March 12, 2010, Vancouver – As Olympic athletes from around the world vie for gold, silver and bronze, Vancouver’s oldest company was recognized with another precious metal – platinum.

The Oppenheimer Group has once again been named among Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, earning the prestigious national award’s Platinum Club member status for the third consecutive year.

The full-service produce distributor and marketer first achieved the 50 Best honour in 2001, and has re-qualified annually ever since. The award selection entails a meticulous assessment process overseen by sponsors Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, The National Post and Queen’s School of Business. The recognition reflects the previous year’s performance.

A sampling of Oppenheimer greenhouse produce.

“Considering the complex nature of business in 2009, we are particularly honoured to qualify,” said John Anderson, Oppenheimer’s chairman, president and CEO. “Like other successful companies, we were especially strategic in our approach last year as we navigated carefully through the storm clouds. While our service to our growers and customers is always a priority, we took it especially to heart in the last 12 months, managing through the troubled economic times together.”

Established in 1993, Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program recognizes Canadian organizations that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.

While the award acknowledges solid performance in all of these disciplines, Anderson credits the recognition to the leadership of Oppenheimer’s executive team, and the efforts of people throughout the company.

Oppenheimer’s top management structure evolved in 2009, with the addition of Dawn Gray, senior vice-president in Sales, Marketing, and Categories, who officially joined Oppenheimer in January after a two-year stint as general manager at Oppenheimer’s grower-partner ENZA. Nigel Fripp, vice-president of finance, took over full responsibility for the company’s accounting and finance disciplines on Feb. 1. Josh Leichter was promoted to vice-president of sales, East Coast, in late 2009.

David Smith, vice-president of sales, celebrated his 20th anniversary with the company last year. Jerry Smirniotis, vice-president East Coast and stone fruit category director, will pass that same milestone in 2010. The team is rounded out by Oppenheimer veterans Marjorie Calibaba, vice-president of human resources, who has been with the company since 1998, and Doug Grant, vice-president and chief operations officer, whose tenure with the company extends back a decade and a half.

“Our leadership team is very strong, and with their guidance, our company continues to grow in the right direction,” Anderson said.

ABOUT THE “50 BEST MANAGED” PROGRAM

Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on three levels:

• Best Managed winner (one of the 50 new winners selected each year).

• Re-qualified member (repeat winners retain the Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review).

• Platinum Club member (winners that maintain Best Managed status for a minimum of six consecutive years.)

Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post, and Queen's School of Business. For further information, visit www.canadas50best.com.

ABOUT THE OPPENHEIMER GROUP

Founded  over 150 years ago in Victoria, B.C., The Oppenheimer Group is a leading North American fresh produce company, sourcing over 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables from more than 25 countries and delivering them to retailers, wholesalers and foodservice operators throughout the U.S. and Canada. The full-service marketer has offices throughout North and South America and relationships with growers around the world to ensure a 52-week supply of preferred produce items, including apples, pears, kiwifruit, grapes, pineapple, citrus, berries, stone fruit and greenhouse-grown vegetables.

For more information, visit www.oppyproduce.com.