Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of a Hiker Trailer with its awning extended at the Hiker Trailer production facility in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.
A Columbus manufacturer has made the Sweet 16 list of the nominees for Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana contest as the competition enters its fourth round through Thursday.
Hiker Trailers, Columbus, is still in the competition. Area companies also int he running are Bear Wallow Distillery and Hard Truth Whiskey Co., both of Nashville and Guardian Bikes, Seymour.
The Indiana Chamber is joined this year by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) in putting on the program. The IDDC’s “IN Indiana” marketing campaign is incorporated into the single-elimination, Hoosier Hysteria-style tournament.
The “Coolest Thing” Sweet 16 manufacturers are from 14 cities throughout the state, with Fort Wayne and Nashville each having two companies still in the field.
Remaining competitors and their locations are below:
- Bear Wallow Distillery, Nashville
- Blue Fox Farms LLC, Wawaka
- Clabber Girl, Terre Haute
- Country Roads Coffee, Albion
- Fort Wayne Metals, Fort Wayne
- Gator, Columbia City
- Goshen Brewing Co., Goshen
- Guardian Bikes, Seymour
- Hard Truth Whiskey Co., Nashville
- Harpsicle Harps, Rising Sun
- Hiker Trailers, Columbus
- Kimball International, Jasper
- L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Fort Wayne
- Polygon Company, Walkerton
- Rolls-Royce North America, Indianapolis
- Smoker Craft, Inc., New Paris
The matchups and product descriptions can be seen on the event’s website at www.indianachamber.com/coolestthing; it’s also where fans and followers of the competitors can vote.
A person must vote for all matchups in any given round.
The quarterfinals take place Nov. 22-26, followed by the semifinals Nov. 27-Dec. 2 and the finals Dec. 3-5.
New this year, the IDDC will produce high-quality videos showcasing the eight quarterfinalists, which those companies will be able to use for their own promotions – and bragging rights.
Entry in the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana contest is free. To participate, a company did not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be manufactured in the state. Companies are limited to having one product nominated for entry.
Last year, Hoosier Racing Tire was crowned as the producer of the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana for its racing tire. Janus Motorcycles of Goshen took top honors in the inaugural competition, and in 2022 the Indiana Chamber honored Maple Leaf Farms of Leesburg for its roast half duck.
Awards for this year’s top finishers will be presented at the 2024 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on Dec. 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
The Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana and Best IN Manufacturing endeavors are supported by spirit sponsor Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP), with gold sponsor Kalenborn Abresist Corporation and silver sponsors Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories and Kimball Electronics Jasper.
