H.B. Frazer Company
King of Prussia, Pa.
Founded 1906
The oldest electrical contracting firm in Philadelphia — H.B. Frazer — opened its doors in 1906. At just 24 years old, Harry Bloomsburg Frazer founded his company after graduating from Philadelphia Technical School.
“He first started installing doorbells at row houses in Philadelphia,” says Frank Holleran, president of the company. “Back then, the people wanted a doorbell before they had a light because they wanted to know when someone was at the front door.”
As the industry evolved, the company began focusing on industrial work, and H.B. Frazer brought his two sons — Harry, Jr. and Edward — on board. While Edward was at the helm, the contracting company assisted the U.S. Navy with the war effort.
“In 1945, the Navy was losing lots of boats and carriers that were taking supplies to the troops,” Holleran says. “Since most of the eligible men were already fighting the war, Ed brought more than 1,000 men and women from the union hall to the Philadelphia Navy shipyard to build escort ships.”
The contractor now specializes in commercial, institutional, industrial, utility line, and communications work. The fourth-generation company, which employs more than 200 tradesmen and 40 office workers, has posted revenues of more than $60 million per year over the last three years.
“We may be an old company in our age and ethics, but we are new when it comes to embracing technology and pursuing business opportunity,” Holleran says.
