The History of the Kellogg Company

Since the 1900s, the legacy of the Kellogg Company continues to be an instrumental part in the lives of consumers. The company began as a small manufacturer with a commitment to nutrition, health and quality in breakfast food. In 2006, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary, reflecting on its many successes, and continues with future opportunities of product development and dedication to social responsibility.

1900s to 1920s

In 1906, brothers Will Keith (W.K.) Kellogg and Dr. John Harvey Kellogg of Battle Creek, Michigan invented flaked cereal using corn grit and founded Kellogg's Corn Flakes. Their wholesome foods, product line and packaging techniques evolved into the company's success which expanded with the pasteurization of milk. Popular cereals were introduced, including Kellogg's Bran Flakes, All Bran and Kellogg's Rice Krispies. The company opened foreign plants, first in Canada, then England and Australia.

1930s to 1950s

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, instead of cutting costs, W.K. Kellogg used his own strategy of doubling advertising spending which resulted in more sales. Kellogg provided packaged cereal for the U.S. armed forces in WWII and was awarded the Army-Navy "E" flag for excellence. The company's second U.S. plant opened in Nebraska, then California and Tennessee, and internationally in Mexico and New Zealand. On October 6, 1951, W.K. Kellogg died at the age of 91.

1960s to 1980s

The 1960s for Kellogg's company was marked by new cereals and global expansion into South America, Canada, Scandinavia, Europe and Asia. Kellogg's cereal earned recognition as part of the Apollo 11 space crew's breakfast in 1969. In the 1970s, Kellogg became the first cereal company to list the amount of sugar in its cereals. Company expansion continued in Central America, Great Britain, Spain and South Korea. In its belief of social responsibility, Kellogg's supported the United Negro College Fund and the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

1990s

In the 1990s, Kellogg's saw a growth in convenience foods and developed Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats and Kellogg's Nutri-Grain bars. But, the 1990s were the company's most difficult decade in the cereal category as it faced competition in the U.S. and overseas. Still, Kellogg's remained the global cereal leader and opened its first plants in India, China, Thailand and Latvia. In 1997, Kellogg's opened the W.K. Kellogg Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Battle Creek.

2000s

Since the first part of the 21st Century, Kellogg's has retained profitable growth in its cereal products and convenience foods. In 2001, Kellogg's completed the $4.56 billion acquisition of Keebler Foods Company, a leading producer of cookies and crackers, the largest acquisition in Kellogg's history. Kellogg also benefited from the acquisition of health foods leader Kashi Company. In 2006, the Kellogg Company celebrated its 100th anniversary.