Ayala Corporation

Ayala Corporation (, formerly Ayala y Compañía; lit. 'Ayala & Company') is the publicly listed holding company for the diversified interests of the Ayala Group. Founded in the Philippines in 1834 by Domingo Ureta Roxas and Antonio de Ayala during Spanish colonial rule, it is the country's oldest and largest conglomerate. The company has a portfolio of diverse business interests, including investments in retail, education, real estate, banking, telecommunications, water infrastructure, renewable energy, electronics, information technology, automotive, healthcare, management, and business process outsourcing.

As of 2024, it is ranked by Forbes Global 2000 as the 5th largest corporation in the Philippines, and the 7th largest according to Fortune Southeast Asia 500 in terms of annual revenue.

History

Established in 1876, Ayala y Compañía traces its origins to Casa Róxas, a partnership founded in 1834 by Domíngo Ureta Róxas and Antonio de Ayala.[9][10] The enterprise began with Ayala Distillery (originally Destileria y Licoreria de Ayala y Compañía) the producer of Ginebra San Miguel. The distillery was later acquired by Carlos T. Palanca-owned[11] La Tondeña, Inc. in 1929.

In 1888, the company introduced the first tramcar service in the Philippines. The company participated in the construction of the Ayala Bridge over the Pasig River in Manila. Originally built of wood in 1872, the bridge was reconstructed in steel in 1908 to become the first steel bridge in the Philippines.

Under the leadership of Colonel Joseph Ralph McMicking - who was married to Mercedes Roxas Zobel-McMicking the company was also responsible for the urban development of Makati after World War II.[12]

Ayala y Compañía shifted from a partnership to a corporation with the establishment of Ayala Corporation in 1968. It welcomed the minority investment of Mitsubishi Corporation as its strategic partner in 1973[10] -1974.[13] The Ayala Corporation later became a public company in 1976.[14]

In 2011, the Ayala Corporation began building its renewable energy portfolio, beginning with a joint venture with Mitsubishi for solar power and Sta. Clara Power for run-of-the-river hydro power, and the purchase of the iconic Northwind farm for wind power. Ayala will contribute 1000 MW to the Philippine power supply by 2015.[15] FinanceAsia named Ayala Corporation as the best-managed company in the Philippines in 2010 and 2015, as well as Best for Corporate Governance and Best for Corporate Social Responsibility.[16]

Attached companies and investments

Real estate

  • Alveo Land
  • Ayala Land Inc.
  • AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC)
  • Ayala Malls
  • Makati Development Corp. (MDC)
  • AG Holdings, Ltd.[17][18]
  • Avida Land [19]
  • Amaia Land [20]
  • Bellavita
  • Portico Land Corp. - joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation[21]
  • Roxas Land Corp. - joint venture with Bank of the Philippine Islands and Hongkong Land
  • Regent Wise Investments Limited
  • MCT Consortium Berhad (32.95% ownership, based in Malaysia)
  • Ortigas & Company Limited Partnership - Since November 2014, Ayala and SM Prime Holdings ended their dispute over the ownership of OCLP Holdings, the parent of Ortigas & Company. Ayala has recently sealed a deal with a group led by Ignacio Ortigas for the development of the Ortigas family's land bank area.[22]
  • Trident Infrastructure and Development Corporation (TIDC) - Formerly known as "Team Trident" and "the super consortium", is a joint-venture between Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), Megaworld Corporation (MEG) and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH). It is aimed to develop the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway and Dike Project (LLEDP).[23]
  • Ayala-GT Capital - In May 2015, through Ayala's Alveo Land and GT Capital's Federal Land, the two corporations will develop a 45-hectare property in Biñan, Laguna, aimed towards mid-range and high-end markets.[24]

Financial services

Telecommunications

  • Globe Telecom

Utilities

(only economic interests remain until 2029 - control handed over to Enrique K. Razon's Trident Water Holdings Company, Inc.)[25]

  • Manila Water Company Inc.

