Category: News

Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) through Healthway Philippines, Inc. (HPI), has completed its  acquisition of a majority stake of Mercado General Hospital Inc. (MGHI) through the purchase of shares  from White Knight Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ayala Land, Inc. and other shareholders.  MGHI owns and operates the QualiMed Health Network, which includes 4 hospitals: QualiMed Sta. Rosa  located in Nuvali, QualiMed San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, QualiMed Iloilo in Iloilo City, and Daniel O.  Mercado Medical Center in Tanauan, Batangas. In addition, QualiMed also operates an ambulatory  surgical center in UP-PGH, and has clinics in Makati, Quezon City and in Cebu IT Park.  

The agreement was signed on February 26, 2021 between HPI, led by Paolo Borromeo, AC Health  President and CEO, Dr. Edwin Mercado, QualiMed’s founding President & CEO, and Alfonso Javier D.  Reyes, representing Ayala Land, Inc.

QualiMed also introduced its new President and CEO, Jaime “Jimmy” E. Ysmael, who was formerly the  President and CEO of Ortigas Land Corporation. Jimmy previously held the position of Senior Vice  President and Group Chief Financial Officer of Ayala Land, Inc., and was a Managing Director of Ayala  Corporation. 

“The addition of QualiMed into the AC Health network comes at an opportune time, now that health has  become top of mind for all of us. QualiMed helps complete AC Health’s service delivery network by  providing healthcare at the tertiary level, and by expanding its portfolio of specialty clinics. We have big  ambitions for QualiMed. This year our focus will be on integration to drive QualiMed’s clinical, operational  and financial performance, building on the strong foundation established under Dr. Mercado’s leadership”  said Jimmy Ysmael, newly appointed President and CEO of the QualiMed Health Network  

With this acquisition, AC Health’s clinics and hospitals portfolio will now include QualiMed’s four general  hospitals, more than 85 outpatient clinics and 80 corporate clinics under the Healthway brand, and the  country’s first specialty cancer hospital, which is set to open in 2023.  

“We are excited and honored to be part of the AC Health family. Over the years, we have worked hard to  establish the QualiMed Health Network as a trusted provider of affordable and accessible healthcare. This  is a common vision that we share with AC Health, and we look forward to becoming even stronger now  that we are part of a broader healthcare ecosystem. We are also excited to develop synergies with the AC  Health family, including a stronger pharma supply chain, digital integration, and our upcoming COVID-19  vaccination program” said Dr. Edwin Mercado, founding President and CEO of the QualiMed Health  Network.  

The QualiMed Health Network will be housed under Healthway Philippines, Inc. (HPI) along with the  family, multi-specialty, and corporate clinics, and the specialty cancer hospital.  ###  

AC Health  

Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ayala Corporation, and  serves as the portfolio company for healthcare businesses. Its vision is to build an ecosystem that links  every patient to a seamless healthcare experience. Its portfolio includes Generika Drugstore, the pioneer  in generic retail pharmacies, IE Medica and MedEthix, major pharmaceutical importer and distributor,  Healthway Medical, one of the most trusted brands of community, mall-based multi-specialty and  corporate clinics in the country. AC Health is also investing in health technology solutions, such as its  HealthTech arm, Vigos Health Technologies, HealthNow, a healthcare super app that offers online  consultations, medicine delivery, and clinic and diagnostic booking, AIDE, a home health care platform,  Fibronostics, an algorithm-based health-risk assessment tool, and ObvioHealth, a digital clinic trials  platform.  

For further inquiries, contact:  

Nicole B. Bautista  

Strategy and External Affairs Associate  

Contact: 0917-143-7831  

E-mail: bautista.nb@achealth.com.ph

The Ayala group of companies immediately mobilized resources to assist families affected by Taal Volcano’s seismic activity. 

Through Ayala Foundation, the Ayala group provided food and non-food items for families staying in three evacuation centers in Talisay, Batangas on February 17 and 18. According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Batangas, 406 families or 2,030 individuals living on Taal Volcano Island (called “Pulo” by locals) were brought to evacuation centers in barangays Tumaway, Poblacion, and Aya. 

