Industry Minister Bandar Alkhorayef Opens Expanded PepsiCo Facility In Dammam To Boost Food Manufacturing

On Thursday, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef officially opened the expanded PepsiCo manufacturing facility in Dammam Second Industrial City. The event was attended by Ahmed El Sheikh, President and General Manager for Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan Foods at PepsiCo. This expansion aligns with the National Industrial Strategy's focus on enhancing the food manufacturing sector in Saudi Arabia.

Alkhorayef emphasized the ministry's dedication to facilitating PepsiCo's growth by providing essential support for new product development. This initiative aims to bolster Saudi Arabia's status as a regional hub for food manufacturing and exports. It also seeks to foster an environment conducive to innovation and research within the food industry.

El Sheikh highlighted Saudi Arabia's role as a strategic growth hub for PepsiCo in the region. He pointed out that the company's investments, including the Dammam plant expansion and a new regional headquarters, demonstrate its commitment to aligning with national and regional goals. These efforts are part of PepsiCo's strategy to enhance operations and support local priorities.

PepsiCo is actively seeking further investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. The company aims to empower local farmers, create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and increase exports. Currently, PepsiCo operates across 86 locations in the Kingdom, employing around 9,000 people. At the Dammam facility, 84% of employees are Saudi nationals, with women making up about 22% of the workforce.

Over the past eight years, PepsiCo has invested more than SAR9 billion in Saudi Arabia. In 2023 alone, SAR300 million was allocated for expanding and modernizing the Dammam facility. These investments reflect PepsiCo's long-term commitment to supporting economic growth and development within the Kingdom.

El Sheikh stated that "Saudi Arabia represents a strategic hub for growth in the region and a key driver of PepsiCo’s global performance." He reiterated that these investments are crucial for enhancing operations and supporting national priorities.

The expansion of PepsiCo’s operations in Saudi Arabia underscores its dedication to contributing positively to the local economy while aligning with broader industrial strategies. By focusing on innovation and development within the food sector, both PepsiCo and Saudi Arabia aim to achieve mutual growth objectives.

With inputs from SPA