Power and transport

  • Ayala Corporation Energy Holdings, Ltd. - is the power unit of Ayala Corporation, with investments in the development of conventional as well as solar, wind, and mini-hydro energy sources.[26][27][28][29][30]
  • AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. - pursues toll road, rail and airport projects under government's public-private partnership program.
  • Light Rail Manila Corporation - a consortium between the Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation for the Line 1 Common Station, Concession, and Bacoor Extension.[31]
  • AF Payments, Inc. (10%) - another consortium between the Ayala Corporation and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation regarding the unified Automated Fare Collection System (Beep card) for Line 1-3, and eventually also for the PNR and other public transport.[32]
  • North Avenue Grand Central station - the Unified Grand Central Station, is an interchange station currently in development by its stakeholders Metro Pacific Corporation, SMC-MRT7 of San Miguel Corporation, SM Prime Holdings, and Ayala Corporation.
  • Entrego (60%) - courier and express parcel management that serve Zalora Philippines.[33]

Manufacturing and automotive

Social infrastructure

  • AC Health | Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health)[51]
  • Healthway Medical Network[52] - Hospitals and clinics network that includes the Healthway Multi-Specialty Clinics, QualiMed Group of Hospitals, FEU Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, and Healthway Cebu Velez General Hospital[53]
  • Generika Drugstore [54]
  • I.E. Medica Inc.[55]
  • MedEthix Inc.[56]
  • Ayala Education, Inc. (AEI)
  • University of Nueva Caceres - Ayala Education's flagship University [57]
  • Affordable Private Education Center, Inc. (APEC Schools) - a joint venture between the Ayala Corporation and Pearson PLC's Affordable Learning Fund (Pearson ALF). It promotes affordable but high-quality education.[58][59]
  • Professional Employment Program (PEP)[60]
  • National Teacher's College (33%)

Nonprofit organizations

  • Ayala Foundation[61]
  • CENTEX[62]
  • Ayala Museum[63]
  • Philippine Development Foundation[64]
  • Ayala Technology Business Incubator[65]
  • Filipinas Heritage Library[66]
  • Ayala Social Initiatives[67]

Business process outsourcing, Logistics and Digital businesses

Divestments

Retirement of Jaime P. Zóbel de Ayala, I

In January 2006, the board of directors publicly announced the decision by Jaime P. Zóbel de Ayala, I to retire as chairman of the corporation by April 2006. The board also announced his appointment as chairman emeritus upon his retirement. His eldest son, Jaime Augusto M. Zóbel de Ayala, II, succeeded him as chairman and chief executive officer, while his younger son, Fernando M. Zóbel de Ayala, has assumed the position of president and chief operating officer. The Zóbel de Ayala family's holding company, Mermac, Inc., continues to hold the controlling stake (49%) in Ayala Corporation.[81]

