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The Wolf Pack was on the prowl at this year’s EATs Trade Show, and we came back with plenty of opportunities! Our team browsed the show floor with one goal in mind — to explore new technologies, meet with innovative manufacturers, and discover where MWA products can make a real impact.

From booth to booth, we connected with industry leaders, uncovered exciting applications for our automation and electrical products, and gathered fresh insights to better serve our customers. Whether it was motion control, sensors, or power distribution, opportunities were everywhere — and the Wolf Pack didn’t miss a beat.

Danielle and I made a great team, we found our products all over the show!

One of our first stops was a manufacturer of food processing machines. They make various machines for pizza equipment, prepared meals, bakery equipment, and conveyors. What jumped out to us was the Delta HMI on a flat belt conveyor.

Moving on, we found a case packaging machine that has both a Lenze motor and a Grace Port panel interface connector. We were especially excited to see both parts on one machine because Grace Technologies and Lenze B.L.U Line are new to MWA!

Paying very close attention to every machine, we almost missed a Pizzato safety hinge switch on another packaging machine. This manufacturer serves markets like proteins, dairy, products, snacks, and even pet food, providing food producers across the USA with custom packaging solutions.

Keeping the Lenze SMVector migration to I510 / I550 in mind, it was great to find two of the current drives on a conveyor system. We had a productive conversation with the manufacturer about the Lenze drives, we passed along some business cards, and went looking for more opportunities.

The tricky thing about pushbuttons is that they all look similar, and you don't know for sure who the manufacturer is unless you check the back of the button. With that said, we didn't ask this manufacturer of food cutting machines to take them off the panel, but they sure do look like Schmersal ND Series buttons. I could be wrong, but if I'm right, this was another great chance to promote our products.

We knew there had to be other drives around the show, and we didn't have to look too long before spotting an Invertek drive on another conveyor machine. This manufacturer has a team of engineers to build custom conveyor systems for almost any application. When we stopped into their booth, they were super friendly and let us snap a picture of their drive. They mentioned how reliable the Invertek has been for their variable speed applications, which was great to hear firsthand.

It's no surprise when you find a temperature controller at a food show. This booth featured a manufacturer of equipment for the production and processing of gases. What does that mean exactly? Their machines produce gases that are used in applications like food freezing, controlling fermentation and oxidation in wine processing and breweries, among others! We spotted a Delta temperature controller on a food freezer.

With Danielle having expertise in Patlite products, there was no shortage of stack lights around the show that she was able to point out. They were literally everywhere! Yes, we did check the manufacturer on just about every one we saw, and while there was quite a bit of Patlite, we did also find Werma there as well. The sheer volume of stack lights confirmed what we already knew: visual signaling is critical in food processing environments, and we're providing the right brands.

Mission accomplished! The Wolf Pack's expedition to the EATs Trade Show proved that being on the ground, asking questions, and paying attention to details pays off. We found countless opportunities where MWA products are already making a difference — and even more where they could be. Armed fresh insights, and a camera roll full of product sightings, we're ready to turn these findings into solutions for our customers. The hunt was successful, and the Wolf Pack is already looking forward to the next show!