MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and BMO announced on Wednesday the Top 8 products advancing in the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. The eight Wisconsin-made products each won a head-to-head matchup in Manufacturing Madness, the bracket-style tournament portion of the contest.
Over 100 products were initially nominated for the 11th annual competition, which aims to showcase the state’s vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry, including its $73.8 billion economic impact and nearly 500,000 jobs.
“Wisconsin manufacturers serve as the backbone of our economy,” said Kurt R. Bauer, President/CEO of WMC. “This contest – and the diversity of these top 8 products – highlight that. Not only do our manufacturers produce great products, but they also provide high-wage, high-tech, high-skill careers to 1 in 6 Wisconsinites.”
The advancing products were announced by WMC via a livestream broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. The announcement video can be viewed by clicking here.
2026 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Top 8:
#1 Seed: 4800XPC Electric Rope Shovel
Komatsu | Milwaukee
#3 Seed: Gravely ZT HD STEALTH 60
AriensCo | Brillion
#4 Seed: CliC Smart Privacy Glass
Cardinal IG | Tomah
#6 Seed: Meltaway Candy Bars
Seroogy’s Chocolates | De Pere
#9 Seed: Giddings & Lewis Vertical Turning Centers
Fives Giddings & Lewis | Fond du Lac
#10 Seed: Aspex Printed Wall Protection
Inpro | Muskego
#12 Seed: Custom Pool Cues
Jacoby Custom Cues | Nekoosa
#15 Seed: M157 Small Arms Fire Control
Vortex | Barneveld
The winners will compete in matchups to determine the Top 4. Those four products will then compete in one final popular vote round to determine the ultimate winner, which will be announced at WMC’s Business Day event in Madison on Oct. 27.
Voting in the next round will begin at 8:00am on Thursday, Oct. 8, and end at 5:00pm on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Manufacturers, employees, and consumers alike are welcome to participate in the voting. Votes can be cast once per day per email address at www.madeinwis.com.
###
