PepsiCo, one of the largest food and beverage businesses in the world, has officially opened its new R&D Centre for next generation products in Little Island, Co. Cork. It represents an investment of €10 million in PepsiCo’s Irish operations.
Currently employing 18 people, all with PhD, MSc and Bachelor Degreees in Food Science, Chemistry and Engineering, the new R&D Centre will play a key role in PepsiCo’s strategy for growth across its global business. The company employs 600 people in Ireland across a diverse range of business activities including manufacturing, finance, business information and shared services.
The new R&D facility will allow PepsiCo to create a critical, sustainable competitive advantage through new and innovative products, ensuring its next generation products meet consumer needs in the future.
Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation was joined by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and PepsiCo senior executives at today’s official opening in Little Island.
Speaking at the event, Minister Bruton said: “The investment of €10million by Pepsi in its facility in Cork is a very welcome addition to the growing list of world-leading companies who are locating R&D facilities in Ireland. Through the Action Plan for Jobs, this government is determined to maintain the level of R&D investment that we have built up in recent years, but also ensure that it is more focused on commercial outcomes so that both Irish and international companies here can benefit more from it. In this way, we can start to turn more good ideas into good jobs and help get employment growing again”.
Mike Engler, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PepsiCo Worldwide Flavours said: “The ongoing success of our operations in Ireland represents a springboard for business expansion, with the potential for additional job creation. Having seen at first hand the tremendous work and results achieved by the Ireland R&D team over the past five years, I have no doubt that this new state-of-the-art facility will serve to further enhance their contribution, ensuring PepsiCo is better placed than ever before to deliver breakthrough innovation globally”.
“I would like to thank Minister Richard Bruton, Minister Simon Coveney and Barry O’Leary, Chief Executive of the IDA for joining us at the official opening today and to thank them for their ongoing support for PepsiCo’s operations in Ireland”.
Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland, said: “I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to PepsiCo in Cork on the success of the R&D Centre since the investment was first announced. The addition of this important R&D Centre for Pepsi is a huge vote of confidence in Ireland as a location for world class research. I would like to acknowledge the vision and leadership shown in Cork which has positioned the Irish company at the strategic centre of the global operation”.
