Our History
From our very start, solving our customers’ problems has been the driving force for Smithers-Oasis. Whether looking for a media that hydrates flowers while securing them for design, developing a product that maintains the cold chain for vaccine shipments, or ensuring our products are available locally around the world to the people who need them, Smithers-Oasis strives for excellence. Here is a snapshot of our achievements over the years.
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1938
James Sykora, Sr. and William Bussert invent fresh cut flower food
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1944
James Sykora, Sr. forms Floralife, Inc.
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1944
James Sykora, Sr. forms Floralife, Inc.
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1953
V.L. Smithers invents floral foam
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1954
V.L. Smithers forms Smithers-Oasis in Kent, Ohio
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1961
Mark Addison and Lee Dick form Design Master
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1963
Smithers-Oasis Canada opens
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1963
Smithers-Oasis Denmark opens
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1964
Introduction of Vertical Bar Design
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1966
Introduction of Hexagon Logo
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1967
Smithers-Oasis Belgium opens
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1969
Smithers-Oasis Germany opens
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1969
Introduction of OASIS® Grower Products -
1972
Smithers-Oasis France opens
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1973
Theodore “Ted” Smithers becomes President
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1976
Smithers-Oasis Australia opens
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1977
Braaks Floral Products opens in South Africa as first licensee of Smithers-Oasis
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1978
Smithers-Oasis Japan opens
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1981
Smithers-Oasis United Kingdom opens
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1984
Introduction of BIO-FOAM® Impression Foam -
1986
Smithers-Oasis Company is purchased by Charles F. Walton
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1987
Smithers-Oasis Iberica opens
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1988
Smithers-Oasis Korea opens
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1989
Smithers-Oasis Brazil opens
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1991
Smithers-Oasis Mexico opens
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1992
Smithers-Oasis France acquires Eychenne®
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1993
Smithers-Oasis UK acquires Naylor Base® and Foam Frames®
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1995
Smithers-Oasis North America acquires Lomey®
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1996
Smithers-Oasis Malaysia opens
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1997
Smithers-Oasis China opens
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1998
Smithers-Oasis India opens
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1999
Floralife, Inc. patents 1-MCP technology and introduces EthylBloc™
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1999
Introduction of temperature-controlled packaging foam
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2006
OASIS® Grower Solutions acquires Fertiss®
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2007
Floralife, Inc. is acquired by Smithers-Oasis
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2007
Smithers-Oasis Adria opens
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2007
Oasis Floralife Colombia opens
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2009
Oasis Floralife Africa opens
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2010
Smithers-Oasis Company is purchased by Robin M. Kilbride
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2011
Introduction of OASIS® Floral Foam Maxlife -
2012
Formation of Smithers-Oasis Engineered Products
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2014
Introduction of OASIS® Enhanced Biodegradable floral foam -
2015
Charles F. Walton is inducted into the Society of American Florists (SAF) Floriculture Hall of Fame
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2016
Introduction of FloraLife® Express No-Cut Flower Food
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2017
Smithers-Oasis North America acquires Handy Floral Products™
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2018
Smithers-Oasis North America acquires Milton Adler Company
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2018
Smithers-Oasis France acquires Siloé Mousses
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2018
Formation of Temprecision International
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2021
Introduction of OASIS® NatureSource™ Biobased Floral Foam
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2021
Smithers-Oasis Acquires Design Master
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2021
Introduction of OASIS® TerraBrick® Floral Media
Worldwide Locations
As a global company, Smithers-Oasis features a network of offices and facilities around the world that enables us to provide products and services to the local market.
Get in Touch
Have questions? Need help with a unique application for your industry? We’d love to hear from you.