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Bradford Greenhouses gets special national designation

Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery began as a small garden and greenhouse operation 44 years ago.

Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery recently joined an exclusive group: Canada’s Best Managed Companies.

The designation is presented annually by Deloitte to private Canadian companies that generate more than $15 million in revenues per year and demonstrate clear vision and strategy, exceptional business performance, and sustainable growth.

This is the first time Bradford Greenhouses has entered the awards, which are in their 25th year.

“They said very seldom does a first-time applicant win,” said Bradford Greenhouses owner-operator Len Ferragine. “It’s a tremendous, tremendous award. It’s amazing for all of us — a feather in our cap.”

He credited the talented staff at Bradford Greenhouses with contributing to the company’s sustained success.

“We’ve had some great people. Without good people, the business is nothing. This is a testament to our people.”

A total of 44 of the awards were announced by Deloitte this year across Canada.

Nominees are judged by an independent panel, and Bradford Greenhouses earned the designation in April.
Bradford Greenhouses has deep roots in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

In 1961, Francis Ferragine opened his first greenhouse operation, Francis Ferragine & Son. It was son, Tony Ferragine, and business partners who launched Bradford Greenhouses Ltd., opening the greenhouse and retail store on Yonge Street north of Bradford in 1975.

The business rapidly grew into the premiere retailer and wholesaler of nursery stock — annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, tropical and potted plants — that it is today.

In addition to its garden centre and greenhouse operation, Bradford Greenhouses also offers landscape design services and a retail store that carries everything from garden furniture, to giftware and fashion.

Sam Gallo was one of the original partners in the retail venture, which was one of the first in the region.

“Green Valley and us, we were the first ones,” Gallo said, looking at photographs from the 1970’s opening of Bradford Greenhouses.

Although he said he is “not the kind of guy” who looks for recognition, “I’m proud of what we do.”

Bradford Greenhouses has two locations — the original at 3817 County Road 4 in Bradford, with its four hectares of greenhouse space, and an 8,083-square-metre store at 4346 Highway 90 in Springwater Township, which opened in 1993.

Despite the company’s growth, it remains a family business, driven by its commitment to quality and innovation in both retail and horticulture.


Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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