Regency Park snack factory clocks up 40 years

PepsiCo’s factory at Regency Park marked its 40th anniversary on Thursday

According to a statement from the company, it purchases 40,000 tonnes of potatoes a year from South Australian farmers in Angle Vale, Parilla and Langhorne to create products including the Red Rock Deli brand of premium potato chips and crackers, and the Smith’s Oven Baked range.

The site also produces Doritos and Twisties.

PepsiCo completed a $37 million upgrade to the facility in 2019, and counts approximately $72 million invested in the site over the last five years.

Anna Marie Dykstra, a Training Leader who is celebrating her 30th anniversary at the factory this year, is one of 310 employed at the factory. She said in a statement that the team was a “second family” to her.

“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 (pictured.)

The company said that 40 per cent of the potatoes it sources nationally are from SA.

60,000 tonnes of Australian potatoes are processed per year, and 88,000 potatoes washed, sliced and cooked every hour. 

Doug Stakic, Manufacturing Director of PepsiCo ANZ, has been at the Regency Park site even longer at 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,” added Stakic.

Picture: supplied