References

  1. Ayala Corp. Building businesses for the greater good (2021 Integrated Report)^
  2. Disclosure No. 3552-2022 Results of Board Meeting held on September 27 2022 Election of Director Appointment of Officers Changes in the Composition of the Board Committees September 27, 2022, retrieved September 27, 2022^
  3. Disclosure No. 3552-2022 Results of Board Meeting held on September 27 2022 Election of Director Appointment of Officers Changes in the Composition of the Board Committees September 27, 2022, retrieved September 27, 2022^
  4. Disclosure No. 3552-2022 Results of Board Meeting held on September 27 2022 Election of Director Appointment of Officers Changes in the Composition of the Board Committees September 27, 2022, retrieved September 27, 2022^
  5. BPI, ALI lifted Ayala to record profit in 2025 inquirer.net, 14 March 2026, retrieved 18 March 2026^
  6. Zobel family's Mermac picks up Ayala Corp. Preferred shares sold by Mitsubishi March 10, 2024^
  7. List of Top 100 Stockholders (Common Shares)^
  8. Ayala Corp. Ayala Corp.'s 2021 Annual Report (SEC-17A)^
  9. Marciano Borja. Basques in the Philippines University of Nevada Press, May 1, 2005, retrieved June 6, 2014^
  10. AYALA AFTER THE SPLIT www.cia.gov^
  11. Rum by Ginebra San Miguel (La Tondeña Distillers) - Philippines^
  12. Therese Jamora-Garceau. Ayala unveils McMicking memorial in Makati Philstar.com, October 6, 2017, retrieved 27 October 2023^
  13. Iris Gonzales. Mitsubishi eyes more collaboration with Ayala Group The Philippine Star, March 16, 2018, retrieved May 10, 2022^
  14. Nicole Cruz. The Milestones That Made Ayala Corporation One of the Largest Conglomerates in the Country Esquire Philippines, September 22, 2019, retrieved May 8, 2022^
  15. "Ayala Corp Builds Renewable Energy Portfolio with Run-of-the-River Hydropower", The Philippine Daily Inquirer^
  16. "Asia's best managed companies: Indonesia and the Philippines", Finance Asia^
  17. Charles H. Cosgrove J.D.: Executive Profile & Biography - Businessweek Businessweek.com, February 10, 2024^
  18. Philippine Ayala Corp eyes Chinese, Indian real estate markets_English_Xinhua Xinhuanet.com^
  19. Avida Properties in Vermosa Cavite, Avida Verra Settings avidaverrasettings.com, retrieved January 29, 2020^
  20. Amaia Properties in Vermosa Cavite, Amaia Series in Vermosa Cavite ayala-amaialand.com, retrieved January 29, 2020^
  21. Japan's Mitsubishi taps Ayala Land for Ortigas property venture Interaksyon.com, retrieved June 28, 2014^
  22. Ayala Land, Ortigas group seal P15B deal Thedailyguardian.net^
  23. Why Ayala, Aboitiz, Sy, Tan formed 'Team Trident' Abs-cbnnews.com^
  24. Cathy Yang. DPWH mulls bid submission extension for Laguna Lakeshore PPP Abs-cbnnews.com, retrieved October 16, 2015^
  25. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad. 'End of an era': Ayala exits Manila Water inquirer.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer Group, May 18, 2024, retrieved 4 August 2024^
  26. Ayala unit seeks regulatory approval for capital hike | Top Business News The Manila Times, retrieved May 10, 2012^
  27. Archived copy retrieved May 10, 2012^
  28. Amy R. Remo. AC Energy of Ayala group to invest $200M in 2013 Inquirer.net, February 3, 2013, retrieved December 19, 2013^
  29. Kathleen A. Martin. Ayala Corp. allots up to $700-M for energy projects Abs-cbnnews.com, retrieved December 19, 2013^
  30. Ayala to build 405-MW plant Manilastandardtoday.com, retrieved October 21, 2016^
  31. Miguel R. Camus. Gov't expected to award P65-B LRT project to Ayala-MPIC group next week Inquirer.net, July 10, 2014, retrieved July 14, 2014^
  32. Lawrence Agcaoili. Gov't, MPIC-Ayala sign deal for MRT-LRT single ticket system Philstar.com, retrieved July 14, 2014^
  33. Ayala Corp enters logistics business with Entrego PortCalls Asia, October 25, 2018, retrieved April 26, 2019^
  34. Ayala Corp. posts P7.3B net in first 9 mos., up 7% Gmanetwork.com, November 11, 2011, retrieved May 11, 2012^
  35. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD. Corporate Governance In Asia: A Comparative Perspective OECD Publishing, 2001^
  36. Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI) - IMI Global-imi.com, retrieved October 20, 2014^
  37. Richmond S. Mercurio. Ayala-led IMI aims for billion dollar revenues Philstar.com, retrieved October 20, 2014^
