The race to select the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa is officially underway and three products made in the Quad Cities region are among the dozens of contenders.
On Monday, April 28, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) announced the nominees for its second annual Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest. It is sponsored this year by ABI member MidWestOne Bank.
Among this year’s nominees are three products made by QC area businesses:
- Beyond Walls, manufactured by Allsteel, Muscatine.
- Bowe Rotors, manufactured by Bowe Machine Co., Bettendorf.
- The Claw Lid Lifter, manufactured by Oertel Metal Works, Davenport.
Including those local businesses, the class of 2025 nominees represent a wide range of industries. They include agriculture equipment, automotive components, consumer foods and beverages, industrial manufacturing, construction machinery, recreational products, home improvement tools, lighting and technology innovations, and more.
The competition highlights Iowa’s $43 billion manufacturing industry and the high-tech, high-skill and high-pay career opportunities available.
Last year, Vermeer Corporation, a third generation, family-owned company based in Pella, Iowa, won the inaugural contest. That was thanks to its ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler. The winner was announced at ABI’s annual Taking Care of Business Conference. It was held in downtown Davenport.
“Manufacturing drives Iowa’s economy in every corner of our state,” ABI President Nicole Crain said in the release announcing this year’s nominees. “The Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest is a chance to celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of Iowa manufacturers. We’re excited to highlight the people, the products, and the communities — rural and urban — that make Iowa’s manufacturing industry strong.”
Public voting new open
ABI said public voting is now open at www.coolestthingia.com. It continues through Wednesday, May 7. This year, voters may select up to four favorite products during the initial popular vote round.
The top 16 products will then advance to a bracket-style tournament. There they will compete head-to-head for the title. During each round, individuals are encouraged to vote once per day (every 24 hours) per device.
The 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa winner will be announced during ABI’s annual Taking Care of Business Conference. It will run from Tuesday to Thursday, June 10–12, in Council Bluffs.
Click here to view the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa nominees. For more information about the contest, visit www.coolestthingia.com.
