A propane fuel system installed in 1969 caught fire and exploded in 1986, severely burning a worker. Beatt Equipment Company argued it wasn't liable because a statute of repose had expired, but the Washington Supreme Court ruled that companies performing significant manufacturing work—like welding, wrapping, and coating—qualify as manufacturers and are not protected by the statute of repose. The court upheld the jury's finding that Beatt was liable for supplying an unsafe product, awarding the injured worker $6 million in damages.
If you add substantial labor and materials to transform an unfinished product into a finished, usable one, you may be classified as a manufacturer—which removes your statute of repose protection and extends your liability exposure indefinitely.