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July 02, 2008
Kellogg's Plant Tours
So the years when 250,000 eager tourists from around the world visited Kellogg Company's Porter Street Plant in small town Battle Creek, Michigan USA are….. gone. And nearly forgotten,
When they’d be greeted by smiling hostesses, shephered into attractive waiting rooms, watch an historical filmstrip how shy W. K. Kellogg invented commerical cornflakes, overcame his flamboyant brother, charged ahead when times were tough and his early plant burned to the ground ...
Just when the filmstrip seemed too long, the kids whined, pulling on your pantleg and needing to pee.....it was over...
and you were gathered like a flock on to the plant tour...and to smells of cooking cereal....amazed looks by all at giant copper cauldrons
...gawked and shufflebyed at hundreds of silent net-headed cereal line workers …and then…
and then…at line's end, the door, the warm smile, and eagerly anticipated going-home goodie bags of Kellogg sample products and Americana collectibles.
Today the old Kellogg Plant Tour entrance is gateway to Kellogg’s ‘Porter Street Office Complex,’; the huge tourist-size parking lot remains, but near empty; no mention of any Porter Street plant, or plant tour.
Walk through the entrance and find some Kellogg offices, a cafeteria and store. The building façade has been redone in Kellogg's nearby downtown corporate headquarters' red bricks, part of a seemingly corporate graphic identification system.
A few blocks further east on Porter Street is the entrance to Kellogg’s new Porter Street Plant. Now a state-of-the industry, largely automated plant that reportedly employs about 500 people -- compared to more than 4,000 in the days of W. K. and the plant tours.
Smaller sign. Smaller parking lot. Different feel.
The entrance is for authorized personnel only. Salesmen, employees, caterers delivering stacked boxes of pizzas and cakes for lunchtime..
Walk inside, and find a glassed-in security enclosure, with banks of tv camera monitors and two attentive guards.
Need a purpose and name badge.
No, taking the kids to see Tony, and to the bathroom, won't do.
Instead, pass through one of four StarTrek-like transporter enclosures of stainless steel and clear plastic that guard the plant entrance.
There is a red light. A green light.
A large sign next to the transporters is for all who seek to enter:
· No fingernail polish and artificial nails
· No audio, visual and digital recording equipment
· Scarves and ties – tie or remove
· Remove all articles from pockets above the waist
· Shoes must completely cover the foot
· No jewelry
· No food, beverages, candy, gum, tobacco or medications
· No glass containers, equipment or supplies
· No alcohol, narcotics or weapons
· No purses, bags or backpacks.
Times have changed on Porter Street.
And the world.
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