Aboitiz Group accelerates drive to ‘techglomerate’ transformation

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu-based Aboitiz Group has laid the groundwork for expansion next year of its different business units as it continues with its Great Transformation journey to become the country’s first ‘techglomerate.’

Having laid a solid foundation, the Aboitiz Group is positioned to move to the future with continuing transformation and innovation, said Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz.

He said for 2024, its goals will be all about building a legacy of innovative solutions.

“This is our path, not just to lead, but to redefine the meaning of industry and community in the digital age,” Aboitiz said.

Food and agribusiness units Pilmico and Gold Coin, for instance, are expanding their production capacities.

Gold Coin will expand its facilities in the Asia Pacific region with the ongoing construction of new feed mills in Yunnan, China, and Long An, Vietnam, which are expected to add a production capacity of 150,000 metric tons and 200,000 MT, respectively.

Last June, Pilmico’s poultry farm in Tarlac was recognized by Hendrix Genetics for achieving a milestone of 500 eggs laid by a single hen at Week 100, a first in Asia.

In power, AboitizPower has moved a step closer to achieving its goal to have a generation portfolio of 9,200 megawatts nationwide by 2030, 50 percent of which will be sourced from renewable energy.

Two solar projects in Laoag and Cayanga in Pangasinan – with a combined capacity of 261 MW peak – and the 17 MW Tiwi Binary Geothermal Power Plant in Albay would soon contribute indigenous, clean energy to the Philippine grid.

AboitizPower also unveiled new plug-in electric vehicles for its distribution utilities in Visayas and Mindanao to kick off the transition of 40 percent of its fleet of four-wheeled vehicles and motorbikes to be electric by 2030 en route to 100 percent by 2040.

UnionBank, for its part, is stepping up efforts to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities for improved banking services, digital services and fraud management.

Infrastructure arm Aboitiz InfraCapital is likewise on track with its expansion plans, recently acquiring 200 hectares of land in Tarlac City by its subsidiary Lima Land Inc.

This will amplify AIC’s current portfolio of economic estates and expand its footprint to more than 1,600 hectares.

Its Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) continues to benefit from a strong rebound in air traffic with approximately 7.5 million individuals traveling to Cebu via MCIA in the first three quarters of the year.

Venturing into the light industries sector, Aboitiz Construction, meanwhile, is gearing up for another construction for Monde Nissin Corp., including the expansion of a bakery plant in Davao City.

The firm is also engaged in six site development projects within LIMA Estate in Batangas. Moreover, the firm has secured a land development project for a renowned food company based in Bulacan.

As the data science and AI arm of the Aboitiz Group, Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI) continues to work in various industries by fostering close collaborations with other business units within the group. Notably among several initiatives, the award-winning AI-powered Asset Inspection System (AIS) to enhance operational efficiency and accuracy in utility asset management is a testament to the synergistic efforts of ADI and AboitizPower distribution utilities.