Battle Creek officials met with Kellogg corporate leaders this morning to talk about the company's decision to split into three separate businesses, and what that will mean for the Cereal City. At a news conference outside City Hall this afternoon, City Manager Rebecca Fleurry praised Kellogg's decision to keep two of the three new companies in the city.
"We're excited about North America Cereal and Plant being headquartered in Battle Creek. And we're excited that per the company, there'll be no jobs lost," she said.
The most lucrative of the three companies, the snacking division — accounting for 80% of sales — will have a campus in Battle Creek. But its headquarters will move to Chicago. Fleurry acknowledged Kellogg may sell its meat-alternative business, the smallest of the three companies. But Fleurry says she's optimistic that if it happens, the new owners will keep the company in Battle Creek.