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PepsiCo has announced plans to invest £8 million in its Pipers Crisps manufacturing site in Brigg, Lincolnshire, UK, to meet growing demand. The funding will be used to boost production capacity at the site by nearly 80%. This will be done by replacing existing crisp fryers with new energy efficient models and installing new packaging machines at the factory. The more efficient fryers will help to reduce the site’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 200 tonnes per year, contributing to PepsiCo’s ‘pep+’ commitments. Alongside increasing production, the investment will upgrade facilities for the factory’s 100 employees, including improvements to workspaces.

Originally available in small independent retailers and foodservice, Pipers has expanded its distribution network to include national wholesalers such as Booker, Brakes and Bidfood, alongside hospitality operators Mitchell & Butlers, Stonegate and Youngs. Since

PepsiCo’s acquisition of the brand in 2018, Pipers has grown to become the number one premium crisp brand in the ‘away from home’ category, more than doubling its sales. Mirjam Fogarty, head of operations at Pipers Crisps, said: “Pipers is a much-loved brand with a rich heritage, and we’re delighted to be making this investment at such an exciting stage in our journey. From small independent pubs, cafes and farm shops, to working with some of the UK’s biggest wholesalers and hospitality operators, the funding will help us bring our delicious crisps to more people, wherever they are, and expand our brand internationally...I’m looking forward to the next phase of our growth.” PepsiCo has continued to invest in its UK manufacturing sites, with a total of £127 million committed in investment over the last four years, including its £58 million investment in its Walkers factory in Leicester in June last year. The snack giant has launched a cohort of crisp innovations in the last few months, including a trio of ultra spicy crisps, Crunchy Buffalo Cheetos, new Sensations flavours, sweet and spicy honey Lay's and four new Doritos Dinamata flavours, to name a few.