First Balfour
First Balfour is a Philippine engineering, procurement, and construction firm operating across power, transport, water infrastructure, and specialized buildings, serving government agencies and major private utilities and industrial clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersParañaque, Philippines
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What First Balfour does
First Balfour is a Philippine engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm operating four core service verticals — Power & Energy (renewable and thermal generation, transmission lines, substations), Transport Infrastructure (rail, expressways, bridges), Water Infrastructure (reservoirs, treatment plants, distribution), and Specialized Buildings (hospitals, data centers, industrial facilities). The company traces its roots to Philippine Engineering and Construction Corporation (PECCO), established on November 28, 1969, and was renamed First Balfour after First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH) acquired the remaining 40% stake from UK-based Balfour Beatty in 2004. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPH, itself part of the Lopez Group of Companies, and operates with 501-1,000 employees headquartered in Parañaque City, Metro Manila, with project sites across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The company delivers projects through EPC, Design and Build, Main Contractor, Construct Only, Subcontractor, and Maintenance Services models, combining in-house civil, mechanical, and electrical capabilities with subcontracted specialty trade work. Allied businesses include T1 Rentals (equipment rental), T1 Transport (heavy haulage and electric bus services to clients including Cebu Pacific and Murata), ThermaPrime Well Drilling Services, and in-house concrete and aggregates production. Digital tooling includes Autodesk Construction Cloud for project management and an IoT-powered digitalization partnership with Accent Systems. First Balfour holds the PCAB Quadruple AAAA contractor license (the highest Philippine tier), ISO 9001/14001/45001 certifications, Investors in People Silver accreditation, and has committed to Net Zero by 2050 with 2030 interim targets.
Revenue is generated through competitive bidding for Philippine government infrastructure contracts and direct negotiation with major private utilities and industrial clients, including Manila Water, Maynilad, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Department of Transportation, Light Rail Manila Corporation, Metro Pacific Tollways, St. Luke's Medical Center, ST Telemedia, ePLDT, First Gen, and Petron. Notable large-scale wins include a ₱22.2 billion joint venture with Leighton Asia for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Package S-03 and the STT Fairview 1 hyperscale data center project. Customer intimacy, strategic procurement, and value engineering are positioned as core operational differentiators.
First Balfour firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First Balfour
- Legal name
- First Balfour Inc.
- Website
- https://firstbalfour.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- First Balfour is a Philippine engineering, procurement, and construction firm operating across power, transport, water infrastructure, and specialized buildings, serving government agencies and major private utilities and industrial clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First Balfour industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Engineering and Construction Services
- NAICS
- Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (237), Utility System Construction (2371), Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (23711)
- SIC
- Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations) (EUAEADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Transmission line EPC & construction (overhead) (EUADAKAA), Wind Power Plant EPC (Onshore/Offshore) (EUAEAAAF), Construction Management & Delivery (EPCM/CMAR/Design-Build Oversight) (EUANALAE), Hydro BOP Civil & Water Conveyance (Dams, Spillways, Penstocks, Canals) (EUAMAFAG)
Keywords
Where First Balfour is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Parañaque
- HQ country
- Philippines
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
First Balfour business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC): Full-service project delivery model where First Balfour handles engineering design, procurement of materials and equipment, and construction. The company delivers civil, mechanical, and electrical works through in-house expertise or in cooperation with subcontractors.
- Design and Build: Integrated design and construction services where First Balfour provides both project design and execution under a single contract.
- Main Contractor Services: Primary contractor role managing overall project delivery including subcontractor coordination for large transport infrastructure projects.
- Construct Only: Construction execution services without design or procurement responsibilities, typically as a subcontractor or trade contractor.
- Subcontractor Services: Specialized trade work including civil works, electro-mechanical works, and other specific scope items for larger projects.
- Maintenance Services: Ongoing maintenance services for completed infrastructure including railways, geothermal complexes, and water infrastructure.
- Plant and Equipment Rental (T1 Rentals): Equipment rental business providing earth-moving, lifting equipment, industrial equipment, and transport equipment. The division launched T1 Rentals brand in 2019.
