Kellogg Buys Cereal City
BATTLE CREEK — In what seems a most fitting move, Kellogg Co. announced it is purchasing the former
Kellogg agreed to pay approximately $2 million for the
The nonprofit Heritage Center Foundation built the cereal-themed park as a tourist attraction in hopes of boosting economic activity downtown while educating visitors about the development and growth of the cereal industry in
When
The foundation closed
Cheryl Beard, chairperson of the foundation's board of directors was pleased to receive the purchase offer from Kellogg Co.
"This will allow the company to expand its presence in downtown, and it will return the building to productive use," Beard remarked. She said the formal closing should occur within 90 days.
At the company's recent shareholder meeting, President and CEO David Mackay told shareholders that the purchase of the
"First, it helps us meet our current and long-term needs for office space, and, second, it's consistent with our commitment to play a positive role in the economic vitality of downtown
Mackay said no decisions have been made as to which employees might be moved into the facility or when that might happen.
"I want to thank Cheryl Beard from Battle Creek Unlimited, along with many other individuals, for their hard work in making this happen," he added.
With 2006 sales of nearly $11 billion, Kellogg Co. is the world's leading producer of cereal and of convenience foods such as cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit snacks, frozen waffles and veggie foods. The company's brands include Kellogg's, Keebler, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Club, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, All-Bran, Special K, Mini-Wheats, Chips Deluxe, Sandies, Morningstar Farms, Famous Amos and Kashi. Kellogg products are manufactured in 17 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries around the world.