Briess Industries has been family owned since 1876 and is now the largest U.S. specialty malting company, led by Craig Briess, CEO and fifth generation. The company serves the beer and spirits industries, as well as the food and pet food industries with high-quality malt and other specialty ingredients.
Craig Briess always wanted to enter the family business but wanted to gain outside work experience first. He spent the first portion of his career working in international trade before moving from Wall Street to Switzerland to Washington, DC and then to the family business.
“At each step of my career, I built my arsenal of skills, constantly thinking how I could apply these to take Briess Industries to the next level,” said Briess. “I pride myself on supporting an organization grounded in teamwork, respect, hard work and innovation – the persistent thread that is woven throughout the nearly 150-year history of Briess.”
Over the last three years, the company has evolved to become one driven by innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. Briess Industries has re-activated its maritime port at its Manitowac facility to leverage a geographical advantage to provide access to the broadest and lowest-cost commodities.
As CEO, Briess is focused on the future and inspiring his team about the possibilities that can be achieved. “The greatest skill I am supporting my team to develop, regardless of medium, is communication,” he said. “We have worked hard to break down internal barriers and silos, highly aware that these stymie productivity and work life quality.”
His team is his greatest resource and Briess strives to create an environment in which they are able to reach their potential. His focus on his commitment to his employees is at the core of what he accomplishes. “Briess could be a family company in name only,” he said. “But, our actions demonstrate what it means to be a family business.”
While many leaders find the need to reignite their passion, Briess said he doesn’t need to because the flame never goes out.
“I share enthusiasm with my colleagues by communicating openly and I include others in my longer-term projects and encourage them to operate in the same manner with their teams,” he said. “I strive to break down walls between departments and encourage team members to have fun in what they do – a mirthless, antiseptic environment is the death knell for a company with our culture.”
For his devotion to continuing a family-focused tradition and leading by example, Briess has been named a Titan 100.
