A product made in the Fox Valley has won Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin two out of the past three years. Will the valley’s contender come out on top in 2025 as well?
More than 15,000 public votes narrowed the initial field of 148 nominees down to 16 finalists in the annual contest that showcases the state’s expansive manufacturing industry that’s sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group.
WMC President and CEO Kurt Bauer announced this year’s finalists during an Oct. 1 video posted on Facebook and YouTube. The finalists include products made in Green Bay, Milwaukee, Plymouth, Oconto, Neenah and Tomah.
“These products reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the industry, which is exactly why we hold this contest,” Bauer said in a media release. “We’re excited to showcase these innovative products and recognize the hardworking people in manufacturing who play such a vital role for our state.”
The 16 finalists now face off in head-to-head matchups with voting opening at 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 and closing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7. The public can vote once per day per email address. The top eight will be announced on Oct. 8.
Which ‘coolest thing’ contender is from the Fox Valley?
Twelfth-seeded Pack Air Inc., a Neenah industrial equipment supplier, will face a New Berlin’s mobility solutions manufacturer, Permobil, which was ranked as the fifth seed.
Pack Air’s “cool” product is a turntable swing gate, which allows forklift operators to pass through active production lines using sensors, light curtains and physical barriers.
According to its website, Pack Air was founded in 1984 and makes custom conveyor systems for other manufacturers. It employs approximately 59 people.
It will compete for votes against Permobil’s Comfort brand of custom seating and back support systems for its wheelchairs. The product line features a variety of options for customers and are manufactured in New Berlin.
Here’s a look at this round’s other head-to-head matchups.
No. 1 Carbliss vs. No. 16 Toro
The top seed this year goes to Carbliss, a zero-carb, no-sugar canned cocktail produced in Plymouth. The vodka and tequila cocktails come in a variety of flavors.
The canned beverage will face Toro’s Dingo Compact Utility Loaders. The line of compact loaders for professional contractors are manufactured in Tomah.
No. 2 Thorogood vs. No. 15 TNT Rescue Systems
The No. 2 seed goes to Thorogood, of Merrill, for its new Genesis Work Boots, which provide traction and comfort in a rugged work boot.
Coming in at No. 15 is Hartland-based TNT Rescue Systems’ line of extraction tools.
No. 3 1000 Island Airboats vs. No. 14 Leer Inc.
Voters vaulted the 1000 Island Airboats 24-foot Search and Rescue airboat to No. 3 among the top 16. The flood and ice rescue airboats are manufactured in Marion.
The airboat will face a cold reception from No. 14, Leer Inc.’s Model 60 Slant Ice Merchandiser. The outdoor display machine produced in New Lisbon can hold as many as 180 seven-pound bags of ice or 70 20-pound bags.
No. 4 John Deere vs. No. 13 Kikkoman Foods Inc.
No. 4 this year goes to John Deere’s Horicon-assembled XUV 845M Gator Crossover Utility Vehicle. The vehicle features power steering, a large cargo box and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds.
The Gator will face No. 13, Kikkoman Foods’ soy sauce, a popular condiment in a variety of restaurants. The soy sauce is produced in Walworth.
No. 6 Georgia-Pacific vs. No. 11 Sargento
Brawny three-ply paper towels are manufactured in Green Bay and came into this year’s top 16 at No. 6.
The paper towels will face off against Sargento, whose natural American sliced cheese came in at No. 11. The sliced cheese is produced in Plymouth.
No. 7 The Maple Dude vs. No. 10 EK Machine
The Maple Dude’s Maple Shot 10-pack of 1-ounce maple syrup shots came in at No. 7. The portable packets produced in Granton are meant to provide an energy boost during endurance workouts.
The Maple Dude will face No. 10 EK Machine’s massive generator enclosures. The custom-designed enclosures made in Fall River are designed to be weatherproof and reduce noise.
No. 8 Cruisers Yachts vs. No. 9 Milwaukee Metro Sewerage District
Our final pairing of this round, the eight and nine seeds, will pit Cruisers Yachts’ 38 VTR line of powerboats produced in Oconto. The new lineup of boats, which ranked No. 8, introduced in 2025 features both open and enclosed cockpit models.
The 38 VTR will face off against No. 9, Milorganite fertilizer produced by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District since 1926.
When will we find out who advances?
Votes can be casted once a day during open voting by going to madeinwis.com/contests/2025-contest. Here’s this year’s schedule for the competition:
Past winners include Harley engines, Oshkosh Corp. trucks, Jolly Good Soda
WMC since 2016 has asked voters to pick a “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” in order to highlight the state’s manufacturing industry. Wisconsin’s more than 9,000 manufacturing companies employ about 500,000 people and contribute almost $73.7 billion to the state economy.
Here’s the past winners:
Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: This Neenah product is in the running to be Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin
Reporting by Jeff Bollier and Taima Kern, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
