Fueling Tomorrow’s Innovators: ADCO’s Commitment to FIRST Robotics

At ADCO Manufacturing, we believe the future of packaging automation depends on today’s students—tomorrow’s engineers, fabricators, project managers, and leaders. That’s why we’re proud to support FIRST Robotics, a global STEM program founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) offers three age-appropriate leagues that develop critical skills we value in our workforce:

• FIRST Lego League (FLL): Elementary & middle school students learn basic engineering, coding, and teamwork.
• FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC): Middle & high school students design, build, and program robots on a modest budget.
• FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC): High school teams compete head-to-head with industrial-scale robots under tight deadlines.

All three programs emphasize problem-solving, collaboration, technical proficiency, and working under pressure—capabilities that mirror life at ADCO. Beyond engineering, FIRST builds future sales professionals, assembly technicians, and leaders ready for any challenge.

Hands-On Mentorship and Manufacturing Support

ADCO actively backs two local FRC teams:

• Team 5817 – Uni-Rex (Sanger, CA): Our hometown heroes benefit from ADCO mentors who share expertise in design, fabrication, and assembly. When complex parts exceed the team’s in-house capabilities, we step in with manufacturing support—and we help cover competition costs through direct sponsorship.
• Team 1323 – MadTown Robotics (Madera, CA): We provide similar mentoring, machining assistance, and financial backing to keep these talented students focused on innovation.

By pairing experienced ADCO engineers with passionate students, we help teams turn ambitious concepts into functioning robots—and build confidence in the process.

Supporting Events and Amplifying Impact

ADCO’s commitment doesn’t stop at team sponsorship. We volunteer as judges and support staff across FLL and FTC events, ensuring fair play and encouraging young participants. For FRC competitions, we provide both volunteers and financial contributions to our local regional event, helping cover venue costs, awards, and team travel expenses.

Our trade association, PMMI, further multiplies our impact. Through the PMMI Workforce Development Fund, every ADCO donation—financial or in-kind—is matched, doubling the resources available to FIRST programs.

Celebrating Championship Success

The 2025 FRC season wrapped up in mid-April with the world championships in Houston, TX, featuring 600 high school teams worldwide. We’re thrilled to report:

• Team 5817 – Uni-Rex competed with grit and skill. Although they faced tough alliance selections, their robot performed admirably on the world stage.
• Team 1323 – MadTown Robotics entered as one of the favorites—and lived up to the hype. Their four-robot alliance captured the world championship crown for the third time in five years!

We couldn’t be prouder of both teams’ achievements. Their dedication, creativity, and teamwork embody the spirit of FIRST and foreshadow the bright futures awaiting these students—some of whom we hope to welcome to ADCO in the years ahead.

Join Us in Supporting FIRST

Interested in empowering the next generation of manufacturing professionals? Contact Colin Warnes at ADCO to learn how you or your company can get involved with FIRST Robotics. Together, we’ll inspire and equip future innovators to drive the packaging industry forward.

CLICK HERE to Learn more about FIRST Robotics and locate programs near you.

Contributing Authors:

Colin Warnes - ADCO Manufacturing
Clare Blodgett - Clareity Marketing

Published:

June 5, 2025