PepsiCo is investing £9.3m to triple the size of its distribution centre at Peterlee in Durham.
The site at the North East Industrial Estate is used for Walkers Crisps as well as Quaker Oats. Expansion will enable PepsiCo to take some 375,000 miles off the road each year by reducing delivery fleet distances.
Jane Burkitt, PepsiCo UK’s senior supply chain director said: “I’m delighted to reveal our expansion today. We’re seeing impressive growth across our brands, including Quaker Oats which we store here in Peterlee.
“Quaker has grown in the UK by 22% in the last three years and, with such an increase in demand, we’ve not only invested to produce more but also to store more Quaker Oats as they begin their journey to breakfast tables across the country. Our expansion will help us to keep up with demand for many years to come.”
A number of ‘green features’ have also been introduced on-site, including a 100% rainwater harvested fleet vehicle wash, energy efficient cranes, low heating requirements and need-activated lighting, all of which form part of PepsiCo’s path to zero pledge.
Packaging from the new, energy efficient cranes has been used to create on-site allotments for employees to grow their own fruit and vegetables. These allotments will help the Peterlee site maintain its zero waste to landfill status by using all organic waste from the on-site canteen for composting.
Last month, prime minister David Cameron attended an announcement at which the company committed a £14.4million investment to increase the capacity of its Quaker Oats site at Cupar.