- Heavy Equipment and Materials Transport (T1 Transport): Sustainable people transport and heavy equipment hauling services. T1 Transport operates electric buses and provides transport solutions for clients including Cebu Pacific and Murata.
- Concrete and Aggregates Supply: In-house concrete and aggregates production supporting construction projects.
- Geothermal Well Drilling (ThermaPrime): ThermaPrime Well Drilling Services provides well-drilling services to Energy Development Corporation and other geothermal operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based pricing through competitive bidding or direct negotiation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
First Balfour product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First Balfour delivers engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), design-and-build, and maintenance services across four verticals: Power & Energy, Transport Infrastructure, Water Infrastructure, and Specialized Buildings. It operates as a main contractor, subcontractor, and project manager, supported by allied equipment rental, transport, well-drilling, and concrete/aggregates businesses.
Product overview
First Balfour is a Philippine-based engineering and construction company offering infrastructure solutions. The company operates through four core service verticals: Power & Energy Construction, Transport Infrastructure, Water Infrastructure, and Specialized Buildings. These are supported by allied businesses including T1 Rentals (equipment rental), T1 Transport (sustainable transport and heavy equipment hauling), ThermaPrime Well Drilling Services, and Concrete & Aggregates supply. The company leverages technology and partnerships to deliver complex infrastructure projects including renewable energy facilities, expressways, railways, data centers, and water systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- T1 Rentals: Equipment rental business offering earth-moving, lifting equipment, industrial equipment, and transport equipment
- T1 Transport
- ThermaPrime Well Drilling Services
Products and services
- Power & Energy Construction
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,600 MW+ of renewable energy delivered to millions of Filipino homes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use First Balfour
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
First Balfour technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
First Balfour partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ST Telemedia Global Data CentrescoreJV with Leighton Asia to build STT Fairview 1, a 28MW hyperscale data center in Quezon City.
- Balfour BeattyminorUK-based construction company that formed a 60:40 joint venture with FPH in 1997 as First Philippine Balfour Beatty Inc. (FPBB). First Balfour acquired Balfour Beatty's 40% share in 2004.
- Leighton AsiacoreJoint venture partner for major infrastructure projects including STT Fairview 1 Hyperscale Data Center (multibillion-peso contract) and North-South Commuter Railway packages (P22.2 billion NSCR contract).
- Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA)coreFounding member of NZCA. Collaborates with other member companies to advance sustainability and decarbonization efforts.
- Ako ang BukascoreMovement pushing for climate neutrality in the Philippines. First Balfour signed MoA and pilots supplier engagement on decarbonization.
- Philippine Green Building CouncilcoreFounding member establishing the first green building in the Philippines in 2011. First Balfour's Head of HR and Administration serves on the board.
- Council for Inclusive CapitalismcoreFirst Balfour Chairman Federico Lopez serves as Steward and President Anthony Fernandez serves as member.
- The Plastic FlamingominorOrganization aiming to curb plastic pollution through sustainable waste management. First Balfour signed MoA for partnership.
- BINHI (EDC)coreBiodiversity program partner with Energy Development Corporation. First Balfour participates in tree planting, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation efforts.
- BPI BayanminorCSR program of BPI Bank in Dumaguete, Negros. Partner in The Reef Dome: A Marine Habitat Restoration project.
- TESDAminorFirst Balfour is a TESDA Recognized Training Partner (RTP), providing skills training and certification programs.
- TorreverdeminorPartner in sales conference 2026, representing one of First Balfour's allied businesses.
- Cebu PacificminorT1 Transport selected to supply and operate two new electric passenger buses for Cebu Pacific.
- MurataminorT1 Transport powers Murata's first step toward electric mobility with sustainable transport services.
- IsuzuminorT1 Transport integrates Isuzu EW5 trucks for Ital-Thai Development's project in Pampanga.
- HinominorT1 Rentals expands fleet with new Hino buses in Leyte.
- SANYminorT1 Rentals acquires 150T telescopic crawler crane (SANY SCE1500TB) from SANY.
