January 10, 1929 marked the start of a long journey for a young man of 25 years of age named Jualian Barceló. On that day , he set out from his native island of Mallorca to discover his own new world on another , far distant island.

Julian Barceló arrived in Santo Domingo to join his brother Andres in what must have seemed to then a great adventure ..... the start of their own rum company, Barceló & Co., which they founded together in 1930.

Those early days in the dominican Republic promised to be an opportunity of unparalleled challenge for these two young men , who descended from a line of hard-working people. Then came one of the worst natural disaster in the country's history, the 1930 San Zenón hurracaine. Santo Domingo was totally devastated and Barceló & Co. lay in ruins.

Shortly after , Andres opted to settle in Puerto Rico ; but Julian remained and decide to rebuild his dream.

Packing his products in an old model Ford , he would drive along dusty roads to the interior towns to promote his quality rums. His perseverance was rewarded , as Julian propelled his fledgling company into one of the mayor force in the nation's industry.

Over the years, Barceló & Co. Moved from one part of town to another . it was growing and expanding along with the city, until a permanent home was found in 1946. The site chosen was Ulises Heureaux Avenue on the eastern bank of the Ozama River, an area rich in colonial history in what today is Santo Domingo.

Julian Barceló belived in team work and identified strongly with the needs of his community. He cared about education, health and the sports. Most of all, he cared about helping young people build a future.

In 1974, Julian Barceló retired as President of the company. He remained involved in community interests until his death in 1982. But the dynamism he brought to his achievements was continued by his nephew, Miguel Pascual Barceló, who was President of Barceló & Co. Until his death in 1992.

Miguel Barceló carried on the energetic administration of his uncle, overseeing the company's growth as strong contributor to the economy. Not only was Barceló & Co. A source of revenue for the state and employment for the community, but through the creation of five foundations, it became a catalyst in improving the quality if life for the Dominican people

In 1992, Mrs. Paquita Arbona de Barceló, julian's widow and spirited women in her own right, with a strong sense of community service , took over as interim President of the company until Julian Hofer Barceló was appointed President in 1994

For Julian Hofer. It was a matter of finally coming home to company where, as a young boy, he would sometime work during summer vacations capping bottles and carrying boxes. A work ethic learned at an early age served him well in his career with Pepsi Cola, where he moved from regional post to top leve; management with the international division.

This solid background in the administration and international marketing today enable him to lead Barceló & Co, into a period of global expansion as an exporter of fine rum products to world markets.

First and foremost a family business, Barceló & Co. Has nurtured a young generation of executives ready to face the challenges of a new century.