Professor Michael Clinch, Managing Director at INNOVAL TECHNOLOGY, brings over 25 years of global experience at the forefront of manufacturing and advanced materials. A visionary strategist and changemaker, he’s known for energising teams, championing innovation, and delivering tangible results. He shares his expertise, which spans across strategic planning, technology road mapping, product development, and innovation leadership, through an engaging interview with AL Circle for its 7th edition of LeaderSpeak e-magazine. Here’s a sneak peek into the persona’s insights and beyond into his firm belief in the power of collaboration.

AL Circle: In the face of the rapidly evolving global aluminium industry, how do you help companies future-proof their operations and stay competitive? What role do consultancy services play in shaping the global aluminium value chain?

Michael Clinch: Innoval has been helping companies in the global aluminium industry get more out of their materials and manufacturing processes for the past 22 years. Our heritage actually goes back way further than that, though, as our company was set up by scientists and engineers from Alcan’s former R&D centre in the UK. The aluminium industry has grown tremendously in recent years, but much of the knowledge that traditionally existed within large corporations has been lost. Many modern manufacturing businesses are run with a lean structure and no longer have dedicated technical or R&D teams. Working with a consultancy business like Innoval can be a very effective solution, providing access to expert resources as and when they are needed.

AL Circle: In your experience, what are the most common areas where aluminium companies need operational improvement? What solutions or strategies do you provide to address them?

Michael Clinch: Innoval has a strong track record of working in partnership with manufacturing companies to help them improve their operational performance. This can range from auditing and benchmarking against similar businesses to identify priority improvement activities; optimising rolling, extrusion, heat treatment and finishing process parameters for improved product quality and productivity; developing future capital investment plans; commissioning of new equipment and providing training to boost operational team capabilities. Our unique combination of real-world process know-how, backed by our fundamental understanding of aluminium alloy materials science and engineering, allows us to do all this in the most efficient way possible. 

AL Circle: Where do you see the aluminium industry heading this year, particularly with the tariffs implemented by Donald Trump? What recommendations would you give to help companies adapt to the changing market dynamics?

Michael Clinch: The situation with trade tariffs at the beginning of the year has certainly sparked a period of volatility and uncertainty, which is never good for business! This comes on the back of a shift in the global manufacturing landscape that we had already started to see in recent months, with a move towards leaner and more localised value chains. New facilities are starting to be established close to sources of end-of-life scrap in order to realise the benefits of secondary aluminium. The question is, can these investments and new facilities come online quickly enough? My recommendation is to not lose sight of long-term strategic goals and continue to pursue low-carbon solutions, although I am sure there will be some disruptions to face in the short term.

To explore the full interview and gain deeper insights into the global aluminium market and how INNOVAL is contributing to its growth, click here.