PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo, Inc. officially opened its Mexico Baking Category Innovation Center in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon. The new baking facility features an advanced culinary center and development laboratories as well as a pilot manufacturing plant that will allow product developers and engineers to quickly test new ideas and accelerate the pace of new product innovation.

The baking center will employ more than 100 people, including chefs, nutritionists, food scientists and baking technology experts.

“The new facility is a state-of-the-art research and development center where Mexican and multi-national food experts create new baked options and healthier choices to delight our consumers around the world,” said Carmela Rivero, vice-president of R.&D. for PepsiCo Mexico Foods.

Alejandra Kamel, director of the new facility, said PepsiCo envisions the facility as a center of excellence for PepsiCo baked products.

“Mexico is PepsiCo’s third largest market, and we are sharing the expertise that we have in baking with other PepsiCo markets,” she said.

The center is partnering on projects with PepsiCo businesses in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.  Many of the projects are focused on the development of good-for-you products, Ms. Kamel said, including the Quaker Oat & Yogurt Sandwich Biscuit that was developed for the North American market.

The baking innovation center is part of PepsiCo’s long-term strategy to invest in Mexico. Earlier this year, the company announced a multiyear investment plan that’s expected to generate 4,000 new jobs. The company’s investments are focused on four priority areas: innovation and brand building; infrastructure; agriculture and community.

Additionally, the center was built in line with the criteria established by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the world’s leading green building standard. It uses advanced technologies and processes to conserve natural resources and reduce operating costs.

“We are proud of the actions we have taken in Mexico and around the world to position PepsiCo for sustainable long-term growth by conserving our planet's resources, expanding our product portfolio, building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and acting as a responsible citizen in our communities,” said Indra K. Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo. “We believe our commitment to delivering ‘Performance with Purpose’ will drive sustained value for PepsiCo and positively contribute to Mexico’s development well into the future.”