Bacardi Limited Invests in Corporate Responsibility Initiative to Revive, Restore & Renovate Communities

Bacardi celebrates corporate social responsibility commitment with global employee volunteer program to support communities in need and protect the environment

Hamilton, Bermuda, July 1, 2013 – Building on a proud and dynamic history of philanthropic and social engagement, Bacardi Limited celebrated its spirit of social consciousness through a month-long series of employee volunteer projects in communities around the world. The wide array of projects highlighted the Bacardi commitment to support stronger, healthier, more vibrant and environmentally sustainable communities.

Through its “Spirit for Life, Caring Together” corporate responsibility (CR) program, Bacardi highlights the uplifting and hands-on work done by so many of its passionate employees. Bacardi employees donated blood, restored beach and coastal areas, raised money for food banks, renovated gardens for the elderly and poor, donated clothes and cleaned up parks and community centers. They also cared for homeless animals, planted trees and helped protect wildlife.

The overarching theme of the CR month focused on environmental sustainability. This theme reinforced the Company’s commitment to cut its use of natural resources and maximize reduction of its carbon footprint, waste and water usage. Over the past six years, Bacardi has reduced its water consumption globally by 50 percent and cut energy use by 33 percent.

Family-owned Bacardi also focused its efforts on supporting disadvantaged people who live in a diverse set of communities around the world and lack basic resources like food, water, shelter and clothing.

Following the great success of the inaugural initiative last year, Bacardi gave employees more flexibility this year to participate in community activities, with multiple opportunities during each of the five weeks of May. More than two-thirds of Bacardi employees worldwide participated in the initiative representing 41 offices and facilities in 35 countries. Employees volunteered nearly 9,500 hours as they engaged in 98 different activities.

“Spirit for Life, Caring Together” is a commitment from Bacardi to enable its global workforce to get involved in local activities and give back to their communities in a variety of ways. The program reinforces the Company’s purpose and values and demonstrates the Bacardi commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices, to the communities where it crafts and sells its products, and to the consumers who enjoy them.

“Bacardi is committed to giving back to the communities that have helped us grow for more than 150 years. It just gives you a great feeling to give back. And, frankly, it’s what Bacardi stands for,” says Ed Shirley, President and CEO of Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held spirits company. “Social responsibility has been a foundation of Bacardi since even before we were established, when our founder volunteered to lead humanitarian aid efforts after an earthquake devastated his hometown of Santiago de Cuba in 1852. Community engagement and accountability are ingrained in all aspects of our work.”

Corporate social responsibility is at the core of Bacardi’s overall business approach throughout the calendar year. “Our employees believe strongly that we must continue to focus on both the sustainability of our business and the world we live in,” adds Eric Kraus, Senior Vice President, Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer, who leads all Bacardi corporate social responsibility initiatives. “Our goal is to set the standard against which corporate responsibility efforts in the spirits industry are measured.”

Organizations that benefited from Bacardi volunteer activities deeply appreciated the participation and engagement of Bacardi employees around the world. “We are so happy that Bacardi came out to assist us with our dune restoration project,” says Steve Vincenti, Volunteer Coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation Miami Chapter, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. “The fact that Bacardi employees volunteered their time to remove invasive weeds from our beaches and sand dunes shows just how much they care about the community. We couldn’t be more proud of Bacardi as a great corporate citizen and role model for others in South Florida.”

“Bacardi’s work will have lasting value for this community. The Bacardi employees were one of the most efficient group of volunteers we have ever had,” says Lydia Tang, Volunteer Coordinator at Crossroads Foundation in Hong Kong, a non-profit organization providing support for people in need in Hong Kong and around the world. “They accomplished so much, and they were friendly and fun to work with. It makes such a difference when people give back to their communities, and it sends a powerful message about the role each of us should play in society.”

About Bacardi Limited
Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ rum, the world’s best-selling and most-awarded rum, as well as the world’s most-awarded spirit; GREY GOOSE vodka, the world’s leading super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most-awarded blended Scotch and the best-selling premium blended Scotch whisky in the U.S.; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin in the world; MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, the world’s leading vermouth and the world’s favorite Italian sparkling wines; CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in Mexico; ERISTOFF vodka, one of the fastest-growing vodka brands in the world; and other leading and emerging brands.

Founded 151 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi now employs nearly 6,000 people, manufactures its brands at 27 facilities in 16 markets on four continents and sells in more than 150 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. www.BacardiLimited.com