The company traces its roots back to 1928 when Rosaria Galea opened her haberdashery shop in Valletta. Succeeded by her son Francesco, he diversified the business into the manufacture and repair of tubular steel pushchairs and prams. Later expansion led to the first tubular steel furniture manufacturing in Malta and in 1960 the company’s premises was expanded into one of the very first factories at the Mriehel Industrial Estate.
When Francesco’s four children joined the company and started importing small household appliances and white goods, another important foundation of the business was laid. The children, led by the eldest son John, took over the enterprise when Francesco passed away in 1979 and in 1986 the operations were incorporated into a limited liability company under the name of Oxford House Ltd.
Furniture manufacturing and importation continued throughout the 80s and more expansion came in 1990 with the increase in capacity for knock down swivel chairs and office furniture. These new products would eventually replace tubular steel furniture completely and it was thanks to the foresight of the management at the time, that the company continued to diversify and remain ahead of the curve.
In 1994 Oxford House became the national representative for Bosch Domestic Appliances of Germany and a major showroom expansion was undertaken to further consolidate the business. The old premises surrounding the factory was demolished and the present day showroom with an area of no less than 1600 square meters on four floors was built. This new space meant there was more room for growth and new lines of kitchens, bedrooms and more office furniture and appliances were introduced. The company now deals exclusively with international flagship brands, focusing on importation, distribution and support.
Today, four generations since Rosaria Galea’s enterprising days in Valletta, the company is managed by her great grandson Marco Galea and his team of sixty people. It is still run on the same strong family values with great importance being given to customer service and support.
Oxford House is synonymous with all the brands represented. The company employs a trained team to deal with all customer requirements and prides itself in providing a pre-sales and post-sales service that is second to none.
