Workers at Seymour Manufacturing Co. in Seymour, Indiana learned in October that they now work for a new company.
That news came with assurances from Midwest Rake Col of Warsaw, Indiana that they will continue to have their jobs and continue to make long-handled toold under the Seymour Manufacturing name.
Jeff Plank, a co-owner of Midwest Rake, and Berl Grant of Seymour Manufacturing shared a common theme in discussing the sale with employees – the purchase holds strong opportunities for both businesses, and each is a good fit for the other.
“Midwest Rake is honored to have been selected to lead Seymour into the future,” Plank said. “We appreciate both the distinctive faith and confidence being placed on us and welcome the responsibility we are assuming.”
Grant said it was important to the Birge family, owners of Seymour Manufacturing since its founding in 1872, to a find a buyer that would be intent on keeping the company open and its workers on the job.
“They felt it importnat to find a buyer who needed and wanted the company,” Grant said. “That’s why it’s taken so long to find the right buyer, and we think we have done that.”
The Birge family decided 10 years ago the best plan for continuing the company was to sell it, Grant said, adding many potential suitors were dismissed over those 10 years. Talks with Midwest Rake began over a year ago, although the firms have done business with each other for many years.
“This merger gives us confidence the Seymour Manufacturing’s 140-year legacy will not only be preserved but enhanced by the combined resources of the two companies,” Dr. Clifford Birge said on behalf of his family.
Plank said the merger offers both divisions thousands of potential new customers, although they do share some common clients. “What’s exciting about the business opportunity is both of us have more then 3,000 customers each, but we share only 10-15% of those customers,” Plank said. “That’s a lot of potential new customers for Midwest Rake and Seymour.”
Seymour Manufacturing is best known for production of its manual post hole diggers. Midwest Rake is known for its rakes and other tools.
“We look forward to working with employees and customers alike as we begin this new and exciting era of controlled growth and opportunity for both Seymour Manufacturing and Midwest Rake,” added Bill Henthorn, president and chief executive officer for Midwest Rake.
Source: The Tribune, Seymour, IN 10.3.12