PEPSI-COLA Jamaica has invested about US$2 million to bring the production and manufacturing of Tropicana to Jamaica.

In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, general manager of the company Jose Eduardo Rodriguez said, “This amount of money has been focused on getting our brand properly launched into the trade, and basically that has been our vision for the short term.”

He added “Jamaica was chosen for several reasons. Outside of a productive and effective operation which we maintain at Pepsi-Cola Jamaica, we want to add value to our plant manufacturing and to our culture and society. For that reason, Pepsi-Cola launched Tropicana for this market.”

Rodriguez stressed that the product will have an affordable price and has a higher amount of natural juice.

“The price will be something around $200 or $220 per bottle. It’s a lower price against products with similar features, and basically that would be great for the market because we are offering something healthier for our consumers,” he explained.

While he noted that Pepsi-Cola Jamaica is committed to expanding its portfolio locally and growing the Jamaican economy, he admitted “right now we are following all the Pepsi company guidelines to do this launch”.

When quizzed about the integration of local farmers in the production process he said, “As we are required to adhere to the PepsiCo’s guidelines and formula, it is mandatory that we use only the specified raw materials uniquely blended by the PepsiCo corporate plant to acquire the Tropicana taste and quality. Nevertheless, we continue to provide opportunities to all qualified Jamaicans within other fields relevant to the manufacturing industry.”

In terms of Pepsi’s production capacity, the general manager disclosed: “Currently there is no need for an expansion as our existing facilities are more than equipped and qualified to take on this new challenge. As such, we are currently able to meet the demand of our customers and are also able to achieve our internal goals and targets.”

Notwithstanding, he noted: “We will continue providing continued job opportunities inside of our plant manufacturing because this kind of launch gives us the opportunity to increase our production capacity, and that means we will have the opportunity to offer more jobs.”

He told the Business Observer that about 18 additional jobs will be created with the introduction of Tropicana to the local portfolio.

He said, “The additional positions are intended to ensure increased productivity in our manufacturing, and this has been great as we increase jobs across the island.”

Pepsi-Cola Jamaica currently exports several products bottled in Jamaica, however Rodriguez said the company’s Tropicana brand is mainly for the local market at this time. He said “we will explore export possibilities in a year”.

Rodriguez explained that Pepsi-Cola Jamaica is also responsible for the production and distribution of the Tropics brand in the island. He said the introduction of the locally manufactured Tropicana is intended to offer a healthier alternative with no added artificial sugars.