Industrial Maintenance Mechanic

Johns-Manville (Natchez) and asbestos exposure: what former plant workers should know. August 23, 2026 6 min If you or a family member worked at the Johns-Manville plant in Natchez before the early 1980s, you may have faced direct occupational asbestos exposure. Here's what former plant workers and their families need to know about the risk and their options. The Johns-Manville plant operated in Natchez for more than 50 years. The Johns-Manville plant on Liberty Road near the Natchez Trace began construction in the late 1940s as an insulating board plant, a roughly $5 million facility that was significant industrial investment for Natchez at the time. The plant operated continuously from 1947 until 2002, shifting over the decades from insulating board to roofing material production before it finally closed. For more than five decades, it was a major industrial employer in the Natchez area. What sets a Johns-Manville plant apart from most other Mississippi worksites on this list is that Johns-Manville was not simply a company that used asbestos-containing materials in construction or maintenance - it was one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of raw asbestos and asbestos-containing products in American history. That distinction matters directly for anyone who worked at the Natchez plant. Why Johns-Manville plant workers faced especially high asbestos exposure. Johns-Manville Corporation was, for most of the twentieth century, the largest asbestos company in the United States - at its peak producing more than 1,000 individual asbestos-containing products, including insulation board, pipe covering, roofing shingles, and asbestos cement products, supplied by its own asbestos mines. Workers at Johns-Manville manufacturing plants like the one in Natchez were not incidentally exposed to asbestos the way a construction worker or electrician might be on a jobsite. They handled raw asbestos fiber directly, as a routine part of manufacturing the company's products, including: * Fiber mixing and batching - raw asbestos fiber was opened, weighed, and blended with other materials to form the base slurry for insulating board and roofing products * Forming and pressing - machines pressed and dried the fiber mixture into board and sheet products, generating airborne dust throughout the process * Cutting, sawing, and trimming - finished board and roofing material was cut to size, a process that released fibers from already-processed asbestos products * Packaging and shipping - workers handling finished product were still exposed to residual dust from earlier stages of production * Maintenance and plant engineering - kept machinery, boilers, and ductwork running throughout a plant where asbestos dust was a constant presence Because the entire manufacturing process centered on asbestos fiber rather than a single insulated pipe or wrapped duct, workplace air concentrations inside plants like this one were historically among the highest documented in any American industry, particularly before the industrial hygiene and ventilation improvements of the 1970s. Which jobs at the Natchez plant carried the highest risk? Every production-floor role at a Johns-Manville manufacturing plant involved meaningful asbestos exposure, but certain positions carried the heaviest and most direct contact: * Fiber openers and mixers - worked with raw asbestos fiber before it was bound into any product * Machine operators - ran the forming, pressing, and drying equipment at the center of the production line * Cutting and finishing crews - sawed and trimmed finished board and roofing material * Maintenance mechanics and boiler operators - worked throughout the plant, including in areas with the heaviest accumulated dust * Warehouse and shipping workers - handled finished product daily, with exposure to residual fiber dust Family members faced exposure too. Asbestos fibers cling to clothing, hair, and skin, and workers coming home from a fiber-handling plant like this one carried far more dust on their work clothes than workers from most other industries. Spouses and children who did laundry or had regular close contact with a Johns-Manville worker's uniform could also have been exposed - a pathway known as secondary or take-home exposure. If your parent or spouse worked at the Natchez plant, your own exposure history may still be relevant even if you never set foot inside the facility. You don't need a diagnosis to find out where you stand. A common misconception is that this kind of exposure history only matters after a mesothelioma or lung cancer diagnosis. That isn't accurate. If you or a family member worked at the Johns-Manville plant in Natchez for five or more years before 1983, that exposure history is worth documenting now, whether or not any diagnosis has occurred. Because Johns-Manville itself filed for bankruptcy in 1982 as a result of asbestos litigation, claims tied to this specific employer are often handled in part through the asbestos trust fund system rather than solely through a traditional lawsuit - a distinction an attorney can walk you through based on your specific work history. What to do if you worked at the Johns-Manville plant in Natchez. * Write down what you remember. Approximate dates of employment, job title, department or production area (mixing, forming, cutting, maintenance), and the names of any coworkers who might remember the same conditions. * Tell your doctor about your work history. Regular screening matters more when there is a documented occupational exposure history, given the long latency period for asbestos-related disease. * Talk to an attorney familiar with Mississippi asbestos manufacturing cases and trust fund claims, even if no diagnosis exists yet. Case evaluations are free, and there is no obligation. Frequently asked questions. Is a claim against Johns-Manville different from a claim against other companies? It can be. Because Johns-Manville filed for bankruptcy in 1982, claims connected to the company are often pursued through the asbestos trust fund system that was established as part of that bankruptcy, rather than through a standard lawsuit. An attorney can explain how this applies to your specific situation. Do I need a mesothelioma diagnosis to speak with an attorney? No. If you have five or more years of occupational asbestos exposure at the Natchez plant (or any qualifying worksite) before 1983, it is worth having a conversation regardless of your current health status. What if I only worked at the plant for a couple of years, or in an office role rather than production? Shorter exposure periods and non-production roles can still matter, particularly at a manufacturing plant where airborne fiber levels were high throughout the facility. A free case evaluation can help you understand where you stand. The plant closed in 2002 - does it matter that it operated so recently? What matters most for a claim is your work history before the early 1980s, when asbestos use was most widespread and least regulated. The plant's later years producing non-insulating-board products don't change the relevance of exposure from earlier decades. Need legal help? If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure, its attorneys are here to help.

