PepsiCo has opened a bakery innovation centre in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico .The centre is said to support PepsiCo Mexico and PepsiCo’s strategy to drive growth through R&D across the company’s portfolio.
The new baking facility is equipped with an advanced culinary centre and development laboratories focused, said the company, on creating and tailoring new baked products for distinct consumer benefits and taste preferences in Mexico and in PepsiCo markets around the world, and developing new capabilities that drive sustained growth in the baking goods category.
In addition, the facility will house a pilot manufacturing plant that will allow product developers and engineers to quickly test new ideas and significantly accelerate the pace of new product innovation.
The baking centre will employ more than 100 people from diverse backgrounds, including chefs, nutritionists, food scientists and baking technology experts.
The centre’s mission, according to its director, Alejandra Kamel, is to be a centre of excellence for PepsiCo baked products. “Mexico is PepsiCo’s third largest market, and we are sharing the expertise that we have in baking with other PepsiCo markets,” she said.
The centre is already partnering on projects with PepsiCo businesses in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. Many of these projects are focused on the development good-for-you products, said Kamel. One example is the Quaker Oat & Yogurt Sandwich Biscuit that was developed for the North American market.
Innovations for markets outside of Mexico include the development of regional flavours, the use of local ingredients and unique product shapes that help differentiate PepsiCo products, said Kamel.
“The investments we’ve made to strengthen our global research and development capabilities are driving successful new innovation across PepsiCo’s global food and beverage portfolio,” said CEO Indra Nooyi. “Mexico is an attractive food and beverage market with great potential for future growth, and is a cradle of innovation for PepsiCo globally and this new centre will fuel a wide range of exciting new PepsiCo products.”
The baking innovation centre is part of PepsiCo’s long-term strategy to invest in Mexico, the company said. Earlier this year, the company announced a multiyear investment plan that’s expected to generate 4,000 new jobs. The company’s investments are focused on four priority areas: innovation and brand building; infrastructure; agriculture and community.
Additionally, the center was built in line with the criteria established by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the world's leading green building standard. It uses advanced technologies and processes to conserve natural resources and reduce operating costs.
“We are proud of the actions we have taken in Mexico and around the world to position PepsiCo for sustainable long-term growth by conserving our planet's resources, expanding our product portfolio, building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and acting as a responsible citizen in our communities,” said Nooyi. “We believe our commitment to delivering Performance with Purpose will drive sustained value for PepsiCo and positively contribute to Mexico’s development well into the future.”
The facility is one of several “centres of excellence” within PepsiCo’s global research-and-development organisation. Other facilities include a beverage innovation centre in New York, a snacks innovation centre in Texas, an oats innovation centre in Illinois, a fruit and vegetable innovation centre in Germany, and an Asian food and beverage innovation centre in China.
