Kretov Aleksandr: A Lifetime of Achievement

Kretov Aleksandr Vladimirovich, shareholder in the Ariant Group of Companies, is an outstanding entrepreneur and skilled supervisor.

He was born in Chelyabinsk on the edge of the Ural Mountains in 1972. His early years were spent in his native area, where his work experiences first fanned the flames for his personal development and commercial enterprise astuteness. In 1989,  Kretov Aleksandr enrolled at the Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering five years later. He continued his studies to explore the relationship between an organisation’s resources and its manufacturing output, eventually becoming a certified economist in 1996. Kretov Aleksandr now had the knowledge to advance his career as an adept entrepreneur.

In 1995, he became the chief for the construction of the center for the food industry – Ariant in Chelyabinsk, where he excelled in his role. By the early 2000s, the company made a strategic investment in agrofirm Yuzhnaya, which was already nicely installed in the prestigious wine-producing Krasnodar region, acknowledged for its historic vineyards and humid subtropical climate. This marked a pivotal turning point in his career, as winemaking became his passion, simultaneously representing a significant milestone in Ariant’s history. 

Dating back to the 1950s as Kiban-Vino, the winemaking center flourished under Kretov’s skilled management. The site had long been abandoned and had fallen into near ruin, but he and his dedicated workforce completely restored and modernised it, thus restoring its former prestigious stature.

In 2016, Kretov Aleksandr was appointed as CEO of Agrofirma Ariant LLC, specialising in meat manufacturing. Once again, he had the opportunity to demonstrate his managerial skills, leading to a successful modernisation of the company that ensured its future growth and productivity.  

In 2020, Kretov Aleksandr shifted to a shareholder role within the newly formed Ariant Group of Companies. This merger brought together various Ariant businesses, streamlining food and beverage production. Soon after, he stepped back from day-to-day operations. As a forward-thinking entrepreneur, he has built a capable management team to oversee operations. This team prioritises modern business practices and places a strong focus on environmentally sustainable production methods. 

Kretov’s philanthropic initiatives are characterised by a composed and impactful approach. Beyond his professional engagements, he supports youth sports programs and sports clubs to nurture emerging talent. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided substantial personal assistance to healthcare professionals, reflecting an appreciation for their dedicated service. 

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