Among the items distributed were canned good and instant noodles, toys and clothing, and 5,000 protective face masks. Five hundred washable Magiting Face Masks, produced by Ayala Foundation as part of its Maging Magiting advocacy for nationalism, were also distributed.

Manila Water Foundation and Globe Telecom also provided support for displaced  families. For its part, Manila Water Foundation brought 500 units of 5-gallon water bottles, while Globe set up “Dyip Sagip” stations, providing “libreng tawag,” phone charging, and WiFi connectivity in evacuation areas.

Since the eruption of Taal Volcano in January 2020, the Ayala group has been providing much needed help for affected communities. As much as PhP11.4 million was mobilized to provide immediate relief for 4,000 families or 20,000 individuals. Part of the support was the distribution of 10 Kia 2500 Vans from AC Motors. These vans continue to be used by the recipient communities for relief and other public service activities.

Batangas was also one of the areas served by the Ayala group’s nationwide Brigada ng Ayala initiative, which supports public school teachers and students as they adapt to the new normal of education. In Batangas alone, Brigada ng Ayala covered 78 public schools, providing e-learning kits for 1,740 teachers and “Ayala EduCare” learning and hygiene kits for 9,417 students. To date, Brigada ng Ayala has expanded its reach nationwide, reaching 258 schools and serving 5,649 teachers and 21,123 students.

The Ayala group also provided food assistance for 2,000 families from Batangas communities affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly in November 2020. 

As Taal’s seismic activity continues, the Ayala group regularly coordinates with the office of Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, as well as with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Association of Barangay Captains. 

For more information:

Yla Alcantara

Head, Brand & Reputation Management

Ayala Corporation

e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

Cel Amores

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ayala Foundation

e-mail – amores.cr@ayalafoundation.org

Ayala Group among Thirteen New Large and Small Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations to Implement More Inclusive Practices

MANILA, February 18, 2021 – The Council for Inclusive Capitalism with the Vatican has welcomed Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala into the global nonprofit coalition of business and public sector leaders working to build a “more trusted, fair, responsible, dynamic, and sustainable economic system that addresses the needs of people and planet.” Ayala is the first business group from the Philippines to be represented in the Council. 

“I am thrilled to welcome these new members as they take the necessary actions to ensure a better future for us all,” said Meredith Sumpter, CEO of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism. “Whether you are a small-town grocer, or a CEO of a global corporation, we all have a role to play to build more inclusive economies and societies.”

Launched in December 2020, the council is a “historic collaboration of CEOs and global leaders” provided moral guidance by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Vatican through His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. It serves as a forum for interaction and sharing best practices, and a core group of guardians for inclusive capitalism. Guardians include leaders of the United Nations, Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Bank of America, Ernst & Young, and Mastercard, among others.

Hailed by the UN Global Compact as a Sustainable Development Goals pioneer, Zobel is among the 17 new stewards of the council–business and investment leaders from around the world working to “change capitalism for good” via measurable public commitments toward more inclusive and sustainable practices.

“All of us who thrive on the success of capitalism need to have a sense of responsibility and empathy to counteract the forces of inequity that the system also creates. We need to collectively harness our resources, ingenuity, and energy to align our institutions to the broader, progressive development goals of humanity, in general, and our host communities,” Zobel said. 

Last year, Zobel was also named co-chair of Trade and Investment Taskforce at B20 Saudi Arabia, the official voice of the global private sector to the G20. As part of the Taskforce leadership, he has been an instrumental part of the policy formulation process, providing his continuous guidance and expertise to other leaders and members.

“I believe that no challenge is insurmountable if we harness our collective ingenuity and energy, most especially when we are driven by a shared commitment to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people; and the future of our children and our planet. The Council for Inclusive Capitalism is an excellent coalition to push this agenda forward, and I am committed to contribute and to learn,” Zobel added.

