Final Eight Battle For The Title Of ‘Coolest Thing Made In South Carolina’

Eight products, ranging from machine guns to mycelium-based materials, remain in the running for South Carolina’s much coveted honor of being recognized as the ‘Coolest Thing Made in the state’. The final eight have been selected by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance in conjunction with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina through the annual Manufacturing Madness event.

Last year, the F-16 Block 70 fighter jet built in Greenville by Lockheed Martin earned the title. This year, more than 103,000 votes were cast in the Top 16 round, setting an exciting stage for the final eight contenders.

The Final Eight Contenders

The selection for the coolest production includes:

• Honda Talon 1000R-4 Fox Live Valve by American Honda Motor Co. Inc. From Florence County,
• ZF Transmissions’ 9-Speed Automatic Transmission from Laurens County,
• High Noon Sun Sips by E. & J. Gallo Winery from Chester County,
• FN Manufacturing’s M240 Series Machine Guns from Richland County,
• Fire Sprinklers by Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc. from Pickens County,
• 670LXS by Scout Boats from Dorchester County,
• Reishi by MycoWorks from Union County, and,
• Signa Hero MRI Scanner by GE HealthCare from Florence County.

Voting for the Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina continues at the official Manufacturing Madness website. The process eliminates half of the contenders in each round until the ultimate winner is chosen from the Top 4. The next round, scheduled for March 18-21, will narrow the pool down to the final four. The final winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Statehouse on March 28.

The contest draws attention to the diverse and innovative manufacturing industry in South Carolina. It provides an opportunity for citizens to appreciate the range and quality of products made within the state and also gives local manufacturers a platform to showcase their unique contributions to the local, national, and global markets.

Whether your favorite contender is based on technology in health care like the MRI scanner from GE HealthCare, or you have a preference for the environmental sustainability expressed by MycoWorks with their product Reishi, a “mushroom leather” made from mycelium, the options reflect the state’s robust manufacturing ecosystem. The sheer variety and innovative spirit present in the final eight products are indicative of the many flavors of manufacturing alive and well in South Carolina.

All eyes are now on these finalists as they vie for the title of ‘Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina’ in a contest that elevates appreciation for the manufacturing prowess of the state.

People interested in voting for their favorite product can visit scmanufacturingmadness.com to make their selection. All are encouraged to participate and celebrate the creativity and industrial strength that South Carolina offers.