TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 12, 2025) —After more than 300,000 votes and three rounds of competition, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced the top four finalists in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Florida contest. From aerospace engineering and orthopedic medical devices to sustainable energy and large-scale mining equipment, these finalists showcase the innovation, diversity, and global reach of Florida manufacturing.
The semifinalists are:
- Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions (Alachua County): Manufactures massive underground mining loaders — among the largest machines made in Florida — featuring dual diesel and electric power systems. These vehicles are exported globally, including to Mongolia and Indonesia.
- Chromalloy (Palm Beach County): Designs and produces FAA-approved jet engine replacement parts for the high-pressure turbine section of aerospace engines. The parts are designed in Palm Beach Gardens, cast in Tampa, and machined in Oldsmar.
- Blue Wind Technology (Brevard County): Builds and assembles wind turbine nacelles — complex generator housings — using advanced composites. Their products cool more than 3 million homes and are setting new standards in sustainable energy technology.
- Arthrex (Collier County): Specializes in orthopedic surgical innovation. Its DualCompression Hindfoot Nail is an implant designed to support bone healing while minimizing hardware, utilizing 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 championship round runs Sept. 10–23 at CoolestThingMadeinFlorida.com, where voters can cast one vote per day. The 2025 winner will be unveiled live at the Florida Chamber’s Future of Florida Forum (F3) and Annual Meeting on Oct. 28 in Orlando.
Why the Competition Matters for Florida Manufacturers
Florida’s manufacturing sector supports more than 433,200 jobs, contributes $72.2 billion in exports, and plays an essential role in achieving the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of becoming a Top 5 manufacturing state by 2030.
The Coolest Thing Made in Florida isn’t just a contest — it’s a platform to spotlight the companies building Florida’s economy, strengthening supply chains, and innovating global markets.
The Florida Chamber Advantage: Advocacy + Growth
Behind the scenes, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is advancing policies and partnerships that directly impact manufacturers:
- Advocacy in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. – Giving manufacturers a united voice on issues such as workforce, tort reform, infrastructure, energy, and trade.
- Workforce Development – Collaborating with educators, training providers, and policymakers to build a pipeline of skilled workers for advanced manufacturing jobs — including many high-wage careers that don’t require a four-year degree — and equipping businesses with real-time insights through the Florida Talent Data Hub.
- Supply Chain & Export Growth – Supporting companies as they expand into global markets while strengthening local supply chain resilience.
- Networking & Visibility – Connecting members with business leaders, elected officials, and industry peers at signature events like the Future of Florida Forum, Leadership Conference on Safety, Health & Sustainability, and the Florida Manufacturing Month celebrations.
- Research & Data – Delivering actionable insights through the Florida 2030 Blueprint, the statewide strategic plan to prepare for 26 million residents and 1 million new jobs by 2030, and the Florida Scorecard, an online tool tracking progress with real-time data on education, talent, economy, and community outcomes while holding leaders accountable. These resources help businesses plan for growth and stay competitive.
A Call to Florida’s Manufacturers
The finalists in this year’s contest demonstrate the strength and global impact of Florida-made products — and highlight the opportunities ahead. By joining the Florida Chamber of Commerce, manufacturers gain a partner dedicated to advancing their business interests, strengthening their workforce, and helping Florida achieve the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of becoming a Top 5 state for manufacturing jobs by 2030.
Whether your company is an industry leader or a growing startup, membership opens doors to advocacy, influence, and connections that matter.
For more information on how your company can be part of this movement:
Visit FloridaChamber.com/JoinUs or email membership@flchamber.com.