Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and BMO announced the Top 8 products advancing in the 11th annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest
Oct 8, 2026, 9:19 AM CT
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Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and BMO announced the Top 8 products advancing in the 11th annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. The top contenders include the #1 seed 4800XPC Electric Rope Shovel made by Komatsu in Milwaukee, the #3 seed Gravely ZT HD STEALTH 60 from AriensCo in Brillion, the #4 seed CliC Smart Privacy Glass by Cardinal IG in Tomah, and the #6 seed Meltaway Candy Bars from Seroogy's Chocolates in De Pere. Joining them in the Top 8 are the #9 seed Giddings & Lewis Vertical Turning Centers by Fives Giddings & Lewis in Fond du Lac, the #10 seed Aspex Printed Wall Protection made by Inpro in Muskego, the #12 seed Custom Pool Cues by Jacoby Custom Cues in Nekoosa, and the #15 seed M157 Small Arms Fire Control from Vortex in Barneveld.
These eight products were determined through head-to-head matchups in Manufacturing Madness, the tournament portion of the contest, following an initial round of over 100 nominated products showcasing the state's $73.8 billion manufacturing industry. Voting for the next round to determine the Top 4 begins at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, and continues through 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Participants can cast one vote per day per email address at www.madeinwis.com, with the ultimate winner crowned at WMC's Business Day event in Madison on Oct. 27.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
