Jose Carlos Quinones visits Ningbo Water Meter (Group) Co. [Photo/Yongpai app] 

A water meter order first brought Jose Carlos Quinones to Ningbo's manufacturing scene 25 years ago. Now secretary general of the International Weightlifting Federation, he has returned to the city for the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships, revisiting a company he first encountered through a water supply project in Peru.

At the time, Quinones was working in the manufacturing sector and was involved in a water network upgrade project in southern Peru serving around 180,000 residents. The project required the replacement of large numbers of water meters, bringing him into contact with Ningbo Water Meter (Group) Co. The experience left a lasting impression of Ningbo's manufacturing capabilities.

Founded in 1958, the company has expanded from conventional water meters into smart metering and water management solutions. During his visit, Quinones learned about its development and the growing presence of its products in Peru.

He also visited Yongshuiqiao Innovation Center, where exhibits featuring industrial internet applications, artificial intelligence, and robotics offered a glimpse into Ningbo's technological advances.

The visit prompted him to consider how robotics could support weightlifting. Robots could help load and unload weight plates, while technology could assist referees and streamline competition operations, allowing sports organizations to focus more on services for athletes.

Running from Oct 27 to Nov 8, the championships have brought representatives from around 90 countries and regions to Ningbo. Quinones said the event offers an opportunity for more people to discover the city and for local businesses to build international connections.