Pinto Construction Group was founded in 1987 by Richard Pinto Sr., a taper by trade who learned the craft firsthand from his father, Manuel Pinto Sr., a proud union tradesman. What began as a family-driven drywall and framing company in Palos Hills, Illinois has grown into a leading MBE/DBE subcontracting firm serving Chicagoland, Northwest Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin.
Still led by founder Richard Sr., with the next generation now actively involved in the business, Pinto Construction Group has earned a reputation for delivering complex, high-quality civil and commercial construction work. We’ve built strong relationships with general contractors across the region, known not only for our craftsmanship but also for our reliability, responsiveness, and ability to deliver under tight timelines. Whether it’s a large-scale infrastructure project or a highly detailed specialty install, we bring the same level of care, coordination, and commitment.
Known for tackling complex, detail-driven scopes, we're often brought in for specialty work—metal ceilings, polycarbonate panel systems, and high-performance paint finishes. We lead federally funded projects across Chicago and were proud to be named CTA’s 2022 DBE Subcontractor of the Year for our Irving Park Escalator and Canopy Project.
As Americans were pulled from farms to fight abroad or toil in bomb factories, the U.S. government responded by recruiting temporary “guest workers” from Mexico to temporarily fill job gaps created by the war.
One of the Mexicans who traveled north was 25-year-old Manuel Pinto, who had faced an uncertain future in Ciudad Guzman, a city of about 85,000 that lies in a valley just below El Fresnito.
After the war ended, Pinto began mixing drywall joint compound at a company in Blue Island. Each time his supervisors gave him a day’s work, Pinto said, he finished by noon.
“I was desperate for something to do,” said Pinto, now a burly 71-year-old. Pinto learned to tape drywall joints, and became one of the first Hispanics to join Chicago’s branch of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. And when a friend started a construction company, Pinto joined in 1956 as its drywalling foreman.
That break opened up chances for better lives for his family and acquaintances. Pinto estimates that he secured union taping jobs for at least 100 people from Mexico.
“They were working every minute,” he said.
Now retired and living in the south suburbs, Pinto is a legendary figure. “Manuel Pinto was the first. He opened up the jobs for everyone,” said Manuel Jimenez, who followed him to Chicago.
Chicago Tribune September 26th, 2004.
Our mission is to deliver exceptional commercial construction services with integrity, professionalism, and precision. As an MBE/DBE-certified subcontractor, we are committed to building strong partnerships, exceeding industry standards, and advancing diverse and inclusive opportunities across the Chicagoland region.
Our vision is to be the leading MBE/DBE-certified construction partner in the Midwest—recognized for our quality craftsmanship, trusted service, and long-standing impact on the communities we serve. We strive to shape the future of construction through innovation, reliability, and a continued dedication to excellence.
Partner with Pinto Construction Group Inc. and experience reliable, high-quality construction services from a trusted industry leader.
