MADISON — Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Johnson Financial Group announced on Wednesday, Oct. 2 the eight products moving on in the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. The eight Wisconsin-made products each won a head-to-head matchup in Manufacturing Madness, the bracket-style tournament that is part of the contest.

Among the Top 8 products is custom built metal benches by Monroe’s Production Grinding & Machining.

Over 130 products were initially nominated for the ninth annual competition, which seeks to highlight the state’s vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry, including its $71 billion economic output and nearly 500,000 jobs. Production Grinding & Machining initially gained the ninth most votes of the original 130 choices.

In the round of 16, the custom metal benches by Production Grinding & Machining beat out Southpaw Rod Holders, produced by Classic Gears and Machining in Denmark, Wis.

“We are always amazed to see how engaged Wisconsinites are with this competition,” said Nick Novak, WMC’s Vice President of Communications & Marketing. “Nearly 100,000 votes have already been cast in this year’s contest alone. Congratulations to the Top 8 Coolest Products.”

The Top 8 products were announced via a livestream broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.

The winners will compete in matchups to determine the Top 4. Those four products will compete in one final popular vote round to determine the ultimate winner, which will be announced at WMC’s Business Day event in Madison on Oct. 17.

Voting in the next round will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3 and end at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Manufacturers, employees and consumers alike are welcome to participate in the voting. Votes can be cast once per day, per device at www.madeinwis.com.