Pepsi plans a $500-million splash in India

22 Sep, 2008, 0150 hrs IST, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: A trimmer Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo’s global chairman and CEO, addressed media on Sunday afternoon as a precursor to what will be the $39-billion cola and snacks major’s first-ever executive committee meeting in India.

Dressed in a chic black ensemble and several kilos less, Ms Nooyi is clearly symbolising the healthy lifestyle she so often advocates. Announcing a fresh $500-million (Rs 2,200 crore) investment in India over the next three years, Ms Nooyi said the 26 members of PepsiCo’s executive committee are here to see ‘what makes India tick’.

Since Ms Nooyi took charge of the top job at PepsiCo — a company often accused of selling sugary drinks and salty snacks — she has been trying to change its complexion. The objective is to give it a makeover from an undifferentiated cola maker to a company that offers choices to every consumer.

She has been championing health products since she believes that’s the future and she wants to be the first one to come up with innovations.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Cons_Products/Food/Pepsi_plans_a_500-million_splash_in_India/articleshow/3510797.cms

PepsiCo announces $500 mn investment in India

21 Sep, 2008, 1703 hrs IST, IANS

GURGAON: PepsiCo chairperson and chief executive Indra Nooyi on Sunday announced an investment of $500 million in India over the next three years to triple revenues by 2014.

The investment would be spread over manufacturing, market infrastructure, environment sustainability initiatives, research, new products and agriculture, Chennai-born Nooyi said.

"The new investment will contribute 50,000 new direct and indirect jobs to the Indian economy," she said at a press conference here.

"India is among the top five market of PepsiCo and we remain extremely bullish on the country, she added

Nooyi is in India to chair the $39-billion food and beverages giant's two-day annual conclave from Monday.

Besides Nooyi, some of the top executives expected at the meeting include chief executive and vice chairman Michael D. White, senior vice president and general counsel Larry Thompson, and PepsiCo UK president Salman Amin.

PeosiCo, which entered India in 1989 mainly as a beverages company, has invested $700 million in the country so far. It has 43 bottling plants in India, of which the company owns 15, while the rest are operated by franchisees.

It also has three factories to manufacture the Frito-Lay range of potato chips, Cheetos extruded snacks, and traditional Indian snacks under the Kurkure and Lehar brands.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Cons_Products/Food/PepsiCo_announces_500_mn_investment_in_India/articleshow/3509912.cms

:rofl: