PepsiCo to invest $72 million in Britain's Walkers factory

LONDON (Reuters) – PepsiCo Inc said it would invest 58 million pounds ($72 million) to boost potato crisp, or chips, manufacturing at its Walkers factory in Leicester, in what represents the consumer goods giant’s biggest investment in Britain for 25 years.






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FILE PHOTO: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Leicester

The funding will create 100 new jobs at the site, one of the world’s biggest crisp factories.

PepsiCo said it would help meet increased demand for its Walkers snacks, and mean production of brands including Wotsits Giants and Monster Munch Giants would move to Leicester from Europe in 2024.

“The scale of this latest investment is purposeful in securing the future of the factory and positioning Walkers…for further growth in the long term,” PepsiCo said in a statement on Tuesday.

($1 = 0.8068 pounds)

(Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle)