In 1935, the Federal government determined that the railroad crossing, of the Green Bay and Western Railway, on highway 54 near the Forest Hill Cemetery was dangerous and a viaduct must be built. The viaduct was built in 1936 and is known in the federal records as "Bridge No. 193 U S W P Grade Crossing Project 4613, State Highway Commission in cooperation of U. S. Building Public Works, Contractor Frank Mashuda of Milwaukee. It cost $132,000. |
Many family-owned businesses have interesting histories and related stories to go along; Mashuda Corporation is no exception. Actually, their story is more like a homespun tale that takes on more character as the years go by.
Frank Mashuda, Mashuda family patriarch, lived and worked in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a machinist in 1922. He was content, but always on the lookout for a way to increase his earning potential. One day, Frank came upon a gentleman whose truck had broken down; he just happened to work for an earthmoving company. As Frank helped with the repairs, their conversation led him to realize he was in the wrong business. An innovative thinker, Frank purchased three old trucks and, with the best parts, built one good, functional truck: the very first Frank Mashuda Company work truck.
As the small company progressed, Frank established a partnership in 1931 with his brothers Bernie, Ed, Stanley, and Leo. For the next 8 years the company continued to grow, working exclusively in Wisconsin. In 1939, with continued effort and dedication, Frank Mashuda Company landed its first project in Pennsylvania with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to perform earthmoving work near the Donegal interchange.
In the 1940's five nephews, Vic, Ernie, Sylvester and Dave Mashuda and Bob Mlodzik joined the company. The company now had regional offices in both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania but the eastern construction market had the most potential for future work. Frank, realizing the pending regional growth, decided to locate the company headquarters in Cranberry Township in 1955. The company capitalized on the rapidly expanding Pennsylvania and Ohio Turnpikes and the budding Interstate 79. In fact, Frank Mashuda Company, Inc. built more of I-79 in Pennsylvania than any general contractor. The company also had significant involvement with other high-visibility projects during this time, including the Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Cincinnati Airports, Route 19 in Butler Co., and surface mining for coal in West Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Vic and Ernie bought the company in 1974 and formed Mashuda Corporation. The company that started out as a man with a piecemeal truck is recognized today as one of the region's largest general contractors specializing in heavy earthmoving operations. Currently, Mashuda Corporation is serving as general contractor on the expansive Mon-Fayette Expressway for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, along with projects for PennDot and also private sector projects.
Ralph Mashuda, Frank's great-nephew, now leads Mashuda Corporation as President. And, in keeping with tradition, many Mashuda family members also have active roles within the company.
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