2018 'Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin' Winner Announced

MADISON, WI -- After more than 175,000 votes were cast in the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce "Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin" contest, a kringle has come out on top.

Not just any kringle, mind you. Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe in De Pere, Wis., took home the top prize for its its Sea Salt Caramel Pecan Kringle. The winner was unveiled at the State of Wisconsin Business and Industry Luncheon on Tuesday in Madison.

The third-annual contest featured nearly 160 nominees that competed in a popular vote in early September to get into the top 16. The Wisconsin-made products that made the top 16 were placed into a tournament-style bracket known as “Manufacturing Madness.” Head-to-head match-ups took place until four finalists were determined.

Nominees for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin covered a wide range of products. From metal fabrication and food production to automation components and machinery, Wisconsin makes a long line of cool things.

In 2017, the winner was Oshkosh Corporation and its Joint Light Tactical vehicle, and the winner of the first statewide contest in 2016 was Harley Davidson and its Milwaukee Eight Engine.

Nearly 20,000 votes in the last round determined the ultimate winner. The other finalists were C.C. Moo of Stoughton for their Medically-Adaptive Clothing; John Deere in Horicon for theirGator XUV835R, and Cardiac Science Corporation of Deerfield for their Power Heart G5 Automated External Defibrillator with Intellisense CPR Feedback.

Submitted Photo, Published With Permission