WILLIAM CHARLES

AC Johnston & Son expanded in the Rockford area through owning and operating quarries and running one of the largest heavy highway construction and paving companies in Illinois, Rockford Blacktop. In 1982, Rockford Blacktop, the construction division, reorganized and a new holding company was formed, William Charles Ltd. with the construction company later operating as William Charles Construction. In 2005, William Charles acquired Ragnar Benson Construction, a 90 year-old general contracting and construction management company in the greater Chicago area. This acquisition expanded the construction group into the rail and large-scale excavation business with projects across the United States. William Charles sold its construction and rail business in 2018 to Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives Inc., which continues to operate under the name William Charles Construction and Ragnar Benson Construction.

Also known as: William Charles Ltd.

Primary location: Rockford United States