Sixteen finalists battle for title of Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina
March 3, 2026
Voting for Top 16 Round of Manufacturing Madness Now Open
South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce (SCMC) 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. “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 5 at www.scmanufacturingmadness.com
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
These innovative and impactful products represent the best of South Carolina manufacturing:
1. Constant Velocity Joint – JTEKT, Greenville
2. 787 Dreamliner – The Boeing Company, Charleston
3. PowerLine Transmission – ZF Gray Court, Laurens
4. PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall – Zeus Industrial Products, Orangeburg
5. BMW X3 M50i – BMW, Spartanburg
6. CardioEducator – NursEdvance Innovations, Richland
7. Artemis 23 – Volare Boats, Dorchester
8. DWS06+ The American Legend – Continental, Sumter
9. Aluminum – Century Aluminum, Berkeley
10. Robotic Battery Swapping System – Lion Power, Greenville
11. PlusWater Color Diffusing Paint 6 Pack – Roylco, Anderson
12. Element TVs – Element Electronics, Fairfield
13. Copper Foil – Camden Copper, Kershaw
14. Gearboxes – SEW Eurodrive, Spartanburg
15. 120-60 – Shakespeare Military Antennas, Richland
16. Low Enriched Uranium Nuclear Fuel – Westinghouse, Richland
Key Dates & Remaining Voting Rounds
- March 2 – 5: Top 16 bracket voting
- March 9 – 12: Top 8 bracket voting
- March 16 – 19: Top 4 bracket voting
- March 24: Winner announced at the Statehouse with Governor Henry McMaster
The full bracket can be found here.
South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce
www.myscmc.org
South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce is the unified voice for businesses across the Palmetto State. This new organization is one of the largest and most powerful advocacy organizations in the history of South Carolina. The merger of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce brings the business community together to speak with one unified voice, bolster its presence in Columbia, expand its reach across South Carolina and align its goals.
