Morrison Construction Company celebrates 100 years of excellence, strengthening the industrial backbone of America
Reaching a centennial milestone is a rare and remarkable achievement in any industry. For Morrison Construction Company, celebrating 100 years is not just about longevity; it’s a testament to resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Founded in 1925 as Cities Construction, the company was later renamed Morrison Construction Company in 1939. What began as a regional industrial and municipal constructor soon grew into a top-tier heavy industrial contractor, completing projects in pipelines, refineries, nuclear power plants, and steel mills.
Morrison was a family-owned business for three generations, with leadership passed down through the Morrison family. This strong foundation of family stewardship helped establish a culture of integrity, quality, and dedication to industrial excellence. At its peak, Morrison employed over 3000 workers and ranked among the Top 400 Contractors by ENR Magazine. Like many companies in the industrial sector, Morrison faced economic challenges, particularly during the 1980s. However, with strong leadership, a strategic recovery plan, and an unwavering commitment to quality, the company rebounded. This turnaround set the stage for its most transformative decision yet: transitioning to an employee-owned business in 1999.
Morrison has thrived by embracing innovation and adaptability. Today, the company is expanding into other Midwestern states, extending its expertise to a growing number of industrial clients. Just as it has navigated past market shifts, Morrison remains committed to seeking new opportunities while maintaining its strong roots in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.
Innovation and technological advancements
A driving force behind Morrison’s continued success is its investment in cutting-edge technology. The company has incorporated 3D CAD modeling, laser scanning, prefabrication, and modularization into its processes, improving project efficiency and reducing costs. These advancements enhance planning accuracy, minimize material waste, and increase overall productivity, bringing modern solutions to an industry that has traditionally resisted change.
Excellence in industrial services and collaborative partnerships
Morrison’s expertise was exemplified in 2019 with a groundbreaking blast furnace reline project. The company successfully completed an external stave change, an operation that had never been performed in the US without entering the furnace. By executing the project in less than ten days, Morrison significantly reduced client downtime, saving tens of millions in lost revenue and reinforcing its reputation for tackling complex industrial challenges with precision and efficiency.
Morrison is renowned for its expertise in managing blast furnace outage operations, providing critical services that keep steel production facilities operating with minimal downtime. In addition, the company offers comprehensive maintenance programs for both the steel and petrochemical industries, ensuring safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability.
Beyond maintenance, Morrison works closely with clients in new facility construction, helping companies expand and modernize their infrastructure. By partnering with industrial leaders to improve existing facilities and construct new ones, Morrison plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of manufacturing and heavy industry.
Morrison’s success is also deeply tied to its long-standing relationships with vendors and subcontractors. Many of these partnerships have spanned generations, and are built on trust, fairness, and ethical business practices. By maintaining collaborative and reliable industry connections, Morrison ensures high-quality execution across all projects, further strengthening its reputation as a premier industrial contractor.
Morrison is also proud to play a role in protecting and strengthening US manufacturing, ensuring that industrial construction remains clean, efficient, and safe. The company prioritizes environmental responsibility and workplace safety, setting the highest industry standards for sustainable construction practices. Strong labor relations further enhance Morrison’s ability to achieve high productivity and accountability on all projects, reinforcing its position as an industry leader.
Employee ownership: a culture of commitment 
Employee ownership has become a cornerstone of Morrison’s culture, as past President, Dan Sharpe explains: “As owners, our employees have a vested interest in our success. It’s more than just a job; it’s a commitment to excellence that has carried us through 100 years.”
This shared sense of ownership fosters teamwork, dedication, and a collective responsibility for the company’s long-term success. Many employees describe Morrison as a second family, where strong professional relationships and a deep culture of trust, respect, and collaboration make it a place where people take pride in building their careers.
The company also prioritizes employee development and well-being, ensuring that team members have opportunities for growth and advancement. Whether through specialized training programs, career development initiatives, or fostering a supportive workplace environment, Morrison remains committed to its core values of collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement.
Looking to the future
As the industrial landscape evolves, so will Morrison by adapting to emerging trends, sustainability demands, and new technological advancements. Whether through automation, green construction practices, or expanded geographic reach, Morrison is committed to remaining at the forefront of industrial innovation.
“It will look different,” says Mark Winter, President of Morrison Construction, “but it will be here, bigger and better than ever.” With a century-long legacy built on safety, integrity, and innovation, Morrison will continue to be an invaluable partner to its clients, employees, and industry partners for generations to come.
As Morrison celebrates 100 years, it does so with pride in its past and confidence in its future. The legacy of J.M. Morrison lives on; not just in the structures built over the decades, but in the employees, partners, vendors, subcontractors, and communities that have shaped the company’s remarkable journey. Here’s to the next 100 years of excellence.