Midwest Rake Co. LLC, located in Warsaw, Ind., has purchased Seymour Manufacturing Co. Inc., headquartered in Seymour, Ind. The effective date of the acquisition was September 28, 2012. Both companies are tool manufacturers, serving multiple markets both domestically and internationally. Each will continue to operate independently with existing management in place, requiring no change in customer relationships as it would pertain to the ongoing conduct of business.
Midwest Rake is a 22-year-old family-owned and -operated manufacturer and supplier of longhandled tools used in a variety of markets and work environments. Midwest Rake products are sold and in use domestically and internationally, under the Midwest Rake, Kenyon, Northstar and Toolite labels. Midwest Rake is also known for its OEM and private label capabilities. Many of Midwest Rake’s products are crafted in Indiana.
Seymour Manufacturing began its history in Seymour, Ind. in 1872, three years before the first telephone, as a manufacturer of wagon wheel spokes. Purchased by Semple and Birge Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Mo. in 1875, Seymour has remained in the Birge family since that time. During the middle of the last century, Seymour established its reputation of providing the market with high quality digging tools and snaths. Under the leadership of Berl Grant, the Company embarked on a program of product line expansion that included the acquisition of Structron and its line of fiberglass handled tools in 1995, and more recently, O.P. Link, Inc. and its replacement handle business. Today, Seymour sells more than 2,400 different lawn & garden tools, fireplace equipment and accessories. Seymour will continue to operate in Seymour, Ind. and all three Tennessee locations.
Customers of both Seymour and Midwest Rake can look forward to uninterrupted service, a greatly expanded product line made up of many American-made products, the perpetuation of the Seymour name, legacy and labels, and an unwavering commitment to first class service and total quality management. As many operational elements of both companies are responsibly integrated, the combined entity will provide greater opportunities for growth and efficiencies to enable us to better serve an increasing number of business partners and markets; thereby enhancing our competitive position within the same.
