Rémy Cointreau initiatives tackle covid-19 pandemic

French producer Rémy Cointreau has taken action to help fight the spread of coronavirus around the world by donating money to purchase medical equipment, and alcohol for hand sanitiser production.

Facilities operated by Rémy Cointreau have stepped up to help fight coronavirus

In China, the firm donated 1 million yuan (US$140,000) to the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation to fund the purchase of protective medical equipment.

Meanwhile, in France, the production sites for Rémy Martin Cognac, Cointreau liqueur and Domaine des Hautes Glaces donated neutral alcohol to health organisations for the production of hand sanitiser. To do this, some company employees are voluntarily reconditioning alcohol directly into containers and delivering it to local organisations.

At the French firm’s Scotch whisky distillery on Islay, the team from Bruichladdich have also been working with local manufacturers to produce and distribute hand sanitiser, as have Rémy Cointreau’s Westland Distillery in the US and the Mount Gay Rum Distillery in Barbados.

Rémy Martin has also donated 8,000 surgical and FFP2 masks to hospitals in Cognac and Saintes, France.

In the US, Rémy Cointreau made a donation of US$100,000 to the US Bartenders’ Guild National Charity Foundation, which offers financial support to on-trade members affected by the spread of covid-19.

Eric Vallat, chief executive officer of Rémy Cointreau, said: “Since the beginning of this crisis, more than ever, it seemed essential for us to embody our values, to show solidarity and mutual aid.

“It is as close as possible to our markets and our production sites that our teams personally commit to help, to the extent of their human resources and financial capabilities, and for as long as the pandemic requires it.”

Spirits firms around the world have stepped up to help tackle the spread of coronavirus, with distillers including Diageo and Bacardi donating alcohol for the production of hand sanitiser.