Boeing 787 named coolest thing made in South Carolina

The Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina — the 2026 edition — is Boeing‘s 787 Dreamliner, assembled in North Charleston.

The announcement was made by South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce during a Statehouse press conference following the month-long Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina contest, which drew nearly 200,000 votes from around the world.

“Manufacturing is at the heart of what makes South Carolina a great place to work and live,”  SCMC President and CEO Sara Hazzard said in a news release. “The innovation, precision, and craftsmanship that go into building the 787 Dreamliner reflect the very best of our state’s manufacturing industry. This contest is about celebrating the people behind these products, and Boeing South Carolina represents that excellence at the highest level.”

Gov. Henry McMaster was there for the announcement.

“South Carolina’s manufacturing industry is second to none, and it continues to drive opportunity and prosperity in every corner of our state,”  McMaster said in the news release. “Each day, our manufacturers are building products that compete and win on the global stage. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is a powerful example of that success, showcasing the talent of South Carolina’s workforce. We are proud to celebrate Boeing, our manufacturing industry, and the South Carolinians who power it.”

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, produced at its North Charleston facility employing more than 9,000 associates, is the bestselling passenger widebody aircraft in aviation history, according to Boeing. Touted for its advanced technology and fuel efficiency, the 787 has carried more than 1 billion passengers worldwide and has enabled more than 520 new nonstop routes since entering service. The 787 Dreamliner secured the title after competing against three other finalists:

• Constant Velocity Joint – JTEKT, Greenville
• PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall – Zeus, Orangeburg
• CardioEducator – NursEdvance Innovations, Richland

Now in its fifth year, the Manufacturing Madness Contest, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, was created to celebrate the products, people and craftsmanship of South Carolina’s manufacturing sector. Previous winners include Nucor Steel Berkeley, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon, Honda’s Talon 1000R-4, and Gallo’s High Noon Sun Sips.

Manufacturing contributes more than $300 billion annually to South Carolina’s economy, supports approximately 30% of all jobs statewide, and generates one-third of the state’s general fund revenue, according to the release.