Top Workplaces 2025: The Midwest Companies Cultivate 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 to 700 acres of nursery facilities across St. Charles and Virgil, Illinois, and Glenn, Michigan.
Growth and Expansion
The company grows and distributes plants to landscape architects and professionals via Midwest Groundcovers. Recently, it added Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies, which produces and sells soil to nurseries and horticulture businesses. Both operate under The Midwest Companies, a family-owned business founded by Peter Orum and his wife, Irma.
Leadership and Company Culture
Today, the company is led by Peter’s daughter, Christa Orum-Keller, and her husband, Craig. The Midwest Companies' ranking on the Top Workplaces list was determined by Energage, a consultancy based in Exton, Pennsylvania.
Employee Role and Impact
Employees at the nurseries care for shrubs, flowers, and other plants used in landscaping projects. Their plants have been featured in parks and buildings throughout Chicago—most notably Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden—as well as across the Midwest.
“Defining the company culture is vital to having a successful business and ensuring they find the best employees for the job.” – Orum-Keller
Author’s summary: The Midwest Companies demonstrates sustained growth and strong leadership, fostering a workplace culture that supports quality and community impact through family-driven values.
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