About Us
Heritage
Imagine the bustling streets of West Side Chicago in 1936, where Italian immigrant Michael Gagliardo opened a modest grocery store. This was not just any grocery store—it was the beginning of a remarkable journey. With a vision and a bit of grit, Michael and his son took an old, fire-damaged can fabricating machine and breathed new life into it, setting the stage for what was to come.
In the basement of their store, amidst the clamor of daily life, they crafted something extraordinary. They didn’t just create cans—they built a thriving canning business that became a cornerstone of their business.
Then came World War II, and with it, a cooking oil shortage that left the community scrambling. But the Gagliardos saw an opportunity and quickly secured an oil supplier, establishing themselves as a vital resource in the region. This adaptability and foresight gave birth to what is now Columbus Vegetable Oils.
Our story is a testament to the spirit of innovation and resilience. From those early days in a basement to becoming industry leaders, we continue to celebrate the legacy of our founder, Michael Gagliardo, in every product we deliver.
Family Owned & Operated
Today, the fourth-generation family leads the business as a certified woman-owned company prides itself on high quality products, superior service and fast delivery.
Locations
Our headquarters is based in Des Plaines, IL., and we also have a West Coast facility located in Reno, NV. We service customers domestically and internationally from these two production and distribution facilities.
Reno, Nevada
Supporting warehouse servicing west coast
Des Plaines, Illinois
Corporate headquarters servicing the midwest to east coast
Community Commitment
Columbus Vegetable Oils is committed to making a difference in our communities through various charitable giving initiatives. We proudly support our employees who volunteer their time to numerous events and activities.