Watch Zobel’s full message to The Council here:

-END- 

About the Council for Inclusive Capitalism with the Vatican:

The Council for Inclusive Capitalism with the Vatican is a global nonprofit organization established to harness the potential of the private sector to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and trusted form of capitalism. The Council is led by a core group of global CEOs and public leaders, known as the Guardians for Inclusive Capitalism, who convene annually with the Vatican to advance the Council’s mission. Further information can be found at www.inclusivecapitalism.com. 

Media contact:

Yla Alcantara 

Head, Brand and Reputation Management 

alcantara.ypg@ayala.com 

Amanda Byrd

Director of Communications

Amanda@inclusivecapitalism.com 

MANILA, February 16, 2021 — The testing capacity of the country’s biggest city gets a boost as Ayala Group of Companies donates testing kits and other medical supplies via Ayala Foundation.   

In a virtual turnover ceremony today, Mayor Joy Belmonte received P4.5-M worth of supplies that would further expand the city’s mass testing efforts.  Partners in this effort are Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation, Inc., who led the Pooled PCR Testing Program with QC LGU; and Assurance Controls Technologies Co., Inc., who assured the efficient supply of needed test materials and consumables to the accredited laboratories for the Pooled PCR testing. 

“We appreciate the support that we have been receiving from many stakeholders, including the private sector who have been truly supportive and helpful throughout this ordeal,” Belmonte said. “The Ayala group is not just among the top corporate icons in the country but is also one of the leading private organizations leading the COVID-19 response in our country. And Quezon City is blessed to have received your generosity and kindness.” 

Last September 2020, the Ayala group, through Ayala Foundation, Inc., also donated a Bio Rad PCR machine to capacitate QC’s first molecular laboratory, which passed the Department of Health’s proficiency test last October 13. The Quezon City Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory obtained a perfect score after it obtained accurate results from five samples, as verified by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. 

“About 4 months ago, on September 18, we met with you, Mayor Joy, and your team to turn over our donation of a Bio Rad PCR machine for the newly constructed Quezon City Bio-Molecular Laboratory. At that time, our country badly needed to increase its testing, treatment, and tracing capacity,” said Ayala Corporation President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala. “So we built facilities and procured equipment.  And, while we have made significant progress since then, the need remains for continuous testing, treating, and tracing; the need remains for replenishment test kits and medical supplies.” 

According to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, QC reported 29,558 total COVID-19 cases as of January 21; 27,620 of these patients have already recovered.  Such high recovery rate can be attributed to the city’s testing, tracing, and treatment efforts. 

The Ayala group has been actively helping boost the COVID-19 testing capacities of different LGUs. In partnership with the City of Manila, Ayala constructed a new molecular laboratory inside Sta. Ana Hospital, enabling the city to offer free serology testing to barangays and frontline workers. Ayala also donated automated RNA Extraction machine and 2 RT-PCR machines to Davao City’s Southern Philippines Medical Center, thereby increasing the city’s daily testing capacity by 1,000 tests.  

“We have not seen a problem of such proportions as COVID-19. Hence, our response needs to be equally massive.  We can do this by working together – the private sector and the public sector – leveraging our unique resources and combining our strengths. We can collectively scale our response and multiply our results,” Zobel added. 

MANILA — Companies from the Ayala group bagged top accolades at the 2019 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard Awards held by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Institute of Corporate Directors on Friday.

Ayala Corporation, BPI, Ayala Land, Inc., and Globe Telecom were hailed ASEAN Asset Class Awardees after scoring at least 97.5 points. Last October, the London-based Ethical Boardroom also named Ayala Corporation and Globe as Best Corporate Governance awardees in Asia and Australasia.

In addition, Ayala Land, Inc. and Globe Telecom were named two of the top three publicly-listed companies in the Philippines. Both companies have also made it to ASEAN’s top 20 list.

The ASEAN Corporate Scorecard is an assessment based on publicly available information and benchmarked against international best practices on corporate governance of six participating ASEAN member-countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. According to the SEC, these awards aim to motivate the private sector to continue their initiatives despite the difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This award is very meaningful to our company as it acknowledges the efforts that we have put in to improve and align our practices with regional and global standards,” Ayala Land, Inc. President and CEO Bobby Dy said. “Good corporate governance has always been part and parcel of the way we do business at Ayala Land. With the onset of COVID-19, its importance is highlighted now more than ever as we pivoted to adapt to the next normal.”

