The Bevi Bottleless Water Dispenser, manufactured by Plexus Corp. in Greenville, won the 2023 "Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin" contest, Oct. 24, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Four products are one step away from being named the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin after Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and BMO announced the contest’s finalists Wednesday.
The 11th annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest highlights the state’s $73.8 billion manufacturing industry and its high-tech, high-skill and high-pay career opportunities. More than 1,000 products spanning a wide range of industries have been nominated since the contest began, including past winners such as food products, firetrucks, cranes, motorcycles, military vehicles, robotic carts, rifles and kringle.
This year, more than 100 products were nominated. After three rounds of voting, the field was narrowed to four finalists, which were announced during a livestream on Facebook and YouTube. The 2026 trophy, produced by EK in Fall River, was also revealed during the livestream.
The 2026 finalists are:
4800XPC Electric Rope Shovel, Komatsu, Milwaukee
Gravely ZT HD STEALTH 60, AriensCo, Brillion
CliC Smart Privacy Glass, Cardinal IG, Tomah
M157 Small Arms Fire Control, Vortex, Barneveld
Final-round voting begins Thursday, Oct. 15, at 8 a.m. Voters can cast one vote per day, per email address, until noon Oct. 27. The product with the most votes will be crowned the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin at WMC’s Business Day event in Madison on Oct. 27.
More information is available at www.madeinwis.com.
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