WK Kellogg to streamline production as slowing demand pressures sales
Aug 6 (Reuters) -WK Kellogg KLG.N plans to completely shutdown its Omaha, Nebraska, plant by the end of 2026 under a reorganization that will also reduce the cereal maker's headcount by more than 17%, it said on Tuesday, as it streamlines its production.
Shares fell more than 2% in early trading as the Special K cereal maker projected 2024 adjusted net sales to come in at the lower end of its prior forecast range of 1% growth to 1% decline.
Packaged food companies, including Kraft Heinz KHC.O and General Mills GIS.N, have flagged sagging sales in North America and a switch to private labels among consumers grappling with higher-for-longer interest rates and sticky inflation.
WK Kellogg, the North America cereal business of packaged food giant Kellogg before it was spun off last October, also posted in-line net sales of $672 million for the second quarter.
The reorganization, approved by the board on July 31, is expected to result in cumulative restructuring pretax charges of between $230 million and $270 million.
Under the plan, the Froot Loops maker will consolidate its manufacturing network beginning with a phased reduction in production at the Nebraska plant and scaling back production at its Memphis, Tennessee facility, starting in late 2025.
The actions would reduce headcount by about 550 people, WK Kellogg said, including job additions at plants where production would increase. It employed around 3,150 workers at the end of last year.
The Frosted Flakes and Raisin Bran maker plans to increase production at its Battle Creek, Michigan; Belleville, Ontario; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania plants, with planned spending of about $450 million to $500 million on its supply chain efforts.
It estimated between $170 million and $190 million in non-cash charges primarily from accelerated depreciation and asset write-offs. These charges are expected to be incurred through 2027, the company said.
Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
