Watson H. Vanderploeg

Watson H. Vanderploeg (1888–1957) was an American executive who served as the general manager and president of the Kellogg's from 1939 to 1957.

Early life and education Born in Iowa, Vanderploeg's early life involved farming, which later helped his work at Kellogg, where he was responsible for the production and distribution of corn-based breakfast cereals. He completed his education from the Central University Academy in Pella, Iowa. In 1939, he was appointed as the president of the Kellogg. During his tenure, the company saw growth, with sales increasing from $34 million to over $200 million and earnings growing four-fold. He oversaw international expansion, with the establishment of new plants in Australia and the United Kingdom, and the introduction of new products, such as Special K cereal in 1955.