Aboitiz Construction Inc. (ACI) is strengthening its capabilities beyond traditional construction to become a long-term partner in sustaining industries and supporting economic growth, as the company reflects on five decades of operations marked by resilience, transformation and continuous evolution.
Two of the company’s top executives were the guest speakers at the 14th Philippine Infrastructure and Construction Club (PICC) Luncheon that was held in May 22, 2026 at Seda Hotel, BGC.
The speakers were Sebastian Aboitiz, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Aboitiz Construction, Inc., who presented the topic “ACI@50: Our Journey of Resilience and Excellence, and Antonio Peñalver, Executive Director, Aboitiz Construction, Inc., with the presentation “Ushering New Era: From Building to Sustaining Excellence”.
With the emcee and moderator Jemmalene Rubiano, Director of Business Development, Transport, GHD, the forum provided a platform for professional discussion on the infrastructure industry. The event was hosted and organized by Second Chance Events & Consulting, Inc.
50-Year Journey
In his speech, Sebastian Aboitiz highlighted the company's 50-year journey, emphasizing its commitment to quality, reliability, safety and collaboration.
He said the company's role has extended beyond building physical structures to enabling industries, creating economic opportunities and helping communities prosper.
The company’s history started in 1975, when Gorones Development Corporation was established as a civil works contractor.
Mr. Aboitiz shared how the business survived through political uncertainty, economic downturns and industry disruptions, including the 1997 Asian financial crisis. He stated that these challenges reinforced the importance of discipline, adaptability and teamwork in building a resilient organization.
Mr. Aboitiz also talked about the importance of collaboration, citing the principle of “let us grow together,” introduced by a former company leader.
He said that successful construction projects depend not only on technical expertise but also on coordination and shared accountability among project managers, workers, suppliers, partners and clients.
One of the company’s significant milestones include its involvement in the Cebu Transcentral Highway in the early 1990s, which connected the island's eastern coast to Balamban.
The project helped improve connectivity, support industrial development and contribute to the growth of Balamban into a major shipbuilding hub. Mr. Aboitiz noted that nearly 400 vessels have since been launched from the area.
The company also expanded its involvement in integrated industrial developments, including economic zones that bring together manufacturing facilities, logistics assets, power infrastructure and marine facilities.
Mr. Aboitiz cited projects such as Mactan Economic Zone 2 as examples of how infrastructure can support business expansion, employment generation and long-term economic activity.
In recent years, Aboitiz Construction has undergone a rebranding that aligned with the Aboitiz Group's transformation, secured a Quadruple A contractor license classification, and expanded into industrial maintenance and services.
Its capabilities now cover heavy industries such as power generation, oil and gas, chemicals, cement and mining, as well as manufacturing, logistics, commercial developments and infrastructure projects.
He added that the company's guiding principle, “engineered for excellence,” means delivering cost-efficient projects on time without compromising quality and safety.
Mr. Aboitiz also said that consistency and trust remain essential in an industry where relationships and reputations are built over decades.
Through the years, the company has modernized its systems, strengthened operational processes and adopted digital tools, including machine-control technologies designed to improve precision and efficiency.
It has also continued to reinforce its safety culture, recording millions of safe man-hours across projects nationwide.
Looking ahead, Mr. Aboitiz said the construction industry is increasingly focused not only on building infrastructure but also on maintaining facilities and ensuring operational reliability.
He mentioned that ACI aims to continue evolving from a traditional builder into a long-term partner that sustains industrial operations, strengthens resilience, and supports communities.
As it enters its next chapter, the company intends to build on the lessons of its first 50 years by combining technical capability, operational discipline, and collaboration to help meet the country's changing infrastructure and industrial needs.
Expanding Into Asset Management, Targets Premier Status by 2030
ACI is accelerating its transformation from a traditional construction and steel fabrication business into a premier construction and asset management company by 2030, with industrial maintenance and life-cycle services emerging as key growth areas.
Mr. Antonio Peñalver outlined the company's strategy, highlighting the need to diversify beyond conventional construction and provide integrated solutions that support clients throughout the life cycle of their industrial assets.
ACI's “Great Transformation” was launched in 2021 and it seeks to position the company as a premier construction provider that delivers projects on time, at cost-efficient prices, and without compromising quality and safety.
Mr. Peñalver said the company has been modernizing its processes, strengthening operations, investing in technology and improving collaboration as it redefines its role in the industry.
He noted the relatively small size and fragmented nature of the Philippine construction market as key challenges that prompted ACI to explore opportunities beyond traditional contracting.
With clients facing increasingly complex operations, higher costs associated with downtime and growing demands for efficiency and sustainability, the company identified maintenance and asset life-cycle support as areas where it could provide greater value.
In 2025, ACI launched ACI Plus, its industrial maintenance and asset life-cycle solutions business, to complement its construction operations. The division provides a broader approach to supporting clients, covering services that include maintenance, facilities management, shutdown services, specialized manpower and equipment rental.
Peñalver said the initiative is designed to help industrial clients improve operational continuity, efficiency and reliability. By supporting assets from construction and commissioning through maintenance and long-term operations, ACI aims to reduce downtime, extend asset life and build stronger, longer-lasting relationships with clients.
The division has become a significant part of the company's operations. Of ACI's approximately 4,200 team members in 2026, about 1,500 are under ACI Plus, while 2,700 belong to its construction business segment. ACI Plus accounted for 20% of the company's revenue in 2025, indicating that its contribution had increased further in 2026.
ACI, which is marking its 50th year, has delivered more than 1,100 projects across the country and various industries. He said the company would continue pursuing innovation, organizational change and continuous learning to respond to evolving market demands.
Mr. Peñalver also shared that ACI was preparing to announce a corporate operation with a foreign partner aimed at bringing international standards in industrial maintenance to the Philippines. He did not identify the partner or provide further details in the speech.
The company's next chapter would focus not only on building infrastructure but also on sustaining industries, supporting operational resilience and developing ecosystems that contribute to national growth.
Mr. Peñalver reaffirmed ACI's commitment to its guiding principle of being “engineered for excellence” as it expands its capabilities and strengthens its role in the country's industrial and infrastructure development.
