Ramon Laguarta on productivity
From PepsiCo Inc ($PEP) Q1 2026 Earnings Call · · Castify Earnings Call
“I don't know if our competitors have the same productivity story that we've been focused on, reducing cost per unit and overall cost for the food business and all the North America business and across the company, actually. And that has been a very successful strategy for us. We still have a lot of non-executed drivers of productivity in the coming quarters and years that would help us continue to give consumers the right value and compete probably in a better way against the other food manufacturers.”
On , Ramon Laguarta, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at PepsiCo Inc, spoke about productivity during PepsiCo Inc ($PEP) Q1 2026 Earnings Call on Castify Earnings Call.
About Ramon Laguarta
Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, has been discussing the company's strategy to drive volume growth through price reductions, innovation, and operational changes. In early 2026, he noted that PepsiCo cut prices on top snack brands like Lay's and Doritos by up to 15%, which he said contributed to a return to volume growth of 2% in the North American food business in the first quarter. Laguarta stated that the company is focusing on "brilliant at the basics," including the right price points and service levels, and that he sees a "clear line of sight" to returning to the company's long-term growth algorithm throughout 2026. He also highlighted the relaunch of major brands such as Lay's, Tostitos, and Gatorade, emphasizing a shift toward simpler ingredients and no artificial additives. Laguarta has addressed broader industry trends, including the potential impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, saying he assumes "broader adoption" and that PepsiCo is "very optimistic on how PepsiCo can play in that new reality." He described the company's engagement with activist investor Elliott Management as "constructive and collaborative," adding that they are aligned on the need to improve the company's valuation with a "sense of urgency." On supply chain, Laguarta mentioned testing integrated distribution in Texas and pursuing multi-year productivity initiatives to reduce costs. He also noted that the international business is expected to continue mid-single-digit growth, with positive trends in markets such as Mexico, China, and South Africa.