Universal Robina Corp. (URC) has been named by Time Magazine and online data firm Statista as among the Asia-Pacific’s best 500 companies of 2025 for, among others, its robust employee satisfaction program.
URC President & CEO Irwin Lee said URC’s inclusion in Time’s list is an affirmation that the company remains a “collaborative and delightful workplace where employees can create their journey and turn it into their own successful growth story”.
He added, “We put people first. People are at the center of everything we do.”
In compiling its list of Asia-Pacific’s best companies, Time and Statista used a 2023 survey data of over 50,000 employees across the Asia-Pacific to measure employee satisfaction.
Lee said URC has emerged as an industry leader and “employer of choice” by “solidifying and effectively communicating our brand image”.
“We enrich our talent pipeline by attracting the right candidates and growing the careers of current employees,” he said.
URC promotes talents from within, and is committed to a “culture of trust, camaraderie and compassion”, said Lee. “Taken altogether, these have resulted in employee engagement and pride.”
Apart from employee satisfaction, Time and Statista also took into account revenue growth, and rigorous environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG, or sustainability) data.
URC also excelled in these areas.
“This list is extra-special for URC because it truly reflects the best that Asia has to offer, and we are proud and honored to be a part of it,” said Lee.
“It is a direct recognition of the dedication, hard work and collective effort of every individual within our organization,” he said. “It’s a testament to the strength of our team, our shared vision, and the unwavering commitment we all bring to our work each day.”
URC is one of the Philippines’ largest food and beverage companies, producing 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. URC also has a significant, and growing, presence in ASEAN. Its leading regional brands include Lexus, Tivoli and Fun-O.
Apart from URC, the Gokongwei group’s Cebu Pacific Air, Robinsons Retail Holdings and JG Summit Holdings were also on the list.
URC, named by Time Magazine and Statista as among the Asia-Pacific’s best 500 companies of 2025, cultivates a collaborative and delightful workplace where employees can create their journey and turn it into their own successful growth story.
