Indiana Chamber awards ‘Coolest Thing’ honors
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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has crowned the winners of two awards to celebrate the state’s manufacturing industry, ranging from cooked duck to wear-resistant technology. It is the first year for Indiana’s Best Places to Work in Manufacturing award and second year for the Coolest Thing Made in Indiana competition.
The winner of the coolest thing category is Leesburg-based Maple Leaf Farms and its roast half duck. The company in Kosciusko County produces about 40% of the nation’s duck supply. The top vote-getter is a fully cooked dish that saves cook’s time.
The runner-up is Syracuse-based Polywood, an outdoor furniture maker that is also in Kosciusko County.
“Indiana is fortunate to be home to companies that grow and make all kinds of things,” said Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “We are thrilled to recognize and bring attention to some of the state’s best and most innovative manufacturers. We especially congratulate Maple Leaf Farms on its well-deserved victory.”
Joining Maple Leaf Farms and Polywood in the semifinals were Hiker Trailers in Columbus and Kidstuff Playsystems in Gary. Rounding out the top eight: Grinds Coffee Pouches in Westfield, Hard Truth Distilling Co. in Nashville, Hudson Aquatic Systems in Angola and Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions in Granger.
The field began with a list of 54 makers that was created by an online randomizer to generate the matchups. Online voting determined the winners in each round.
Learn about all the companies in the tournament by clicking here.
Meanwhile, the chamber also presenting its inaugural Indiana’s Best Places to Work in Manufacturing award to a Wabash County company.
Kalenborn Abresist Corp. of Urbana received top honors. The award was based on employer reports and employee surveys.
The company develops and manufactures custom solutions for the protection of industrial facilities from wear, such aw wear-resistant linings for pipe systems and plant components.
The 2022 Indiana Best Places to Work in Manufacturing companies range in Hoosier employee count from 39 to over 7,600. The list by ranking:
1. Kalenborn Abresist Corp. in Urbana
2. Nucor Steel Indiana in Crawfordsville
3. IBC Materials & Technologies LLC in Lebanon
4. Nix Companies in Poseyville
5. Nexxt Spine LLC in Noblesville
6. CrossPoint Polymer Technologies LLC in Evansville
7. Oliver Winery in Bloomington
8. Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions in Granger
9. Major Tool and Machine in Indianapolis
10. MCP USA, Inc. in Portage
11. SMC Corporation of America in Noblesville
12. Lippert in Elkhart
13. Functional Devices, Inc. in Sharpsville
14. Kelco Industries in Fremont
“The importance of Hoosier manufacturers cannot be overstated. They create the goods that sustain individuals and businesses all across the state. And the products make their way throughout the nation and around the world,” added Brinegar.
The awards were presented during the chamber’s first-ever Best IN Manufacturing luncheon in downtown Indianapolis.
The chamber points out that Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions in St. Joseph County pulled off a double – also being honored as a Coolest Thing Made in Indiana company quarterfinalist.