About MLCo
Your Partner In Success
With a long, steady history in a sometimes turbulent industry, MLCo is a privately held company founded in 1928. Private ownership means we take each business relationship personally. We’re all equally accountable for your success — and empowered to make decisions to support your business goals.
On Your Side Since 1928
For four generations, we’ve forged relationships with the world’s leading airlines. Our resources, transportation infrastructure, and expanding e-commerce initiatives help you more efficiently manage your airline supplies.
MLCo is listed and rated 5A1 by Dun & Bradstreet — generally regarded as the strongest rating assigned by D&B.
MLCo History
1920s–1950s
1928
Humble beginnings
After dropping out of high school to earn money so he could help his family, Leonard Simon founded the company in 1928. At that time, the company was known as Simon Products and was located on Van Buren Street in the Printers Row area of downtown Chicago.
1930s
Delving into food service
Simon Products initially started manufacturing binders, which they sold primarily to the printing industry. Eventually, Simon Products expanded their bindery business by venturing into food service and making menu binders for local restaurants.
1940s
Expanding and diversifying
As they immersed themselves in the food service industry, Simon Products formed a separate company, Midwest Cup & Supply, as an offshoot of their menu binder business.
New name, same vision
Midwest Cup & Supply sold equipment and supplies directly to restaurants. In the early 1940s, the company’s name was changed to Michael Lewis Company, although the Simon Products name still endures.
Ruth Simon, Leonard Simon’s spouse joined the company and for 40 years until her retirement in 1984 performed multiple functions including operations, finance, accounting and office management forming a team with her husband who was tasked with all sales and marketing responsibilities.
1950s
Making progress with fast food
Michael Lewis Company capitalized on America’s fast food boom by stocking paper cups, napkins, straws, ketchup, syrups and other industry essentials servicing a number of national fast food restaurant chains.
A New Home
The company grew steadily and purchased its first building in Chicago at 3211 W. Grand in 1954. A second building was soon purchased around the corner at 943 N. Spaulding to allow for expanded distribution.
1960s–1990s
1964
Continuous Growth
One great success followed another, and in 1964, Michael Lewis Company moved to a new 40,000-square-foot, build-to-suit facility in Melrose Park, Illinois.
Louise
While the new location was well-suited for business, it was not accessible by public transportation, and a young shipping clerk named Louise could no longer get to work via bus. Louise feared she would lose her job. But instead, Leonard Simon enrolled this valued employee in driving school and helped her buy a car. The shipping department never missed a beat, and Louise went on to serve the company with devotion for more than 60 years. Sadly, she passed away in 2010. She will be forever missed by the Michael Lewis family and appreciated for the lasting impression she left on the company.
1965
Taking to the skies
Entering the world of airline logistics
Later in 1964, Leonard Simon’s wife, Ruth, was answering the phone in Customer Service when she received a request for custom-molded liquor stir sticks from the food service director at Ozark Airlines. That inquiry led to Michael Lewis Company’s expansion into the local service airline industry, including business with North Central Airlines, Allegheny Airlines and Piedmont Airlines.
1970s
Increased food service offerings
Michael Lewis Company bought a used 120-square-foot grocery store cooler in the early 1970s. The cooler was placed in the Melrose Park warehouse, and thus they began their foray into perishables, storing chilled and frozen foods.
1981
Crossing state lines
In 1981, Michael Lewis Company’s longtime client North Central Airlines (now a part of Delta) informed them that they needed a supplier with storage facilities in Arizona. In response, the company rented a 10,000-square-foot warehouse and staffed it with three employees. The Arizona facility expanded to include a 100,000-square-foot distribution center in Phoenix. With plans for the future, we have now opened a new and larger facility on a 30-acre property, in Goodyear, Arizona (near Phoenix), in 2017 to replace our older building.
1990s
Expanding into Europe
In 1994, Michael Lewis Company won a competitive bid on airline business in Europe and opened its first warehouse in the United Kingdom and later relocated from the UK to the Netherlands to better service their customers needs.
2000s–Today
2004
Spreading throughout America
In the mid-2000s, Michael Lewis Company achieved greater efficiency and customer outreach when it added five satellite warehouses throughout the United States. Spread across Colorado, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Nevada, these locations allow Michael Lewis Company to more effectively meet customer needs, particularly with high-volume dry goods.
2009
On the move
After completing construction in 2008, Michael Lewis Company moved to its new World Headquarters in McCook, Illinois—a stone’s throw away from Chicago Midway International Airport and major interstate highways.
Built for complete service
The Michael Lewis Company World Headquarters has it all, from a full-scale test kitchen to expansive meeting rooms fit for wine tastings, conferences, corporate trainings and more. The north wall of the 400,000-square-foot dry goods warehouse is removable, designed for future expansion onto 18 acres of additional property.
2010
Always improving service offerings
Michael Lewis Company became a Foreign-Trade Zone in 2010. Bonded services are available throughout warehouse facilities worldwide, enabling the company’s global customers to reap greater financial rewards.
2025
Today and onward
While Michael Lewis Company approaches 100 years of growth and achievement, they also look forward to a future of service and success alongside their airline partners.
From a fledgling bindery business to a global airline logistics and supply chain management firm with over 400 employees, Michael Lewis Company continues to satisfy customers throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Sustainability
Good for your business … and the environment
Our new state of the art McCook and Goodyear Distribution Centers shine a light on our commitment to sustainability. Designed to meet LEED green building standards, our facility features the latest in energy efficient design.
From advanced electric forklift charging stations to high-performance ammonia refrigeration and high-speed doors that keep cold rooms cool, MLCo is committed to old-fashioned service, support and values in the most modern and efficient of settings.