The Oppenheimer Group is celebrating its 165-year legacy of “delivering exceptional quality fruits and vegetables to customers worldwide,” according to a news release.
Nearly a decade before Canada became a country, four immigrant brothers opened Oppenheimer Bros. & Co. on Vancouver Island, providing supplies to fortune-seekers drawn by the gold rush, according to the company.
Now commonly known by its nickname Oppy, the company’s 165th anniversary coincides with David Oppenheimer Day, celebrated July 12 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The day serves as a tribute to one of Oppy’s visionary founders, who set a precedent for the company’s enduring success and went on to serve as the city’s second mayor and is credited with establishing much of its infrastructure, according to the release.
Oppenheimer’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence continue to inspire Oppy’s operations and values to this day, the release said.
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“We are proud to celebrate our 165th anniversary, an incredible milestone that exemplifies Oppy’s longevity and enduring success,” Chair, CEO and Managing Partner John Anderson said in the release.
Anderson was hired by Oppenheimer descendant David Godfrey Oppenheimer in 1975, just seven years after the company’s perishables department spun off into its own company, the release said.
“This year is doubly meaningful as we also reflect on our 20-year promise, expect the world from us — the driving force behind Oppy’s pursuit of delivering the finest produce from around the globe while exceeding expectations,” Anderson said in the release. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated team, and our customers and partners for their unwavering support and trust in Oppy. There is much to celebrate and much to be proud of, but as always, we are steadfast in our focus on the future as we navigate today’s dynamic environment. Our adaptability sets Oppy apart and brought us to these two key milestones in our history.”
Oppy was recently honored as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the 22nd time, along with being named among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures in 2023.
