Wisconsin Unveils the 2026 'Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin' Winner on October 27: Cardinal's Smart Privacy Glass From Tomah
Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin — Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, together with BMO, announced at its annual Business Day event in Madison on October 27 that the winner of the 2026 'Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin' contest is CLiC smart privacy glass, made by Cardinal IG in Tomah, Monroe County. More than 100 products were nominated this year; after a first round of public voting and a bracket-style tournament called 'Manufacturing Madness,' four finalists competed for the title. The trophy itself was made by two Wisconsin manufacturers, EK of Fall River and EFCO Finishing of Menomonee Falls. Now in its 11th year, the contest showcases the vitality of Wisconsin manufacturing. According to the organizers, manufacturing contributes $73.8 billion to the state's economy and generates $46.4 billion in earnings for manufacturing workers; Wisconsin leads the nation in manufacturing employment per capita, with 18.2 percent of its workforce in the industry. Wisconsin was the first state to hold such a 'coolest' contest, and more than 25 states now run similar competitions, with winners announced each October during Manufacturing Month.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：电致变色智能调光玻璃舷窗（资料图）。Jun Seita 摄，CC BY 2.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons / Photo: An electrochromic smart-glass aircraft window, dimmed (file photo). By Jun Seita, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
