Manufacturer of converting and packaging machinery, BW Converting, has been selected for a collaborative project with the new Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab located at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The initiative, focused on identifying fault anomalies in industrial equipment, was submitted by BW Converting’s Accelerate digital services team in partnership with Barry-Wehmiller’s Digital Innovation group, a global supplier of capital equipment and consulting services.
The project is among the first chosen for the lab, which aims to support companies developing artificial intelligence-driven technologies, said BW Converting. TitletownTech, a Green Bay-based venture capital firm backed by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, played a role in guiding BW Converting through the submission process. The partnership marks a step forward in BW Converting’s ongoing digital transformation efforts and highlights the company’s growing presence in Wisconsin’s expanding technology sector, explained BW Converting.
The selected project is part of the broader Accelerate platform, launched by BW Converting in 2020 to help customers improve machine performance. Unlike traditional monitoring systems that rely on passive dashboards, Accelerate combines real-time machine data with expert technical analysis to support informed decision-making. The aim is to reduce equipment downtime and improve operational efficiency.
“At BW Converting, it’s not just about seeing the numbers — it’s about understanding them,” said Amber Stollfus, director of digital services and solutions at BW Converting. She emphasised that the project’s success in gaining Microsoft’s interest was based on the platform’s practical focus and the pairing of technology with human expertise.
Participation in the Co-Innovation Lab will allow BW Converting engineers to collaborate directly with Microsoft technologists during a prototyping phase. These sessions are designed to help participating companies accelerate development and better understand available AI tools.
TitletownTech provided infrastructure support and helped navigate communication with Microsoft. “They’ve acted as the bridge between our team and the broader tech ecosystem,” said Ms Stollfus.
As part of the engagement, BW Converting will hold strategic meetings with TitletownTech’s leadership to explore further AI development opportunities and promote innovation across the region.
