Roberto del Rosal takes helm at Bacardi. (president and CEO of Bacardi Corp.) (Special Feature) (Interview)

Roberto del Rosal recently replaced Manuel Luis del Valle as president and chief executive officer of Bacardi Corp., the world's largest rum producer, in Catano. Del Valle still serves on the company's board of directors since leaving the presidency.

Del Valle diversified the company into other businesses such as food and beverage wholesaling, bottling, chemical laboratory testing, environmental services, plastics, and household appliances distribution. Del Rosal sees as his main task making those businesses succeed while keeping Bacardi rum in its No. 1 position in a market where rising taxes and societal pressure are eroding the popularity of rum and other hard liquors.

Del Rosal had been with Bacardi Corp. for a year before assuming the position of president last January. Prior to that, he was employed for 15 years at FBM Distillery Co. Ltd., a separate Bacardi company in Toronto, Canada where he worked in marketing and finance and served as president for the past two years.

In an exclusive interview with CARIBBEAN BUSINESS, del Rosal talked at length about Bacardi Corp., its diversification program, and its plans for the future. …