What is the Coolest Thing Made in Michigan?

Cool things are always being made in our great manufacturing state, which is why MMA recognizes the Coolest Thing Made in Michigan every year. This statewide, people’s choice contest has grown into thousands of participants and dozens of product nominees since its inception. It has helped raise awareness for some of the state’s most groundbreaking, innovative products from companies that are not household names.

The 2024 Coolest Thing award, presented by Endeavor IT, went to the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG®) Riflescope from Trijicon, a Wixom-based company that has been an industry leader in optics for over 40 years.

Trijicon, Inc.
ACOG

The Coolest Thing People’s Choice Contest is part of MMA’s Manufacturing Excellence Awards. Nominations for the 2025 Awards program open Spring 2025. mimfg.org/excellence

Manufacturing Excellence Awards

The annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards celebration is the only one of its kind in Michigan. Through the Awards program, MMA helps recognize what makes Michigan manufacturing the best in the world! The Awards shine a light on the individuals and organizations creating the products that shape our economy and improve our daily lives.

COOLEST THING MADE IN MICHIGAN PAST WINNERS

Trijicon, Inc.
ACOG

Exotic Automation and Supply
World’s Largest Hydraulic Power Unit

Stormy Kromer
Original Stormy Kromer Cap

Kirlin Lighting
INFRALED PRO Motorized Exam Lights

Hemlock Semiconductor Operations
Hyper-Pure Polysilicon

PlaneWave Instruments
PW1000 Observatory System

Peninsular Cylinder Co.
Custom Booster Cylinder

QUOTES FROM PAST WINNERS

“Being voted as the 2021 winner of The Coolest Thing Made in Michigan is truly an honor! We were able to show that we have the engineering and technical resources right here in Michigan to compete on the international stage. Our entire team worked extremely hard to meet this challenge and it’s wonderful that they’re being recognized for that.”

Steve Orlando, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Exotic Automation and Supply
2021 Winner – World’s Largest Hydraulic Power Unit

“We’re delighted to be chosen as Michigan’s ‘Coolest Thing’ manufacturer. It’s exciting that we were recognized for that, and we have a great team here at Hemlock who work very hard at what we do.”

Phil Dembowski
Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations
2020 Winner – Hyper Pure Polysilicon

“The honor to have the title for The Coolest Thing Made in Michigan in 2019 confirms our credibility as an innovative cylinder manufacturer and is a boost for all of our employees who can be proud of their skill set and contributions. This win affords us a new opportunity to market specific design features to other manufacturers that could benefit from the aspects of the innovations we have utilized.”

Bud Haver, President
Peninsular Cylinder Company
2019 Winner – Custom Booster Cylinder

“I can’t tell you how much it means to be recognized by people in Michigan for our cap. We’ve always thought the cap represents something that resonates with people; there’s a work ethic to it and we always hear people share the stories and memories that connect with it. But to be recognized like we were — it means a lot to the whole team.”

Gina Jacquart Thorsen, President
Jacquart Fabric Products Inc.
2018 Winner – Original Stormy Kromer Cap

Manufacturing EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards celebration is the only one of its kind in Michigan. Through the Awards program, MMA helps recognize what makes Michigan manufacturing the best in the world! The Awards shine a light on the individuals and organizations creating the products that shape our economy and improve our daily lives.