Coolest Thing Made in WI Contest Showcases Manufacturing Month
MADISON – Voting has begun for three of Wisconsin’s hottest name brand companies who will slug it out for the coveted title: “The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin,” as our state celebrates October is Manufacturing Month.
Will it be brats, bikes or boats? What is the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin? The people will decide!
Governor Scott Walker has declared October is Manufacturing Month, as we celebrate our manufacturing heritage of high-wage jobs that produce the greatest products on Earth right here in Wisconsin. Manufacturing employs almost 500,000 Wisconsin residents, and we consistently rank among the top manufacturing states in the nation.
In a competition sponsored by WMC, Wisconsin’s chamber of commerce, and Johnson Financial Group, the voters considered over 200 nominees and narrowed the field to the top three “coolest things made.” Voting has commenced for the final cut and will continue until Oct. 15 at www.madeinwis.com.
The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin will be announced at WMC’s State of Wisconsin Business luncheon at Monona Terrace in Madison on Oct. 18. Click here to register for the luncheon.
In September, more than 20,000 votes were cast for the nominees. Every product received a vote, and more than 30 products received hundreds of votes.
The three top vote-getters are:
- Motorcycles, Harley-Davidson, Inc., Milwaukee
- Brats, Johnsonville Sausage, LLC, Sheboygan Falls
- Littoral combat ship, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette
“We need folks to go online and vote for their favorite product among the top three. Will it be brats, boats or bikes? The people will decide,” said WMC President/CEO Kurt R. Bauer. “This competition has been the clash of the titans as our manufacturing superstars have battled for the title: Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.”
Peter X. Engel, Executive Vice President of Johnson Financial Group, said manufacturing is critical to a strong economy and we should celebrate our heritage.
“We make great products in our state,” said Engel. “Hundreds of them are world famous. Some of them are obscure. But, we are a state that makes things – cool things – and that should be celebrated.”
The three top products emerged from a fierce statewide competition featuring food, vehicles, beer, lawnmowers, shoes, and many, many premiere products.
“Wisconsin makes the greatest products on earth and we should be proud of our heritage,”
Bauer said.
###
