March 2005

Many thanks to the folks at Chelsea Milling - better known as “Jiffy” Mix to most of us, and Brian Dynda for organizing a most interesting and informative tour.  We had guests attending from all three Michigan Chapters.

As one of the guests, I was certainly surprised to find out that the “Jiffy” Mix brand became well known throughout America without relying on the more traditional modes of advertising.  As our host, Lynn Farley, had told us during the tour, Jiffy’s success had been the result of a great product at an inexpensive price coupled with the world’s oldest and most inexpensive form of advertising - word-of-mouth.  Additional advertising comes by way of the billboarding space afforded Jiffy on the side of their truck trailers that serve Michigan and its neighboring states.  Common carriers deliver the products throughout the rest of the country.

The tour featured a very clean and well organized operation.  The typical hi-speed line featured carton erectors, net weighers, checkweighers, metal detectors, case packers and a well thought out and efficient use of conveyors, just to name a few.  The packaging equipment was so well maintained by Jiffy’s staff that much of it has been in place for more than fifty years according to Lynn.  Of course, this was just a smattering of what the tour had in store for us and I would be reticent if I failed to mention the “Jiffy” cakes that were served beforehand and the plethora of goodies afforded us at the end of the tour by our gracious hosts.

  Bill Gioia