American Battery Technology Company Appoints Manufacturing Scale-Up Expert Steven Wu as Chief Operating Officer to Accelerate Expansion of Battery Metals Manufacturing Operations

Rhea-AI Summary

American Battery Technology Company (NASDAQ: ABAT) has appointed Steven Wu as its new Chief Operating Officer to accelerate the expansion of battery metals manufacturing operations. Wu brings extensive experience in scaling first-of-kind technologies into high-volume manufacturing operations, a important skillset as ABTC progresses in commercializing and ramping up efforts to build a resilient battery metals supply chain for North American customers.

Wu's background includes leadership roles at Rivian, Nuro, Uber, and Apple, where he demonstrated abilities in scaling production, managing partnerships, and leading operational teams. In his new role, Wu will be responsible for accelerating ABTC's commercialization efforts, overseeing manufacturing operations, and working on growth initiatives across the organization.

Positive

• Appointment of Steven Wu as COO brings expertise in scaling manufacturing operations
• Wu's experience aligns with ABTC's goal to commercialize and ramp up battery metals supply chain
• Wu's background includes leadership roles at major tech companies like Rivian, Nuro, Uber, and Apple

Negative

• Departure of previous COO Andrés Meza after three years of service

RENO, Nev., Aug. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Battery Technology Company (NASDAQ: ABAT), an integrated critical battery materials company that is commercializing its technologies for both primary battery minerals manufacturing and secondary minerals lithium-ion battery recycling, appoints Steven Wu as its new chief operating officer (COO). Wu brings an extensive background from his previous companies in successfully scaling first-of-kind technologies into high-volume, bespoke manufacturing operations, an extremely applicable skillset as American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) continues to progress commercialization and ramp up efforts to onshore and build out a resilient battery metals supply chain for its North American strategic customers.

"We are thrilled to welcome Steven to the team at this exciting and critical stage of growth of our commercialization efforts," stated ABTC CEO Ryan Melsert.  "As we move beyond the first-of-kind design and commissioning phases, Steven brings the exact skillset and experiences needed in scaling commercial operations, building engaged and high-productivity teams, and innovating and implementing ground-up, high-volume, product manufacturing operations to meet the needs that our domestic strategic partners are demanding as we scale-up our domestic critical battery material solutions."

Wu has extensive experience with operationalizing innovative technologies manufactured in customized facilities and employed in first-of-kind products at global companies. As director of product and programs at Rivian, he led efforts to ramp products, set and drive achievement of objective and key results (OKRs), and build and manage partnerships with key customers and suppliers.  While working at autonomous vehicle startup Nuro as head of new product introduction, he developed and led their revenue generation initiatives, led partnerships with OEMs, led manufacturing and process improvement operations, commissioned facilities, and managed the operational scale-up of in-house manufacturing.  He also worked at Uber as an operations group manager, and at Apple as a global supply manager scaling production of products internationally and in the United States. Each of Wu's previous experiences have grown and demonstrated his abilities to lead global operational scale-ups of new technologies for high-volume, brownfield manufacturing facilities, and to build out large, cross-functional operational teams.

"I am very excited to step into this role at this transformative stage of ABTC's journey to widespread commercialization," said Steven Wu, ABTC's incoming COO. "I share Ryan's vision to drive accelerated but efficient and smart growth for a company leading the efforts to secure a domestic, sustainable supply of battery metals enabling our transition to electrification."

In his role at ABTC, Wu will be responsible for accelerating the company past its current stage of commissioning and ramp up of its first integrated lithium-ion battery recycling facility and primary claystone to lithium hydroxide pilot plant, progressing toward widespread commercialization and proliferation of these technologies.  He will oversee ABTC's manufacturing operations while also working closely with ABTC's leadership teams across the organization on growth initiatives.

Wu graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering.

He will succeed Andrés Meza who served as COO for over three years and is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. "Andrés has been an integral part in driving ABTC's foundational growth and success to date, and we are grateful for his contributions," continued Melsert.

About American Battery Technology Company 
American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), headquartered in Reno, Nevada, has pioneered first-of-kind technologies to unlock domestically manufactured and recycled battery metals critically needed to help meet the significant demand from the electric vehicle, stationary storage, and consumer electronics industries.  Committed to a circular supply chain for battery metals, ABTC works to continually innovate and master new battery metals technologies that power a global transition to electrification and the future of sustainable energy.

Forward-Looking Statements  
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements." Although the American Battery Technology Company's (the "Company") management believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations are, or will be, correct. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from those anticipated. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of the information contained or referenced in this press release.

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SOURCE American Battery Technology Company

FAQ

Who is the new COO of American Battery Technology Company (ABAT)?

Steven Wu has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer of American Battery Technology Company (NASDAQ: ABAT).

What is Steven Wu's background before joining ABAT?

Steven Wu has extensive experience in scaling technologies into high-volume manufacturing operations, with previous roles at Rivian, Nuro, Uber, and Apple.

What will be Steven Wu's main responsibilities at ABAT?

Wu will be responsible for accelerating ABAT's commercialization efforts, overseeing manufacturing operations, and working on growth initiatives across the organization.

Why did American Battery Technology Company (ABAT) appoint a new COO?

ABAT appointed Steven Wu as COO to accelerate the expansion of battery metals manufacturing operations and progress towards widespread commercialization of their technologies.