs

Worker Populations Across All End-User Plants

Phenolic press operators, mold setters, plant maintenance mechanics, millwrights, pipefitters, plant electricians, tumbler/deflash/machining operators, and bystander workers at all of these end-user plants were exposed to airborne asbestos fiber from Stokes platen insulation, steam-jacket gaskets and packing, steam-line insulation, and accumulated phenolic-asbestos compound dust during routine press operation, mold changes, cure cycles, and press rebuild work throughout the asbestos era.

If You Worked at a Phenolic-Molding Plant Running Stokes Compression or Transfer Presses

If you operated, maintained, or rebuilt Stokes phenolic molding presses during the asbestos era — and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness — you may have legal rights.

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.