Company History | Korte & Luitjohan Contractors

Logo for K&L Contractors: Black

OUR STORY


HUMBLE BEGINNINGS


Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. (K&L) is a family-owned general contractor in Highland, Illinois. We offer design-build, construction management and general contractor services throughout the St. Louis Metro East and Southern Illinois.


In 1958, Cyril B. “Pete” Korte established the company when he borrowed $500 from his father-in-law to buy a rubber-tired trencher. He began installing gas services for Illinois Power in the City of Highland. A year later, Pete’s brother-in-law, Joe Luitjohan, joined him in the underground utility business. For 23 years, the company grew as a dependable underground utility contractor.


In 1981, Pete bought Joe’s interest in the company and K&L began working in the heavy construction market. Ever growing and ever mindful of opportunities in the construction market, Korte & Luitjohan Contractors steadily expanded its scope in three major construction markets – building, heavy and utility


A light-colored tractor with a raised bucket, driven by a person, in front of a barn.
Check from Farmers and Merchants Bank, Highland, Ill. with handwritten amounts and signatures.
Two men digging in a dark earthen pit, one holding a tool, the other using a shovel.
Two men holding an object, seated in front of a company sign that reads
Check from Farmers and Merchants Bank, Highland, Ill. with handwritten amounts and signatures.
Trophy with a diamond top and hands holding it. Black base with an engraved plaque.

OUR STORY


BUILDING ON SUCCESS


In 1984, Korte & Luitjohan completed construction of its first wastewater treatment plant in St. Jacob, Illinois — a project that marked an important step in expanding beyond underground utility work.


By 1995, the company’s dedication to reliability and performance earned recognition from Midwest Truckers, naming K&L as its Member of the Year.


In 1996, K&L achieved another milestone with the completion of its first major building project — a 75,000-square-foot factory for Rehkemper & Sons Truss Company. This project helped solidify the company’s presence in commercial construction.


Two years later, in 1998, the business officially became Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., reflecting its growth and evolution from an underground excavating firm to a full-service general contractor.


In 2004, K&L was honored as the Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year by the SIU Edwardsville School of Business, a recognition of its strong leadership, community values, and multigenerational commitment to excellence.


By 2007, K&L had completed construction of its new office and shop facility — a modern space designed with sustainability in mind, emphasizing the company’s early adoption of green construction practices and forward-thinking design.


OUR STORY


ENTERING A NEW ERA


In 2010, Korte & Luitjohan was awarded its largest project to date — the $41 million Belleville Water Reclamation Facility, a major infrastructure milestone that highlighted the company’s expertise in large-scale public works.



By 2012, K&L had joined forces with McCarthy Building Companies to construct the new St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, Illinois. The project represented a significant achievement in healthcare construction and showcased K&L’s ability to deliver complex facilities serving the community’s needs.



In 2013, K&L completed the Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia, Illinois, a landmark project that combined craftsmanship and architectural detail to create a lasting place of worship.



By 2017, the company reached new heights with the completion of 11 South, a five-story, Class A office building in Columbia, IL, expanding K&L’s commercial portfolio with modern, high-quality design. That same year, K&L was recognized as a finalist in the AGCMO Keystone Awards for its renovation of the Washington County Courthouse in Nashville, Illinois, a testament to its dedication to preserving historic structures while enhancing functionality and efficiency.


A light-colored tractor with a raised bucket, driven by a person, in front of a barn.
Check from Farmers and Merchants Bank, Highland, Ill. with handwritten amounts and signatures.
Two men digging in a dark earthen pit, one holding a tool, the other using a shovel.
Office building with glass facade, red brick, and the AFI logo. Two American flags fly overhead, with rose bushes in front.
Group photo of employees in front of the K & L building, many in work attire.
Church building with brick exterior, green roof, steeple with cross, and front entrance, under blue sky.

ENTERING A NEW ERA


MILESTONES & GROWTH


In 2018, Korte & Luitjohan Contractors celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking a major milestone in the company’s history. That same year, Pete Korte retired as president and passed the leadership to Gregg Korte. K&L was also honored as a finalist in the AGCMO Keystone Awards for its work remodeling the Pet Dairy Production Facility in O’Fallon, Illinois.


In 2019, K&L completed the $17 million Collinsville Water Treatment Plant, a significant infrastructure project that reflected the company’s growing capabilities and continued commitment to quality.


In 2020, the company marked its 50th anniversary as a member of the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA), highlighting decades of involvement and leadership within the regional construction community.


In 2023, Pete Korte passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a lasting legacy of leadership, integrity, and dedication that continues to shape the company’s values today.