ROMANIA – PepsiCo has unveiled plans for a US$13 million investment in a new fully automated production line at its soft drink plant in Dragomirești, Romania.
The multinational beverage giant aims to significantly enhance production capacity, targeting an impressive 800 million liters per year.
The ambitious project includes the construction of a cutting-edge, fully automated warehouse spanning 15,000 square meters, with an estimated value of US$15 million.
The new production line is a key component of Pepsi’s comprehensive 5-year development plan, involving a total investment of US$40 million.
Once installed, the production line will increase production up to 1 million bottles daily, a remarkable 60% increase in beverage output compared to conventional production lines, according to a spokesperson from Pepsi.
PepsiCo is emphasizing efficiency and sustainability with this investment, as the fully automated process—from bottling to loading onto trucks—eliminates the need for human intervention and consumes 30% less energy than traditional lines.
Radu Berevoescu, General Manager and Senior Commercial Director of East Balkans at PepsiCo, highlighted the significance of this investment in positioning the company as a regional production and distribution hub for Central and South-Eastern Europe.
“This investment will help us strengthen our position as a regional production and distribution hub for Central and South-Eastern Europe,” he stated.
PepsiCo’s commitment to the region is evident in its decade-long direct investment of $320 million in Romania.
The Dragomirești facility, with the addition of the new production line, will serve multiple countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Ukraine, Hungary, Cyprus, and Moldova.
Notably, Pepsi has two factories in Romania, with the Popești-Leordeni facility catering to a broader market, extending its reach to Moldova, Ukraine, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and more.
The Popești-Leordeni plant produces a diverse range of products, including Lay’s potato chips, Doritos, Lay’s Oven Baked, and the local brand, Star.
Recently, PepsiCo announced a US$53 million investment in a Saudi Arabian snacks facility to meet the growing local and export demand in the region. The expansion project is expected to be completed in 2024.
PepsiCo continues its expansion plans on some of its subsidiaries as part of expanding its portfolio. In September, the company announced a US$200 million investment in a production facility in Indonesia as the company aimed to re-enter the Indonesian snack market.
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