Jun 10, 2018 4 min read

East Washington’s only business was, appropriately, grandfathered in. The enterprise was launched by the grandfather of the current president/CEO.

“It’s had its challenges, but it’s all been very nice,” John Frazier II said. “We have a good reputation and good people who can carry it on.”

Frazier-Simplex Inc. has been carrying on engineering operations for nearly a full century, primarily supporting the glass industry while also sustaining its machine shop. The company, a testament to consistency and success as much as its longevity, will celebrate its centennial July 29 with a toast that likely will be as understated as the exterior of its headquarters building on East Beau Street.

This is a fourth-generation family operation that Chauncey Frazier started in the summer of 1918, while Woodrow Wilson was in the White House, World War I was raging and the global flu epidemic was gaining momentum. Chauncey eventually relinquished the reins to his son, John Earl Frazier I, who was succeeded by John II, who will be succeeded by John III, currently the chief operating officer.

Frazier-Simplex began in the Washington Trust Building, occupying the ninth and 10th floors of the city structure for 20 years before relocating to East Beau. The firm has conducted business there since 1938, in a three-story Victorian made of brick and featuring ornate wood and glass furnishings, wide staircases and large rooms.

A simple brick marquee, on the front lawn with the company’s name engraved, is the lone indication that this is a business – the only one in the borough, which is zoned residential.

Becoming involved in glass in the early 20th century was a wise, fortuitous move for the engineering group. That industry was the lifeblood of many Washington County residents and many others throughout Western Pennsylvania. “In the old days, you could draw a circle around Pittsburgh and have 90 percent of the industry,” John II said.

His grandfather’s company, he said, “may have been the first consulting firm dealing with the glass industry.”

“We’re very well known in the glass industry worldwide,” said John II, who employs 20 to 25. “We’re more into the glass container industry now, and pharmaceutical glass tubing.”

His son, 27, agreed that “this business is primarily glass, but for the past 18 months, we’ve been more involved in mining equipment and repairs and fabrication.”

Each of the family business leaders over the years has been a Washington & Jefferson College alum, along with John III’s sister, Frances, 21. But aside from that educational thread, the long-term success of Frazier-Simplex is more attributable to the family’s foresight, diligence and perseverance.

“We’re just trying to create the next big innovation in the industry,” John III said, smiling. He and his father were dressed to the nines during an interview last week.

John II is a congenial man who has been involved with the engineering firm since his father’s death in 1985. “Family involvement for 100 years has been a nice experience for all of us,” he said. “It’s provided jobs, and we have to be proud of that.

“You have to appreciate how the global glass industry is today. It’s amazing how technology is shared. It’s a good business, a shrinking business, but at the moment, it’s a nice business.”

For many years, John II, who is 77, was in another business. He was a cardiologist who, in an amazing coincidence, partnered with Neil Hart to form Frazier-Hart Cardiology in North Franklin Township. Frazier said they had nine cardiologists and “about 40,000 patients.” Both men retired in 2014. For many years, Frazier also was based at Allegheny General Hospital on Pittsburgh’s North Side, but left that to practice back home.

John II lives in East Washington, John III in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh. Each is married to a Nicole. The son has been with the company for about a year, after previously working in Hong Kong and South Korea.

“I’m proud that John is involved,” his father said, “and I hope he carries on as long as it seems right.”

That could be for a while.

“What we’re seeing right now augurs well for our future,” John II said. Then he added, with a hearty laugh: “We’re looking forward to at least another 100 years.”