London, April 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (Benchmark Minerals) is delighted to announce that Vivas Kumar has been appointed Principal Consultant. Vivas joins from Tesla, one of the world’s foremost electric vehicle (EV) and lithium ion battery producers.
Vivas was responsible for building Tesla’s lithium ion battery supply chain from May 2017 to April 2019, where he sourced a multi-billion dollar yearly spend portfolio of battery metals and chemicals, as the Gigafactory 1 scaled to become the world’s biggest battery plant and the Model 3 launched.
He has rapidly become a pioneer in our industry as the auto sector enters uncharted EV waters, fuelling unprecedented battery demand.
At Benchmark Minerals, Vivas will join our Forecast & Consultancy Division as we ramp up our advisory services for the world’s lithium ion battery supply chain, from mine to EV.
Vivas Kumar, Benchmark Minerals’ new Principal Consultant, said:
“I am honoured to join the Benchmark Minerals team to grow their consulting services business.
“During my previous experiences at McKinsey and Tesla, I consistently relied on Benchmark Minerals for their objective knowledge and unique insights on the rapidly transforming battery supply chain.
“In the global shift to more environmentally sustainable technologies, the battery industry remains vastly under-invested. I look forward to arming this supply chain with the world’s leading lithium price assessments, data and analysis as we enter a new phase of the energy storage revolution.”
Andy Leyland, Head of Benchmark Minerals’ Forecasts & Consultancy Division, said:
“All automotive OEMs are on a journey to electrification following a path pioneered by Tesla.
“Having Vivas onboard will allow us to continue to deliver world class advisory services to help develop new supply chains and opportunities for the automotive, mining, energy, oil and financial industries.
“Benchmark Minerals also continues to provide government advisory as highlighted by repeat testimonies to the US Senate in 2017 and 2019.
“Vivas will play a key role in ensuring our price assessments, forecast data and advisory services continue to shape international energy, industrial and business policies for the 21st century.”
Simon Moores, Managing Director, said:
“Vivas takes our capabilities to a new level after negotiating some of the most influential raw material contracts our industry has ever seen.
“In 2014, we went all-in by launching Benchmark Minerals to build the world’s premier publisher for the lithium ion battery to EV supply chain. The focus was to produce the most trustworthy and accurate price assessments, analysis and forecasting for lithium, cobalt, graphite anode, cathodes, and battery cells.
“We are now entering the most disruptive and rapid change the auto industry has ever witnessed. Today, our new team members from Tesla and SQM renew our mission as we double down on our number one position in the global price assessment, research and advisory sector.
“I am truly excited about having Vivas join us. Our two new team members take Benchmark Minerals into a new stage of our evolution.”
Hear Vivas speak on Benchmark World Tour 2019 - 2 weeks away
Vivas will be speaking on the North American leg of Benchmark Minerals' World Tour 2019. The Benchmark World Tour will be visiting New York (Monday 6 May), Toronto (Wednesday 8 May), Chicago (Friday 10 May), San Francisco (Monday 13 May), and Vancouver (Wednesday 15 May).
ABOUT BENCHMARK MINERALS
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (Benchmark Minerals) is the world’s leading voice and most trusted provider of data and advisory services in the lithium ion battery and electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
Benchmark Minerals is globally known for setting the lithium industry’s reference price which is relied upon to negotiate contracts between actors in the industry, including lithium extraction operators, cathode manufacturers, battery cell producers and automotive OEMs. The Company also produces regular price assessments on cobalt chemicals and graphite and also tracks lithium ion megafactory capacity build out.
Benchmark Minerals also provides Forecasting & Consultancy services that are relied upon by a wide range of customers, from governments, electronics manufacturers, EV makers, battery cell producers, and mining companies. Premium Quarterly Forecast reports are provided for the lithium, cobalt and graphite industries, including cost curves and a fully linked supply and demand model allowing easy scenario analysis.
Our single-client advisory services provide actionable and implementable recommendations in the form of supply chain workshops, lenders market reports and input to feasibility studies.
To complement its publishing activities, Benchmark Minerals has created the industry’s leading platform to discuss the subject – The Benchmark World Tour. Starting in 2015, the annual series offers free investment and industry seminars, and has grown to 17 cities in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Benchmark Minerals also hosts an industry gathering for the lithium ion supply chain in Q4 of each year. Benchmark Minerals Week consists of two main conferences, Graphite & Anodes and Cathodes, and is the world’s meeting place to negotiate deals and network.
Benchmark Minerals’ data, insight, and understanding of the subject is unrivalled, as witnessed by repeat testimony to the US Senate in 2017 and 2019. In addition, Benchmark Minerals has been invited to give guest lectures at the University of Oxford, Stanford University, the Royal Institution, and advised the UK Government.
The EV and battery supply chain is Benchmark Minerals’ sole focus and speciality.