In any organization, big transformations don’t happen in boardrooms alone — they happen in the everyday grind, in the way people work together, solve problems, and challenge old habits.
At Aboitiz Construction, this spirit of improvement is alive in the “8S Program,” a procurement framework that has quietly but steadily reshaped how teams collaborate and deliver results.
And recently, that behind-the-scenes hard work received global recognition. The Supply Chain Management – Sourcing and Procurement (SCM-S&P) team earned a Bronze Stevie® Award for Support Department of the Year at the 22nd Annual International Business Awards last October, a proud milestone that comes just as Aboitiz Construction celebrates its 50th anniversary.
“We’ve always believed procurement can be more than transactions. It can be a catalyst for doing things better,” said Eric King, Vice President for Strategic Asset and Supply Chain Management. “This award validates that belief and motivates us to keep pushing forward.”
For the team, the award isn’t just a trophy; it’s a reminder that meaningful innovation often happens in the parts of the business people don’t always see, but rely on every day.
At the core of the 8S Program are its foundational pillars: Speed, Solution, Skills, Strengths, Scalability, Synergy, Simplification, and Sustainability. They may sound technical, but for the people who use them, these pillars serve as a compass: move faster when possible, simplify when necessary, and strengthen partnerships at every opportunity.
This approach has led to real, measurable impact. Through simple but powerful practices like Daily Grind alignment meetings and strategic initiatives such as Category Management, the CRIF accreditation system, and the ERP Vendor Portal, the team boosted procurement efficiency by 53% and raised cost savings to an average of 10.52% in early 2025 — a dramatic jump from 1.33% the year before.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Across project sites, the shift feels cultural. Procurement teams are no longer just processing requests — they’re becoming true partners to project operations.
“Before, communication between teams could feel like a handoff. Now it feels like a huddle,” shared Sani Fano, Procurement Manager. “We solve problems together, not one after the other.”
Events like the 2024 Vendor Conference, which engaged over 200 supplier partners, reinforced the idea that suppliers are part of the company’s transformation journey, not just external vendors.. Meanwhile, Project Managers’ Meet sessions held across more than 30 project sites strengthened the working relationship between operations and procurement, building trust and alignment from planning to execution.
“The 8S Program is more than a system. It is a mindset of collaborating, innovating, and continuously improving. When we work as one value chain, we deliver smarter, faster, and more meaningfully for our partners, stakeholders, and the communities we build for,” King said.
This mindset extends to building a responsible supply chain as well. Regular vendor check-ins, compliance monitoring, and data-driven evaluations strengthen transparency, reduce risk, and ensure consistent quality. These efforts help build a supply chain that is resilient, ethical, and aligned with Aboitiz Construction’s commitment to creating positive impact in the communities it serves.
As Aboitiz Construction marks 50 years of building for business and communities, the 8S Program stands as a clear demonstration of how transformation happens in practice—through shared responsibility, future-ready thinking, and a commitment to continuously improve our processes. By reshaping procurement into a proactive, collaborative, and strategy-driven function, the company strengthens its ability to adapt, respond, and innovate. This ensures that we remain a stronger, more agile, and more resilient organization for the years ahead.
