C. Brian Hesse is co-owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of PerenniAL, with 26 years of experience in the aluminum industry in a variety of executive leadership, sales and marketing positions. He joined PerenniAL, the then Rusal America, in May 2019 as President and CEO. He led all aspects of the business managing $950 million in revenue per year. He was hired to re-establish, rebrand and lead Rusal’s American operations (after US-imposed sanctions were lifted) for the world’s 2nd largest aluminium company. He has grown the US team from 7 to 19 employees, created a culture of engagement, transparency, and accountability, secured ISO 9001 certification, and returned sales volumes to pre-sanction levels. Since Brian joined Rusal America, aluminium sales tonnes have grown from 129,000 tonnes per year to 346,000 tonnes per year in 2022. 

As an industry-recognized leader in aluminium, he establishes, grows and scales multi-million-dollar B2B metal manufacturing and distribution companies into global competitors. Develops and implements the strategic plan, short- and long-term growth roadmap to drive brand preference and enter new markets and verticals. He integrates finance, sales, marketing, and business development strategies, catapulting sales growth YoY for high product mix businesses. Manages CAPEX and streamlines manufacturing, product development and supply chain using LEAN and Six Sigma processes to improve logistics, shipping and distribution and ensure exceptional client service delivery. During his career, Brian has had extensive global business experience in China, Europe, Mexico, India, and South Korea.

AlCircle: Could you share PerenniAL's journey from its inception? What was the reason behind entering the business of aluminium trading?