Seattle-based company PMI Worldwide, known for the wildly successful Stanley brand tumblers, is confronting a barrage of lawsuits alleging the company hid the presence of lead in its products. Two class actions filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington accused Stanley of consumer deception for not disclosing the toxic metal found, in its viral Quencher tumblers, as The Seattle Times reported.
The current legal trouble compounds a difficult period for the company, that, only in January, admitted to millions of consumers the inclusion of lead in its tumblers. The revelation came after a social media uproar brought attention to the potential for lead exposure, especially if the products were damaged, according to Bloomberg Law. The company's earlier sales tactics, bolstered by heavy social media marketing targeting women and outdoor enthusiasts, led to astronomical sales, from $73 million in 2019 to $750 million in 2023.
In the additional lawsuit filed by Robin Krohn, the claim is that Stanley cups were positioned as safe for robust outdoor use yet concealed the risk of lead exposure from damages after purchase. "Stanley’s revenue reportedly ballooned ten-fold from $73 million in 2019 to $750 million in 2023", details from a complaint obtained by Bloomberg Law underscore the company’s dramatic growth amid these allegations.
California consumers have not been silent either; a separate proposed class action on their behalf is echoing similar complaints. The claimants say they would not have bought the cups if they were aware of the lead content. "The lawsuit, which seeks class action status, alleges that Stanley brand owner Pacific Market International marketed the reusable cups as safe and durable while knowing that there was lead in the cups’ vacuum seals", as reported by U.S. News & World Report. The lawsuit positions the Stanley brand in an unfavorable light, purportedly exploiting consumer trust for profit.
Company representatives have not publicly commented on the latest legal developments. However, they previously addressed the issue by positing that the lead, used in the vacuum insulation process, is not readily accessible to consumers unless the cup is damaged. The extent to which these lawsuits will affect the outdoor brand's reputation and bottom line remains to be seen as the courts begin to sift through the allegations and the evidence presented.
