Top Workplaces 2025: The Midwest Companies Cultivates Growth Through Strong Roots
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 over 50 years to cover 700 acres of nursery facilities across St. Charles and Virgil, Illinois, and Glenn, Michigan.
Company Growth and Operations
The company cultivates and distributes plants to landscape architects and other professionals through Midwest Groundcovers. Recently, it expanded by adding Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies, which manufactures and sells soil to nurseries and horticulture operations.
Family-Owned Legacy
The Midwest Companies is a family-owned business, initially founded by Peter Orum and his wife, Irma. It is currently managed by their daughter, Christa Orum-Keller, and her husband, Craig.
Employee Role and Plant Contributions
Employees maintain shrubs, flowers, and other plants used in landscaping projects. Their plants have been featured in parks and buildings throughout Chicago, including Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden, as well as locations across the Midwest.
"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 Midwest Companies’ recognition reflects its commitment to growth, family values, and fostering a strong workplace culture.
Summary: The Midwest Companies thrives as a family-owned business deeply rooted in its community, combining growth with a strong, employee-focused culture to earn its spot among top workplaces.