About Oliver Distributing

In 1955, the world was a different place. Phone numbers had just four digits, television offered only three channels, and gas cost 29 cents per gallon. But some things have stood the test of time.

Oliver Distributing Company is still proudly family-owned, a vital part of the Covington community. Our pricing remains highly competitive, and we continue to conduct business the old-fashioned way — with honesty and integrity, where a handshake still means something.

A great example of this is our long-standing relationship with GOJO. When our founder, Ralph Oliver, opened the business in 1955, he used part of his initial bank loan to purchase 50 cases of GOJO products, nearly half of his startup capital. At the time, GOJO was still a newcomer to the market, and Ralph was just beginning his journey as a business owner.

His son, Jim Oliver, recalls that Ralph’s first move was to bring the product into a local paper mill, visiting each department to introduce it. “People thought it was a great product, and Dad was off to a solid start,” Jim remembers. This early business move earned Ralph the affectionate nickname “GOJO Oliver.”

A Legacy of Family and Hard Work

In 1966 Jim Oliver officially joined his father at what had originally started as “Jimmy’s Variety Store.” After graduating from Virginia Military Institute, serving in the military, marrying, and starting his own family, Jim was ready to step into the business and take on a more prominent role. It wasn’t long before he earned the nickname “GOJO Junior.”

But Jim wasn’t the only “Oliver Junior” working at Oliver Distributing Company. His son, David, fondly recalls his own childhood years spent helping his father and grandfather around the business — stacking products, loading trucks, and even helping to count money in the cash register.

“I just always helped out at the store,” David says of his school years. “They may have put something into my bank account for college, but helping at the business was just part of what we did. It was our family business.”

David Takes the Reins

In 2007, David Oliver officially took the reins of the family business. One of his first moves was to introduce a contract cleaning service — not just as an additional offering, but as a way to truly test new products before they were stocked.

“How can I truthfully tell a customer about the benefits of a product if we haven’t really used it ourselves?” David explains.

The OCS contract cleaning service allowed David and his team to put products through real-world use, ensuring that only the best products made it into the hands of their customers. It’s a testament to the honesty and trustworthiness that the Oliver family has built its reputation on.

David’s commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond just offering top-quality products. “I’m not going to sell a product to a customer if it’s not the right fit for them,” he says. “If a customer wants a large ride-on scrubber but it’s not suitable for their needs, I’ll recommend something smaller or more aligned with their budget. We’re proud to down-sell when it’s in the customer’s best interest.”

For David and the team, it’s not just about making a sale — it’s about ensuring customers get the right solution that fits both their needs and their budget.

If you’ve forgotten what it means to have a supplier who knows your name, understands your unique needs, and works to solve your problems, give David Oliver a call.

You might be surprised by his highly competitive pricing — and the firmness of his handshake.

From the time I can remember, JanSan has been a part of my life. 

My grandfather, Ralph, founded Oliver Distributing Company with a strong commitment to integrity, service and fair pricing. 

When I formally joined the business in 1988, it become my mission to carry on that tradition and continue building on what he started. 

Our goal has always been simple: to keep our customers for life. And so far, we’ve done pretty well at accomplishing that.

At Oliver Distributing, we promise to always offer great products at great prices, along with exceptional service. But what sets us apart is our dedication to solving our customers' maintenance problems — not just selling products.

Give us a call today to see how incredibly competitive our pricing is. And remember what it’s like to be treated like a valued friend, not just a customer number.

David Oliver
President, Oliver Distributing
800.879.2840

Kristen Patterson, Director of Operations

I truly feel that I’ve found the perfect fit for me at Oliver Distributing Company. Over the past 20 years, I’ve developed a deep love for our customers, and I’m fortunate to be part of a team that works tirelessly to provide the best service and solutions we can.

Our company thrives on honesty, integrity, and hard work — but we also know how to have fun along the way.

It’s incredibly rewarding to serve customers who have been with us even before I joined the team. Many of them have become more than just clients; they’re friends, and it’s an honor to help find the best solutions for their facility needs.

Feel free to call us anytime. We’re always grateful for the opportunity to solve your problems, provide the products you need and build long-lasting relationships.