PepsiCo has announced an investment of £13 million (€15.4 million) in its tortilla chip factory in Coventry as Doritos marks 30 years since its launch in the UK in 1994.
The investment will see PepsiCo replacing existing equipment with a new manufacturing line for Doritos.
The facility also produces other snacks, including Wotsits, French Fries, Squares and Sunbites.
PepsiCo added that the Coventry site is Europe’s largest tortilla chip factory, and is known as 'the home of Doritos' in the UK.
Over the years, Doritos has established itself as a popular snack with nearly a third of UK households buying the brand and sales amounting to £273 million, PepsiCo noted citing data from NielsenIQ.
Data also showed that Doritos’ popularity continues to grow with retail sales increasing more than 20% over the last two years.
Layla Whiting, manufacturing director of PepsiCo, added, “We’ve been perfecting the tortilla chip here in Coventry for the past three decades, and I’m proud of our role in helping to build a loyal Doritos fanbase and make the brand a household name in the UK.
“This investment marks our commitment to the teams who have played such a key role in Doritos’ success over the years, and to our home in Coventry as we celebrate our 30th birthday.”
New Equipment
PepsiCo will commence the installation of the new production line in August, and upgrade equipment at all stages of the production process, from corn washing and milling to cutting, cooking and seasoning.
The upgrade will help PepsiCo improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of its manufacturing operations by reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the facility by more than 700 tonnes each year.
The new manufacturing line will continue to produce the Doritos range in the UK, including Doritos Dippers, which became the first Doritos product to classify as non-HFSS last year.
The investment will also fund an extensive upgrade of facilities at the site, which employs 700 people.
It will include renovation of working spaces, new changing rooms, a training centre, and a fully refurbished on-site restaurant.
The training centre will increase upskilling opportunities at the site with the help of replica equipment offering team members the opportunity to develop skills off the factory floor, the company added.
