Industry Minister Inaugurates Newly Expanded PepsiCo Facility in Dammam

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef inaugurated the new expansion of PepsiCo’s manufacturing plant in Dammam Second Industrial City on Thursday. President and General Manager for Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan Foods at PepsiCo Ahmed El Sheikh attended the ceremony.

 The minister highlighted PepsiCo’s expansion within the Kingdom’s food manufacturing field, which is a priority sector outlined in the National Industrial Strategy. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to providing all necessary enablers to support the growth and expansion of PepsiCo’s operations, including the development of new products. This, he noted, further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for food manufacturing and exports, while fostering an environment that encourages innovation, research, and the development of new products in the food sector.

 For his part, 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 highlighted the company’s growing investments in the Kingdom, including the Dammam facility expansion and the establishment of the new regional headquarters, both of which reflect PepsiCo’s ongoing commitment to supporting national and regional priorities.

 El Sheikh noted that the company is actively exploring further investment opportunities that enhance its operations, empower Saudi farmers, generate employment, strengthen supply chains, and boost exports. PepsiCo currently operates in 86 locations across the Kingdom, employing around 9,000 people, with Saudi nationals accounting for 84% of the workforce at the Dammam plant, and women representing about 22% of total employees.

 He noted that over the past eight years, PepsiCo has made significant investments in Saudi Arabia totaling more than SAR9 billion, including SAR300 million allocated for the expansion and modernization of the Dammam facility in 2023.