Kelloggs and farmers celebrate 100 years in Australia

Wheat farmer Andrew Russell (centre) with Kellanova staff to mark Kelloggs' Australian centenary. (HANDOUT/JACK OF HEARTS STUDIO)

When fourth generation farmer Andrew Russell goes to work it makes him happy to know his wheat ends up in the cereal bowls of Aussie consumers. 

The Victorian farmer helps supply the cereal giant Kelloggs', now known as Kellanova, which produces 42 million kilograms of cereal every year for the Australian and New Zealand markets, from its Sydney factory in Botany.

"Kellanova source a lot of grain from our area, and we've been supplying into that supply chain for many, many years," Mr Russell told AAP.

On Tuesday the company will mark 100 years in Australia, with an invitation to the farmers who supply it to celebrations in Botany.

The cereal and snack manufacturer sources 87 per of its ingredients locally.

"The fact that we've played a very minor role in supplying goods to Kelloggs - makes me feel good," Mr Russell said.

"It's good to know that our grains are being used locally by our food producers over using maybe cheaper imported grains," he said.

Manager Mohammad Rafique has worked for Kellanova for 43 years.
Manager Mohammad Rafique has worked for Kellanova, formerly known as Kelloggs, for 43 years.

On Tuesday the company will also celebrate the long term tenure of some of its employees including manager Mohammad Rafique who has worked there for 43 years.

"It’s been wonderful to look back on our history over the past century and to be able to say I’ve been there for almost half of it," he said. 

 "It is my family company," Mr Rafique said.

It was in 1924 that machinery specialist, Morris Raymer, was tasked with travelling to Australia to set up a corn flake machine in the Sydney suburb of Chippendale.

Four years later the company expanded to a factory in Botany, to the same site as it is on today.

The Kellogg Botany factory in 1928.
An aerial view of the Kelloggs factory at Botany in Sydney in 1928.

From Rice Bubbles' launch in 1928 to Nutri-Grain in 1973, 22 cereal and snack brands have been introduced into the Australian market. 

With the power of the supermarkets and their impact on farmers the focus of government attention, the head of Kellanova Australia and New Zealand Anthony Holme, said long term trust is essential.

"It's all based on on the long term relationships, we wouldn't be able to do it without them (farmers)" Mr Holme said.

"It's very much focused around people, the heritage, the brands, the manufacturing facility, everything that's special around the culture of the organisation," Mr Holme said of the centenary celebrations.

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