Dr. Brian Long, director of supply management research for the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University publishes a periodic economic outlook for West Michigan based on reports from purchasing managers, and works to observe the factors affecting the local economy. Long tells The Richard Piet Show on WBCK the cereal industry has taken a dive in the last couple of years, and it will likely - in his view - result in a Kellogg's plant closure.

"I'm going to guess it's going to be over the next year," Long said, though he emphasized that is only a guess on his part, based on the factors at play he is currently observing.

Diversification at Kellogg with the purchase of Keebler and other attempts to offer more versatile breakfast products have helped, Long says, but ultimately haven't been enough to stem a tide of changing breakfast food habits.

Recently, Kellogg employees overwhelmingly rejected an attempt to change the current employment agreement with unionized workers, as the company works to react to market conditions. A request for a Kellogg representative to appear as a guest on The Richard Piet Show was declined.

Long will return as a guest on Monday, December 22 at 8:08am to discuss his observations on the factors which tend to attract new businesses to West Michigan.

Meanwhile, click the player below to hear the entire Brian Long interview.

More From WBCKFM