Eleven companies in North Central Indiana are vying for the Indiana Chamber's fourth annual Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana online tournament.
The field almost doubled this year to 90 entrants from 50-plus cities.
“With all the great makers and re-manufacturers entered this year, winning – or even making it to the final four – won’t be easy,” said Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber president and CEO, in a press release. “The awesome competition is what makes this event great, and it’s helping put the spotlight on all these fantastic companies across Indiana.”
The Indiana Destination Development Corp. joins the chamber this year in sponsoring the contest. Its “IN Indiana” marketing campaign will be part of the single-elimination tournament.
“Indiana’s great quality of life starts with the opportunities that are available to our residents,” said Elaine Bedel, IDDC secretary and CEO. “Indiana’s evolving manufacturing industry employs roughly 527,000 Hoosiers, and we are thrilled to join the Indiana Chamber in telling the story of a few of these incredible manufacturers.”
Voters must select winners for all matchups to participate this year. The tournament will include seven rounds that will end in early December. Learn more about the entries here.
Here are the contestants from the North Central Indiana area:
- A & A Sheet Metal Products Inc., La Porte
- A Rosie Place for Children, South Bend
- Bond Technologies, Elkhart
- Crown Broadcast, Elkhart
- GEN-Y Hitch, Nappanee
- Goshen Brewing Co., Goshen
- Hitachi Global Air Power, Michigan City
- KW Custom Controls LLC, South Bend
- Laidig Systems, Mishawaka
- TermoDyne, Elkhart
- Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions, Granger
Companies that entered must manufacture the item in Indiana, but don't have to have headquarters in the state. Contest entry is free for one item per company. Round one features 26 matchups, with some companies receiving buys to round two. An online randomizer was used to determine the matachups.
Voting will commence on the following dates:
- Round 1: Oct. 31 through Nov. 5
- Round 2: Nov. 6 through 11
- Round 3: Nov. 12 through 15
- Round 4: Nov. 16 through 21
- Round 5: Nov. 22 through 26
- Semis: Nov. 27 through Dec. 2
- Finals: Dec. 3 through 5
Last year's winner was Hoosier Racing Tire.
This year's winners will be honored during the 2024 Best IN Manufacturing Awards luncheon on Dec. 11 in Indianapolis.
