Semifinalists Revealed for “Coolest Thing Made in NC” Competition
RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, the NC Chamber announced the 31 semifinalists—16 for the medium-to-large business category and 15 for the small business category—for its annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” online competition, which began with 145 nominees. In the first round of voting, 12,600 votes were cast across the field of candidates over a seven-day voting period.
This year’s Medium-to-Large Business Category has 16 nominees due to a tie in voting for 13th place.
This is the fifth year that the NC Chamber has held the popular, public-driven contest, which spotlights North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry—an industry that generates more than 17% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce.
“This year’s products highlight the diversity of North Carolina’s incredible manufacturing industry—including generators, food and beverage products, chillers, jets, and much more,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “We are grateful to North Carolina’s manufacturing community – the backbone of our state’s economy for more than a century. And we are excited to congratulate this year’s semifinalist! As we always say at the NC Chamber: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina.”
Baxter International is serving as the Presenting Sponsor of the online competition, and Business North Carolina is this year’s Media Partner. As the exclusive North Carolina affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the NC Chamber knows that a strong manufacturing industry is crucial to the state’s economic and competitive success. The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is collaborating on the annual contest as a Supporting Organization.
How to Vote:
Go to coolestthingmadeinnc.com to vote for the coolest thing made in NC. The field of candidates will narrow with each round of voting, and the winning product will be revealed on Thursday, October 3, the day before National Manufacturing (MFG) Day. October is Manufacturing Month, and MFG Day, organized nationally by the NAM and The Manufacturing Institute, highlights the rewarding career opportunities of modern manufacturing.
Join the contest’s social media campaign by following #CoolestThingMadeinNC. In addition to receiving a trophy, the victorious company and product will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications, podcasts, social and digital media, among additional statewide publicity efforts. Information on last year’s winner and runners-up can be found here.
“The Coolest Thing Made in NC Semifinalists (in alphabetical order by manufacturing location):
Medium-to-Large Business Semifinalists |
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| Company Name | Nominated Product | City |
| Dell Technologies | Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Appliance | Apex |
| Carrier | Centrifugal Chillers | Charlotte |
| CertainTeed LLC | Norandex Vinyl Siding | Claremont |
| TCOM, L.P. | TCOM Aerostats | Elizabeth City |
| Honda Aircraft Company | HondaJet Elite II | Greensboro |
| Nags Head Hammocks | 50th Anniversary Double Oatmeal DURACORD Rope Hammock | Greenville |
| Avient | Dyneema(R) | Greenville |
| Shurtape Technologies, LLC | FrogTape® Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape | Hickory |
| CSL Seqirus | Flucelvax | Holly Springs |
| Greenheck Group | Air Terminal Units (ATU) | Marion |
| Roush & Yates Racing Engines | V6 Twin-turbo EcoBoost Engine for Limited Edition Ford GT Mk IV | Mooresville |
| Columbia Forest Products | PureBond Formaldehyde-Free Hardwood Plywood | Old Fort |
| POLYWOOD | The Country Living by POLYWOOD Cottage 60″ Swing | Roxboro |
| Cheerwine | Cheerwine | Salisbury |
| Bobcat Company | PG570 Portable Generator | Statesville |
| TW Garner Foods | Texas Pete Hot Sauce | Winston Salem |
Small Business Semifinalists |
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| Company Name | Nominated Product | City |
| Atlantic Beach Sea Salt Company | Atlantic Beach Sea Salt | Atlantic Beach |
| Big Delicious Brand | Carolina Sausage Dip | Burlington |
| WoolTribe | Signature Cable Beanie | Charlotte |
| Piedmont Pennies | Original Sharp Cheddar Biscuit Bites | Charlotte |
| Mantissa Corporation | Scorpion® Sortation System | Charlotte |
| Shelton Vineyards | Shelton Vineyards Wine Collection | Dobson |
| Proximity Manufacturing Company | Selvage Denim | Greensboro |
| Lighthouse Candle Factory | Custom Handmade Candles | Kernersville |
| Clay Revolution | Project X Silver Clay | Madison |
| Piedmont Distillers | Midnight Moon Moonshakes | Madison |
| Riley | Kar Kraft | Kar-Kraft MkIV Continuation | Mooresville |
| Handcrafted by Keegan | Sculpted Barstool | North Wilkesboro |
| Sparta Candle Co. | Eras of Soap Box | Sparta |
| Sesame Technologies, Inc. | Diamond Engine Shield EX | Washington |
| Winstead United Methodist Church | Water-Blanched Peanuts | Wilson |