“We are grateful for the continued support the company receives from our partners, regulators and stakeholders as we continue to strengthen and uphold corporate governance in our business alongside creating a wonderful world of Globe for all,” Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu said.

With good corporate governance and prudent investing, the Ayala group is able to look after its employees, protect its partners, serve the broader community, and continue to add value to its shareholders amidst the nation’s battle with COVID-19. During the pandemic, BPI launched the COVID Action Response Bonds—or CARE Bonds—to help fund pandemic response initiatives. Ayala Land, Inc. also pioneered the country’s first real estate investment trust, called AREIT, which has a portfolio of commercial and office assets that have mostly been resilient during the pandemic. With strong support from the national government, Globe continued to invest in cell sites and towers to hit its target of helping accelerate the country’s digital transformation and thus give reliable Internet connection to all Filipinos.

“The pandemic has revealed both the vulnerabilities in our institutions as well as the opportunities to improve the way our businesses serve our communities,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. “Ayala Group renews its  commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance and will continue doing its part in helping the Filipino overcome this crisis.”

Makati, Philippines – January 22, 2021 Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said in his keynote speech at Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines’ (SharePHIL) membership meeting that Filipino investors—big and small—are helping stimulate the country’s economy by supporting expansion despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.  

Zobel said it is encouraging to see that more Filipinos are now participating in the stock market. The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) recently reported that retail investors now account for 25.9% of total domestic investors, versus just 18.2% last year. PSE also anticipates additional IPOs and REITs this year 

“Businesses and investors of all sizes have a unique role to play to exponentially accelerate our recovery,” Zobel said. “Rest assured that you can count on the Ayala Group to be your friend and partner in promoting inclusive growth through smart investing; motivated by the principles of shared prosperity and inclusive capitalism.”  

Last year, despite massive uncertainties, the Ayala Group continued investing in different sustainable projects alongside actively engaging with the government and the private sector in capacitating the country’s COVID-19 defense. The Ayala group firmly believes in promoting shareholder-focused capitalism to expand financial and economic inclusion across all market segments. Further, the group continuously seeks to find innovative ways to pivot its businesses to remain sustainable and relevant to the market it serves. These are the guiding principles for its investment priorities as they directly contribute to and demonstrate its partnership in nation building for nearly two centuries. 

As such, amidst the pandemic, the Ayala group opened avenues for Filipino and foreign investors alike to participate in its growth ventures: 

• Manila Water (MWC) and AC Energy both raised $800 million in sustainability and green bonds to finance water and waste water infrastructure projects in MWC’s East Zone concession area as well as expand renewable energy sources.  
   
• AC Energy’s total green bond issuance is now at $1.17 billion, making it the largest green bond issuer in the Philippines and among the largest in Southeast Asia.  
   
• Ayala Land launched the country’s first-ever real estate investment trust, called AREIT, which has a portfolio of commercial and office assets that have mostly been resilient during the pandemic.  

BPI also pioneered COVID Action Response Bonds—or CARE Bonds—to help fund pandemic response initiatives. It also continues to offer a wide range of funds—more than 30 retail investment funds.  

Despite the unprecedented economic slump in 2020, Zobel said the Ayala Group is cautiously optimistic for 2021 as mall traffic and remittances continue to improve. “We are at a critical time for the country. Aside from averting new COVID infections and ensuring proper vaccine administration, we face the huge task of reorienting our institutions towards sustained and inclusive economic growth.” Watch the full session here: https://www.facebook.com/SharePHIL/videos/1190121801408272  

Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) through Healthway Philippines Inc. (HPI), today has signed agreements to acquire a controlling stake of Mercado General Hospital, Inc. (Qualimed), which owns or has interests in the Qualimed Health Network.

