An all-electric zero-turn mower manufactured in Greeneville has made it to the Top 8 of “Coolest Things Made in Tennessee.” Voting for the Top 4 opened Wednesday and continues through Tuesday, July 2. The contest is sponsored by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Tennessee Manufacturers Association.
The John Deere Z370r Electric Zero Turn Mower, produced in Greeneville, is capable of mowing over 2 acres per charge with zero emissions and whisper-quiet operation. It can be charged with a standard 110-volt outlet. It joins eclipse glasses, the Nissan Rogue, recycled paper, and recycled plastic among the top finalists. Among the Tennessee-made items that have been eliminated are Lodge Cast Iron Skillets, McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets by Tyson Chicken, Paddlefish Caviar, Jackson Kayaks, and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.
Over 33,000 votes have been cast in the first two rounds of voting. Click HERE to cast your vote. You can vote once per day through Tuesday, with the Top 4 being announced on July 8. The Top 4 voting will begin on July 9.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – After approximately 33,000 votes were cast through the first two rounds, the inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” contest is down to its final eight contestants.
“We are one month away from crowning our winner and have seen tremendous engagement from across the state,” Bradley Jackson, President & CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry/Tennessee Manufacturers Association, said. “I’d encourage every Tennessean to continue to vote daily as the contest approaches its climax.”
The Tennessee Chamber and Tennessee Manufacturers Association, in partnership with the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association, and Smart Factory Institute Tennessee, launched this light-hearted competition which saw over 100 submissions showcasing Tennessee’s business community.
To view the full list of 2024 nominees, click here.
Voting for the Top 8 will close Tuesday, July 2. The finalists are listed below:
- 100% Recycled Containerboard Grade Paper – Domtar Paper Company: Domtar Paper Company
The Kingsport Mill can produce about 600,000 tons of high-performance recycled linerboard & corrugated medium annually. It is the largest recycled manufacturer in Tennessee, recycling more than 685,000 tons of corrugated boxes annually. - Eastman Tritan™ Renew – Eastman: Eastman Tritan™ Renew
Copolyester made by molecular recycling technology that transforms plastic waste into durable materials with up to 50% recycled content, offsetting use of fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. - Eclipse Glasses – American Paper Optics: American Paper Optics Eclipse Glasses
The largest 3D Optics company in the world. In April, they had the honor of manufacturing over 75 MILLION eclipse glasses for the April 8th Total Solar Eclipse. - Huey – Blank Beauty: Blank Beauty Huey
Huey, the adorable robot from Blank Beauty, that is putting Tennessee on the map in the Beauty World! Huey is a custom cosmetics device found inside Walmart that creates over 20,000 shades of Nail Polish in 2 minutes –– all in front of customers inside of the store aisles! Our customers are matching their shoes, purses, and school logos in just 3 clicks! Customers truly become creators when they interact with Huey –– he can even color match nail polishes to a picture! Every part of Huey was designed in Tennessee in a joint effort between Blank Beauty (of the Memphis-area) and APTUS DesignWorks (of the Knoxville-area)… and Nail Polish is just the beginning! Blank Beauty will be launching other custom cosmetic products soon. - Phone As A Key (PAAK) – DENSO: DENSO Phone As A Key (PAAK)
Like traditional keyless entry systems, this product allows for locking/unlocking of doors, remote vehicle start/stop, lift gate control and vehicle location – all through a smartphone app and a control unit in the center of the vehicle. - Rogue – Nissan: Nissan Rogue
The 2024 Rogue is a mid-size crossover with a bold new look, great mileage, updated tech, plus loads of room for cargo and friends. - Twin Forward Drive – Volvo Penta Marine Products: Volvo Penta Twin Forward Drive
Volvo Penta introduces the new Twin Forward Drive and perfectly paired V8-400 engine. A proven source of endless fun that can now be used on bigger boats, allowing for exploration of new lakes and coastal waterways. - Z370r – Electric Zero Turn Mower – John Deere: John Deere Z370r Electric Zero Turn Mower
John Deere’s first-ever electric residential zero turn mower, proudly produced in Greeneville, TN! Capable of mowing over 2 acres per charge with zero emissions and whisper quiet operation charged with a standard 110-volt outlet.
Voting for the Top 8 starts Wednesday, June 26 and runs through Tuesday, July 2. The Top 4 will be announced on Monday, July 8 with final voting starting on Tuesday, July 9 through Wednesday, July 24.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 25 at The Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee lunch and the Smart Solutions for Smart Factories Expo at The Commons at PIE Innovation Center in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Registration details for the luncheon, as well as sponsorship opportunities, can be found here.
About the Partners:
Tennessee Chamber and Tennessee Manufacturers Association: The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce also serves as the Tennessee Manufacturers Association, affiliated with the National Association of Manufacturers. Like a number of other state associations that function as both the state chamber and state manufacturers association, we approach public policy with the belief that if things negatively impact manufacturing, it harms all employers. We maintain a proud history of unmatched advocacy in the state Capitol, having a hand in Tennessee’s most prominent business policy accomplishments.
University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services: The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) delivers technical assistance and training to businesses and communities throughout Tennessee. UT CIS has the real-world experience and expertise to give businesses and communities the tools they need to grow, succeed and create good jobs. Since its creation in 1963, UT CIS has grown its staff of professional employees located in six offices across the state. UT CIS is an agency of the UT Institute of Public Service and houses several nationally known programs, including the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, EDA University Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center and OSHA Training Institute.
The Made in Tennessee program, started in 2013, is a no-cost membership program hosted by the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UTCIS). The program provides registered members a profile in a manufacturing directory on www.madeintn.org, through which other businesses and customers can locate information about products and services. Tennessee manufacturers with a NAICS code beginning with 31, 32 or 33 are eligible to join.
Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association: CRMA was founded in 1902 as the Chattanooga Manufacturers Association with Captain C.D. Mitchell, a Civil War veteran from Dunlap, Iowa, serving as the first President. Mitchell returned to Chattanooga after the war, and was operating the Chattanooga Plow Company when he and other leaders recognized the need for concerted action by manufacturers to obtain favorable freight rates on manufactured products shipped by rail to mid-western markets. The Chattanooga Manufacturers Association was the first local manufacturers association in the United States.
Smart Factory Institute Tennessee: An exclusive U.S. institute providing manufacturers with connections, collaborative relationships, and certifications for improving manufacturing processes. The Smart Factory Institute is available to all manufacturers, large and small, across the country for innovation and workforce training.
