PepsiCo’s Regency Park manufacturing facility is celebrating its 40^th year of making some of Australia’s most iconic snacks, such as Smith’s, Red Rock Deli, Doritos and Twisties, since its opening in South Australia in 1983.

The milestone reflects PepsiCo’s continued commitment to the South Australian manufacturing industry by growing produce, employing local team members and making foods locally.

To make its snacks, PepsiCo purchases 40,000 tonnes of potatoes from South Australian farmers in Angle Vale, Parilla and Langhorne each year.

The site, is the proud birthplace of the premium potato chip brand Red Rock Deli, and also makes the world-famous Doritos range, including the innovative new limited-edition coriander flavour. It also manufactures the Smith’s Oven Baked range, which was launched in 2020 as a ‘better for you’ potato chip.

The Regency Park site employs 310 South Australian residents, including Anna Marie Dykstra, who is also celebrating her 30^th anniversary this year. A much beloved team member over her three decades with the business, Anna Marie started working as a packing check way attendant, and has had multiple roles before her current Training Leader role.

“This is my second family. I say that because sometimes when you’re tired, you still want to come in, because you are looking forward to seeing your friends, to work again,” said Ms Dykstra.

“I enjoy working here, I really enjoy it, and I’m so proud of being an employee of PepsiCo.”

“South Australian farming and manufacturing is an integral part of our business at PepsiCo – a third of the potatoes we use nationally are sourced from South Australia,” said Doug Stakic, PepsiCo ANZ Manufacturing Director, who has been at the Regency Park site for 37 years.

“We are proud of our contribution to the South Australian economy through our Regency Park facility over the past four decades, and we are committed to continuing this contribution for decades to come through ongoing investment and expansion.”

In 2019, PepsiCo completed a $37 million upgrade to the manufacturing facility, with totals of more than $72 million invested into the site over the past five years.

Regency Park key statistics:

• In South Australia for 40 years
  • The Regency Park site is marking its 40^th year of making Smith’s potato chips
• Brands made at the site
  • Brands made at the site today include Smith’s potato chips, Smith’s Oven Baked potato chips, Red Rock Deli chips and crackers, Doritos and Twisties
• Supporting South Australian farmers
  • The site uses 40,000 tonnes of potatoes every year from farms in Angle Vale, Parilla and Langhorne
  • 40% of potatoes PepsiCo uses nationally are grown in South Australia
• Operations
  • 60,000 tonnes of Aussie-grown potatoes processed a year
  • 88,000 potatoes washed, sliced and cooked every hour
  • 57 quality checks undertaken at the site to make sure the perfect chip gets made
• Site sustainability
  • 100% sustainable potatoes and corn
  • 100% renewable electricity
  • 96% of production waste is recycled