Chief Growth Officer, Wk Kellogg
Search every verified Doug Vandevelde interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a September 2024 interview, WK Kellogg CEO Gary Pilnick discussed the company's strategy following its spin-off from Kellanova, emphasizing a singular focus on cereal. Pilnick stated that the independence allows the company to make decisions solely in service of the cereal category, including a planned $450 to $500 million investment to modernize its supply chain, which he said is intended to drive expanded margins and support top-line growth. He noted that the company's sales force will exclusively sell cereal, which he argued will help them better understand the category and convert shoppers into buyers. Pilnick addressed perceptions of the cereal category, describing it as "terrific" and "very competitive" with strong branded competitors. He said the company's portfolio covers taste, balance, and health and wellness needs, and that the category is "as big as we ever remember." Responding to concerns about sugar content, Pilnick stated that WK Kellogg has been reducing sugar in its cereals by double-digit percentages and claimed that cereal eaters get no more sugar in their diets than non-cereal eaters. He also said there are "misperceptions" about the category, asserting that cereal is a healthy, nutritious option for consumers.
“That will allow us to be a stronger company because we're independent. At the end of the day, everything we do is in service to cereal. We get to make decisions with a singular focus on what is the best way to invest in and drive the cereal for WK Kellogg.”
“We want to invest $450 to $500 million to modernize our supply chain. Now, that's the centerpiece to our plan, to drive expanded margin. It should also help our top line as well.”
“Our sales force will have the same coverage. They're only selling cereal. In the moment of truth, our cereal salespeople, they'll understand that category as well if not better than everybody to help convert shoppers into buyers.”
“Cereal's a terrific category. It's a very competitive category. Always has been. There are tremendous competitors out there. Great branded competitors. So, yeah, this is not going to be easy, but we know we've got the strategy to go after this.”
Gary Pilnick, WK Kellogg CEO, joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss what the company's focus on cereal will allow them to do, ...
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