PepsiCo to invest €39m in expanding Cork facilities

Company, which employs more than 1,250 in Ireland, will also invest in solar power for Little Island site

The investment includes a €2.4 million solar energy installation at the site, which will generate 1820kW and supply about 22 per cent of its energy needs. Photograph: Darragh Kane
The investment includes a €2.4 million solar energy installation at the site, which will generate 1820kW and supply about 22 per cent of its energy needs. Photograph: Darragh Kane

PepsiCo Ireland is to invest €39 million in its facilities in Co Cork, expanding its manufacturing capacity at the Little Island site.

It will also support increased demand for existing PepsiCo products, as well as bringing PepsiCo’s innovation to global customers.

The Little Island site produces concentrate for brands including Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Gatorade, 7Up and Mountain Dew.

The new investment comes after the company completed a €127 million investment in Little Island and in the adjacent research and development facilities earlier this year.

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The investment includes a €2.4 million solar energy installation at the Little Island site, which will generate 1820kW and supply about 22 per cent of the site’s energy needs. It is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of the year.

“This latest investment will provide additional capacity for the markets we serve, enhance production capability, and further reinforce the strong sustainability credentials of our site in Little Island,” said PepsiCo’s Little Island site director Brian Colgan.

“As we approach 50 years in Cork, we are extremely proud of this latest milestone and the benefits that will arise for Little Island and the wider Cork region.”

The company currently employs more than 1,250 people in Ireland, with about 100 open roles at Little Island.

The announcement was welcomed by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney.

“This latest multimillion euro investment by PepsiCo, the second this year, reinforces its commitment to Ireland and to Cork,” Mr Coveney said.

“The company’s positive impact on the Irish economy since it first established a presence here in 1974 is hugely significant.”

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist