THE Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. board has approved a plan to discontinue its snacks business “to focus on and strengthen” its core business lines, the company told the stock exchange Friday.

Aside from the focus on its core business, the licensed bottler of PepsiCo, Inc. and Pepsi Lipton International Ltd. in the Philippines also announced a number of corporate appointments during the board’s regular meeting on Sept. 19.

Oscar S. Reyes, former president and chief executive officer of Manila Electric Co., was appointed chairman of the board’s compensation and remuneration committee as well as the chairman of its nominations and governance committee.

The board also approved the appointment of Rafael M. Alunan III as vice-chairman of the board of directors. Samir Moussa was elected as a member of the board of directors.

Their election or appointment took effect on Sept. 19.

The company manufactures a range of carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated beverages and snacks that include brands like Pepsi-Cola, 7Up, Mountain Dew, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, G-Active, Tropicana/Twister, Lipton, Sting, Propel, Milkis, Aquafina, Premier, Let’s Be, and Cheetos.

The company competes in the ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic beverage and snacks market across the Philippines. The market is highly competitive and competition varies by product category.

The bottler earlier said that it believes the major competitive factors include advertising and marketing programs that create brand awareness, pack/price promotions, new product development, distribution and availability, packaging and customer goodwill.

It faces competition generally from both local and multinational companies across its nationwide operations.

On Friday, shares in the company fell 0.48% to close at P2.08. — Victor V. Saulon

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