PepsiCo is transforming the factory in Popesti-Leordeni into a European production hub

PepsiCo, one of the leaders in the food and beverage industry, announces the doubling of the production capacity of the Popesti-Leordeni Snacks factory and its transformation into a European-sized production and distribution centre. The $100 million investment, which was initially unveiled last year and planned to be completed in 2024, was critical to achieving this ambitious goal. This included the addition of three operational production lines and the construction of a new automated warehouse. Furthermore, significant advancements in automation have been implemented, and a comprehensive development plan has been crafted for the PepsiCo snack factory.   The factory in Popesti-Leordeni currently has an annual production capacity of 39,000 tons and serves 17 countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Ukraine, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.   "Through our investments, we are in the process of transforming PepsiCo Romania into a significant production and distribution hub for Central and South-Eastern Europe. This evolution underscores our dedication to sustainability, technology, and the growth of the local economy. By nearly fully localizing our product portfolio and generating jobs of increased complexity, our goal is to deliver advantages to Romania and the broader region. Additionally, we prioritize reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing operational efficiency, thereby contributing to a more promising future for all," stated Radu Berevoescu, General Manager & Senior Commercial Director East Balkans.   With the installation of the new production lines, PepsiCo Romania has achieved localization of nearly its entire product portfolio for the Romanian market, including Lay's, Star, and Doritos, accounting for over 95% of the products. As for the automated warehouse, it is scheduled for inauguration in the first half of the upcoming year. It will be equipped with an auto-palletizer system designed to facilitate complete automation of the connection between the production lines and the warehouse, thus optimizing overall efficiency.   This investment in the new automated warehouse aligns with PepsiCo's commitment to achieving the long-term goals outlined in the pep+ agenda, which aims to immediately eliminate more than 200 tons of direct greenhouse gas emissions resulting from warehouse transfers.   PepsiCo has been operating and investing in Romania for over 30 years. In the last 10 years, PepsiCo has directly invested 320 million dollars in Romania, supporting the continuous development of its business in the country and strengthening its role as a regional hub of production and distribution. *** About PepsiCo PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.