PepsiCo has unveiled plans to boost its production capabilities at its Veurne plant in Belgium, with an investment exceeding 200 million euros aimed at enhancing sustainability and generating 150 new jobs. The Veurne facility, situated near Bruges, stands as one of PepsiCo's key snack production hubs in Europe, spanning an area equivalent to eight football fields and hosting nine production lines. Currently, the site outputs approximately 83,000 tonnes of crisps annually, translating to over two million bags per day, catering to the demand for Lay's, Doritos, and Cheetos brands across fourteen countries.
With this investment, PepsiCo intends to augment its production volume by a third, reaching 115,000 tonnes yearly, and increase its workforce from 650 to 800 employees. This expansion was announced in the presence of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Moreover, the investment will facilitate the construction of a new warehouse linked to the main plant via a bridge extending over 100 meters, alongside additional amenities for staff. A significant focus will be on transitioning away from fossil fuels, aiming for a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and an ambitious goal to decrease tap water usage in its production processes by eightfold by 2030.
Miet Delmotte, PepsiCo BeLux's general manager, emphasized the strategic significance of the Veurne location, nestled between France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, as a decisive factor for these substantial investments. "Because of its strategic location in Belgium, between France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, we resolutely choose our Veurne plant to make these important investments," Delmotte stated.
Source: Retail Detail