Food and Beverage Business
Manufacturing

PepsiCo invests £13 million in Europe’s largest tortilla factory to decrease environmental footprint

PepsiCo invests £13 million in Europe's largest tortilla factory to decrease environmental footprint environmental impact, Europe, investment, PepsiCo, tortilla factory Food and Beverage Business

PepsiCo has recently invested £13 million in its Coventry factory, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable production within the food manufacturing industry. This significant investment aims to reduce the environmental impact of its manufacturing operations, particularly focusing on improving efficiency and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 700 tonnes annually at the Coventry site.

The upgrade also includes the enhancement of facilities for the site’s 700 staff, as well as the replacement of a manufacturing line for Doritos, the leading tortilla chip brand in Britain. Coventry has been the home of Doritos since its UK launch in 1994, with the brand achieving widespread popularity over the years. Currently, nearly a third of UK households purchase Doritos, with sales reaching £273 million.

The new manufacturing line will continue producing the Doritos range in the UK, including Doritos Dippers, which recently obtained non-HFSS classification. Installation of the new line will commence in August, with upgrades across various stages of the production process.

Apart from advancements on the factory floor, the investment has also supported an extensive upgrade to staff facilities on-site, including renovated workspaces, new changing rooms, a modern training center, and a refurbished on-site restaurant. The new training center offers team members upskilling opportunities using replica equipment to develop skills away from the manufacturing process.

Layla Whiting, manufacturing director at PepsiCo, emphasized the company’s dedication to perfecting the tortilla chip in Coventry over the past three decades. She expressed pride in the role the site has played in building a loyal Doritos fanbase and establishing the brand as a household name in the UK.

PepsiCo’s Coventry site is not only Europe’s largest tortilla chip factory but also the manufacturing hub for iconic British snacks like Wotsits, French Fries, Squares, and Sunbites. The company’s continued investment in its UK manufacturing sites, including a total investment exceeding £140 million since 2020, showcases PepsiCo’s commitment to the Midlands region.

The investment in Coventry, coupled with last year’s £58 million investment in the Walkers manufacturing site in Leicester, highlights PepsiCo’s dedication to sustaining a strong presence in the Midlands. The completion of upgrades in Leicester, including the installation of a new manufacturing line and packaging equipment powered by 100% renewable electricity, is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 1,000 tonnes annually.

As PepsiCo continues to prioritize sustainable practices and efficiency in its food manufacturing operations, these investments underscore the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation within the industry.

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