Top Workplaces 2025: The Midwest Companies Cultivate Growth and Consensus
The Midwest Companies is ranked 39th among small employers on the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces list. Founded in 1969 on a 5-acre plot, the company has expanded to 700 acres across facilities in St. Charles and Virgil, Illinois, as well as Glenn, Michigan.
Business Growth and Operations
The company grows and distributes plants primarily for landscape architects and other professionals through Midwest Groundcovers. Recently, it added Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies, which produces and sells soil to nurseries and horticulture businesses. These two operate under the family-owned umbrella of The Midwest Companies, founded by Peter Orum and his wife, Irma.
Leadership and Legacy
Today, the company is run by Peter’s daughter, Christa Orum-Keller, and her husband, Craig. Employees work in nurseries caring for shrubs, flowers, and other plants destined for landscaping projects.
Cultural Impact and Recognition
The company's plants have been featured in notable locations like Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden and other sites throughout the Midwest. The Midwest Companies’ culture is a critical component of its success and hiring strategy.
"For Orum-Keller, defining the company culture is vital to having a successful business and ensuring they find the best employees for the job."
The Chicago Tribune’s ranking is based on a survey by the consultancy Energage in Exton, Pennsylvania.
Author’s summary: The Midwest Companies leverage decades of family-driven growth and strong culture to thrive as a leading nursery and horticultural supplier in the Midwest region.