Founded a hundred years ago, Derek reflects on the legacy of the founders of Rockland, his grand-uncle and father, the first- and second-generation leaders of the family business. “There is a distinct reason why JBM Pereira is known as the Founder of Rockland while his nephew and heir Carl de S Wijeyeratne (Derek’s father) is known as the Father of Rockland,” Derek explains.

Rockland Distillery’s remarkable story is the tale of JBM Pereira, its esteemed founder, and his nephew Carl, the pioneers of Rockland and the spirits industry of then Ceylon. Answering the call to tender to the then British government in the early 1920s, JBM, with a foresight rare for his time, ventured into large-scale arrack production. He was the first in Ceylon to bring in state-of-the-art distilling equipment from France’s E. Barbet & Sons the premier still makers in Europe at the time. This legacy of innovation and dedication to excellence is still reflected in all of Rockland’s brands.

Carl, initially envisaging a career in medicine, was irresistibly drawn to the family business. Joining JBM at just 19, he brought his natural mechanical aptitude and an eye for detail to the distillery.

When JBM passed away unexpectedly less than a decade after founding Rockland, Carl was thrust into the forefront, steering Rockland through financial challenges and rapidly changing government policies and was forced to keep the company afloat by borrowing from Indian bankers as local businessmen were not afforded loans by the local British banks in Ceylon at the time.

Undeterred by the threat of foreclosure from the Chettinad Corporation, Carl’s ingenious creation of a dry gin and his campaign for the “Country Made Foreign Spirits” regulation marked a new era for gin production in Ceylon. Moreover, Carl’s initiative to produce surgical spirits locally during the war exemplified his innovative spirit. Under Carl’s guidance, Rockland expanded its repertoire with a flavoured gin, local whiskey, and brandy, each product welcomed with acclaim and reinforcing the company’s resilience.

Alongside his passion for perfection and commitment to excellence when it came to innovating and the production of Rocklands brands, Carl’s profound concern for his employees led to the establishment of a benevolent fund and a welfare shop, demonstrating his commitment to the well-being of the Rockland family. The concept of a provident fund for employees was one of the first of its kind in Ceylon and long before it was brought into legislation.

Today, Carl’s legacy, imbued with his unique blend of values, continues to be the guiding force behind Rockland Distillery, his son Derek, the current Chairman of Rockland reflects in this interview:

In celebrating Rockland’s 100th anniversary, what significance does this milestone hold for you, and how do you see the company’s enduring legacy as a part of your leadership journey? 

Reflecting on the journey of our family business, it’s evident that grit and determination have always been at its core. Unlike many, our family, including my father, didn’t revel in lavish celebrations of success. Achievements were regarded as fulfilling our duty, nothing more. This work ethic has been a guiding principle for us.

My journey in the family business began at 18. My father’s mentoring and guidance was hands-on. He started me off in understanding the basics by ensuring I worked in various roles, from sales to customs clearance to auditing, gaining a holistic understanding of the company. These early experiences were essential in grasping the practical aspects of the business.

When the closed economy hit in 1970, we faced immense difficulties. Amidst this, the government set up a competing distillery in Gal Oya, exempt from tax and placing us at a further disadvantage. Despite these hardships, we persevered, innovating, and adapting.

Then devastation struck when our distillery was set ablaze and reduced to ashes during the insurrection of the late 1980s. Rather than compromising on quality, we chose to withdraw from the market temporarily and diversified into other products to keep the business afloat, a testament to our resilience.

The support and advice of friends and mentors were invaluable during these times. We decided to move the distillery to a safer location, thanks to their guidance. My brother-in-law, a brilliant engineer, joined us and brought new ideas and improvements to our distillation process.

We rebuilt from the ashes, equipping ourselves with the best distillation plant from Germany. The relentless pursuit of excellence, determination and grit is deeply ingrained in our culture, a legacy which began from our founders and which continues in Rocklands DNA and how the company operates even today.

Today, we face new challenges, but our commitment to innovation and excellence remains unchanged. We’re proud to be among the first green distilleries, moving away from plastic towards more sustainable practices. Our journey has been one of constant improvement and striving for excellence, a path we continue to follow with determination and the utmost respect for our values and legacy.

How do you envision continuing and building upon the foundation laid by the founders to ensure Rockland remains a leading player in the industry for years to come? What key strategies and values will be essential in maintaining the company’s success and preserving the legacy of JBM Pereira and Carl de S Wijeyeratne?

Moving forward, our primary focus is on growth through innovation and expansion into new markets. We plan to expand our product range with exceptional offerings, both internationally and locally. This includes introducing new products while continuing to enhance our existing brands. Our Scotch whiskey, distilled in the UK, is a testament of our commitment to quality, rivalling top international blends without compromising cost-effectiveness.

Our pioneering spirit is evident not only in our alcoholic beverages but also in our non-alcoholic offerings, catering to a diverse market.

Rockland is one of the first companies to take a less-known product like arrack to the world, followed soon after with the international release of its local take on a traditional London dry gin. We will continue to innovate as we expand our international brand portfolio.

At Rockland, every team member, from the chairman down, is driven by a passion for excellence. This commitment reflects the pioneering ethos of our founders and is central to our company culture. We are excited about the future, continually seeking to push boundaries and bring innovative products to our customers. Our journey of growth and excellence is an ongoing process, and we remain dedicated to leading the industry with our innovative spirit and high-quality offerings.