New Jersey’s Coolest Product Contest Enters Elite 8 Round: Vote Now!

The "Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey" competition has entered its Elite 8 stage. Voting runs through Monday, April 13. Over 50,000 votes have poured in since the start, when 72 products competed in the opening round.

According to NJBIZ, Manufacturing Counts kicked off this competition. The group links New Jersey Business & Industry Association with the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program. Withum sponsors the event.

Nearly 29,000 people voted in the first round. That slashed the field to 16 finalists. Round two wrapped up Monday, April 6, leaving eight products standing.

Four head-to-head battles will decide which items move on. SweepZone Ultrasonic Cleaning System from L&R Manufacturing in Hudson County squares off against Vet-Sonotron from ADM Tronics in Bergen County. The cleaning system harnesses multi-frequency tech and soundwaves to scrub medical and dental instruments. The therapy device eases pain in dogs and horses without medication.

The second matchup brings together an Anti-Gravity Suit from Switlik Survival Products in Mercer County and a 20-foot Arctic Mobile Laboratory from SeaBox in Burlington County. The flight suit inflates when pilots face extreme G-forces, keeping them conscious. The lab functions at temperatures plunging to minus 50° F.

Thermit Welding Kit from Orgo-Thermit in Ocean County faces TK-EVO from Hilman Inc. in Monmouth County in the third pairing. The welding kit bonds rail pieces into one unbroken track. The battery-powered crawler hauls 40-ton loads while producing zero emissions.

The fourth showdown pits the Brewster System from Galileo Global Environmental Solutions in Middlesex County against Superconductor from BrukerEST, which also calls Middlesex County home. The Brewster System transforms coffee grounds and brewery waste into animal feed or compost. The superconductor moves electricity without any loss at minus 452° F, which makes MRI machines work.

People can vote once daily for each device until 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, April 13. Officials will announce the winner May 21 at the State of the State of Manufacturing gathering in Trenton.

Geared Power took home top honors last year. Their BioGuard UVC mask triumphed after close to 40,000 votes across four rounds. The winner gets an award plus coverage in New Jersey Business Magazine and Manufacturing Matters Magazine.