Our History

From high rises to hospitals, factories to financial centers, laboratories to convention centers, retail malls and tenant spaces, from a single receptacle, telephone or data location to an entire mission critical data center, the Continental Electrical Construction Company is energy personified – powering up the City of Chicago.

THE EARLY YEARS
  • Harry Witz starts Continental Lighting Fixture Company in 1912 by marching door to door, selling electrical fuse panels and lighting.
  • We work to convert gas lighting to electric.
  • Continental Electrical Partnership formed.
  • Harry leads the company through the Great Depression.
MIDCENTURY CECCo
  • Continental Electrical Construction Company formed as an LLC.
  • Leo Witz becomes president in 1947.
  • In 1948, CECCo hits $1,000,000 annual sales mark.
  • For the first time in its history, CECCo has over 300 electricians on staff.
LATE 20th CENTURY

  • Continental finishes construction on the Sears Tower in 1972.

  • Gene Witz becomes president in 1973.

  • Continental continues to expand as William Witz becomes president in 1975.

  • In 1985, Continental surpasses 50 million square feet of project space.

  • Telecom Division, now Continental Technologies, formed in 1988.

THE NINETIES
  • In 1990, Continental’s Environmental Controls Division is formed.
  • Chuck Witz becomes president in 1998.
  • For the first year, Continental works 1,000,000 hours.
  • Continental joins Encompass in 1998.
MODERN CONTINENTAL
  • David Witz becomes president in 2000, while his brother, Steven, serves as Vice President.
  • The Witz family buys Continental back from Encompass in 2002.
  • In 2009, the Energy Solutions division is formed.
  • 2012 is our 100th year in business!
  • All three offices combine into one Oak Brook office in 2012.
  • Our warehouse moves from Hillside to Berkeley in 2019.
2020 AND BEYOND
  • David Chorley is named president.
  • The Witz family forms a holding company, FourGen Holdings, Inc. and Continental becomes a subsidiary.

Chicago’s Leading Electrical Contractor

Founded in 1912, Continental Electrical Construction Company is the number one electrical construction company in Chicago and it’s suburbs, as well as one of the largest in the Midwest. 

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