PepsiCo India is establishing its first Greenfield Foods Manufacturing Plant in Nalbari, Assam, with an investment of USD 95 million.
PepsiCo India is establishing its first food manufacturing plant in Assam as part of its ‘Partnership for Progress’ with the state of Assam, with an investment of USD 95 million. The state-of-the-art plant, which will cover 44.2 acres, is expected to be operational in 2025 and employ 500 people directly and indirectly.
PepsiCo India organised a Bhumi Pujan event to commemorate this crucial step in its commitment to India, which was attended by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, as well as other senior officials from the State Government. Eugene Willemsen, PepsiCo’s Chief Executive Officer for Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, and Ahmed ElSheikh, President of PepsiCo India, were joined at this historic event by senior PepsiCo India leadership.
Following the Bhumi Pujan ceremony, PepsiCo India inked a Tripartite MoU with the Assam Skill Development Mission and the Directorate of Employment and Craftsman Training to promote women’s empowerment and to provide a safe and supportive work environment to increase women’s employment in the region.
The plant targets to intake 100% diverse talent. It aims for at least 75% women representation. It intends to set up its first Community Learning Centre at the Women’s ITI campus, Nalbari, to upskill women over the next two years.
As an agri company at heart, PepsiCo India has consistently worked with the farmer community across India. The coming of a new foods manufacturing plant in Assam will further strengthen its efforts with the aim to assist and improve the livelihoods of over 5,000+ farmers over the next few years.
PepsiCo India will also provide farmers with growth opportunities by using state-of-the-art technology, high-quality seeds and affordable machinery with the goal of sourcing 50,000 tonnes of potatoes from the state to produce its iconic brand, Lay’s. The plant will also generate demand for a cold storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes over the next few years.
Speaking at the occasion and addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said, “This historic occasion marks the beginning of a new partnership between Assam government and PepsiCo India. On behalf of the people of Assam, I welcome PepsiCo as partners in the path of progress.”
“We are transforming Assam into a preferred state for investment, and I assure PepsiCo of our full support for this greenfield foods manufacturing plant. PepsiCo India aims to offer special training to women of Assam and help them gain new skills, enabling women empowerment in the state. I congratulate the people of Assam, especially Nalbari, who will benefit from this partnership,” the Chief Minister said.
Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer – Africa, Middle East & South Asia, PepsiCo, said, “India stands as a robust cornerstone among the world’s leading economies, underscored by its impressive growth trajectory. India is amongst PepsiCo’s fastest-growing markets in the AMESA region, and we are committed to investing in the nation to build capacity”.
“Our first foods manufacturing plant in Assam is a testament to our long-term vision and unwavering support to the country’s economic growth by creating an equitable and sustainable ecosystem. This plant is poised to integrate the finest elements of PepsiCo’s global expertise while contributing to Assam’s holistic advancement. This decade is a decade of India, and at PepsiCo, we are focused on building capabilities, availability and expanding penetration across the nation,” Willemsen added.
Ahmed ElSheikh, President of PepsiCo India, said, “In alignment with the Government of India’s Self-Reliant India vision (Atmanirbhar vision), our investment in the greenfield facility in Assam stands as a significant milestone in our pursuit of this goal. Through the creation of employment opportunities and by empowering the farming community, we aim to support the government’s drive for self-sufficiency in potato production. Our skilling initiatives will further focus on fostering an ecosystem of economic empowerment for the women of Assam, equipping them with essential training and parity in opportunities. With this new facility, we anticipate a transformative impact on Assam’s entire ecosystem, reinforcing our ‘partnership of progress’ with the State Government.”
Aligned with its ‘Winning with pep+’ philosophy, PepsiCo India will implement renewable practices within the plant to fulfill its water and energy needs with the target of using over 80% renewable energy. The plant is expected to generate significant opportunities for businesses representing the MSME industry, including packaging products like laminates, cartons, scrap and other local ancillary industries, positively impacting the local industrial ecosystem.