The agreements were signed on December 21, 2020, between HPI, led by Paolo Borromeo, AC Health President and CEO, Qualimed, represented by Dr. Edwin Mercado, President and CEO, and Whiteknight Holdings, Inc., represented by Ayala Land, Inc.’s Alfonso Javier D. Reyes. The closing of the transactions shall occur after the fulfillment of the conditions agreed upon by the parties.

The addition of Qualimed expands the AC Health clinic and hospital portfolio, housed under Healthway Philippines Inc. This includes all family, specialty and corporate clinics, which earlier this year were integrated under one Healthway brand. With the acquisition, AC Health will now have four general hospitals, more than 85 outpatient clinics, and about 80 corporate clinics, as well as the country’s first cancer specialty hospital which the company announced previously.

“We have always believed in Qualimed’s vision to deliver accessible and affordable healthcare to Filipinos. Over the past few years, we have built a strong partnership between Qualimed and Ayala Land and we are delighted to integrate Qualimed into AC Health’s growing portfolio. The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed the Ayala Group’s commitment to invest in healthcare, and with this investment, we will be better positioned to provide much-needed healthcare services for the country,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of the Board of AC Health.

The Qualimed Health Network includes 4 hospitals: Qualimed Sta. Rosa located in Nuvali, Qualimed San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, Qualimed Iloilo in Iloilo City, and Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center in Tanauan, Batangas. In addition, Qualimed also operates an ambulatory surgical center in UP-PGH, and has clinics in Makati, Quezon City and in Cebu IT Park.

“With the addition of the Qualimed Health Network, AC Health now completes the entire continuum of patient care, from primary clinics, multi-specialty care and now to hospital care. We have taken a deliberate approach to building up our healthcare ecosystem, with the goal of delivering an integrated patient experience for more Filipinos. In addition to expanding our touchpoints, we are also excited about creating unique synergies in our network, such as patient referrals, expanded opportunities for our medical professionals, and greater operational efficiencies on pharmacy and diagnostics,” said AC Health President and CEO, Paolo Borromeo.

“We are delighted to be part of the AC Health family. During this pandemic, our partnership with AC Health to upgrade our hospitals and to build our COVID-19 labs has been pivotal, allowing us to serve thousands of patients across our network. It is this collaborative spirit that will ensure Qualimed’s continued growth during these challenging times. Qualimed has always endeavored to make healthcare more accessible, and we hope this partnership will allow us to accelerate that vision even further” said Dr. Edwin Mercado, President and CEO of Qualimed Health Network.

Qualimed Sta. Rosa and San Jose Del Monte were converted into full-scale COVID-19 Referral Hospitals through upgrades on facilities and manpower. Each hospital was also equipped with its own modular-type BSL-2 laboratory for COVID-19 testing, in support of the IATF’s T3 (Test, Trace, Treat) program. To date, Qualimed has seen about 30,000 confirmed and suspected COVID patients, and has performed over 82,000 COVID tests.

Healthway Philippines Inc. will house all of AC Health’s clinical and hospital businesses. This includes all family, specialty and corporate clinics, which earlier this year were integrated under one Healthway brand. HPI also houses AC Health’s new cancer specialty hospital, which is a partnership with Cancer Treatment Services International (CTSI), a Varian company to develop and operate the first comprehensive oncology center in the Philippines.

• Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, current Chairman and CEO, to focus on role as Chairman of the Board effective April 2021. 

• Fernando Zobel de Ayala, current President and COO, to become President and CEO in April 2021

• Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala will retain all their current positions, as Chairman or Vice-Chairman, in the various subsidiary boards of the Ayala group of companies.

MAKATI CITY, December 17, 202008:00 AM  –  Ayala Corporation (AC: PM) today announced that Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO, will transition to focus on his role as Chairman of the Board effective April 23, 2021, after the 2021 Annual Stockholders Meeting. 

Ayala Corporation’s Board has unanimously approved the Company’s CEO Succession Plan whereby Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President and COO, will become President and CEO, effective April 23, 2021 after the 2021 Annual Stockholders Meeting.

Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala will retain all their current positions, as Chairman or Vice-Chairman, in the various subsidiary boards of the Ayala group of companies.