John Vasuta named new CEO of Johns Manville. Johns Manville appoints John Vasuta as President and CEO following Bob Wamboldt's retirement. Johns Manville, a leading global manufacturer of building and specialty products and a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has announced a major leadership transition that will take effect later this year. The company confirmed that Bob Wamboldt will retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer, with John Vasuta set to assume the role beginning August 1, 2026. The announcement marks an important milestone for the company as it prepares for a new chapter under Vasuta's leadership while celebrating the accomplishments achieved during Wamboldt's tenure. With decades of combined industry experience between the two executives, the transition reflects the company's commitment to continuity, innovation and long-term growth across its global operations. John Vasuta joined Johns Manville in 2019 as President of the company's Engineered Products business, one of the organization's key divisions serving industrial and specialty markets around the world. Since joining the company, he has played a significant role in strengthening operations, expanding customer relationships and guiding strategic initiatives that support JM's long-term objectives. In addition to his responsibilities at Johns Manville, Vasuta also serves on the Board of Directors for EJ, a global manufacturer of infrastructure access products supporting water, sewer, drainage, telecommunications and utility systems. His involvement with EJ has further reinforced his expertise in industrial manufacturing, infrastructure and operational leadership. Speaking about his appointment, Vasuta expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead the company into its next phase of growth. "It's an extraordinary privilege to step into the role of CEO," Vasuta said. "I'm deeply honored to continue serving our customers and supporting the employees whose dedication makes our success possible." Before joining Johns Manville, Vasuta built an extensive career with Bridgestone Corporation, where he held several senior leadership positions across global operations. Among his previous roles were President of Firestone Building Products International and Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and Operations. These positions allowed him to develop broad expertise in international business strategy, customer engagement, manufacturing excellence and operational performance. His educational background also reflects a strong combination of technical and business knowledge. Vasuta earned a bachelor's degree in Engineering, followed by a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron. This diverse academic foundation has contributed to his reputation as a well-rounded executive capable of navigating both operational and strategic business challenges. Company leadership believes Vasuta is ideally positioned to guide Johns Manville through the evolving demands of the building products and industrial manufacturing sectors. His experience working closely with employees, customers and stakeholders has earned him recognition throughout the organization as a collaborative and forward-thinking leader. Executives at Johns Manville emphasized that Vasuta's appointment aligns with the company's long-term strategy of maintaining operational excellence while continuing to innovate across its product portfolio. With a history spanning 168 years, the company has established itself as a major player in insulation, roofing systems and engineered materials, serving customers across residential, commercial and industrial markets. Under Vasuta's leadership, the company aims to continue strengthening customer partnerships, enhancing manufacturing capabilities and creating positive experiences for employees and stakeholders worldwide. His leadership style, combined with deep industry knowledge, is expected to support the company's continued expansion and competitiveness in a rapidly changing market environment. Outgoing CEO Bob Wamboldt also shared his confidence in the leadership transition and reflected positively on his years with the organization. "I am incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together, achieving milestones that reflect the hard work and dedication of our entire organization," Wamboldt said. "As I step into retirement, I have absolute confidence in John, whose leadership will guide the company to even greater success." Wamboldt's retirement concludes a distinguished career with Johns Manville that began in 2003. During his time at the company, he held leadership positions across each of JM's three major business units - Engineered Products, Roofing Systems and Insulation Systems - before being appointed President and CEO in 2020. His leadership period included navigating major industry challenges, evolving market conditions and continued global expansion efforts. Under his direction, Johns Manville strengthened its position in key markets while advancing operational efficiency, product innovation and employee engagement initiatives. Mary Rhinehart, Chair of Johns Manville, praised Wamboldt's contributions and expressed confidence in the company's future leadership. "During Bob's tenure, the company achieved significant progress, and we appreciate the dedication and professionalism he brought to the role of CEO," Rhinehart said. "We congratulate him on a well-earned retirement and look forward to John continuing to build on this strong foundation for the future." The leadership transition comes at a time when the global construction and building materials industries are experiencing increasing demand for sustainable solutions, energy-efficient products and infrastructure modernization. Johns Manville continues to invest in innovation and manufacturing capabilities to address these evolving market needs while maintaining its longstanding commitment to quality and customer service. As Vasuta prepares to officially assume the role in August, industry observers expect continuity in the company's strategic direction, along with renewed focus on growth opportunities across international markets. His broad experience in manufacturing and building products, combined with Johns Manville's established reputation and strong organizational foundation, positions the company for continued success in the years ahead. With a legacy dating back more than a century and a half, Johns Manville remains one of the most recognized names in the global building products industry. The upcoming leadership transition reflects both the company's respect for its longstanding traditions and its readiness to embrace future opportunities under a new generation of leadership.