Massey’s Plate Glass and Aluminum Inc. started in a three-car garage in Branford, Conn., 50 years ago. Founded in 1973 by Bob Massey Sr. and his wife, Jean Massey, the shop was located just blocks from the family home and directly across the street from their son and current president and CEO, Robert Massey Jr.’s, grammar school.
Massey Jr. fondly recalls his time spent at the glass shop.
“I vividly remember getting out of school and walking across the street to the glass shop to be handed a set of overalls and a paintbrush to paint the shop wall,” he says.
Massey’s is still headquartered in Branford, and today operates as a single-source building envelope contractor, providing architectural glass, aluminum and panel systems. The company has 227 employees and additional locations in Providence, R.I., and Franklin, Mass. In 2009, Massey’s added a panel division, All Panel Systems.
The company’s projects range from Pratt & Whitney’s headquarters in East Hartford, Conn., to the Wynn Boston Harbor Casino Podium in Everett, Mass. USGlass magazine consistently ranks Massey’s Plate Glass on its annual list of the nation’s top contract glaziers.
For Massey Jr., the company’s success stems from accountability, discipline, dedicated employees, transparency and communication.
“I stress to my staff to use the company ‘toolbox’ when looking for an answer to a question since our team boasts so much experience,” says Massey Jr. “That way there’s always an answer to a solution. Additionally, our management staff meets regularly for weekly project updates with the project managers, and our company meets monthly on different topics.”
However, the employees are the keys to a successful business, says Massey Jr. The company strives to treat all workers as family. As a result, several employees have been with the company for more than 40 years.
“Dedicated employees are absolutely the key to success, along with transparency and communications,” says Massey Jr. “When I use the phrase ‘family owned and operated,’ it’s because our employees are truly family.”
Though his dad passed away in 2021, Massey Jr. says he would be proud of how the company has evolved and thrived. He adds that his mom, Jean, remains involved with the business on a limited basis.
“I know he is looking down, gleaming with pride at the growth and success of the company,” he says.
