Brings every stage of the innovation journey under one roof for the region
PepsiCo has opened its new US$ 10mn Regional Research & Development (R&D) Hub in Riyadh, inaugurated in the presence of HE Eng. Khalil Bin Ibrahim Bin Salameh, the Saudi Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs.
Designed to bring multiple stages of the innovation journey together in one location, the hub gives PepsiCo a permanent base for research and development in the Middle East, anchoring innovation and value-chain localization directly in the region.
The hub will develop new flavors and packaging that match the preferences of people in the Middle East, including locally inspired seasoning and better-for-you options. The hub will also employ local scientists and engineers who will work alongside teams from PepsiCo’s regional and global R&D network.
Resonate
“We know how important it is to people that the brands they love resonate with the tastes and lifestyles they know, whether it’s homegrown flavors, more options, or more convenient formats. This center helps us innovate locally rather than adapt globally,” commented Ahmed El Sheikh, CEO, Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan, PepsiCo.
“That means we can now move faster and stay closer to what people want, raising the bar for PepsiCo’s innovation teams and driving us to think bigger than ever,” noted Majed Oushi, R&D Head-Middle East, PepsiCo.
The hub will streamline the R&D cycle, connecting different parts of the innovation journey under one roof, allowing teams to develop, test and refine new ideas more quickly.
