Latest news with #AerialFirefightingHelicopterRefillPump
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Firefighting helicopter refill pump named 2025's ‘Coolest Thing Made in Illinois'
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — An aerial fire fighting helicopter refill pump has been named 2025's 'Coolest Thing Made in Illinois' in the sixth annual Makers Madness contest. According to the state, 'Manufactured by MTH Pumps in Plano, the Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump was designed to reduce the refill time of helicopter-based water tanks from over a minute to as little as 30 seconds, increasing the number of water drops that aerial firefighters can place on a wildfire. This time advantage improves the chances of slowing or stopping fires from endangering lives, property and habitats. When wildfires in California left a trail of destruction, MTH Pumps helped by providing rapid and reliable water access for aerial firefighting teams.' 'Congratulations to Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump for being named the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. This product is a great example of the bold ideas, creativity, and innovation that powers the manufacturing sector here in Illinois,' said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. 'With commitment and passion, manufacturers across our state are creating products that solve real-world problems and improve lives. We applaud the men and women on our shop floors whose remarkable skills turn ideas into reality.' 'Illinois' world-class manufacturing industry is leading the charge as one of the top drivers of our continued economic success here in Illinois, and that's thanks to the incredible innovators all across our state,' said Governor JB Pritzker. 'I'm excited to announce this year's winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Illinois, the Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump. To the team at MTH Pumps, congratulations, and to all the manufacturers who took part in this year's competition: thank you for your creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication. You make our state stronger.' More than 250 products were nominated this year. Last year's winner was the , built in Peoria. Previous winners included the , made by Ingersoll Machine Tools in Rockford, and the , made by Rivian in Normal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Manufacturers' Association names ‘Makers Madness' winner
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — After more than 250 initial entries, a winner has been crowned in the sixth annual 'Makers Madness' contest. The Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump made by MTH Pumps in Plano has been named 'The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois' in the 2025 edition of the tournament. This pump was designed to reduce the refill time of helicopter-based water tanks from over a minute to as little as 30 seconds. Gov. Pritzker signs memorandum with the United Kingdom The product aims to increase the number of water drops that aerial firefighters can release onto a wildfire. This time advantage improves the chances of slowing and stopping fires from endangering lives, property and animal habitats. Recently, when the wildfires were causing havoc in California, MTH Pumps provided improved water access to the aerial firefighting teams with this product. The MTH Pumps team joined Governor JB Pritzker on stage to accept their award at a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield on Wednesday. 'As the second smallest company to win the 'Makers Madness' contest, I'd like to dedicate this award to all the small manufacturers of Illinois who do their part to produce amongst the best, most creative products that the world has to offer,' said Tim Tremain, MTH Pumps President. The TCCI Electric Compressor made by TCCI Manufacturing in Decatur made it to the top 16 round, but would lose to the eventual champion. Over the course of this year's eight-week competition, almost 411,000 total votes were cast. To watch this year's full award ceremony, visit Pritzker's Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
