About Us

Bulkley Valley Wholesale is a grocery and food service wholesaler that has served northwest British Columbia for over forty-five years. We are part of a much larger organization known as the Overwaitea Food Group, a privately owned company that is a division of the Jim Pattison Group. The Jim Pattison Group is the third largest privately owned company in Canada with $ 4.7 Billion sales in 2004 and employing over 27000 people.

History:

In 1959 Leach brothers, Herb, Bill & Archie began a wholesale business selling confection and tobacco to business owners in the area surrounding their warehouse on Main St in Smithers BC. The approach of buying direct from manufacturers and servicing their customers well seemed to be a great business approach and it wasn’t long before Bulkley Valley Wholesale became a business that was positioned to prosper for years to come.

In 1973 Tom and John Leach purchased the business from their parents and carried the tradition forward for more than thirty years with tremendous growth and success. This also meant moving and expanding to the current location on Hwy 16. In 2000, requests came from the community and Bulkley Valley Wholesale opened its doors to the public while still focusing on the core business of wholesale.

Soon after, Bulkley Valley Wholesale was purchased by the Overwaitea Food Group and today the business of wholesale is still its foundation.

Bulkley Valley Wholesale proudly continues to be a leading provider of grocery and food service products to independent grocers, mining camps, lodges and restaurants in the northwest corner of British Columbia. The same formula of direct buying from manufacturers, personalized service, and the strength and backing of the Overwaitea Food Group has positioned us a to continue the business of wholesale that the Leaches began in 1959.

Mission Statement

To serve as the leading grocery and food service distributor to northwest British Columbia. We take pride in our innovative spirit, our commitment to quality, exceptional products and our relationships with the customers we serve. Our past and future success will always rest on our ability to meet our wholesale customer’s needs in an efficient, competitive and profitable manner. We value our team members, our adaptive capacity and the integrity with which we conduct our business.

A Message from the General Manager

Right from the start, I think it’s important that you know our team will stand behind a commitment to support you and your business needs.

Today it’s not uncommon to be spending 60% of the time changing the business and 40% managing it, quite the opposite from even a decade ago and as your business needs change, Bulkley Valley Wholesale will change with you. From split case orders to supporting you with new products and services, the team at Bulkley Valley Wholesale is known for going that extra mile.

Over four decades ago this business began with a great idea, a case of product and a one customer. Today we are proud to continue the wholesale business that the Leach family started.

Here is to your business success too!

Regards,

Ian Ricketts
General Manager