- JFE EngineeringminorJV partner with First Balfour for Metro Manila bridges seismic upgrade contract signed with DPWH.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights6 records
First Balfour competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DMCI Holdings: Philippine conglomerate with a major construction subsidiary (DMCI Consunji) doing heavy civil, mining, and energy EPC across the same set of Philippine clients (NGCP, Manila Water, government agencies). Direct competitor for large infrastructure tenders and similarly diversified across power, water, and transport.
- EEI Corporation: One of the Philippines' top heavy and civil engineering contractors, with overlapping capabilities in power, industrial, infrastructure, and mechanical works; competes head-to-head with First Balfour for large industrial and energy projects and holds similar PCAB classifications.
- Megawide Construction Corporation: Publicly-listed Philippine contractor active in transport infrastructure (PPP airports, roads), buildings, and increasingly in modular construction; competes with First Balfour in transport and specialized building verticals and has a similar ESG pivot.
- Leighton Asia (CIMIC Group): Hong Kong-based international contractor and current JV partner of First Balfour on the NSCR and STT Fairview data center; competing for the same mega-projects in the Philippines and broader Southeast Asia while also serving as a partner when First Balfour needs international balance-sheet capacity.
- JFE Engineering: Japanese engineering and construction firm currently in JV with First Balfour for the Metro Manila bridges seismic upgrade contract with DPWH; directly comparable in bridge, steel, and heavy civil works with strong international project track record.
Broad incumbents
- ACCIONA Infrastructure: Global Spanish infrastructure group with a strong renewable energy EPC franchise (wind, hydro) and water infrastructure capabilities; competes with First Balfour's renewable EPC and water works in the Philippines while operating across a much broader global portfolio.
- Shimizu Corporation: Japanese general contractor with global operations in civil, building, and energy infrastructure; shown as a First Balfour partnership reference and competing for large Asian infrastructure projects including those funded by JICA and ADB in the Philippines.
- Fluor Corporation: Global US-headquartered EPC firm with extensive experience in power generation, mining, and industrial infrastructure; competes with First Balfour on large energy and industrial projects and brings deeper capital and broader geographic reach.
Regional players
- Sunway Construction Group: Malaysia-based construction group with comparable capabilities in large-scale infrastructure (highways, rail, hospitals, data centers) and a strong sustainability/ESG agenda; competes in the regional Southeast Asian infrastructure market rather than directly in the Philippines.
- Gamuda Berhad: Malaysian infrastructure and engineering group active in tunneling, highways, water treatment, and property development; a regional comparable for Southeast Asian heavy civil EPC scale, though operating primarily in Malaysia rather than the Philippines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
First Balfour social profiles
Digital presenceFirst Balfour financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First Balfour leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
First Balfour subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
First Balfour funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First Balfour M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First Balfour
What does First Balfour do?
First Balfour delivers engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), design-and-build, and maintenance services across four verticals: Power & Energy, Transport Infrastructure, Water Infrastructure, and Specialized Buildings. It operates as a main contractor, subcontractor, and project manager, supported by allied equipment rental, transport, well-drilling, and concrete/aggregates businesses.
Is First Balfour a public or private company?
First Balfour is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was First Balfour founded?
First Balfour was founded in 1969. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is First Balfour based?
First Balfour is headquartered in Parañaque, Philippines, in the Asia region.
How does First Balfour make money?
Ten revenue lines are on record. Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) is the primary driver. The others are design and Build, main Contractor Services, construct Only, subcontractor Services, maintenance Services, plant and Equipment Rental (T1 Rentals), heavy Equipment and Materials Transport (T1 Transport), concrete and Aggregates Supply and geothermal Well Drilling (ThermaPrime).
Who are First Balfour's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DMCI Holdings, EEI Corporation, Megawide Construction Corporation, Leighton Asia (CIMIC Group) and JFE Engineering. Broad incumbents are ACCIONA Infrastructure, Shimizu Corporation and Fluor Corporation. Regional players are Sunway Construction Group and Gamuda Berhad.
Does First Balfour have an API?
No public API is recorded for First Balfour.
What industry is First Balfour in?
First Balfour's product category is Engineering and Construction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEADAA, Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations), with a secondary code of EUADAKAA, Transmission line EPC & construction (overhead). Its NAICS code is 237 and its SIC code is 1600.