2025 NOMINEES
The NE Manufacturing Alliance's Coolest Thing Made In Nebraska competition highlights Nebraska's manufacturing industry. The diversity and quality of the products nominated are a testament to the dedication and work ethic of Nebraska's manufacturing industry. Nebraska's manufacturing industry is truly the backbone of our economy!
Take a closer look and you’ll be amazed by all the cool products Nebraska manufacturers make.
Take a closer look and you’ll be amazed by all the cool products Nebraska manufacturers make.
2025 Top 16 Products
AF Series Combine Harvester
CASE IH 
The new AF Series is the most powerful combine series offered by Case IH. With the industry's largest grain tank and a fuel-efficient engine, you cover more acres in less time with the power and efficiency to handle any crop conditions. Designed, engineered and built by farmers, the AF Series combines are packed with the latest in automation, connectivity and harvesting technology, backed by decades of Axial-Flow reliability.
|
Indoor Basketball Hoops
Bison Inc. 
Bison manufactures basketball hoops, netting, goals and padding made for sports fields across the country. Since 1985, athletic directors, coaches, facility administrators, and equipment managers have relied on the good sports at Bison to provide safe, durable, innovative and on-time products to fit their unique sports equipment needs.
|
Digital Scorer's Table
Fourth Wall, A Lincoln Industries Brand 
Fourth Wall provides cutting-edge LED digital solutions tailored for both indoor and outdoor environments. Whether it's a high school gym or an outdoor stadium, our high-brightness LED panels and exceptional pixel resolution ensure an unparalleled visual experience, regardless of lighting conditions or viewing distance. The Digital Scorer's Table is an 8 foot modular table with ultra clear 2.6mm pitch LED display, manufactured, designed, and installed by Lincoln Industries.
|
Double Wide Badass Workbench
Badass Workbench 
Introducing the 2 Bay SD Double Wide Badass Workbench—because sometimes you need a workspace that’s as big and bold as the jobs you tackle. This beast is built from heavy-duty, high-grade steel with a fully welded frame that’s as tough as they come. With drawers on both sides of the bench, you get smart storage and extra open space for your larger tools and equipment. It’s designed to give you maximum flexibility, keeping everything organized and within reach while leaving room to breathe. Made in the USA and backed by our lifetime warranty, this Workbench is built to go the distance. More space, more storage, more badass.
|
Custom Artificial Limbs
Limb Lab 
The bond is seamless. Two become one: Indistinguishable. Cohesive. Unified. Whether this is the first time you have used a device or you are an experienced user, we are here to help you every step of the way. The right fit doesn't just give you confidence in your device, it puts you in control of function. Balance restores movement for every task, including getting back to what you love most.
|
A-Tip Match Bullets
Hornady Manufacturing 
Years of research and testing by the Hornady® Ballistic Development Group, combined with advanced manufacturing processes and quality control measures have led to the creation of the ultimate low drag, high performance match bullet.
|
Teryx4 H2/Teryx5 H2
Kawasaki Motors Mfg. Corp. 
The all-new Teryx®4 H2 and Teryx®5 H2 high-performance side x sides are designed for dune and desert domination. The 250-HP¹ 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine is harnessed by a continuously variable transmission and a highly rigid frame complemented by long-travel suspension that helps balance the engine's power for maximum control. Predictable handling and confident stopping power add to the well-balanced package delivering maximum fun that can be shared with the whole family.
|
Allmand Light Towers
Allmand 
Put your work in its best light. Whether working in construction, mining, oil & gas or the rental markets, you want jobsite lighting that will not fail you when you need it most. You're looking for reliability, service, support and no excuses. Allmand understands that there are no off hours - you can trust our best-in-class light towers to maximize your jobsite and keep it running all through the night.
|
High School Elite Aluminum Hurdle
Blazer Athletic Equipment 
Blazer Athletic Equipment's High School Elite Aluminum Hurdle is the company's most sought after product and can be found in twelve different colors on high school tracks across the Midwest!
|
Wool Yarn
Brown Sheep Company, Inc. 
