Top Workplaces 2025: The Midwest Companies Cultivates Growth and Consensus
The Midwest Companies is ranked 39th among small employers on the Chicago Tribune’s list of Top Workplaces. Founded in 1969 on a 5-acre plot, the company has expanded over 50 years to 700 acres of nursery facilities in St. Charles and Virgil, Illinois, as well as Glenn, Michigan.
Business Operations and Expansion
The company grows and distributes plants to landscape architects and other professionals through its division, Midwest Groundcovers. Recently, it expanded with Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies, which produces and sells soil to nurseries and horticulture businesses.
Family Ownership and Leadership
The Midwest Companies remains a family-owned business, originally founded by Peter Orum and his wife, Irma. Today, leadership is under their daughter, Christa Orum-Keller, and her husband, Craig.
Employee Roles and Regional Impact
At the nurseries, employees care for shrubs, flowers, and other plants used in landscaping projects. Their plants are featured in notable locations, such as Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden in Chicago, and numerous sites across the Midwest.
“Defining the company culture is vital to having a successful business and ensuring we find the best employees for the job.” — Christa Orum-Keller
Ranking Recognition
The ranking as 39th among small employers was determined by Energage, a consultancy based in Exton, Pennsylvania, for the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces list.
Author's Summary
The Midwest Companies leverages its deep family roots and strong culture to grow sustainably, earning recognition as a top workplace in the Midwest landscaping industry.