Members of the public will have the chance to learn more about Kellogg’s history in the UK starting here in Manchester, in a new summer exhibition bringing the story of the Trafford Park factory back to the heart of the community it has been part of since 1938.
Titled Kellogg’s: A Manchester Story, it will map out the brand’s journey from a Michigan sanitarium to one of Greater Manchester’s most recognisable manufacturing sites, through a series of newly-created exhibition boards. These will celebrate not just the plant’s industrial heritage but showcase the stories from notable colleagues from throughout its impressive history – something further highlighted through a unique collection of memorabilia from the factory and Kellogg’s over the years.
The exhibition will run throughout the summer, with plans for specific themed days and events.
Picture by James Speakman for Jon Super Photography (07974 356-333)
Hosted at St Antony’s Centre, home of the Trafford Park Heritage Centre, the exhibition explores how Kellogg’s came to Britain, why Trafford Park was chosen as the site of its first UK factory and how the plant became a familiar part of Manchester life. St Antony’s Centre preserves the story of Trafford Park, recognised as the world’s first planned industrial estate, and houses archive material and artefacts tracing the area’s history back to 1896.
Visitors will be able to see items from across the factory’s history, celebrating the products, people and memories connected to the site. The display also looks at the cereals and characters familiar to generations of families, from Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and All-Bran to Frosties, Coco Pops and Crunchy Nut, which was created at Trafford Park in 1980.
Tim McKnight, Plant Director at Kellogg’s Trafford Park, said: “Kellogg’s Trafford Park has been part of Manchester’s story for nearly 90 years, so it feels very fitting that this exhibition is being hosted at St Antony’s Centre, right in the heart of the borough.
“For generations of people, the factory has meant much more than just cereal, it has been about families, friendships, local pride and creating memories that stretch right across Manchester.
“This exhibition brings those stories together, from the products people grew up with to the colleagues who helped make them. As we prepare for the site’s closure later this year, we want to make sure its legacy is recognised properly and shared with the community that knows Trafford Park best.”
Kevin Flanagan, Director of St. Antony’s Centre, added: “Trafford Park has a unique story still to be told; Kellogg’s is part of that. It not only came from Battle Creek in America and invested in its people and the communities around it, it also changed breakfast habits across the country.
“It was not just the sweet smell of corn cooking, it’s the sweet smell of success, innovation and creativity that made this one of the communities that made Trafford Park great, bringing happiness and a bright future for many. Through work and investments in its communities, it added real value in Trafford and Greater Manchester. It’s that good news that we share through the Exhibition but also give thanks for. From small grains of wheat, the UK and European vision of Kellogg’s, became a lasting legacy and it started in Trafford Park in 1938. Of that we are proud of as Mancunians!”
The exhibition forms part of wider work with local partners to recognise the role the Trafford Park factory has played in Greater Manchester life ahead of its planned closure this autumn, as production transfers to Kellogg’s Wrexham site.
It follows a more intimate exhibition hosted earlier this year by the Trafford Local Studies Centre in Sale, as well as a project to gift every Trafford Park colleague a set of unique framed prints by local artist Sue Scott, created as a lasting memento of the site.
