Pepsi to build a Sh2.4bn plant in Nairobi’s Ruaraka estate

Pepsi Cola, the world’s second largest food and beverage company, has announced plans to build a Sh2.4 billion manufacturing plant off Thika Road and Baba Dogo Road in Nairobi.

The U.S. Based company has bought 14 acres of land at Nairobi’s Ruaraka estate through SBC Kenya, a franchise bottling and distribution company it acquired two years ago.

“We have completed the excavation stage. We are now tendering after which we expect construction to start by April 15th,” Butch Moldenhauer, SBC Kenya’s general manager, told the media.

The plant is expected to produce at least six of the beverage maker’s brands including Pepsi Diet, Pepsi Cola, Seven Up, Everess, Mirinda and Soda Water.

Meanwhile, London-based SABMiller has taken control of family owned Crown Foods, the bottlers of Keringet brand of drinking water. The firm whose Kenyan subsidiary – Castle Brewing –  was closed down in 2002 is said to be planning a re-launch of its upmarket Keringet bottled water besides going for a more mass market product.

SABMiller has signed franchising deals with the Coca-Cola Company to allow it to bottle and distribute their brands like Minute Maid, Sprite, Fanta, Sprite and Coke.

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