Seymour Midwest Company Timeline

Historical Timeline – Seymour Midwest

154+ Years and Counting

Est. 1872 · Seymour, Indiana

Years and Counting

From Our Hands to Yours Since 1872

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The Founding Era1872 – 1910

1872

Seymour Manufacturing Company Founded — April 18, 1872

Ten citizens of Seymour incorporated the company at 500 N. Broadway between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Among the founders was F.M. Swope, its first president. The company took over wagon spoke and snath production almost immediately after the Indiana State Prison ceased manufacturing — with some of its first orders coming directly from the Studebaker Company in South Bend.

1875

The Birge Family Takes Ownership

F.M. Swope, E.K. Holton, Julius C. Birge of St. Louis, and Lynn Faulkconer buy out the remaining original stockholders. Birge eventually becomes majority owner — his family would operate the business for the next 137 years, one of the longest continuous family ownerships in American manufacturing history. Faulkconer served as Seymour's city treasurer in 1879.

1900

Growth & Scale

By 1885 the factory had grown to two brick buildings on 2.5 acres, each powered by 50-horsepower steam engines, with 90–100 employees and annual sales of $100,000 — products shipping to St. Louis and directly to major cities nationwide. By 1904, the workforce reaches 125 as the company continues expanding its line of agricultural implements.

1904

Hall Manufacturing Acquired

Seymour Manufacturing expands by acquiring the Hall Manufacturing Company in northern Indiana — makers of posthole diggers and augers. The move broadens the product line significantly and sets the stage for Seymour to eventually control 70% of the American posthole digger market.

The Expansion Years1920s – 1940s

1922

Seymour® Acquires Dunn Edge Tool & North Indianapolis Cradle Works

Two strategic acquisitions expand the product portfolio and manufacturing capacity, strengthening Seymour®'s position as a leading tool maker.

1940s

Seymour® Joins the War Effort

During WWII, Seymour® retools to manufacture starter cartridges for aircraft, magazines for small arms, and wooden wheelbarrows. The product line expands further to include hog rings and specialized agricultural tools.

Mid-Century Growth1950s – 1970s

1950

Post-War Prosperity

With the war behind them, Seymour® expands its consumer product range, bringing quality hand tools into American homes.

1950s – 1990s

Decades of Agricultural Excellence

For four decades, Seymour® deepens its commitment to the agricultural market, becoming the go-to source for farmers and professional tradespeople across North America.

1955

Enters the Fireplace Market

Seymour Manufacturing diversifies into the home market with a line of wood-handle fireplace tool sets and accessories. Within twelve years the fireplace line accounts for $250,000 in annual revenue — proving the company's ability to grow well beyond its agricultural roots.

1972

100th Anniversary — Seymour's Oldest Industry

Seymour Manufacturing celebrates its centennial as the oldest industry in Seymour, Indiana. Indianapolis retailer L.S. Ayres honors the company as one of nine Indiana businesses reaching 100 years. Employees received a four-layer birthday cake and 110 individual cakes. A ceremonial scythe was presented to honor the legacy of wooden tool handles.

The Acquisition Era1990 – 2011

1990

Midwest Rake® Founded

Midwest Rake® is founded in Warsaw, Indiana as a family-owned manufacturer of professional-grade long handle tools, beginning a parallel legacy that would eventually unite with Seymour®.

1995

Seymour® Acquires Structron Corporation

Seymour® acquires Structron Corporation, a manufacturer of fiberglass handles and tools, significantly expanding the range of handle materials and professional-grade products. At the time of acquisition, Seymour employs 118 in Indiana with annual sales exceeding $10 million.

2004

Seymour® Acquires O.P. Link

Seymour® acquires O.P. Link, Inc. and its extensive replacement handle business, adding thousands of handle SKUs to the product catalog.

2005

Midwest Rake® Acquires Kenyon®

Midwest Rake® acquires Kenyon®, expanding its product portfolio and customer reach in the professional tool market.

2006

Featured on History Channel's Modern Marvels

Seymour Manufacturing is featured in History Channel's Modern Marvels, covering the design and manufacture of hand shovels. CEO Berl Grant and marketing manager Jack Mendell appear on camera — national recognition of American tool craftsmanship built over more than 130 years.

2007

Midwest Rake® Acquires Toolite®

Midwest Rake® acquires Toolite®, adding a comprehensive line of shovels, scoops, and coatings tools to the growing portfolio.

2008

Midwest Rake® Acquires Northstar

Midwest Rake® acquires Northstar, further expanding its brand portfolio and market reach.

The Modern Brand2012 – Present

2012

Seymour® & Midwest Rake® Join Forces

Two industry leaders unite their operations, combining decades of expertise under one roof for the first time.

2013

Seymour Midwest® is Born

The unified brand officially launches as Seymour Midwest® — a single, powerful name behind a family of trusted professional tool brands.

2016

Structron® Safety Launched

A dedicated safety-focused product line under the Structron® brand launches, addressing the growing demand for high-visibility tools in hazardous work environments.

2018

EasySqueegee® Launched

A breakthrough in squeegee design, EasySqueegee® brings patent-pending innovation to the coatings professional market.

2019

SpeedSqueegee® Launched

Offers tremendous value at a lower price point, while providing all of the features you have come to rely upon from Midwest Rake® tools.

2020

New SeymourMidwest.com Launches

A fully rebuilt e-commerce website debuts, giving customers an easier way to browse 3,500+ tools and 8,000+ replacement handles — all from one family-owned source.

2020

Spiked Rollers Launched

Premium quality and engineered to provide maximum performance to minimize outgassing and promote leveling characteristics of resinous coatings as well as resurfacing materials of all types.

2020

Seymour S400 WorkCrew™ Launched

Contractor grade construction, components & craftsmanship.

Celebrating 150 Years · 2022

2022 — 150 Years of American Craftsmanship

On April 21, 2022 — exactly 150 years after a small tool factory opened its doors in Seymour, Indiana — Seymour Midwest® marks one of the most significant milestones in American hand tool manufacturing history. A century and a half of family ownership, uncompromising craftsmanship, and tools built to outlast the job. Very few American manufacturers can claim this legacy. We are proud to be one of them.

2023

SpeedSqueegee® HD Launched

Ideal for high volume deck coating, waterproofing, and urethane installations. Field tested to be lighter than the competition.

2023

SureSpikes® Launched

Our new SureSpikes® spiked shoes are certain to become the industry standard when compared to competitive "one-size-fits-all" polypropylene footwear available today.

2024

Ultimate Trowel® Launched

Designed to outperform competitive products in the marketplace. It offers best-in-class durability with a unique co-extruded blade and design, which will not tear and separate with use on concrete applications and markets.

2026

A Brand New Digital Experience

154 years of history deserves a modern stage. In 2026, Seymour Midwest® embarks on a comprehensive digital brand refresh — reimagining the online experience with a new design system, richer content, and better tools for customers and trade professionals alike. The story of American craftsmanship, told better than ever. And we're just getting started.

July 4, 2026 · America's 250th Birthday

154 of America's 250 Years

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, Seymour Midwest® has been crafting American-made tools for 154 of them — more than half the nation's entire existence. We were here for the Industrial Revolution, two World Wars, the Space Age, and everything in between. Built in America. Proud of it. Always.

154/250years crafting
American tools

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