Two Indiana manufacturers merge

Midwest Rake Co. of Warsaw, Ind., has purchased Seymour Manufacturing Co., headquartered in Seymour, Ind., for an undisclosed sum. Both companies are outdoor hand tool manufacturers, serving multiple markets both domestically and internationally. 

Midwest Rake will continue to operate independently with existing management in place. At the same time, the companies will share in the breadth and diversity of each other’s product lines and customer base.

Midwest Rake Company is a 22-year-old family owned and operated manufacturer and supplier of long-handled 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. The company also provides OEM and private-label capabilities.

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 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 and its replacement handle business. Today, Seymour sells more than 2,400 different lawn and garden tools, fireplace equipment and accessories. Seymour will continue to operate in Seymour, Ind., and three Tennessee locations.