General Mills closing two more plants as consumer preferences shift

Food manufacturer General Mills, maker of Cheerios, Trix and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereals, plans to close two more plants over the next two years as the company grapples with shifting consumer preferences.

The food giant, whose broad portfolio also includes Hamburger Helper, Yoplait and Betty Crocker products, will shutter its plant in West Chicago, Ill., and a factory in Joplin, Mo., according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The 56-year-old West Chicago plant, which makes cereal and dry dinners, has about 500 employees and is expected to close in mid-2017.

The Joplin facility set to close by the end of 2015 is based on Junge Boulevard and has 120 employees. The company's other facility in the city, located on Stephens Boulevard, will remain open.

General Mills said in the SEC filing that the plant closures are "pending negotiations and consultation" with union officials.

The move comes as the company is struggling to adjust to rapidly changing consumer preferences as people embrace fresh foods, organic products and food branded as made with natural ingredients.

In June, General Mills joined an industry trend by announcing plans to eliminate artificial flavors and colors from its cereals by 2017. It will use natural ingredients to make colorful sugary cereals like Trix and Lucky Charms.

General Mills is in the midst of a sweeping review of its North American operations in a bid to reduce excess production capacity.

The company said the cuts would generate one-time charges of $70 million in its 2016 fiscal year. It will cost $120 million by its 2019 fiscal year, a figure that will include $52 million in cash.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.