PepsiCo announces restructuring and workforce reductions

PepsiCo Inc. announced that it is eliminating certain corporate functions and jobs within its U.S. food divisions.

PepsiCo Inc. announced that it is eliminating certain corporate functions and jobs within its U.S. food divisions. According to the company, these measures aim to improve efficiency and better focus on the needs of North American consumers, as stated in an official release.

PepsiCo also stated that this decision is part of a multi-year plan that began implementation last year, aimed at fostering growth and adapting to the changing needs of its customers and consumers. One of the first divisions affected was U.S. Beverages, although the company has not specified how many employees will be impacted by these changes.

Impact of the restructuring on the company’s workforce

PepsiCo is one of the largest private employers in North America, with its PepsiCo Foods North America and PepsiCo Beverages North America divisions. According to Stock Analysis, the company employs 319,000 people in the U.S. The recent layoffs are not related to retirement plans or workforce representation goals, the company said.

On February 20, it was reported that PepsiCo will close its production plant in Liberty, which produces PopCorners snacks and has been one of the region’s main employers for nearly 30 years. As a result, approximately 300 workers will lose their jobs. According to Times Union, the layoffs will occur over 14 days, beginning May 21, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed by PepsiCo with the state Department of Labor.

PepsiCo’s current measures will affect hundreds of employees, reflecting the impact of the restructuring on the company’s workforce. While the company continues to focus on driving growth, the effects of these actions will be felt in various communities and among workers who will lose their jobs due to changes in its operational structure.

PepsiCo and DEI policies

PepsiCo has decided to join a growing list of major U.S. companies that are reevaluating or abandoning their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs amid pressure from both the government and conservative activists. The company, known for brands like Frito-Lay and 7Up, has announced that it will end workforce representation goals and move its DEI head to a broader role focused on engagement and leadership development.

This change in PepsiCo’s strategy is related to the completion of its DEI plan for 2025, which will lead to the implementation of a new initiative called “Inclusion for Growth.” Despite these moves, PepsiCo’s stock has shown little change in the market, with a nearly 2% decline so far this year, below the 3.7% increase of the S&P 500 index.