PepsiCo Scales Autonomous Freight to Tackle Complex Logistics

PepsiCo is expanding its efforts in autonomous freight, using dynamic route orchestration to navigate the company's complex regional logistics network. 

It is moving forward with a multiyear partnership with Gatik. The two organizations first collaborated in 2022, driving efficiencies in the Texas, Arizona and Arkansas markets.

Now, the effort will scale into PepsiCo’s North America food and beverage supply chain — a highly complex network of regional markets that are high-frequency and time-sensitive, requiring autonomous freight tech to add capacity and move products more consistently for consumers.

Jim Farrell, PepsiCo's SVP of supply chain, said the company's vast network of customers requires a supply chain that is safe, reliable and built for the future.

Also: PepsiCo gets ahead of supply chain challenges with 3D digital twin tech

So far, the initiative has allowed PepsiCo to ensure more than 98% on-time delivery across its operations. The expanded relationship will impact day-to-day supply chain operations, allowing PepsiCo to modify route plans in response to daily operational needs.

The added flexibility means being able to add or remove stops, respond quickly to shifts in demand and adapt to activity levels across distribution centers. PepsiCo expects to yield benefits such as reduced variability, improved on-time performance and increased capacity without major changes to existing operations.