“At Ayala, it is our leaders’ responsibility to nurture talent and plan paths of succession.  In this regard, I see myself as no different from our leaders past and present,” said Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.  “Fernando and I are very fortunate to work with a deep leadership bench; and we are confident that planned leadership transitions such as this are critical ingredients for sustainable success.  Moreover, we have the opportunity, with this move of decoupling the Chairman and CEO roles, to reflect an evolving global best practice in Environment, Social and Corporate Governance.”

Continued Jaime Augusto, “Fernando has successfully provided leadership across a variety of the Ayala group companies for more than two decades, and he is eminently suited to continue providing executive momentum in his new role as President and CEO of Ayala.  Both Fernando and I have worked as a leadership team for many years now, and we intend to continue charting Ayala’s path forward in tandem.”

“It is an honor to continue leading this company with an outstanding and trusted team on our side,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala. “Together, we have worked hard to build on the many successes of those who came before us; and are committed to continuing to improve lives and create value for our next generations of colleagues, their families, our broad ecosystem of stakeholders and our Country.”

“I would like to thank Jaime for his many contributions as CEO; and commend him for his continuing commitment to live out the values of his recognition as a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Pioneer in 2017, the first such honoree from Southeast Asia. I am reassured that he will continue to provide guidance in this next phase of our company’s growth,” added Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

–oOo–

Forward Looking Statements:  All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements.  Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release or as of the date they are made.  We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations Contact:

Celeste Jovenir

Head, Investor Relations
e-mail – jovenir.cm@ayala.com

Media Relations Contact:

Yla Alcantara
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

Makati City, Philippines; December 16, 2020, 5:00pm – Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation announced the succession plan for the group’s Chief Finance Officer, a position currently held by Jose Teodoro “TG” K. Limcaoco.  Mr. Limcaoco concurrently holds the positions of Chief Risk Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ayala Corporation.

Earlier today, BPI’s Board of Directors approved their CEO succession plan whereby Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco will succeed Cezar P. Consing as President and CEO of BPI, after the BPI stockholders’ meeting set for April 22, 2021.

Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala announced that Ayala Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the nomination of Mr. Alberto M. de Larrazabal to succeed TG Limcaoco as Chief Finance Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, effective on April 23, 2021.

Albert is no stranger to the Ayala Group having joined Globe Telecom in June 2006 as head of its Treasury Division overseeing treasury, tax and insurance operations. He was promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in 2010 and did exceptionally well as CFO. In November 2015, Albert was elevated to a newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing all customer facing units (CFUs) and growing revenues across all products and service groups.

Albert brings to the company a wealth of expertise in finance, treasury, risk and commercial operations at the holding company level. Prior to joining Globe in 2006, he was CFO of San Miguel Corporation, capping over 18 years across all major finance functions at SMC.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said, “the Ayala group of companies is very fortunate to have a deep bench and succession pathways for colleagues who epitomize our values and exhibit potential beyond their current roles.”

“TG is an outstanding and valued leader in our group. His deep background in banking and finance, innovation and digitalization, risk management and ESG, and the strong alliances he has forged have been indispensable to Ayala Corporation in the last few years and especially during the crisis of 2020.  Going forward, these strengths of TG will be invaluable in ensuring continued success for BPI as the country and the world transition from crisis to recovery.” 

“We are excited at the prospect of having Albert move from Globe to join Ayala Corporation in April 2021.  His proven business acumen, leadership and ability to navigate in a complex conglomerate setting will be crucial as we steer through and beyond the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead,” concluded Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

-ooOoo-

Forward Looking Statements:  All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements.  Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release or as of the date they are made.  We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements.

For more information:
 

Investor Relations Contact
Celeste Jovenir
Head, Investor Relations
Ayala Corporation
Email – jovenir.cm@ayala.com

Media Relations Contact
Yla Alcantara
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
Email – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

Makati, Philippines – December 14, 2020 Optimistic about the country’s recovery in 2021, the Ayala group believes the manufacturing sector can help accelerate this by investing more in digitization and pivoting toward changing global demands. 

