Reflections on Our Visit to Rice Lake Weighing Systems

In June, I had the pleasure of visiting Rice Lake Weighing Systems in Wisconsin for their 2024 Dealer Conference. Accompanied by Andrew Clarke, MWS’ Managing Director, we joined dealers from around the world for a three-day event that was both enlightening and inspiring.

The conference kicked off with a warm welcome reception. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new industry peers, as well as spend valuable time with senior individuals at Rice Lake. The evening was filled with impressive product demonstrations, showcasing the latest advancements from Rice Lake. It was exciting to see their commitment to innovation and quality, traits we hold dear at MWS.

Day two was packed with product workshops. Each session provided valuable insights into the newest technologies and applications in the weighing industry. It was evident that Rice Lake continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, ensuring their products meet the highest standards. The day concluded with a delightful dinner and live music from a cover band. It was a perfect blend of learning and leisure, allowing us to unwind and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

The highlight of the trip came on day three with the factory tour. The scale and sophistication of the facility were beyond my expectations. Witnessing their automation processes firsthand was particularly fascinating. In an industry that can often be slow to adopt change, Rice Lake’s forward-thinking approach is truly commendable. Seeing how they integrate automation to enhance efficiency and precision was an eye-opener and gave us plenty of ideas to bring back to MWS.

The event wrapped up with a BBQ lunch, followed by a variety of recreational activities such as pontooning, wine tasting, golf, fishing, and trap fishing. Unfortunately, due to our flight schedule, we couldn’t participate in these activities. Nevertheless, the energy and camaraderie were palpable, making it a memorable end to an exceptional conference.

At MWS, we have a strong working relationship with Dini Argeo, the Italian manufacturer owned by Rice Lake. This trip provided us with deeper insights into their operations and reaffirmed the synergy between our companies. We returned with a wealth of new ideas and strategies to enhance our offerings.

In all, the Rice Lake Dealer Conference was an invaluable experience. It reinforced our commitment to innovation and quality while highlighting the importance of collaboration within the industry. We look forward to implementing the insights gained and continuing our partnership with Rice Lake and Dini Argeo.

Stay tuned for more updates as we integrate these new ideas into our work at MWS!