DHL Supply Chain Philippines Strengthens Long-Standing Partnership with Universal Robina Corp. (URC)

DHL Supply Chain Philippines, a global leader in contract logistics, announces the strengthening of its long-standing partnership with Universal Robina Corporation (URC), a leading company in the Philippines specializing in branded consumer food and beverage products.

URC produces iconic brands such as Great Taste, C2 Cool & Clean, Piattos, Maxx candy and Cream-O cookies, which have been part of Filipinos’ lives for decades. One of the country’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, URC also has significant and growing presence in ASEAN. Its leading regional brands include Lexus, Tivoli and Fun-O.

On March 17, 2025, a contract signing ceremony marked this milestone, attended by senior management representatives from both organizations. Bevan Williams, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain Philippines, led the delegation which included Gilbert Abogado, Operations Director for JG and Consumer, and Brigette Cias, Operations Excellence Director, along with key personnel from the Business Development and Marketing departments.

URC was represented by Jesselyn Panis, Vice President for Integrated Supply Chain, Joannie Festejo, Director of Planning and Logistics, as well as its URC Operations Management team.

“The Philippines’ consumer goods industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing demand for efficiency and innovation in supply chain operations. DHL Supply Chain Philippines is proud to support URC as it optimizes its operations. By leveraging our expertise in warehouse management, we aim to establish a strong foundation for the future of the consumer industry in the Philippines. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the market and delivering world-class solutions that drive growth and customer satisfaction,” said Williams.

According to BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 6.3% this year, driven mostly by strong economic growth and robust household consumption. It also expects household spending to accelerate to 5.3% in 2025.^[1]

Under this extended collaboration, DHL Supply Chain Philippines will manage URC’s warehouse in Calamba, Laguna, which boasts a pallet space capacity of over 22,000. It will apply its global logistics expertise to optimize URC’s operations through three key strategies:

• Standardization: Establishing uniform processes to ensure consistency and reliability across all warehouse activities.
• Digitalization: Implementing advanced digital tools to automate workflows, improve tracking, and increase operational efficiency.
• Automation: Deploying cutting-edge technologies to enhance productivity, reduce manual labor, and scale operations to meet growing demand.

Additionally, DHL Supply Chain Philippines will provide end-to-end transport solutions through its dedicated division, DHL Summit Solutions, Inc. (DSSI), ensuring seamless logistics from warehouse to distribution. Through these efforts, DHL Supply Chain will help URC achieve faster, more flexible responses to market needs while driving long-term supply chain efficiency.

This partnership comes at a pivotal time for the Philippines’ consumer goods sector, where efficient supply chains are critical to capitalizing on growing demand, particularly as local manufacturers prioritize sustainability and production agility. The collaboration helps future-proof URC’s operations and strengthens its position in the market, as it addresses strong projected consumption growth in the country.
 

^[1] Consumer spending to drive growth this year — BMI - BusinessWorld Online