Redwood Materials COO Retires Amid 10% Layoffs and Executive Exodus in Restructuring Push

Redwood Materials chief operating officer Chris Lister is departing the battery recycling startup to retire.

The company simultaneously announced layoffs affecting about 10% of its workforce, roughly 135 employees, as part of a restructuring to bolster its energy storage ambitions.

Restructuring and Leadership Shifts

Founder and CEO JB Straubel detailed in an all-staff email that parts of the company had expanded faster than needed, prompting a leaner, more focused team structure.

Straubel highlighted reducing layers of management to deliver on critical projects amid market changes that have bankrupted competitors.

Wave of Executive Departures

Recent exits include vice president of integrated supply chain Bradley Mayhew, who left earlier this month.

Guillermo Urquiza, vice president of mechanical engineering, departed in March, while Carlos Lozano, vice president of manufacturing, left earlier this year for Panasonic.

Company History and Talent Roots

Founded by JB Straubel, former longtime Tesla CTO and current board member, Redwood Materials specializes in sustainable battery recycling.

Lister joined in late 2023 from Tesla's Nevada Gigafactory as chief supply chain officer before his 2024 promotion to COO.

Future Focus and Impacts

The restructuring supports growth in energy storage, including deals with Rivian and Crusoe for refurbished batteries in grid applications.

Straubel expressed being "more excited than ever" about creating the world's most integrated critical materials and energy storage business.