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The 16 finalists include the Boeing 787 series — ¬ the Dreamliner. The plane is made in North Charleston and reaches around the world. The lighter version of the old jumbo jets are bought by carriers looking to take passengers on long trips for lower fuel costs. (Photo/Boeing)
The 16 finalists include the Boeing 787 series — ¬ the Dreamliner. The plane is made in North Charleston and reaches around the world. The lighter version of the old jumbo jets are bought by carriers looking to take passengers on long trips for lower fuel costs. (Photo/Boeing)
Top 16 named for Coolest Thing Made in SC
Ross Norton // March 2, 2026//
- Top 16 finalists named in Manufacturing Madness contest
- More than 120 products nominated and 44,000 votes cast
- Contest highlights South Carolina’s $300 billion manufacturing impact
- Winner to be announced by the governor on March 24
A sweet roundup of 16 products has been chosen for a sprint to choose this year’s honor of being the Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina.
The products cut a wide swath across the state’s manufacturing base, from jumbo passenger jets to enriched uranium.
South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce announced the finalists for the Top 16 round of the 5th Annual Manufacturing Madness, a contest in which voters decide the Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina.
“The list of great products, all made right here close to home, that clinched spots in the round of 16 is another great reminder that manufacturing is at the heart of South Carolina’s economic development success story,” said SCMC President and CEO Sara Hazzard in a news release. “As Manufacturing Madness showcases the strength of our industry, we once again congratulate every company represented so far, not to mention the products and employees that power those companies and our economy.”
Voting for this round is open through Thursday, March.
Manufacturing Madness, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, celebrates South Carolina’s manufacturing strength, showcasing the wide array of products made here and the companies and people behind them. South Carolina’s manufacturing industry contributes more than $300 billion in annual economic impact, supports 30% of all jobs in the state, and generates one-third of South Carolina’s general fund revenue.
More than 120 products were nominated, and over 44,000 votes were cast to determine the Top 16 finalists. Since its launch in 2022, the competition has garnered nearly 800,000 votes from over 120 countries.
2026 Top 16 Finalists
Constant Velocity Joint – JTEKT, Greenville
787 Dreamliner – The Boeing Company, Charleston
PowerLine Transmission – ZF Gray Court, Laurens
PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall – Zeus Industrial Products, Orangeburg
BMW X3 M50i – BMW, Spartanburg
CardioEducator – NursEdvance Innovations, Richland
Artemis 23 – Volare Boats, Dorchester
DWS06+ The American Legend – Continental, Sumter
Aluminum – Century Aluminum, Berkeley
Robotic Battery Swapping System – Lion Power, Greenville
PlusWater Color Diffusing Paint 6 Pack – Roylco, Anderson
Element TVs – Element Electronics, Fairfield
Copper Foil – Camden Copper, Kershaw
Gearboxes – SEW Eurodrive, Spartanburg
120-60 – Shakespeare Military Antennas, Richland
Low Enriched Uranium Nuclear Fuel – Westinghouse, Richland
The finalists will be narrowed down to the eventual winner, which will be announced by the governor on March 24.
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