Bacardi officials say its Puerto Rican rum distillery has suffered some damage from Hurricane Maria, but how much isn’t exactly clear. As we went to press, officials were assessing the full impact.
The distillery is operating on generators in critical areas, officials say. Meanwhile, an assessment is underway and employees have been asked to stay home until further notice since it isn’t safe to travel around the city. “The priority is for them to focus on their families and homes,’ a spokesman told us.
Meanwhile, as we alerted you Friday morning, Bacardi Ltd. and the Bacardí family have committed up to $3 million for disaster recovery and relief in areas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria and by the earthquakes in Mexico.
Some $2 million in cash and other assistance is being supplied to Puerto Rico, and the remaining $1 million to local relief agencies supporting communities impacted in Florida, other islands in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico.
“The Bacardi family, company and our employees are deeply saddened by the devastation and horrific loss caused by the recent hurricanes and earthquakes. We hope these donations will help alleviate some of the stress and pain people are experiencing while addressing some of their most basic needs,” says Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of family-owned Bacardi Ltd.
Bacardi will provide immediate relief and longer-term rebuilding efforts in collaboration with several non-profit partners and local governments, including the Government of Puerto Rico, in the affected communities.
In addition to operations in Puerto Rico, BACARDÍ rum is bottled in Jacksonville, Fla., and South Florida is home to the Bacardi North America regional headquarters office. In Mexico since 1931, the company has offices and production facilities for its rum and tequila brands. While Bacardi no longer has facilities in The Bahamas, our donation serves as a testament to the people of The Bahamas where the company produced its iconic rum for nearly 50 years.
Puerto Rico has been home to the BACARDÍ® rum distillery, the largest premium rum distillery in the world, since 1936 where the company produces its namesake brand, and the Casa Bacardi visitor center, the second most visited tourism venue in metro San Juan. Throughout its history in Puerto Rico, Bacardi has been deeply involved in the community and its commitment remains strong to the long-term success of Puerto Rico as it battles natural disasters and financial difficulties.