MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Johnson Financial Group announced on Wednesday the top 16 products moving on in the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. Nearly 60,000 votes were cast for over 100 products during the contest’s popular vote round. The top 16 Wisconsin-made products are moving on to Manufacturing Madness – a head-to-head bracket-style tournament.
“We’re immensely proud of our state’s manufacturers and the products they make,” said Kurt Bauer, WMC President & CEO. “These products showcase just how diverse Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry is. From vehicles and machinery to games and food products, Wisconsin companies manufacture some of the coolest things in the world.”
Over its eight years, the contest has garnered more than one million votes, highlighting the career opportunities and economic impact of the state’s manufacturing industry.
“Wisconsin is setting the standard for the rest of the nation when it comes to manufacturing excellence and showcasing the coolest products made here,” said Johnson Financial Group CEO, Jim Popp. “We’re looking forward to announcing this year’s winner – so many great products in the Top 16.”
The Top 16 products were announced via a livestream broadcast on WMC’s Facebook, YouTube and website. The announcement show can be viewed by clicking here.
The Top 16 Coolest Things Made in Wisconsin:
#1 Seed: Plexus Corp. – Appleton:
Bevi Bottleless Water Dispensers
#2 Seed: Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats –Wittenberg:
Applewood Smoked Bacon
#3 Seed: AriensCo. –Brillion:
Ariens 90th Anniversary Limited Edition Sno-Thro
#4 Seed: Foxconn Industrial Internet –Mount Pleasant:
Data Server
#5 Seed: Milwaukee Tool –Mukwonago:
Bolt Safety Helmet (USA) Type 2
#6 Seed: Krier Foods –Random Lake:
Jolly Good Soda
#7 Seed: Midwest Products–Germantown:
Mighty Hoop
#8 Seed: John Deere Horicon Works –Horicon:
Gator XUV 835R Signature Edition
#9 Seed: 7fifteen Motorworks –Three Lakes:
Troy Indy Special
#10 Seed: Cedar Valley –Belgium:
String Cheese
#11 Seed: Stoughton Trailers –Stoughton:
Dry Van Trailer
#12 Seed: Thorogood –Merrill:
American Heritage Tobacco Safety Toe Work Boot
#13 Seed: Bay Tek Entertainment, Inc. –Pulaski:
Skee-Ball
#14 Seed: Minocqua Popcorn and Puffs –Minocqua:
Minocqua Popcorn and Puffs
#15 Seed: AMMO, Inc. –Manitowoc:
Ammunition and Brass Casings
#16 Seed: Fisher Barton –Watertown:
LaserEdge Lawn Mower Blade
The first round of Manufacturing Madness will consist of eight head-to-head matchups that will determine the Top 8 Coolest Things Made in Wisconsin. Voting begins on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8:00am and will conclude at 5:00pm on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Manufacturers, consumers and the public are invited to vote daily in each of the matchups at www.madeinwis.com.
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