The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced the four finalists in its “Coolest Thing Made in Florida” competition, an initiative aimed at showcasing the manufacturing sector’s contributions to the state’s economy.
The finalists include Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions from Alachua County, which manufactures large underground mining loaders powered by both diesel and electric systems. These machines are exported to countries such as Mongolia and Indonesia. Chromalloy from Palm Beach County designs and produces FAA-approved jet engine replacement parts for aerospace engines. The design process takes place in Palm Beach Gardens, casting is done in Tampa, and machining occurs in Oldsmar.
Blue Wind Technology, located in Brevard County, builds wind turbine nacelles using advanced composite materials. Their products contribute to cooling over three million homes and are recognized for advancements in sustainable energy technology. Arthrex from Collier County specializes in orthopedic surgical devices; its DualCompression Hindfoot Nail implant is intended to support bone healing with minimal hardware through a responsive nitinol core.
“These finalists demonstrate the extraordinary talent, innovation, and global competitiveness of Florida manufacturers,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “From aerospace and energy to healthcare and heavy machinery, these companies are helping grow Florida into a top 10 global economy.”
Voting for the final round will be open from September 10 through September 23 at CoolestThingMadeinFlorida.com. Participants may cast one vote per day for their preferred product.
The winner will be revealed on October 28 during the Florida Chamber’s Future of Florida Forum (F3) and Annual Meeting in Orlando. Registration information for the event is available at FLChamber.com/Future-of-Florida-Forum.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce represents businesses across the state as part of its mission to foster economic growth and job creation over its century-long history.