The story of Brown Sheep Company begins with a family farm in the North Platte River valley. E.W. Brown purchased the farmland that has remained in the family for over 100 years. He raised a small flock of sheep on the farm, which he passed down to his son, Harlan Brown. Harlan continued raising sheep and farming, eventually switching gears to processing wool into yarn. By July 4th, 1980, Farmer Brown had spun his first ball of yarn. By the late 1990s, Harlan’s daughter Peggy Jo and her husband Robert Wells joined the growing company and took the mill to the next level, advancing the technology used and updating the equipment. Brown Sheep Company has become one of the most well-known and loved yarn brands across the U.S. among knitters and crafters of all kinds. Most recently, Robert and Peggy Jo’s son, Andrew, and his wife Brittany came on board in 2015. Much has changed since the mill first opened its doors, but the family’s passion and dedication to Harlan’s dream remains the same. Looking to the future, Brown Sheep Co. will continue to innovate, adapt, and develop new products that resonate with the next generation of knitters and handcrafters.
|
World's Largest Folding Corn Head
Bish Enterprises 
The World’s Largest Folding Corn Head isn’t just a feat of engineering—it’s a symbol of Nebraska innovation and agricultural heritage. This one-of-a-kind 27-row, 20-inch spacing header spans an impressive 45 feet wide in the field and folds down to 30 feet for transport. It redefines what’s possible in modern harvesting by combining large-scale performance with precision folding technology, offering farmers unmatched efficiency while turning heads in the field. What makes it truly special is not just its size, but the story behind it. Our team took a familiar concept and elevated it into something the world had never seen before—melding tried-and-true harvesting technologies with groundbreaking design. This project proves that innovation doesn’t mean abandoning tradition; it means improving it. More than a product, it’s a statement. It reflects Nebraska’s agricultural roots, supports the real needs of farmers, and showcases our state's ability to lead the industry on a global scale. Built to meet mass-production demands while helping farmers cut costs, this corn head isn't just big—it’s smart, efficient, and built for the future of farming.
|
Hideaway Copper Mugs
Handlebend 
Handlebend copper mugs are more than drinkware - they’re a story, hand-built in the heart of small-town Nebraska. Made the way things used to be - patiently, with grit and pride - they’re crafted to be passed down like the best family traditions.
In Nebraska, life has its own rhythm. Evenings linger on front porches. Conversations stretch past sundown. Friends and neighbors gather not for the noise, but for the company. Our mugs are built with that same rhythm in mind - made to slow you down, to hold a story in one hand and a memory in the other. Whether it’s a Moscow Mule with old friends, a quiet drink after a long day, or a toast that marks a milestone, Handlebend mugs remind us that the best moments aren’t rushed. They’re shared with the folks who matter most, in the places that feel like home. 100% copper. Built by hand in O'Neill, Nebraska. |
Valentino's Authentic Pizza Sauce
Valentino's 
Valentino’s Pizza Sauce captures the essence of authentic Italian flavor in every spoonful. Made from ripe, robust tomatoes and a signature blend of herbs and spices, this sauce delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and zest that has defined Valentino’s pizzas since 1957. Originally crafted for their famous Nebraska-based restaurants, this rich and savory sauce brings that same pizzeria-quality taste to your homemade creations. Whether spread on a classic crust or used as a dipping sauce, Valentino’s Pizza Sauce offers a smooth, flavorful base that complements any topping—no artificial flavors, no shortcuts, just time-tested tradition in every jar. Made with a traditional recipe, originally crafted from famous Nebraska-based restaurants.
|
Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing
Tasty Toppings 
Yes, there really was a Dorothy Lynch. In the 1940s, she first made her famous dressing for Legion Club members in St. Paul, Nebraska, and the rest is history. Today, Dorothy Lynch Home Style and Light & Lean are used for so much more than just salad.
The original, one-of-a-kind dressing is a versatile and delicious dressing and condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. Its sweet and spicy flavor, creamy texture, and gluten-free and trans fat-free ingredients make it a popular choice for many families. |
Tapered Transmission Line Poles
Klute 
Forging Power, Built on Family. Klute is where Nebraska grit meets next-generation steel. For over 60 years, this family-owned company has shaped the backbone of the electric utility industry—fabricating substation and transmission structures that power communities across the U.S. From a small farm repair shop to a cutting-edge facility producing massive tapered tubular poles, Klute has never stopped building—on its values, its craftsmanship, and its legacy. What makes Klute’s steel structures the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska? They’re engineered with precision, made with pride, and trusted to carry the power that keeps the country running.
|
Big M Smoker
M Grills 
The Big M commercial wood-burning smoker is the ultimate choice for those who demand nothing but the best in their barbecue experience: American made with American steel, cooking efficiency, cutting-edge features, superior quality and meticulous design. Due to insulation of this smoker, minimal wood is required to maintain temperature making it exceptionally efficient. Say goodbye to constantly tending to your smoker; the Big M Smoker operates for hours unattended while maintaining temperature consistency, saving you time and money. The insulated Big M Smoker can run for up to 12+ hours with a hot bed of coals and 16" wood splits. Customization options including color, logos, and mounting choices.
|
