Ayala Corporation


Ayala Corporation 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

Ayala y Compañía was established in 1876 and traces its origins to Casa Róxas, a partnership established in 1834 between landowner and entrepreneur Domíngo Ureta Róxas and his employee Antonio de Ayala. Their enterprise began with the formation of a distillery which became known as the maker of Ginebra San Miguel. Initially named Destileria y Licoreria de Ayala y Compañía , it was known ultimately as the Ayala Distillery Company and was acquired by Carlos T. Palanca, Sr.-owned 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.
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 -1974. The Ayala Corporation later became a public company in 1976.
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. 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.

Attached companies and investments

Real estate

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 in Ayala Corporation.