Top 10 Finalists Chosen for “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” People’s Choice Award Contest

LANSING — A record-breaking 11,000 votes were cast to determine this year’s Top 10 “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” finalists. The final round of voting for this People’s Choice Award hosted by the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) starts Monday, Nov. 9, 2020.

The “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” is part of the MMA’s MFG Excellence Awards program which celebrates the contributions manufacturers make to Michigan’s economy and local communities. Round 1 of voting ran from Mon, Oct 12, 2020 to Friday, Oct 23, 2020.

Beginning Nov. 9, 2020, anyone can vote daily for their favorite Top 10 product at coolestthing.mimfg.org to determine the “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan.” Voting closes on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 and the winner will be announced live during the virtual MFG Excellence Awards event in January.

The Top 10 Finalists for the 2020 “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” are:
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AIROTRUST™ AIROTRUST™ LLC • Livonia AIROTRUST™ is an affordable “Building Mask” that magnetically attaches to your drop ceiling grid cold air returns within seconds. The durable lightweight housing can hold a MERV-rated filter of your choice, adding a second level of filtration to your business or home giving everyone a visual peace of mind.
Ultra-Pure Polysilicon Hemlock Semiconductor • Hemlock Without the ultra-pure polysilicon produced by Hemlock Semiconductor, the vision of an interconnected and greener, more sustainable world is impossible. Ultra-pure polysilicon starts out as quartz and is converted, using an immense amount of electricity, into a product that powers modern life, from smartphones and autonomous vehicles to solar panels.
Ice Cream Hudsonville • Holland Hudsonville Ice Cream is both literally and figuratively the coolest product made in Michigan! Headquartered and manufactured in Holland, Hudsonville strives to create special memories with every scoop you share. The ingredients are locally sourced and the finished product is sure to bring delight to anyone who tries it.
Powered Lifting Hand Truck Magliner • Standish Designed to lift up to 200 lbs. and move up to 500 lbs, the all-new Powered Lifting Hand truck revolutionizes how kegs and other heavy items are handled, especially in tight spaces. Count on a Magliner to help reduce injuries and improve productivity.
6400XT Wood Hog Horizontal Grinder Morbark • Winn Recycling wood waste with a Morbark 6400XT horizontal grinder offers a quick and efficient reduction of this material, converting it from waste to a salable product. Markets for recycled wood include landscaping mulch, animal bedding material, boiler fuel, as well as fiber for composite board products.
Orion Modular Hunting Blind and Stand Orion Hunting Products • Iron Mountain Orion hunting blinds are modular and fully insulated with an exterior surrounded in aluminum and an interior covered in carpet — ceiling, walls and floor. No tools are required for assembly. It sits on an all-steel elevated tower stand with stair option — the safest way to enter a blind.
Human Hoist Personal Positioning Technologies, LLC • Bay City Human Hoist is a product of Personal Positioning Technologies, LLC. of Bay City. The Human Hoist Power Shop Chair is uniquely designed for lifting and supporting the human body for work. It glides from position to position and functions equally as a chair, an adjustable stool or a creeper.
Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis • Boyne City Shaggy’s handcrafts custom skis at our shop in Northern Michigan and ships them across North America. Formed in 2008, we pride ourselves on our unique custom options, and every pair is made by hand.
Thoroughbred Boat Company Classic Modern Day Powerboat • Manistee Thoroughbred is a new boat manufacturer in Northwest Michigan. They are building a very cool Classic Modern Day powerboat. The Company was started by several industry veterans with the intention to use their skills and knowledge to provide jobs, education in the marine industry and give back to the community.
Puppywarmer Warmer3 • Kalamazoo Puppywarmer incubators utilize a special ceramic infrared heater to warm puppies one inch into their bodies. Our systems greatly improve the viability of at-risk puppies. Our donated units saved over 1,000 high-risk puppies last year. If you love puppies, vote for Puppywarmer every day.

Learn more about MMA and the MFG Excellence Awards at mimfg.org. For more information on the MFG Excellence Awards, the “Coolest Thing” or to schedule a call with MMA President & CEO John Walsh, contact MMA’s Delaney McKinley at 517-487-8530 or mckinley@mimfg.org.

About MMA
For nearly 120 years, the MMA has been serving Michigan manufacturers and related industries by providing effective representation at Michigan’s Capitol, timely educational seminars, quality and competitive-rate insurance programs, informational e-newsletters and a monthly magazine. Visit mimfg.org for more information.

For more information, contact Delaney McKinley, at 800-253-9039 ext. 530 or 517-487-8530.

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