Votes are streaming in for the NC Chamber’s annual contest to find the coolest product made in North Carolina, highlighting the state’s most innovative creators. Now in its fifth year, the contest has reached a new milestone with a record-breaking 145 nominees.
The NC Chamber holds the annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest to spotlight innovative products made in the state. Nominations were open until August 13 for two categories: one for businesses with fewer than 100 employees and another for those with 100 or more employees The top nominees in each category based on votes will advance to the next rounds of competition. Any product manufactured in North Carolina is eligible, regardless of where the company’s headquarters are located.
Some of 2024’s nominees include the HondaJet Elite II, which is the fastest, farthest, highest-flying, and most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class.
Other products are Dyneema, the world’s strongest fiber that can stop bullets; and the Diamond Engine Shield EX, a revolutionary aircraft engine protection device designed to be safely installed by a single crew member from the ground.
Based in Charlotte, the Mantissa Corporation’s Scorpion Sortation System is nominated for its innovative approach to high-speed package sortation for Parcel, Retail-Wholesale, & E-commerce industries. Additional nominees can be found here.
NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido said the goal is to “continue elevating the visibility of this vital industry and raise awareness about the limitless potential of modern manufacturing careers. This annual contest is an effective and fun way to do just that.”
“Congratulations to our 2024 Coolest Thing Made in NC nominees; each product showcases the impact and innovation of manufacturers in North Carolina,” said Salamido. “As we say at the NC Chamber: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina.”
Round one of voting is open through Thursday Aug. 29. After additional rounds of voting, the winning products will be announced on October 3, the day before National Manufacturing (MFG) Day.
The statewide competition was launched in 2020 to celebrate North Carolina’s innovative manufacturing community and champion the next generation of manufacturers and creators. The manufacturing industry generates more than 17% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce.
Last year’s winners were the Static Rope Edge Protection (STREP) by Fjord Inc. and the Q-Series 5-Axis CNC Machine developed by C.R. Onsrud.
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