Ascendion, a leader in AI-powered software engineering, and Philtech Inc., a fully owned Global Capability Center (GCC) of Albertsons Companies Inc., announced the launch of a next-generation GCC in Cebu, Philippines, on June 11, 2025. This initiative, a milestone in their decade-long partnership, aims to enhance support and management functions for over 285,000 employees across more than 2,200 Albertsons locations in 33 U.S. states, leveraging generative AI (GenAI) to drive operational excellence.
Launch Date: June 11, 2025, in Cebu, Philippines.
Partnership: Ascendion and Philtech Inc., supporting Albertsons Companies.
Scope: Supports 285,000+ employees across 2,200+ Albertsons locations.
AI Tools: Ascendion’s GCCAI, AVA+ (software engineering accelerator), and METal (talent orchestration platform).
Impact: Enhances customer service, engineering speed, and HR operations with GenAI.
Vision: Establishes Cebu as a next-gen AI and experience hub in the Philippines.
The Cebu GCC redefines traditional GCCs by evolving into a Generative Global Capability Center, an AI-native hub focused on value creation and innovation. Ascendion’s proprietary GCCAI solution drives intelligent productivity, accelerates delivery, and ensures real-time transparency across core functions, including:
Customer Service: Smarter, faster responses using AI-driven insights.
Application Development: Streamlined processes with automated workflows.
Quality Engineering: Enhanced testing and risk management.
Operations and HR Systems: Seamless automation for efficiency.
Ascendion’s AVA+ platform boosts productivity, reduces risks, and speeds up time-to-market, while METal connects Filipino professionals to high-impact projects, fostering innovation. “Our vision is clear: GCCs must evolve into Generative Global Capability Centers—AI-native, value-generating hubs that drive real business impact,” said Manan Mehta, Senior Vice President, Global Growth Markets at Ascendion.
The GCC aligns with Philtech’s commitment to integrating modern technologies and GenAI to enhance operational efficiency for Albertsons, a major U.S. retailer. Philtech, established in 2003 and based in BGC, Philippines, delivers IT services, including application support, infrastructure, and software development, playing a pivotal role in Albertsons’ operations. The Cebu hub expands these capabilities, supporting mission-critical systems and improving customer experiences across Albertsons’ stores.
Trung Nguyen, Philtech General Manager and Vice President, Information Technology at Albertsons, stated, “The launch of the Cebu GCC marks a major milestone in our long-standing partnership with Ascendion... This is about more than just growth; it’s about defining the future of AI-driven retail innovation.” The partnership leverages Ascendion’s AI expertise to deliver a blend of automation and human expertise, creating significant business value.
This initiative positions Cebu as a next-generation AI and experience hub in the Philippines, building on Ascendion’s broader expansion in the country. In February 2025, Ascendion integrated Collabera Digital, aiming to create 6,000 new jobs and generate a $500 million economic impact over three years. The Cebu GCC, alongside Ascendion’s Manila AI Studio and Makati office, strengthens the Philippines’ role as a global leader in AI-driven software engineering. All Ascendion engineers in the Philippines receive AI deployment certification, ensuring a future-ready workforce.
The partnership reflects a shift from cost-focused GCCs to AI-driven innovation hubs. Ascendion’s prior successes, such as automating 30% of service requests for Elara Caring (reducing fulfillment time from hours to minutes) and boosting productivity by 50% for a payment solutions provider, demonstrate its capability to deliver transformative outcomes. The Cebu GCC is expected to set a global standard for AI-powered enterprise operations, with positive sentiment on X noting its potential to redefine digital retail.
By combining Ascendion’s AI-first platforms with Philtech’s retail expertise, the Cebu GCC is poised to drive innovation, efficiency, and scalability for Albertsons, while cementing Cebu’s status as an emerging AI powerhouse.
Ascendion is a leading provider of AI-powered software engineering solutions that help businesses innovate faster, smarter, and with greater impact. We partner with over 400 Global 2000 clients across North America, APAC, and Europe to tackle complex challenges in applied AI, cloud, data, experience design, and workforce transformation. Powered by +11,000 experts and over 2,000 AI agents, a bold culture, and our proprietary Engineering to the Power of AI (EngineeringAI) approach, we deliver outcomes that build trust, unlock value, and accelerate growth. Headquartered in New Jersey, with 40+ global offices, Ascendion combines scale, agility, and ingenuity to engineer what's next.
Philtech Inc., established on April 1, 2003, is a fully owned Global Capability Center of Albertsons Companies Inc. As a premier technology center based in BGC, Philippines, Philtech delivers exceptional IT services, including application and infrastructure support, as well as software development and extensive retail operations. By managing mission-critical information and providing secure, innovative solutions, Philtech plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and customer experiences across over 2,200 Albertsons stores in 33 U.S. states. Committed to excellence, Philtech is recognized as a great workplace with 83% (yearly average) of its employees affirming it as a great place to work.
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