Today, the day before National Manufacturing Day (#MFGDay24), the NC Chamber revealed the winners for this year’s ‘Coolest Thing Made in NC’ competition: HondaJet Elite II by Honda Aircraft Company (medium-to-large business category) and Original Sharp Cheddar Biscuit Bites by Piedmont Pennies (small business category).  

The contest recognizes two winners: one for businesses with fewer than 100 employees, and one for businesses with 100+ employees. Honda Aircraft Company’s product is manufactured in Greensboro and Piedmont Pennies’ is manufactured in Charlotte.   

Now an annual tradition, the NC Chamber launched the competition in 2020 to honor North Carolina’s manufacturers and raise awareness about the limitless potential of modern manufacturing careers. As the exclusive state affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the NC Chamber knows that a strong manufacturing sector is central to North Carolina’s economic and competitive success. The state’s innovative manufacturing industry generates more than 17% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce.  

2024 “Coolest Thing Made in NC” Winners (in place order): 

Medium-to-Large Business Category
Place	Finalist	Manufacturing Location
Winner:	Honda Aircraft Company HondaJet Elite II	Greensboro
2nd Place:	Roush & Yates V6 Twin-turbo EcoBoost Engine for Limited Edition Ford GT Mk IV	Mooresville
3rd Place:	Carrier Centrifugal Chillers	Charlotte
4th Place:	Texas Pete Hot Sauce	Winston-Salem
5th Place:	Flucelvax by CSL Seqirus	Holly Springs
6th Place:	Columbia Forest Products PureBond Formaldehyde-Free Hardwood Plywood	Old Fort

 

Small Business Category
Place	Company	Manufacturing Location
Winner:	Piedmont Pennies Original Sharp Cheddar Biscuit Bites	Charlotte
2nd Place:	Lighthouse Candle Factory Custom Handmade Candles	Kernersville
3rd Place:	Mantissa Scorpion® Sortation System	Charlotte
4th Place:	WoolTribe Signature Cable Beanie	Charlotte
5th Place:	Atlantic Beach Sea Salt	Atlantic Beach

“Congratulations to Honda Aircraft Company and Piedmont Pennies for winning the 2024 ‘Coolest Thing Made in NC’ title,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “Tomorrow is National Manufacturing Day, and we would like to thank our entire manufacturing community for developing innovative and important products for our state, country, and world.” 

MFG Day, organized nationally by NAM and The Manufacturing Institute, champions the next generation of creators and kicks off a campaign to highlight the exciting careers in modern manufacturing.  

Baxter is serving as the presenting sponsor of the online competition, and Business North Carolina is this year’s media partner.  

Join the contest’s social media campaign by following #CoolestThingMadeinNC. In addition to receiving a trophy, this year’s winning products 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.