Latest news with #IllinoisManufacturers'Association
Chicago Tribune
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Column: With firefighting helicopter refill pump, Plano company can claim ‘coolest thing made in Illinois'
MTH Pumps, which makes its products in a non-descript metal building in Plano, may not sound like that cool of a company. But the aerial firefighting helicopter refill pump that's produced there has just been named 'The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois,' an award presented recently by Gov. JB Pritzker during a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield, which was hosted by the Illinois Manufacturers' Association and sponsored by Comcast Business. Out of more than 250 entries, the MTH pump received the most of the 411,000 votes that were cast through the eight- week competition, according to an Illinois Manufacturers' Association press release. Just as the name implies, the pump is 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. Which, of course, improves chances of slowing or stopping the flames from spreading; When wildfires in California left a trail of destruction, noted the press release, 'MTH Pumps helped by providing more rapid and reliable water access for the aerial firefighters.' Battling hot blazes is indeed pretty cool. But what I also found interesting after talking to Tim Tremain, president of MTH, is that the Plano facility has been making this product for nearly two decades – after a Washington state company asked for a faster pump to battle wildfires – and engineering manager Greg Rittgers accepted the challenge. Which leads to an obvious question: What took so long for the 2025 winner of this bracketed Makers Madness contest to take home the cool prize? Turns out it all comes down to timing – and marketing. In the first five years the Illinois Manufacturers' Association has been sponsoring this competition – Caterpillar's mining truck was a previous champ – MTH always submitted one of its top-selling pumps and 'the product we want to grow, which is used by data centers to save energy when air conditioners are running in those massive buildings.' Sounds practical, for sure. Still, the coolest thing about that pump is the temperature it helps control. Firefighting, however, is a whole different story. Indeed, battling wildfires has been in the news in a spectacular way, particularly in the Los Angeles area, where nearly three weeks of blazes in January killed more than two dozen people and destroyed more than 18,000 homes and structures. Even though the firefighting pump is not MTH's main product – less than 200 have been sold in 20 years – Tremain and his top people figured 'why not give it a shot' in this sixth annual contest. Things really fell into place, he added, when Dart Aerospace, a helicopter company that uses these Plano-built pumps, was praised by L.A. firefighters for the product's impact on the critical job they performed this year. Tremain's marketing crew not only called upon West Coast firefighters to support the MTH entry in this coolest-thing contest, 'we tapped into other firefighters,' including those in Illinois, he said, estimating that of the 6,000 votes cast for the top four finalists, 'we got about 1,600 … 52 more' than the second place finisher. 'I even had my dental office voting for me,' Tremain quipped. In all seriousness, the MTH president's main purpose for entering the contest was to help employees understand the importance of the work they do day in and day out. 'Traditionally, we run under the radar,' he said, noting this was a big win for small businesses. 'When people drive by, they only see a non-descript metal building, not a company with the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the country right here in Plano. 'Because we are always looking for new employees – and looking to grow – it's nice to have people start recognizing the good things we are doing over there.' What's also really cool? His father Dave Tremain, a mechanical engineer who started the company back in 1965 with that first drawing of a pump, is 93 years old but still comes to work every day. After the elder Tremain retired and turned the company over to his son, an electrical engineer, he 'got bored and started a couple more businesses,' said Tim, who describes his father as 'the real entrepreneur.' Tremain still thinks 'the data center pump is a cool story,' noting that it can also cross over to medical pumps which are part of incubators and MRI machines. 'Those are saving lives too,' he pointed out. 'But helicopters dropping water on wildfires … that makes for a lot better video.'
