Claire Umney joins Alwayse Engineering as new MD

Based in Aston, Birmingham, Alwayse is a global specialist in ball transfer units and currently exports to 60 countries. For over 80 years, its products have been used throughout industry to facilitate the precise, multi-directional movement of loads of up to 10 tonnes across a multitude of applications and industries.

Ms Umney, who took up her role in January 2024, brings with her a wealth of experience after holding leadership positions throughout the warehousing and logistics industry, most recently as Managing Director of Breathe Technologies (formerly Conveyor Networks) following 13 years at AEB International Limited.

Her appointment follows the acquisition of Alwayse by Lifco AB in March 2023. Ms Umney will work closely with David Mickelson, Chairman for Alwayse and Martin Linder, Lifco’s Head of Business Area – System Solutions as well as the existing team at Alwayse.

Additional senior hires include James Turner, who has joined Alwayse as Head of Sales UK & Ireland. He will report directly into Ms Umney and will oversee the company’s UK sales team.

Claire Umney comments: “As industry battles with the aftermath of a generational energy crisis, coupled with an urgent need to drive productivity while increasing employee wellbeing and loyalty, low-cost high impact solutions can play a vital role in unlocking efficiency. Ball transfer units provide a fast, easy-to-install offline solution to a variety of manual handling challenges without increasing power demands for end-users across a diverse install base – from air cargo and logistics operations through to advanced manufacturing and robotics.

“I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead – both building on the success of the last 85 years and in working alongside the talented team here at Aston to write the next chapter in the Alwayse Engineering story.”