The Midwest Companies has been recognized as one of the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for 2025, earning the 39th spot among small employers. The ranking, determined by the research firm Energage in Exton, Pennsylvania, highlights organizations with exceptional workplace cultures.
Established in 1969 by Peter and Irma Orum on a modest 5-acre nursery, The Midwest Companies has expanded over five decades to encompass 700 acres of growing facilities in St. Charles and Virgil, Illinois, as well as Glenn, Michigan. The enterprise now stands as a major player in the horticultural industry of the Midwest.
The company’s main divisions include Midwest Groundcovers, which cultivates and supplies plants to landscape architects and professionals, and Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies, which produces soil blends and related materials for nurseries and other horticultural operations. Both subsidiaries operate under the family-owned umbrella of The Midwest Companies.
Now led by the founders’ daughter, Christa Orum-Keller, and her husband, Craig Keller, the company continues to build on its strong values of collaboration and environmental stewardship.
“Defining the company culture is vital to building a successful business and finding the right people for the job,” said Christa Orum-Keller.
The Midwest Companies’ plants and materials support landscaping projects throughout the region, from corporate campuses to public parks, including notable work at Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, Chicago.
Author’s summary: For over half a century, The Midwest Companies has nurtured a thriving horticultural legacy built on family leadership, sustainable growth, and a strong workplace culture.