PepsiCo is one of the world's leading food and beverage companies serving more than 200 countries and territories around the world
About the Company
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
In South Africa the company’s brands include White Star, SASKO, Simba, Liqui Fruit, Bokomo, Weet-Bix and Lay’s.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive. PepsiCo Positive is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.
In South Africa, you will find our products across the country at breakfast, lunch or dinner. At the gym or on the field. In the office or on the go. We refresh, restore and rejuvenate our consumers all day, every day with our key brands.
Since PepsiCo first entered South Africa in 1997 with an investment into Simba, our operations have reflected a strong commitment to South Africa’s people, communities and economy. The USD 1.7 billion acquisition of Pioneer Foods completed in March of 2020 is one of the largest deals made by PepsiCo outside of the US.
We employ approximately 12 000 South Africans across multiple sites including three corporate offices, over 40 production facilities, and approximately 70 distribution and warehouse facilities.
As part of the Public Interest Commitments made to Government in terms of the acquisition, PepsiCo has committed to invest at least R5.5 billion (in addition to the purchase price) to achieve our vision of a thriving business in South Africa and an export centre to the rest of Africa. These investments include modernising and increasing production capabilities, adding routes and distribution capabilities as well as investments in social initiatives.
We are committed to supporting the broad socio-economic imperatives of employment, talent development, and benefiting local suppliers (SMMEs) as well as programmes to promote opportunity and growth in SA. Part of the programme consists of a R1.655 billion, unencumbered, employee share ownership scheme which launched in November 2021 and will allow employees from day one, to have a real financial interest in the company.
Transforming the food system
PepsiCo is committed to driving inclusive growth for South Africa as we work to build a more sustainable food system for the country.
Our establishment of a R600-million fund, the Kgodiso Development Fund will support the broad socioeconomic imperatives of education, SMMEs, emerging farmers and enterprise development over five years. This will include a PepsiCo-led initiative to create a food innovation ecosystem for South Africa.
Through the Development Fund, we will invest R300 million (of the total R600 million) in agricultural activities that build the capacity of disadvantaged emerging farmers and black-owned businesses; promote regenerative agriculture practices and encourage the adoption of innovation to revitalise local production within South Africa's agriculture sector.
The remainder of the investment into the Development Fund, includes R100 million for SMEs within our supply chain and R200 million for education, including scholarships for previously disadvantaged individuals acquiring qualifications or skills that contribute to transforming the South African food system.
Visit the Development Fund website here. |
Manufacturing Plants
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Through a well-established network of importing Distributors, PepsiCo has over a number of years established a footprint across SSA, for many of our iconic South African brands, such as Ceres, Simba and Bokomo, as well as global brands such as Quaker and Lays, sourced from other markets.
Weetabix East Africa is the leading breakfast cereal manufacturer in Kenya, manufacturing and distributing well-known and leading cereal brands as part of its joint venture with Weetabix Ltd in the UK. Based in Nairobi, Weetabix East Africa markets its products and brands in Kenya and in neighbouring eastern African countries. Pioneer Foods acquired a 49% shareholding in the business in November 2016.
Bokomo Namibia, based in Windhoek, focuses on egg, wheaten flour and maize meal production and distributes a wide range of the Group’s products in Namibia. It operates a layer unit and wheat and maize mill. A 50% equity stake was sold to Frans Indongo Group, a Namibian business, in 2007.
Bokomo Botswana, based in Gaborone, is a partnership with an established business, P.F. Brink (Pty) Ltd, and consists of an egg production operation as well as the production of wheaten flour and maize meal. Apart from selling its own products, the company also distributes a wide range of the Group’s products in Botswana.
The Alpen Food Company is a joint venture with Weetabix Limited in the UK, manufacturers and distributors of well known and highly popular leading cereal brands in that country. Alpen Food SA uses identical technologies and product recipes at its production facility in Cape Town, to produce their range of Alpen mueslis and Nutrific wheat biscuits.
Bowman Ingredients SA is a joint venture with the UK-based Jas Bowman and Sons, and specialises in making batters, breadcrumbs and food coatings. Many of the products are tailored to meet the exact requirements of South African manufacturers and end consumers.
Our History
Back in 1939 the world was in turmoil, we were in the throes of a global war and in Molteno, a small town in the Eastern Cape, things were not looking too bright either. Times were tough but some hardships eased a bit as Ouma Greyvenstein started making her now famous Ouma Rusks. This project helped the community generate much-needed funds while supplying South Africa with its favourite rusks.
The first co-operation agreement between Bokomo and SASKO was in 1942 when SASKO shareholders acquired 27% shares in Bokomo, as a result, the SASKO-Bokomo Co-operative was formed.
By 1948, SASKO cancelled the first co-operation agreement with Bokomo, and the companies reverted back to independent operations. Sasko concentrated on milling and baking, while Bokomo focussed on breakfast cereals, broilers, eggs, and animal feeds.
In 1957, South Africans were introduced for the very first time to the Simba Chippie. Not only did South Africa receive its very own ‘local is lekker’ chip, but we also caught our first glimpse of Simba the Lion, who would one day become one of our country’s most recognised and loved icons.
By the 1970s, more attempts were made at establishing ties between the two companies. As a result, on 29 October 1973, the SASKO-Bokomo Central Co-operative was registered, as a co-operative agricultural company with limited liability, to serve as a liaison between the members of SASKO and Bokomo. The agreement lasted for 13 years, and was the first real step towards a merger between SASKO and Bokomo.
SASKO and BOKOMO Merge – Pioneer Foods is born after a 50-year courtship.
Pioneer Foods lists on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Pioneer Foods is acquired by PepsiCo following approval on 5 March and delists from the JSE on 24 March.
In South Africa our portfolio includes much-loved brands like
White Star, SASKO, Simba, Liqui Fruit, Bokomo, Weet-Bix and Lay’s.
PepsiCo South Africa acquires the remaining 50% stake in FUTURELIFE® Health Products®, an innovative brand that will complement its existing breakfast cereals portfolio.