The NC Chamber today revealed the 15 finalists in its annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest, narrowing the field from a record-setting 188 nominees to five standout products in each of three categories: small, medium, and large businesses.

Now in its sixth year, the public-driven contest spotlights North Carolina’s thriving manufacturing sector — an industry that generates 13.3% of the state’s gross product and employs more than 10% of the workforce. With 25,500 votes already cast, competition is strong as North Carolinians rally behind their favorite homegrown products.

“Congratulations to this year’s ‘Coolest Thing Made in NC’ finalists,” said NC Chamber president and CEO Gary Salamido. “The contest highlights the pride North Carolinians have in the products built right here at home. This competition is more than a contest — it’s a tribute to the manufacturers who have anchored our economy for over a century.”

Baxter International is serving as the Presenting Sponsor, with Business North Carolina as Media Partner. The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is also supporting the competition, which aligns with National Manufacturing Month and National Manufacturing Day on Oct. 3.

Finalists by Category

Large Business Finalists

  • Carrier (Charlotte) — Carrier Chillers
  • Alamance Foods (Graham) — FunPops
  • Siemens Mobility Inc. (Lexington) — Passenger Coaches for Amtrak
  • Columbia Forest Products (Old Fort) — PureBond® Formaldehyde-Free Decorative Hardwood Plywood
  • Nucor (Lexington) — Rebar

Medium Business Finalists

  • Regulator Marine (Edenton) — Regulator Boats
  • Cheerwine (Salisbury) — Cheerwine
  • Carolina Packers (Smithfield) — Bright Leaf Hot Dogs
  • World Cat / HC Composites (Tarboro) — Powered Catamaran Boat
  • Garner Foods (Winston-Salem) — Texas Pete Hot Sauce

Small Business Finalists

  • Blaze On Creations (Arden) — 12 oz Can-dle
  • Atlantic Beach Sea Salt Company (Atlantic Beach) — Atlantic Beach Sea Salt
  • Ordway Glass Company (Fuquay-Varina) — Custom Stained Glass
  • AFEX Fire Suppression Systems (Raleigh) — Dual Agent Fire Suppression System
  • Brad Halling American Whiskey Co. LLC dba BHAWK (Southern Pines) — Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon Cream

How to Vote

Public voting continues online at coolestthingmadeinnc.com through Thursday, Sept. 25. The three winning products — one from each category — will be revealed Thursday, Oct. 2, the day before National Manufacturing Day.

Winners will receive a trophy and be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications, podcasts, and digital channels, alongside additional statewide publicity.

Join the conversation on social media using #CoolestThingMadeinNC.

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Alamance Foods, Inc. Amtrak Bright Leaf Hot Dogs Carolina Beverage Corporation Carrier Corporation Charlotte Fuquay-Varina NC Chamber North Carolina Raleigh Regulator Marine Inc. Salisbury Siemens Mobility Smithfield Southern Pines Tarboro Winston-Salem
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