  38. Ayala cuts ties on Honda dealership after 35 years GMA News, 2 October 2025, retrieved 3 October 2025^
  39. Our Story of Isuzu Philippines – Isuzu Philippines retrieved June 8, 2011^
  40. Library unavailable - 0007 Myvirtualpaper.com, retrieved May 11, 2012^
  41. Ayala Corporation (PSE:AC) The Philippine Builder^
  42. Liza Reyes. Ayala group brings back VW; Beetle in 2014 Abs-cbnnews.com, retrieved February 2, 2014^
  43. Ayala drops distribution of Volkswagen cars Inquirer.net, September 18, 2025, retrieved September 18, 2025^
  44. China's Maxus enters Philippines auto market philstar.com, retrieved June 7, 2019^
  45. Ayala ends Maxus partnership in Phl Tribune.net.ph, August 23, 2025, retrieved September 18, 2025^
  46. SAIC and Ayala conclude Maxus distribution partnership in the Philippines Manilatimes.net, September 9, 2025, retrieved September 18, 2025^
  47. Ayala conglomerate takes over Kia in PH The Philippine STAR, retrieved September 9, 2023^
  48. China's BYD strikes deal with Ayala to sell EVs in Philippines retrieved September 9, 2023^
  49. Doris Dumlao-Abadilla. Ayala buys Silicon Valley-based solar tech firm Business.inquirer.net, February 26, 2018, retrieved July 18, 2018^
  50. Ayala buys German auto parts maker MT Misslbeck Technologies Nikkei Asian Review, retrieved July 18, 2018^
  51. AC Health achealth.com.ph, retrieved March 12, 2024^
  52. Healthway Medical Network healthwaymedicalnetwork.com.ph, retrieved July 9, 2023^
  53. AC Health launches new Cebu hospital philstar.com, 7 December 2025, retrieved 8 December 2025^
  54. Generika Drugstore generika.com.ph, retrieved October 20, 2023^
  55. I.E. Medica iemedica.com.ph, retrieved March 11, 2024^
  56. MedEthix medethix.com.ph, retrieved March 11, 2024^
  57. Ayala Education, Inc. Invests in University of Nueva Caceres | Ayala Group News Center July 31, 2015^
  58. APEC Pearson PLC, retrieved August 4, 2014^
  59. Tuition in new private schools: 'P65 a day' Rappler.com, May 16, 2014, retrieved August 4, 2014^
  60. PEP - Professional Employment Program Ayalaeducation.com, retrieved July 18, 2018^
  61. In Honor of the Iconoclast | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online Manila Bulletin, retrieved May 10, 2012^
  62. Archived copy retrieved May 10, 2012^
  63. The Ayala Museum Makati City retrieved May 10, 2012^
  64. PhilDev USA: AF-USA Renamed Philippine Development Foundation retrieved May 10, 2012^
  65. Brain Gain Network - Institutions - Ayala Foundation TBI (Technology Business Incubator) retrieved May 10, 2012^
  66. INQUIRER.net. Cultural advocate to speak at Filipinas Heritage Library's workshop Inquirer.net, February 25, 2012, retrieved May 10, 2012^
  67. Can business 'do good' in bad times? - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos retrieved May 10, 2012^
  68. Ayala’s logistics arm to acquire control of cold storage GMA News, 26 January 2026, retrieved 31 January 2026^
  69. AC Logistics to acquire majority stake in Glacier Megafridge AC Logistics, 26 January 2026, retrieved 31 January 2026^
  70. BusinessWorld - Ayala subsidiary exits BPO company Bworldonline.com, retrieved July 18, 2018^
  71. Miguel R. Camus. Ayala's BPO unit expects to post profit as it expands Abs-cbnnews.com, retrieved May 10, 2012^
  72. ${Instrument_CompanyName} ${Instrument_Ric} Key Developments Reuters.com, retrieved July 18, 2018^
  73. Ayala BPO unit buys LA outsourcing firm Yahoo.com^
  74. Integreon buys Grail Research; eyes more Reuters.com, November 13, 2009, retrieved July 5, 2021^
  75. Ayala-SSI joint venture mulling options for FamilyMart business | InterAksyon retrieved October 27, 2017^
  76. SM, Makro sued over billboard contract ABS-CBN Corporation, 2010-02-01^
  77. Ayala Corp.'s LiveIt and partners sell stake in Stream Global to Convergys Gmanetwork.com, January 7, 2014, retrieved July 18, 2018^
  78. Iris Gonzales. Villar Group completes acquisition of MCX The Philippine Star, August 10, 2023, retrieved August 11, 2023^
  79. Ayala sells KonsultaMD to MPIC's mWell, creating PH's largest digital health platform mb.com.ph^
  80. Metro Pacific acquires Ayala's telehealth platform KonsultaMD www.rappler.com^
  81. "Zobel retires as Ayala chairman," Manila Bulletin, January 2006 Zobel retires as Ayala chairman in April | the Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online Manila Bulletin, retrieved September 16, 2010^