Top Workplaces 2025: The Midwest Companies Cultivates Growth and Consensus
The Midwest Companies ranks 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 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 Midwest Groundcovers. It has also recently added Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies, which produces and sells soil to nurseries and horticulture businesses.
Family-Owned and Leadership
The Midwest Companies operates under a family-owned structure established by Peter Orum and his wife, Irma. Currently, the business is led by their daughter, Christa Orum-Keller, and her husband, Craig.
Employee Role and Company Culture
Employees at the nurseries care for shrubs, flowers, and various plants used in major landscaping projects. Their plants have been featured in parks and buildings across the Midwest, including Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden in Chicago.
“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’ reputation as a top workplace reflects its focus on deep-rooted growth and fostering consensus.
Summary: The Midwest Companies, a family-led nursery business, leverages its long-standing roots and strong culture to grow its reach and maintain a top-ranked workplace.
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