Last Thursday, the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) and Board of Investments held its annual Manufacturing Summit, where senior leaders from the Ayala group were invited to talk about the conglomerate’s innovations under the theme “Rebuilding Towards a Smarter and Resilient Manufacturing Sector.”

“What this pandemic has brought upon to the world and specifically to the manufacturing industry is a reset button. So opportunities that were previously not available to our country, to participate into that global supply chain, are now available. But at the same time, challenges of the status quo that we were able to live with under the old regime has also transformed… So how the Philippines will be able to play within that sphere of changes as it evolves, I think it is going to be very important for us to manage. Within the Ayala group, we have chosen to invest in the manufacturing and localization of selected technologies that are aligned with these macro and industry developments, such as in electric mobility, connectivity and IoT, and smart energy,” said Arthur R. Tan, President & CEO of AC Industrials and CEO of Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI). 

This year, AC Industrials, which holds Ayala’s industrial technologies businesses, created several relevant and impactful solutions to adapt to changing market needs that have arisen from the pandemic.

Future-proofing manufacturing

IMI is accelerating its digital transformation to build resiliency against future disruptions. It is investing in data engineering and expanding its real-time analytics capability that could help provide more value to customers and reduce overall operating costs.

As the world gradually shifts toward cleaner, more sustainable living, AC Industrials has invested in manufacturing critical components from power modules and EV charging infrastructure to high-value specialty solar gridded cells and panels. It is also looking into the potential expansion of its motorcycle business into the electric space.

AC Motors, on the other hand, is reimagining its retail model post-pandemic. It seeks to satisfy consumers’ automotive demand in the digital space through virtual showrooms, online sales platforms, and mobile aftersales capabilities.

Scaling up manufacturing initiatives

Five years after partnering with Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, the KTM joint venture factory in Laguna has manufactured over 20,000 motorcycles, exporting the majority of these to China. Domestically, 60% growth in Philippine KTM sales during the second half of 2020 due to the increased demand for personal transportation.

Pivoting to meet demands

IMI’s Laguna facility, which focused solely on electronics manufacturing prior to the pandemic, now produces up to two million face masks per month. The company also developed solar-powered hands-free sanitizing booths, which have been rolled out in various AC Industrials sites in the Philippines.

IMI also heeded the call of government for the local production of critical medical equipment. In May, the company introduced the localized UCL Ventura Flow Generator, a non-invasive ventilatory support device designed to help COVID-19 patients avoid the need for intubated treatment. This FDA-approved device is the first breathing aid solution to be manufactured in the Philippines.

“Establishing a solid, globally competitive manufacturing sector can diversify and strengthen the country’s economic base… This [pandemic] now opens a fleeting window for countries like ours to serve as alternative manufacturing locations, and consequently demonstrate the potential to host global firms who seek to build footholds in Asia… As we collectively forge past the pandemic, both the public and private sectors thus have vital roles to play – not only in rebuilding the country’s manufacturing capacity but transforming it for greater global relevance,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO Jaime Zobel de Ayala, who in his keynote address called this a “rare opportunity.”

“The Ayala group remains committed to being an enabling partner of the government as it seeks to not only rebuild but transform the Philippine manufacturing sector for greater global competitiveness post-COVID-19. We and other private businesses can complement the government’s efforts by creating new jobs aligned with the post-pandemic economy, helping reskill the workforce, and localizing the high value, complex capabilities required for long-term national competitiveness,” Zobel concluded.

With the support of government, the Ayala Group continues to aggressively pursue its manufacturing initiatives, with the hope of contributing to the country’s competitiveness and resiliency in a post-COVID world.

Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (leftmost) and AC Industrials President & CEO and IMI CEO Art Tan (second from left) observe a prototype of IMI’s UCL Ventura Flow Generator. This technology is the first breathing aid solution to be manufactured in the Philippines. It is a non-invasive alternative ventilatory device that was localized from IMI’s UK subsidiary’s tech. It was designed to help patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms avoid the need for intubated treatment. IMI received FDA approval for this innovation in July 2020.