Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Six businesses from the Radius Indiana region are vying to be the Coolest Thing Made In Indiana. The Indiana Chamber’s bracket-style competition to find the coolest thing produced in the Hoosier state is back.
The list of companies was unveiled last week and voting opened Oct. 31. Round 1 voting ends tonight at 9, so if you want to see these area companies advance, you can go online to vote.
Ninety companies from more than 50 cities make up this year’s bracket, almost twice as many as in 2023.
Online fan voting determines the winner of each matchup. Voting concludes Dec. 5. Votes can be cast from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
The list of companies from the Radius region includes:
Angry Sturgeon Lures – English
Dishmaster Faucet – Mitchell
Kimball International – Jasper
Red Hill Fiber – French Lick
ROOM – Huntingburg
ShedEscape Designs – Bloomfield
Product details
- Angry Sturgeon Lures: Robert Sturgeon manufactures handmade, one-of-a- kind fishing lures from wood sourced from his family farm in Crawford County. It’s not simple whittling. Sturgeon has combined his 20 years manufacturing and engineering experience and artistic aptitude to produce something quite unique.
- Dishmaster Faucet: Our M76 Imperial Four kitchen faucet, “Your Kitchen’s Finest Feature” for 75-years is a handheld dishwasher. While it functions as a standard kitchen faucet, the side spray also provides soapy water from the attached reservoir by simply pressing a button in the handle.
- Kimball International Hobsen: Rich design consideration and exquisite craftsmanship combine to create this boutique chair collection. With coordinating tables and ottoman, Hobsen reinvents the concept of lounge seating by delivering a solution that balances elegant artistry with timeless form.
- Red Hill Fiber: Alpaca yarn is created in small batches at Red Hill’s fiber mill in French Lick. Their yarn is a true labor of love, reflecting the mill’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Each skein begins with the careful selection of premium alpaca fibers raised in Indiana. Known for their exceptional softness, warmth and durability. The fibers are gently processed using traditional and state of the art techniques, ensuring they retain their natural sheen and luxurious texture.
- ROOM Phone Booth: ROOM’s purpose-built, modular solutions allow companies to effortlessly shape their workplaces, offering agility, flexibility, saving time and money on traditional construction. ROOM’s first modular product was The ROOM Phone Booth, which is manufactured in Huntingburg. The ROOM Phone Booth is a personal space for the open office, sustainably soundproofed leveraging recycled plastic and well-ventilated, offering a private, quiet and comfortable space that offers room to focus or take an important call, and room to create big ideas.
- ShedEscape Designs A Frame Playhouse: ShedEscape Designs creates custom playhouses, studio sheds, pub sheds, cottage homes and everything in between. The company is highlighting its A Frame Playhouse. This playhouse is the perfect escape for the family to slow down time and build special memories.
“With all the great makers and re-manufacturers entered this year, winning–or even making it to the final four – won’t be easy,” said Chamber CEO Vanessa Green Sinders in a news release. “The awesome competition is what makes this event great and it’s helping put the spotlight on all these fantastic companies across Indiana.”
Last year, Hoosier Racing Tire was crowned as the producer of the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana for its racing tire. Janus Motorcycles of Goshen took top honors in the inaugural competition, and in 2022 the Chamber honored Maple Leaf Farms of Leesburg for its roast half duck.