Step Into Our Time Machine.
What began as a wholesale grocery supplier in 1913 has grown into Alabama's largest independent broadline foodservice distributor. Today, Wood Fruitticher distributes fresh and frozen vegetables, meats, condiments, and other foodstuffs to the healthcare industry, restaurants, schools, convenience stores, and chains. Scroll through our history to see where we started and where we are now.
1913
The Start of Something Great
Dave Wood and Oscar Fruitticher open the company on Morris Avenue in Birmingham, Alabama - just down the street from The Peanut Depot and Kontos Fruit Company.
1935
Wood Buys Fruitticher
Wood buys out Fruitticher, getting the business and the funny name.
1942
The Loss of a Founder
Dave Wood dies in a tragic car accident on a rainy Sunday while returning from the dairy farm he operated. Young Bill Wood assumes the responsibility of running the business and shifts the company’s focus to fewer retailers and more restaurants, schools and hospitals. Bill Wood was a pilot in WWII serving in the army air corps and was stationed in Tunisia, North Africa.
1980
Third Generation
John and Dave Wood II assume direction of the business in the wake of their father Bill's untimely death.
1984
On the Move
Birmingham is growing and builds its first beltway interstate I-459. Wood Fruitticher, growing right along with Birmingham constructs a new facility on Alton Road at the east end of I-459.
2003
Expanding Our Warehouse
Expansion added 62,000 sq. ft. to dry storage, 7,800 sq. ft. to equipment storage, and 36,075 sq. ft. to the freezer and cooler dock bringing our building's total square footage to 365,000.
2012
Wood Fruitticher App
Wood Fruitticher launches Oscar! - The first Foodservice mobile app of its kind. Oscar allows our customers to track their delivery truck in real time and to access special offers and promotions.
2017
The Legacy Continues
Wood Fruitticher defies the odds as Dave and John retire and hand the business to the fourth generation. Only 3-5% of family businesses achieve this milestone.