Lang Worker in Factory

What Is the American Midwest Work Ethic?

You may have heard about the American Midwest work ethic but never stopped to ask, “What does that mean exactly?” The American Midwest work ethic is sometimes described as, “An unwaveringly belief that hard work and perseverance pays off in the long run.” It is also said that, “People in the Midwest are willing to rise earlier, work harder and stay longer to get the job done” and “Midwesterners are genuinely friendly and willing to help others.”

What makes them that way? The Midwest work ethic is often attributed to our region’s deep agricultural roots, because, well, a farmer’s job is really never done. If there are crops to be planted, livestock to feed, or dairy cows to be milked, work stops when the task is done, regardless of the day of the week or hours already spent. If someone needs a little help, a neighboring farmer will often show up to lend a hand, without expecting payment in return.

We think that Art Director Landon Beamer described our Midwest work ethic perfectly in a documentary he helped produce about the common values of people who live in the Midwest, Project Heartland, Life in the Heart of America: “As our eight-state journey ended, it was not difficult to see what values meant the most to the people interviewed. Hard work, caring for the community, a sense of humbleness, close family ties, and doing what was right were all key ingredients tossed into this Midwest melting pot. The people we met were helpful, loving, honest, proud yet modest, and unafraid to get their hands dirty. These values shaped their character, their communities, and their day-to-day lives in the heart of our country. And it’s a trip that I’ll never forget.”

We are proud to be a Midwest company

As Midwesterners ourselves, we see the American Midwest work ethic practiced every single day throughout our Lang Furniture workforce. Every piece of Lang Furniture is made in our Marshfield and Spencer, Wisconsin plants by individuals who believe in the core values of hard work, caring for the community, and doing what is right. We know that our employees are extremely proud of what they do. They work as a team to ensure that our customers are 100% satisfied with each and every product we make. 

Our management team believes in the same values. Led by the second generation of the Lang family, we are committed to designing, producing and delivering exemplary products at the best possible price and providing the highest level of customer satisfaction. In the age of relationship-based business, delivering on our promises is of the utmost importance.


Lang Furniture manufactures quality bedroom furniture for the hospitality industry, home and senior living. All of our furniture is made in the United States, in the heart of Wisconsin.

Lang Furniture
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