PepsiCo India has solidified its ‘Partnership of Progress’ with the state of Assam by announcing the establishment of its inaugural food manufacturing facility in Nalbari, Assam, with an investment of INR 778 crore (USD 95 Million). Covering an expansive 44.2 acres, this state-of-the-art plant is set to commence operations in 2025, aiming to create employment opportunities, both direct and indirect, for 500 individuals.
PepsiCo India has entered into a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Assam Skill Development Mission and the Directorate of Employment & Craftsman Training. This collaborative effort is geared toward promoting women’s empowerment and fostering a safe and supportive work environment to enhance the employability of women in the region. The plant’s objective is to recruit a workforce with 100% diversity and strive for a minimum of 75% women representation. Additionally, it intends to establish its inaugural Community Learning Centre at the Women’s ITI campus in Nalbari to enhance the skills of women over the next two years.
As a company deeply rooted in agriculture, PepsiCo India has consistently partnered with farming communities across India. The arrival of this new food plant in Assam will further bolster its efforts to assist and enhance the livelihoods of over 5,000+ farmers in the coming years.
PepsiCo India will also offer growth opportunities to farmers through cutting-edge technology, top-quality seeds, and affordable machinery. The goal is to source 50,000 tonnes of potatoes from the state to produce its iconic Lay’s brand. Additionally, the plant will generate demand for cold storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes in the coming years.
Chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said, “We are transforming Assam into a preferred state for investment, and I assure PepsiCo of our full support for this greenfield foods manufacturing plant.”
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 the fastest growing markets for PepsiCo in AMESA region, and we are committed to invest in the nation to build capacity. Our first foods manufacturing plant in Assam is a testament of our long-term vision and unwavering support to the economic growth of the country 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.”
Ahmed ElSheikh, president, PepsiCo India, said, “In alignment with the Government of India’s Self-Reliant India 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, our aim is 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 incorporate renewable practices within the plant to fulfill its water and energy requirements, with a target of utilizing over 80% renewable energy. The plant is expected to create substantial opportunities for businesses within the MSME industry, including packaging product manufacturers like laminates, cartons, scrap, and other local ancillary industries, positively influencing the local industrial landscape.