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Presidents | General Managers | Sources
In 1882, a wholesale tea importing firm was established at 103 Princess Street in Winnipeg by cousins George Frederick Galt and John Galt, and it eventually had subsidiary offices in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. They created the Blue Ribbon Manufacturing Company in 1897, focusing on the packing of teas; roasting, blending, and packing of coffees; making of baking powder; and grinding and packing of spices. It became Blue Ribbon Limited in 1907. Three years later, the two companies were merged and, in 1930, the company was sold to the Blue Ribbon Corporation Limited.
Period
President
?-?
George Frederick Galt (1855-1928)
1935-1941
John Medley de Courcy O’Grady (1889-1941)
1941-1950
Joseph Ball (1883-1950)
Period
General Manager
?-?
Joseph Ball (1883-1950)
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: John Galt (1856-1933)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Anne Building / Blue Ribbon Building (87 King Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Anne Building / Blue Ribbon Building (88 Arthur Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Galt Building (103 Princess Street, Winnipeg)
“New industry,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 November 1897, page 2.
“Winnipegger elected Blue Ribbon President,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 October 1933, page 22.
“J. M. de C. O'Grady, former Winnipegger, dies in Toronto,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 May 1941, page 4.
“A belated bye-bye to Blue Ribbon Tea (1897-2015)” by Christian Cassidy, West End Dumplings, 4 April 2017.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 26 September 2025
