Bermuda-headquartered Bacardi is shifting some of its production capability at its Puerto Rico facility to help make hand sanitizer.
The company said, “A shift in production by Bacardi at the world’s largest premium rum distillery is helping supply ethanol required to produce the much needed hand sanitizers that are in high demand as a result of COVID-19.
“The Bacardi Corporation distillery in Cataño, Puerto Rico, where more than 80% of the company’s rums are produced, has partnered with Puerto Rico based manufacturer Olein Refinery to provide raw materials that will enable the production of more than 1.7M units of 10-ounce hand sanitizer. At 70% alcohol, these products are in line with the recommendations by the World Health Organization for containing the spread of the virus.
“Over half a million of the 10-ounce hand sanitizer units produced in partnership with Bacardi will be donated to local communities. Earlier today, Bacardi began distribution of the free hand sanitizers, made with the ethanol provided by Bacardi distillery, along with disinfectants produced by Olein, to USPS workers, firefighters and police.
“The company plans to expand distribution next week to non-profit organizations including Fondos Unidos [United Way]. Bacardi employees and contractors also received the free product as the health and safety of people is always top of mind for the family-owned company.”
“This is a family-owned business and we know what it means to take care of a community in need,” says Jose Class, VP, Supply Chain & Manufacturing, for Bacardi Latin America and the Caribbean. “In the 158 years of Bacardi, we’ve endured our share of challenging times and have learned that resilience, optimism and community are what will help us come out stronger.”
