Jiffy mix

Chelsea Milling Co. grain elevators

Various Jiffy mix products, date unknown

Chelsea Milling Company is a family-operated company[1] with roots in the flour milling business dating back to 1802. Originally a commercial operation that sold only to other businesses, its first baking mix designed for sale to consumers was created in the spring of 1930 by then-owner Mabel White Holmes.[5] At the time, it was marketed as a way to make biscuits that was "so easy even a man could do it."[1]

Jiffy Mix Headquarters in Chelsea, Michigan

Most of the company's products are handled, processed and produced in-house, which includes grain storage, the grinding of grains into flour, product mixing and box manufacturing.[3][6] Equipment repair is typically performed by company personnel.[3] A significant amount of product ingredients are sourced from Michigan-raised crops, including "most of the wheat and some of the sugar."[3] Some sugar and shortening is imported from the states of Illinois and Indiana.[3] The company began offering free tours of its facilities and operations to the public in the 1960s, and continues to do so today.[3]

Boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix

In 2008, the company began expansion into the food service and institutional industries due to a decline in the home-baking products market.[1] In 2015, this expansion effort was significantly increased, in order to better-enable the company to fulfill the needs of these industries and markets.[1] Expansion plans were in part based upon company projections predicting that many company employees will be retiring between 2006 and 2018.[1] In 2015, 173 of the company's employees are qualified for retirement.[1] Expansion plans include the introduction and implementation of more modern equipment, which requires fewer personnel to operate, and an increased capacity for storage.[1] In 2013, as part of the plans to keep the company moving forward into the future, a new research and development facility was built that cost over $6 million.[2] The company plans for the expansions to conclude by fall 2017.[1] In 2013, Chelsea Milling Company produced 180 million boxes of Jiffy mix during their busy season, which runs from September through January.[3]

As of 2017 Chelsea Milling Company produces and markets 22 mixes.[7] As of 2015, the company has around a 65 percent market share in the prepared muffin mix category in the United States, and a 90 percent share of the corn muffin mix market, per industry estimates and estimates by Howdy Holmes.[1] The company avoids all advertising for its products,[1] and spends no money on advertising.[2][3] Holmes has stated that the company's employees earn more pay compared to the industry standard, and also enjoy better benefits compared to the average in the industry.[1] In March 2013, production worker salaries averaged $47,000 annually.[2] The company also offers various resources and classes for its employees.[3] It has been reported that Holmes is on a first name basis with most of the company's employees, and that it is a friendly work environment.[2]

Chelsea Milling Company has received offers from debt-financing companies and also from corporations that are interested in taking over the company.[2] Holmes has stated that he prefers to maintain local control of the company, stating in an interview, "I didn't want a 28-year-old brat from Wall Street telling me how to run my company."[2] Holmes also stated that the company's local nature contributes to their customer loyalty.[2]

Jiffy corn muffin, baking and pie crust mixes

The company's main products are muffin mixes, including those for corn muffins (including a vegetarian variety), banana muffins, chocolate muffins, and several others.[8][9] Additional products include brownie mix, cake mixes, pie and pizza crust mixes, frosting mixes, and multi-purpose baking mixes.[9] The vegetarian corn muffin mix uses a mixture of palm and soybean oil in place of lard.[10] Multi-purpose mixes purveyed by the company are a pancake and waffle mix, buttermilk biscuit mix and a general "baking mix".[9] The company's corn muffin mix is its most popular brand, and has around a 90 percent market share in the corn muffin mix category in the United States.[1] In 2013, 14 of the company's products were also manufactured in institutional-sized packaging,[3] which is sold to institutions such as hospitals and schools, among others.[11]

• Reynolds, C.F. (2008). "Jiffy": A Family Tradition: Mixing Business and Old-fashioned Values. Chelsea Milling Company. ISBN 978-0-9802326-0-8. 248 pages.

• "Found in kitchens nationwide, Jiffy Mix is made in Michigan". Michigan Radio. June 19, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
• Wright, Shawn (May 15, 2011). "Secret ingredient to Jiffy Mix success: Treating employees and customers well". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
• Burcar, C. (2005). You Know You're in Michigan When... Insider's Guides. Globe Pequot Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7627-3812-0.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jiffy mix.

External video
"Jiffy mix maker changes with the times". The Detroit News.

• Official website