PBN Manufacturing Awards 2024
MEET THE MAKERS: Wright’s Dairy Farm Inc.
CATHRYN KENNEDY MAKES her way past one of the barns at Wright’s Dairy Farm Inc., pointing to some of the 200 members of the production team that one could argue have the most crucial jobs in the business.
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The group she’s pointing out is taking their annual vacation, she says, two to three months off the clock, time allotted to them “just to hang out and be a cow.”
Yes, these are cows, and their job is to produce milk.
Initially starting with 12 cows, Wright’s has grown into a 400-acre farm with 200 cows and about 115 year-round employees in North Smithfield. The business produces a range of dairy products, including milk, ice cream and baked goods.
Kennedy says the cows are treated like employees, even taking annual “vacations” when they stop producing milk for two to three months. The farm emphasizes continuous improvement, balancing tradition with innovation, such as automation in feeding and milking processes. For example, a robot now stirs cow feed, reducing manual labor.
“How we can be 1% better every day is definitely a big mentality we have here,” Kennedy said. “We try not to just be like, ‘We did it that way for a hundred years, and we’ll continue doing it that way.’ We always are looking at [it] as, ‘Why are we doing it like that, and how can we do it better?’ ”
In response to challenges faced by the dairy industry, including a national decline in dairy farms, Wright’s has expanded its wholesale market and introduced new revenue streams like ice cream shops. The farm processes around 7,000 gallons of milk per week and produces 40,000 dairy products during busy times, ranging from staples like milk to unique flavors like black raspberry Oreo ice cream.
Wright’s has survived in a tough environment by processing its own milk, a labor-intensive process, and has adopted new technologies where possible. Despite the difficulties of the dairy industry, Wright’s remains a key player, focusing on improving daily operations and staying connected to its customers. Kennedy, who once considered other career paths, has embraced her role in the family business, ensuring its continued growth and success.
While Kennedy didn’t initially expect to become deeply involved with the family business, she says she’s struck her own balance in the dynamic.
