The StarFire 7500 Receiver – designed and manufactured by John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group – has garnered the inaugural title for the Coolest Thing Made in North Dakota.
The Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) announced last week that the receiver, assembled in Fargo, emerged as the winner of its first-ever statewide competition.
The contest, which involved an online product showcase and rounds of bracketed voting, celebrates innovation, advanced manufacturing, and products made in North Dakota, the chamber said.
“Manufacturing touches nearly every corner of North Dakota, supporting thousands of families and communities across the state,” Arik Spencer, chamber president and CEO, said in a news release. “With nearly 900 manufacturers employing tens of thousands of North Dakotans, this industry drives opportunity, innovation, and economic growth. Coolest Thing Made highlights the people and products making that impact every day.”
The Deere product, used in the Moline-based equipment maker’s precision guidance systems – won after advancing to the contest’s Final Four following weeks of head-to-head matchups. The other finalists were:
- Brioche Cinnamon Roll Dough, made by Baker Boy.
- Lithium-Ion Batteries, produced by Badland Batteries.
- Bobcat Compact Loaders, produced by Bobcat Company.
The GNDC revealed the winner during a Feb. 19 awards ceremony at Deere’s Fargo facility.
The StarFire 7500 Receiver is the foundation of Deere’s precision guidance system for agriculture, construction, and road building. The advanced technology enables hands-free steering with sub-inch accuracy, helping operators improve efficiency, reduce fuel and input costs, and increase productivity through precise field mapping and repeatable performance.
The receiver simultaneously tracks correction signals from up to three StarFire correction satellites and intelligently chooses one that delivers the best performance.
“Dedicated employees in Fargo proudly assemble the StarFire 7500, building technology that farmers and contractors depend on every day,” said Dan Dougherty, director of John Deere Electronics Manufacturing and OEM Sales.
Continuing to deliver
“We continue to innovate on behalf of our customers, delivering precision solutions that help them work more efficiently and confidently in the field and on the jobsite,” Mr. Dougherty added in the release.
“This recognition belongs to everyone who makes that possible, from the teams who design and build this product to the customers who put it to work,” he said “Our employees show up every day with pride, committed to pushing boundaries and helping our customers succeed.”
The latest accolade is not John Deere’s first Coolest Thing Made title. In 2025, John Deere’s high-tech CP770 cotton picker was crowned the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa. Produced at John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny, the big green machine won the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s manufacturing contest’s second year.
According to John Deere, its 2025 economic impact in North Dakota includes: 700 employees; a 710,000-square-foot facility; as well as more than 4,400 employee volunteer hours and more than $570,000 in giving by John Deere Foundation and Fargo employees.
According to GNDC, it plans to make the Coolest Thing Made in North Dakota an annual competition to showcase the depth and diversity in manufacturing excellence, workforce opportunities, and innovation across the state.
“This inaugural contest reinforces the strength and competitiveness of North Dakota manufacturing,” Mr. Spencer said. “From food production to heavy equipment to advanced precision technology, these finalists represent the innovation that drives and diversifies our state’s economy.”
The chamber is the state’s largest business advocacy organization with membership represented by small and large businesses, local chambers, and trade and industry associations. For more information on GNDC, visit here.
For more information about the Coolest Thing Made in North Dakota contest, visit here.
