The family controlled spirits company, Bacardi, is best known for producing fine rums such as Bacardi Superior and Bacardi 151. The company sells more than 200 million bottles each year in nearly 100 countries. In 2007, the company’s total sales were US$5.5 billion, which shows an increase from its US$4.9 billion sales in 2006.
Bacardi is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Contributing much to the success of the company is its board of directors, which is composed of 16 members and is led by the founder’s great-great grandson, Facundo L. Bacardi. Also playing a large part in the company’s production and sales are Bernard F. Ramirez and Charles M. Hernandez, the company’s President and Co-president.
The company has made a number of acquisitions in order to branch out from the eponymous Bacardi rum brand. In 1992, the company acquired Martini & Rossi, the well known Italian producer of sparkling wines and Martini vermouth. For $2 billion the company was able to acquire Dewar’s scotch and Bombay Sapphire gin in 1998. For the following years, the company has continued to expand by acquiring Cazadores tequila in 2001. In addition to that, the company was able to purchase the French made vodka, Grey Goose, from Sidney Frank for a whopping $2 billion in 2004. Two years after, the company made another purchase by acquiring the New Zealand vodka brand 42 Below.
Other brands associated with Bacardi are the US version of Havana Club, Disaronno, Amaretto, Drambuie Scotch whisky liqueur, and Benedictine liqueurs.