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

THE EXCAVATING YEARS

1958

Pete Korte borrowed $500 from his father-in-law to buy a backhoe and rubber-tired trencher.



1959

Pete’s brother-in-law, Joe Luitjohan, joined him in the business, Korte & Luitjohan Excavating Contractors.

1979

K & L recorded an industry first when the firm buried 21-inch PVC pipe for the City of Troy’s sewer expansion. 

BUILDING ON SUCCESS

1984

K & L completed construction of their first Waste Water Treatment Plant in St. Jacob, IL.

1995

K&L is named by Midwest Truckers as its Member of the Year.

1996

K & L completed their first building construction, a 75,000 SF factory for Rehkemper & Sons Truss Company.

1998

The company changed its name from Korte & Luitjohan Excavating Contractors to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc.

2004

K & L is named Mississippi Valley Family Business of the Year by the SIU-Edwardsville School of Business.

2007

K & L’s new office and shop is built, with an emphasis on using green construction.

BUILDING A HIGHER STANDARD

2010

K & L is awarded its biggest project to date, the construction of the $41 million Belleville Water Reclamation Facility.

2012

K & L teamed with McCarthy to build the new St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.



2013

K & L completed Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia, IL.

2017

K & L completed the 5-story Class A office building at 11 South in Columbia, IL.

K & L is honored as a finalist in the AGCMO Keystone Awards for the renovation of the Washington County Courthouse in Nashville, IL.

ENTERING A NEW ERA

2018

K & L celebrated its 60th anniversary. Pete Korte retires as president and turns over the reins to Gregg Korte.

K & L is honored as a finalist in the AGCMO Keystone Awards for remodeling the Pet Dairy Production Facility in O’Fallon, IL.

2019

K & L completed the $17 million Collinsville Water Treatment Plant.

2020

K & L marked its 50th anniversary as a member of SIBA (Southern Illinois Builders Association).

2023

Pete Korte passed away at the age of 85.