Latest news with #MarkDenzler
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Illinois residents can nominate the coolest thing made in the state
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Manufacturers' Association is taking nominations for the coolest thing made in the state. The sixth annual 'Makers Madness' contest will determine the favorite product manufactured in Illinois. are open until March 2nd, and then the top 16 products will be put up for a public vote. Qualifying products must be made in Illinois, even if the manufacturer's headquarters is located out of state. 'Makers Madness showcases the many amazing and unique products created by manufacturers that consumers enjoy throughout Illinois and across the globe,' said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. 'Illinois is a land of innovation and manufacturers are creating groundbreaking products that feed, heal, build and power our communities. We look forward to the friendly competition ahead as manufacturers vie for votes and we shine a spotlight on their incredible work.' 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.
