Contest Information

Promoting Wisconsin's Diverse Manufacturing Industry & Careers

About the award

The competition aims to highlight the state’s vibrant manufacturing industry. The contest not only brings attention to all the cool things made in Wisconsin, but also the outstanding career opportunities available in manufacturing – an industry that employs 1 in 6 people in the state and contributes over $71 billion to the economy!

WMC and Johnson Financial Group have partnered together for this contest since 2016, and Wisconsinites have cast nearly over 1.5 million votes since its inception. Products have ranged from motorcycles, military vehicles, cheese products, boats, generators, robots, iron castings, beer, all-terrain vehicles, snow blowers and much, much more.

After products are nominated, they compete in a popular vote that sets the field for Manufacturing Madness. In this tournament-style bracket, the Top 16 Wisconsin-made products compete in head-to-head matchups to win the ultimate prize – being named the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.

The winner is announced each year during Manufacturing Month in October.

Important Dates

August

25

September

12
22

October

1
8
15
23

Accepting Nominations

Voting Rounds

Announcements

Know a cool thing made in Wisconsin?

Nominations begin August 25