Contract Glazing

Contract Glazier Named One of Largest Family-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts

The 96-year old Boston-based contract glazing company Karas and Karas was recognized by the Boston Business Journal on its annual list of the Largest Family-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts. The company ranked 21st. It employs 150 and has revenue of approximately $104 million annually.

President Joey Karas says the business was started by his grandfather, Elia, who was a Russian immigrant, and his grandfather’s cousin. They traveled to West End in Boston looking to salvage parts from burnt buildings prior to 1924. They realized they could salvage and resell glass, which eventually led to installing window glass in residential applications. Later, Elia’s three sons, Arthur, Leo and David, ran the business. Since then, four generations of the Karas family have worked for the company, which now focuses on wholesale distribution, fabrication and unitization of glass and glazing products. The company distributes its products throughout New England.

“Who doesn’t want to own a family-owned business? We’ve carried on a great tradition and we’re good at what we do. We’re able to make quick decisions since we’re not corporate. We’re the same family that’s run it forever,” says Karas, who adds that the company also employs more than ten people from another family. “We’re able to treat employees, customers and vendors like family. It’s important to carry on that tradition.”

Karas’ son, Benjamin, also works for the company, along with several other young employees.

“We’re proud of that … We’re an old company looking to get young again,” says Karas.

The company is preparing for its first move to a new building. It currently operates in an old brick building in Boston, according to Karas, who says they are planning to renovate an existing 110,000-square-foot building outside the city so that all operations can exist under one roof in what he calls “a building for the 22nd century.”

Briefly

Sharp Glass LLC of San Antonio, South Town Glass of Salem, Ore., Klein-Dickert Milwaukee Inc. of Madison, Wis., and Beletz Brothers Glass Co. Inc. of Philadelphia are the latest glazing contractors to meet the requirements for certification by the North American Contractor Certification (NACC) Program for glazing contractors. … Giroux Glass has been named 2020 California Specialty Contractor of the Year by Engineering News-Record (ENR). The company provided glazing on at least five projects awarded ENR California’s 2020 Regional Best Projects honors, including the category for Southern California’s Best Higher Education/Research project, for Marion Anderson Hall at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles.

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