Why Asheboro is in center of Post's effort to revive Oreo O's cereal

June 6, 2017

It turns out that a Triad factory is at center, so to speak, of the national reintroduction of Oreo O's cereal.

Post Consumer Brands' plant in Asheboro began production of the Oreo O's cereal in April, with plans to manufacture several other products this summer.

Linda Fisher, director of corporate communications for Minnesota-based Post, told TBJ that the cookie-tasting cereal made at the Asheboro facility that employs 230 is now available in select stores and will be available nationwide in January 2018. The cereal was first launched in 1998 but has been absent from store shelves since 2007.

Fisher said the Asheboro facility was ideal for making Post's Oreo O's cereal because it has special equipment needed to make the product.

"Oreo O’s is produced using Direct Expanded (DX) process," she said. "In 2013, when we expanded our Asheboro facility, two new DX lines were installed, making them the newest DX lines in our network. Oreo O’s utilizes real Oreo cookie crumbles that are added to the chocolate O’s during processing. Asheboro has the special equipment needed for this key step in the cereal’s recipe."

It is not, however, the only cereal being made at the Asheboro plant. Fisher said new “made in Asheboro” cereals that will be available this summer include Malt-O-Meal Chocolatey Chip Cookie Bites, Post Honey Oh’s, three new Post Shredded Wheat varieties (Cinnamon Roll, Berry, and S’Mores), and three flavors of new Post Great Grains hot cereals (plain, maple brown, and blueberry).

In addition to those new cereals, the Asheboro plant also manufacturers Frosted Mini Spooners, Honey Oat Blenders, Honey Oat Blenders with Almonds, Raisin Bran, Raisin Bran Crunch, Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes and Fruity Stars.

Post acquired the Asheboro operations in 2015 through its acquisition of MOM Brands. As TBJ reported recently, the local operations are growing and could be in a position to hire some of those being laid off in Greensboro by Kellogg.

Source: Triad Business Journal