In 1922, Tonn and Blank Construction Company was founded in Michigan City as a partnership between C.W. Tonn and J.G. Blank. That same year, Tonn and Blank completed its very first project: construction of the coal shoot in their home town. Since that year, Tonn and Blank grew rapidly to meet the needs of the growing market and economy. The company was incorporated in the State of Indiana in 1929, and, in 1936, offered value-added capabilities to complement its core construction business. Clients including Valparaiso University, J.C. Penney, and Purdue University were among the first to benefit from Tonn and Blank’s additional services.

In ensuing years, Tonn and Blank continued to expand its capabilities, services, areas of expertise, and ultimately, its market presence that extended beyond Michigan City into other areas of Northwest Indiana and the Midwest – from the Mississippi River to the Allegheny Mountains.

In April of 1998, the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc. purchased the company and renamed it Alverno Construction Corporation d/b/a Tonn and Blank Construction. Since that time, we have, once again, expanded our capabilities and enhanced our technical expertise and managerial skills and are committed to continuous improvement to sustain our reputation as a premier resource for contracting, design/build, and construction management services.

In managing our business, we also continue to search for and explore ways to reduce our overhead costs in order to be the "low-cost producer" without, in any way, compromising the quality of the product or service rendered. We intend to take this same approach to your project, making every effort to control expenditures to provide the best quality/price/value/ for each dollar expended.

We are proud of the work we have done since 1922. Continual growth in personnel and in the many construction disciplines has helped us build a solid foundation to accommodate virtually any construction-based need. This, in turn, helps grow our client base, forges client loyalties, and creates a reputation as a trusted partner in the construction industry.

Our solid foundation is
exemplified by the following:

• A skilled, experienced workforce of over 300 dedicated Tonn and Blank employees – many of whom have been with the company for upwards of 40 years.
• Financial strength achieved through controlled, strategic growth and cost maximization measures. Tonn and Blank operates on a zero-debt basis.
• The dedication to get to know our clients – what they do, how they work, what they want, and what they  need. Only through building an excellent client rapport can we build  a facility that lives up to their demands...and expectations.
• The consistent ability to apply our education, skills, experience, and keen insight into every project we undertake. We are more than contractors or builders; we are innovative problem solvers and your trusted partner.