Gilbert Wood, a chief petty officer on a ship, left his occupation with the sea in 1854. He took up premises located in Angas Street in which he commenced business in the grocery trade. In 1857, expanding business necessitated a move to larger premises in Rundle Street.
In 1875 the founder took into partnership his eldest son, Mr. Peter Wood, and Mr. James Gartrell.
Expansion continued, and when Gilbert Wood died in 1886, it was one of the largest commercial houses in the state, with branches at Pt. Adelaide; Perth; Fremantle; Kalgoorlie; Broken Hill; and London.
In 1896 extensive offices and warehouse premises on North Terrace opposite the railway station were erected.
The company used the following trade marks: Anchor 1884; Terai tea 1893; Tiger brand tea, coffee, honey, spices, etc, in 1894; Viking tea, coffee, baking powder, etc, in 1896; Defiance jams, spices, coffee, essence, etc, in 1897; Moa rolled oats in 1899; and Nectar coffee in 1904.