PepsiCo says the 40th anniversary of its Regency Park manufacturing facility reflects the company’s commitment to South Australia. With 40 years on the site, using 40,000 tonnes of South Australian potatoes every year, and 40 per cent of its national potato use being grown in the state, that story checks out.
The Regency Park plant is home to the production of Smith’s potato chips, Smith’s Oven Baked potato chips, Red Rock Deli chips and crackers, Doritos, and Twisties.
The 40,000 tonnes of South Australian potatoes come from farms in Angle Vale, Parilla, and Langhorne, with Regency Park processing 60,000 tonnes of Australian potatoes a year.
Every hour, 88,000 potatoes are washed, sliced, and cooked, with 57 quality checks carried out to ensure the perfect chip comes off the line.
PepsiCo ANZ Manufacturing director, Doug Stakic, said “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.
“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.”
The company has invested $72 million in the site over the last five years. In 2021, it opened a new $18 million baked chip line at the factory, while in 2019, the company completed a $37 million, three year upgrade.
The plant has produced some firsts including Australia’s first kettle chip with Red Rock Deli, and last year it launched a new range of better-for-you corn and potato chips, Simply. Simply corn chips contain 40 per cent less sodium and the potato chips contain 25 per cent less fat.
Regency Park employs 310 people. Stakic has been working at the plant for 37 years, and not long after he began, Anna Marie Dyksrta joined, with this year marking her 30th anniversary.
Dyksrta started as a packing check way attendant but has held many roles since. She is currently a Training leader.
“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 Dykstra.
