Pepsi unveils plans for new facility in Bucharest

The quality of the labour market in Bucharest was a key factor in Pepsi Americas Romania's decision to locate a new bottling plant near the capital, a senior executive has revealed.

The company, the bottler for PepsiCo in Romania and Moldova, recently spent $4 million (£2.01 million) on an 80,000m2 site in Militari, on the western outskirts of Bucharest.

Construction costs will push investment in the project past the $30 million mark, as Pepsi Americas Romania looks to replace its existing Bucharest bottling facility and increase capacity by 15 to 20%.

Mike Holmes, the company's president, explained that positive economic conditions were a major consideration in the decision to stay close to the capital.

He told Ziarul Financiar: "We think it is better for production to be located at the heart of a strong market."

"Additionally, we want our production facility to be located ? near a workforce market which allows us to attract the best professionals," added Mr Holmes.

Pepsi Americas Romania's current Bucharest production site is likely to be sold for residential development.

Radu Zilisteanu, spokesperson for the Romanian Association of Real Estate Agents, recently predicted that land with development potential could see a 25% increase in value during 2007.