About Ryan Company: Locally Founded. Built on Service. Modern Vending.
Ryan Company is one of the largest Canadian-owned and operated providers of automated vending, self-serve micro-markets, fresh pantry, and office coffee solutions within British Columbia. As a family-owned business with more than 70 years of experience, we support organizations, schools, healthcare facilities, recreation centres, transportation hubs, and workplaces across the province with reliable service, modern vending, and tailored refreshment programs.
Founded in the 1940s, Ryan Company has grown across generations by adapting to changing needs while staying true to one core principle: taking care of people. From our earliest days to today’s technology-enabled vending and coffee solutions, we’ve focused on dependable service, strong partnerships, and programs that simply work.
Community-
Focused Service
Dedicated Local Support Teams
Modern Vending & Payment Technology
Today, Ryan Company operates throughout Greater Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Northern and Northwestern British Columbia, the Kootenays, and the Thompson-Okanagan. We support more than 400 clients across 1,100+ individual service locations, combining local expertise with province-wide scale.
HISTORY OF RYAN COMPANY LTD.
Founded on Care and Service
1923–1950s
- Founded in 1923 by J. E. Ryan as a tobacco and confectionery wholesaler in British Columbia
- Built on dependable service, strong customer relationships, and community roots
- In the 1950s, second-generation leader W. T. Oughtred began experimenting with cigarette vending
New Focus on Vending and Growth
1950s–2000s
- Transitioned fully from wholesale to vending as the company’s core business in 1958
- In the 80’s Bob Oughtred and Glen Jackson redirected the business toward snack and refreshment programs
- Expanded across British Columbia through strategic acquisitions in the 90s and 2000s, leading to extensive growth
Family-Led & Built for Modern Today
2000s–Today
- Acquired in 2009 by Rob, Bill, and Anne Oughtred, marking fourth-generation, Canadian-owned, local leadership
- Growing fast and serving 400+ clients across more than 1,100 service locations across British Columbia
- Delivering reliable, modern vending, micro-market, pantry, and office coffee solutions
“Behind our technology is a dedicated service team providing proactive visits, maintenance scheduling, and fast response times to any issues within 24 hours.”
~ Rob Oughtred,
Owner & Director of operations
Automated Vending & Smart Micro-Market Solutions Across BC
Ryan Company combines proven service models with modern technology, offering vending machines and micro-markets that support touchless payments, real-time monitoring, and transparent reporting. Our solutions are designed to deliver a smooth, reliable experience for users while reducing administrative effort for organizations across British Columbia.
Inspired by our history? Be part of what’s next.
Explore career opportunities with a Canadian-owned company serving communities across British Columbia.