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
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Illinois' ‘Makers Madness' contest narrows to final four
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The voting for the 2025 Illinois 'Makers Madness' contest to name 'the coolest thing made in Illinois' has narrowed to its final four products. 'There's just one week left in the competition, so make sure to cast your vote before it's too late,' said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. 'This contest is about celebrating the incredible creativity, innovation and versatility of our state's manufacturers– attributes that are well represented in this year's Top 4. We wish the finalists the best of luck as we prepare to unveil the winner of the 2025 title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.' According to the state, the final four products are: Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill PumpsManufactured 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. Joint Combined Aircrew Systems Tester (JCAST) Manufactured by Chemring Energetic Devices in Downers Grove, the Joint Combined Aircrew System Tester (JCAST) is a stand-alone, benchtop tester capable of evaluating flight equipment for many aircrew flight systems. It provides mission critical data and simple go/no-go information for complete system verification. JCAST is used to assess the critical safety of flight for Aircrew Flight Equipment components used in conjunction with military flying operations. Donor MilkCollected, pasteurized, packaged and distributed by Mother's Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes in Elk Grove Village, Donor Milk is a life-saving product provided to premature and critically ill babies to save young lives and improve pediatric health. Donor milk is essential for some babies with complex medical needs and required in situations where there is low milk or delayed supply by mothers, parental absence or separation and in cases of adoption and surrogacy. ROV Skimmer – Remote Operated Oil SkimmerManufactured by Elastec in Carmi, the ROV Skimmer is a remotely controlled device designed to provide an effective method of oil recovery in aquatic spills and a variety of other pollution situations. It can be maneuvered into spaces where it would be difficult to deploy a traditional fixed oil skimmer, making the ROV Skimmer an effective tool for pollution control, environmental protection and safety. You can cast your until 11:59 p.m. on April 6th. 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
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whiskey made in northern Illinois advances to Top 8 in 2025 Maker's Madness contest
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Whiskey Acres Blue Popcorn Bourbon, made in northern Illinois, has advanced to the final 8 'coolest products made in Illinois' in the state's 2025 'Maker's Madness' contest. The bourbon is made by Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., in DeKalb. 'Makers Madness is a celebration of the incredible products made right here in Illinois, highlighting the unparalleled level of creativity and innovation that distinguishes our state's manufacturing industry,' said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. 'We wish all of the contestants the best of luck as the search continues for the product that will earn the 2025 title of the Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.' runs until 11:59 p.m. on March 30th. The Maker's Madness contest is a bracket-style tournament in which voters across the state vote for their favorite Illinois-made product. Aerosoal Spray Cheese, made by Berner Food and Bevereage LLC in Dakota, was in the Top 16 bracket of the contest, but was knocked out. The Illinois Manufacturer's Association, which runs the annual event, said nearly 250,000 votes were cast in the 6th annual contest. More than 250 products were nominated this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville News Digest: Naperville businesses vying for ‘coolest thing made in Illinois'; Naperville golf courses announce 2025 tournament series
Naperville businesses vying for 'coolest thing made in Illinois' Two Naperville companies are competing to earn the title of the 'coolest thing made in Illinois' in the 6th annual Makers Madness contest sponsored by the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. More than 250 unique products from across the state were nominated for the contest, including two Naperville businesses. Dukane Precast, with locations in Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield, makes state-of-the-art insulated wall panels around high-R foam insulation while the Radiator Grille Store, of Naperville, creates 'innovative and easy-to-install performance car and sports car radiator and condenser protection products,' according to its entry. The two companies are competing in a bracket-style tournament that celebrates manufacturers across the state. Voting is now open at to see which of the products will advance to the top 16. Each voter can cast up to five votes per day through 11:59 p.m. March 16. The rounds will narrow down manufacturers in head-to-head matchups. The event ends with an awards ceremony at the Illinois governor's mansion April 9. The made-in-Illinois products range from agriculture and energy storage equipment to life-saving medical products, pantry staples, sweet treats and a variety of vehicles, a contest news release said. Last year's champion was the Komatsu mining truck made in Peoria. Naperville golf courses announce 2025 tournament series A variety of golf tournaments are planned by the Naperville Park District this year, from the Partner Best-Ball Challenge that kicks off the season April 12 to the Turkey Shoot in November. The Springbrook and Naperbrook golf courses will host the 2025 Brooks Tournament Series, consisting of 11 tournaments played at either or both of the park district's courses. The events are for local, amateur golfers, and each one will have handicap and eligibility requirements, a news release said. They tournaments are: Partner Best-Ball Challenge, April 12 at Naperbrook, 22204 W. 111th St. Brooks Team Championship, May 17-18 at Naperbrook and Springbrook, 2220 W. 83rd St. Senior Partner Championship, June 4 at Springbrook. Naperville Junior Amateur Championship, July 7 at Naperbrook. Men's Amateur Championship, July 19-20 at both courses. Women's Invitational, Aug. 11 at Springbrook. Glen Ekey Senior Amateur Championship, Aug. 20 to Aug. 21 at both courses. Senior Fall Scramble, Sept. 11 at Naperbrook. Brooks Four-Ball Match Play, April 28 to Aug. 24 at both courses. Fall Scramble, Oct. 11 at Springbrook. Turkey Shoot, Nov. 22-23 at both courses.
