FOND DU LAC – The Fond du Lac area has two new chances in 2021 to claim a “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” title.
The Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group’s Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Contest features the top Wisconsin creations, and Mercury Marine and Mayville Engineering Co. have again made it into the top 16.
Out of 150 products, the top 16 from the popular vote round were announced Wednesday on Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s YouTube and Facebook Live, hosted by Vice President of Communications and Marketing Nick Novak. These creations will advance to the next round in a tournament-style bracket format.
Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac’s own marine engine manufacturer, made it to the No. 3 seed in the tournament with its V12 600hp Verado Outboard Engine.
The 600 horsepower boat engine prides itself on being quiet with smooth two-speed transmission, according to Mercury Marine’s website.
“This is the most powerful outboard motor that is in production right now,” Novak said in the announcement. “Not only is it making boats go faster, it’s doing so by saving about 20% on fuel economy.”
Mayville Engineering Co. Outdoors’ 611 XP Clay Target Machine made the 10th seed with its 600-target capacity and 120-yard throwing distance.
“(There are) a lot of hunters here in Wisconsin, a great heritage that we have in our state, and this is a clay target machine that gets used for high capacity events,” Novak said.
Both Mercury Marine and Mayville Engineering Co. have made the finals of the contest in previous years. Last year, Mercury Marine’s Bravo Four S Forward-Facing Drive boat motor and Mayville’s 600 Jr. Mark V Shotshell Reloader made it into the top eight.
For the next round, Mercury Marine will face off against Brakebush Brothers Inc. and its Brakebush Signature Crispy Chicken Fillet, and Mayville Engineering Co. will be up against Bombardier Recreational Products’ Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boat.
Other contenders include Kwik Trip’s Glazer donuts, New Glarus Brewing Co.’s Spotted Cow beer, Caterpillar Global Mining’s Cat Electric Rope Shovel and Drexel Building Supply’s Off-Site Construction Residential Building.
“It is a diverse group, it is really a great representation of the manufacturing industry here in Wisconsin,” Novak said.
Voting is open on madeinwis.com until Tuesday, and the top eight winners will be announced Wednesday.
To read more go to: www.fdlreporter.com.