Igniting Purposeful Transformation at Universal Robina

Universal Robina wanted to put purpose at the heart of their business transformation, to support their growth in ASEAN and Oceania

Challenge

For over 60 years, Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has been a leading snack foods and beverages company in the Philippines. With growing presence in the ASEAN and Oceania markets, URC realised the need to guide their vision and business strategy towards one that places sustainability at its core.

With over 13,000 employees, full scale operations in 12 countries and product exports across the globe, URC was met with various roadblocks. The first step to overcoming these challenges was to gain group-wide alignment on the need for change across management levels and business units, with sustainability as the driving force. The second step was setting up internal processes and implementing the brand’s first ever sustainability strategy and report.

Solution

The Purpose Business engaged with URC’s senior management and executive teams across different functions to develop their sustainability strategy. Part of this was conducting a comprehensive materiality assessment, and through workshops, peer benchmarking, stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions, the “Purposeful Transformation” strategy was born.

With an emphasis on five key focus areas for change, including natural resources, people, products, supply chain and economic performance, URC’s sustainability strategy ignites a process of purposeful transformation, propelling the company as an industry leader in sustainability.

Impact

As the company continues to grow, sustainability will play a more critical role in the business strategy and culture. URC has since identified and developed more sustainable ways to create value, such as waste synergies across the group and offering healthier products from their brands.

Following the launch of the Purposeful Transformation strategy, the company has seen a boost in stakeholder and investor confidence, with resolute support for the company to embark on a journey of sustainability leadership.