The Shocking History Of Fischbach And Moore Inc.: From Construction Giant To Scandal And Modern Rebirth
As of December 21, 2025, the name Fischbach and Moore Inc. represents one of the most complex and dramatic corporate sagas in American construction history, a journey from being an industry titan to the center of major financial and antitrust scandals, culminating in a specialized modern-day operation. For those searching for a single, monolithic company, the reality is a fragmented history involving a massive former parent entity, the Fischbach Corporation, and a highly specialized, active successor, Fischbach & Moore Electric Group, LLC, which continues to operate as a top-tier electrical contractor today.
The original Fischbach and Moore, Inc. was once a powerhouse, dominating the heavy construction landscape. Its story is essential for understanding the evolution of large-scale industrial contracting, marked by incredible growth, high-stakes mergers, and ultimately, a series of legal crises that led to its corporate restructuring and eventual specialization.
The Rise and Fall of the Fischbach Corporation Empire
The history of Fischbach and Moore, Inc. is inextricably linked to its parent company, the Fischbach Corporation, which, for decades, stood as one of the largest and most influential specialty contractors in the United States. Founded in 1918, the company built a reputation for handling massive electrical and mechanical projects across the country.
- Founding and Early Growth: The company was established in the early 20th century, quickly growing into a national force, particularly in heavy construction and industrial electrical work.
- Financial Clout: At its peak, the Fischbach and Moore subsidiary was a behemoth. Industry reports in the late 1970s and early 1980s listed the company as the number two specialty contractor in the U.S., boasting revenues approaching $370 million.
- Corporate Structure: The original Fischbach and Moore, Inc. operated as a key subsidiary of the publicly traded Fischbach Corporation, headquartered in New York City. The corporation also held other major entities, including The Howard P. Foley Company and Lord Electric Company.
- Recapitalization and Change: The corporate structure underwent significant changes, including a major recapitalization in the late 1980s, which was legally viewed as a change in corporate structure rather than a fundamental shift in business. This period marked the beginning of its complex financial history.
This era of dominance positioned the company to take on some of the nation's most critical infrastructure projects, but it also placed them directly in the crosshairs of federal investigations and massive civil litigation.
The WPPSS Default and Antitrust Scandals
The most significant events that shattered the Fischbach Corporation's reputation and led to its eventual dismantling were its involvement in two major legal and financial crises: the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) default and a widespread federal antitrust probe.
The $2.25 Billion WPPSS Litigation
The WPPSS scandal, often referred to as the largest municipal bond default in U.S. history, directly implicated Fischbach and Moore, Inc. and its parent, Fischbach Corporation.
The litigation centered on the sale of $2.25 billion in municipal bonds intended to finance the construction of two nuclear power plants: WPPSS No. 4 (at the Hanford nuclear reservation) and WPPSS No. 5 (at Satsop). After the project was terminated, bondholders filed a massive civil suit seeking unspecified damages against numerous contractors and engineering firms, including Fischbach and Moore. The fallout from the default was catastrophic, creating a deep financial and legal quagmire for the company that persisted for years.
Federal Bid-Rigging and Antitrust Violations
Simultaneously, the Fischbach Corporation was under investigation for widespread antitrust violations, specifically involving bid-rigging on major electrical construction projects.
The United States government accused a number of the country’s largest electrical contractors and their employees of conspiring to violate antitrust laws. Fischbach and Moore, Inc. was named in the case, alongside prominent competitors such as The Howard P. Foley Company, Lord Electric Company, Inc., Sargent Electric Company, and E.C. Ernst, Inc.. These legal challenges, which included both civil suits and criminal investigations, severely damaged the company’s financial stability and public image, forcing a fundamental reassessment of its corporate structure and practices.
Fischbach & Moore Electric Group, LLC: The Modern Specialist
In the wake of the corporate turmoil and subsequent mergers, the electrical contracting operations continued under new ownership and a refined focus. The modern entity, Fischbach & Moore Electric Group, LLC, represents the continuation of the core electrical contracting business, particularly in the Northeast United States.
The current company, based out of Braintree, Massachusetts, was acquired by John McLaughlin and his business partners, who saw a unique opportunity to own a legacy electrical contracting company. This acquisition allowed the F&M name to persist in the heavy construction sector, albeit in a more specialized and regional capacity than the former national empire.
Key Focus Areas and Project Highlights
Today, Fischbach & Moore Electric Group, LLC operates as a highly respected heavy construction commercial and industrial electrical contractor, emphasizing innovative technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). Their portfolio is heavily focused on critical utilities and infrastructure projects, demonstrating a commitment to adapting to the demands of a changing electrical industry.
Recent and notable projects demonstrating the company’s current expertise include:
- Commuter Rail Expansion: Leading electrical work for the Middleborough Secondary & New Bedford Main Line Commuter Rail Expansion, a vital infrastructure undertaking in Massachusetts.
- Transportation Infrastructure: Providing essential electrical components for the Southampton Yard project.
- Major Public Works: Involvement in the UPS System replacements within the Central Artery, a major public works project in Boston.
- Utilities and Renovation: Active in the renovation of a water/sewer project in Quincy, Massachusetts, underscoring their utility and infrastructure capabilities.
Differentiating the Entities: Fischbach & Moore vs. Fischbach KG
A point of confusion in the corporate landscape is the existence of a separate, German-based company named Fischbach KG. It is crucial to note that Fischbach KG, a manufacturer and supplier of plastic cartridge systems for sealants and adhesives, is a distinct entity from the U.S. electrical contractor. Fresh news indicates that the German company has recently attracted significant investment, with Onex Corporation set to acquire a majority stake in Fischbach KG, highlighting a completely separate corporate trajectory in the packaging industry. This distinction confirms that the legacy of the American electrical contractor is carried solely by the Fischbach & Moore Electric Group, LLC.
From the height of the Fischbach Corporation's power and the shadows of the WPPSS default and antitrust litigation, the modern Fischbach & Moore Electric Group, LLC has successfully navigated a challenging corporate environment. It stands today as a testament to the endurance of specialized expertise, focusing on the complex electrical and industrial projects that define modern infrastructure, far removed from the dramatic corporate battles of the past.
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