Produce veteran and Nationwide founder Bernard O’Malley passed away last week shortly after his wife Joan
Bernard O’Malley, the founder of major UK fresh produce supplier Nationwide Produce, has died aged 88.
His passing on 30 October followed shortly after his wife Joan’s, who was also instrumental in setting up the business in 1975. She died on 11 October aged 88.
Nationwide Produce group managing director Tim O’Malley issued a statement on behalf of the family-run firm in which he sketched the growth of the company over the last 49 years.
“Nationwide Produce began life in September 1975 as Bernard O’Malley & Co. The ‘Co’ was my mum. My dad did all the trading, my mum did the books,” he said.
“The office was a room in a small three-bedroom house in Southport with four young kids running around – three of them now in the business: myself, Patrick and Anthony.
“The business turned over £311,122 in its first year and made a small profit. This last financial year, Nationwide turned over £186m from nine offices, depots and packhouses in four countries employing 300 staff.
“My dad never stopped talking about the business. First thing he would say whenever I saw him was ’how’s the job?’. He loved the fruit and veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum.
“I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom.”
Bernard and Joan are survived by their four children and their families.
