FOND DU LAC – Two Fond du Lac County manufacturers have placed in the top 16 of the fifth annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Contest.
The contest, hosted by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group, features the top creations of Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry. Out of 150 products, the top 16 made it through the popular vote round and will advance to the next round in a tournament-style bracket format.
Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac’s own marine engine manufacturer, made it to the No. 2 seed in the tournament for its Bravo Four S Forward-Facing Drive boat motor.
This motor is ideal for wakeboarding and other tow sports, said Vice President of Communications and Marketing Nick Novak in Monday’s Facebook Live announcement from the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
It features a “Smart Tow” customization system: users can select their tow sport, and the motor will automatically optimize launch acceleration and tow speed, and will even provide the appropriate wake for the sport.
Mayville Engineering Co. Outdoors’ 600 Jr. Mark V Shotshell Reloader made the sixth seed, which has been a popular product in the company since the early 1970s. It’s even considered the world’s No. 1 shotshell reloader for its ease of use, according to their website.
The company mainly manufactures this and other reloaders, as well as clay target machines for skeet shooting.
Both Mercury Marine and Mayville Engineering Co. have made the finals of the contest in previous years. Last year, the Mercury Racing 450R boat engine and Mayville’s 400 Defender Clay Target Machine made it into the top four.
Nearby, John Deere Horicon Works in Dodge County is returning to the contest with its Gator XUV590M utility vehicle.
A few of the other finalists are on the bracket for their products that are directly linked to the coronavirus pandemic response efforts, including The Boldt Company’s Staat Mod constructions for hospitals and Demco Inc.’s Economy Desk Barriers.
“This contest obviously looks a little bit different than it has in years past because of (COVID-19), and we’re really excited to be able to tell these good news stories about these Wisconsin companies who responded so quickly,” Novak said in the announcement.
For the next round, Mercury Marine will face off against Stoughton Trailers and its PureBlue Refrigerated Trailer, and Mayville Engineering Co. will be up against Ki Mobility’s Ethos Wheelchair out of Stevens Point.
Voting is open on madeinwis.com until Sunday, and the top eight winners will be announced Monday.
Contact Daphne Lemke at 920-907-7968 or dlemke@gannett.com.
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