Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Coon.
Hi Dave, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Early in my career as a field service technician of scales, I became obsessed with learning industry operations.
Primarily packaging machines that used a weighing device as part of the machine.
This meant learning, fastening, plumbing, pneumatics, electrical, welding, and painting.
Fortunately, I had several mentors along the way who enjoyed teaching me their knowledge skills.
Much was learned early in my career by studying McMaster-Carr and Grainger catalogs which I had studied every page.
Starting as a technician and being given the opportunity in sales and marketing early in my career has led to our success.
Industrial automation has been my passion since my late teen years and robotics is all part of this.
Because of the in-depth knowledge of knowing how everything works that we sell, provides end users with a huge value and advantages.
I can fix anything we sell.
Huge credit is to several very influential mentors, co-workers, bosses, owners, and family members who fed my continual curious questions. All of whom are no longer with us.
We are also doing the opposite of the corporate trend of benefit reductions by including all employees in a generous profit-sharing plan. It is because of our employees’ efforts and knowledge that has put ourselves on the map. First right of refusal is a benefit that will keep this legacy going long into the future.
We pride ourselves on answering our phones, replying to emails, shipping parts, and updating the status of our customers’ inquiries rapidly.
Customer service is # 1 for us.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I spent 12 years in Los Angeles from 18-30 years old. Two business endeavors during that time. First was manufacturing 55-gallon drum filling machines (filled by weight). Two partners plus myself. We were sued in Federal court for patent infringement. The patent was flimsy and easily challenged. When an amended complaint for unfair completion and theft of trade secrets was added, I learned one partner had lied about not signing a no-compete agreement with the plaintiff. This ended that venture and later the plaintiff sold for 10 million dollars.
Shortly following above, a large government contractor in Southern California learned about my knowledge of filling drums by weight. They inquired if we could do similar, but filling by weight a liquid from a drum would be possible.
My answer was yes, then asked if we could do explosion proof. Again yes was the answer. We then got a contract to build for use by the military a portable stimulant transfer system. This was a scale on a cart that automatically filled bombs to plus minus .1 lb. This was the late 80s. The same year we finished the machine the military spending was cut and 250,000 jobs were lost in southern California. All eggs were in that basket and everything was lost for the second time.
Though tragic at the time this made me pack my bags and return to Minnesota where I was born. Lessons well learned there and applied to our current success and a patent pending of our own.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Weighing, Packaging, and Robotic Palletizing Solutions for Powders, Granular, Liquid, and Ice.
We are involved in weighing systems for filling into various containers, bags, pouches, barrels, and pails of all types.
We sell new, rebuilt and make and distribute packaging machines for above. Integration of robotic systems for material handling in industrial operations using user-friendly operating controls.
Wood pellets, animal feed, bird seeds, salt, fertilizers, and yard and garden products are a few of our areas.
Replacement parts for scales, packagers, and robot lines are in our local stock and we provide phone and onsite technical support.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Customer service. Promptly answering phones and emails when contacted for assistance.
Contact Info:
- Website: allweighautomation.com
