Coolest Thing Made in Michigan Nominees

Delaney McKinley, Executive Vice President of Operations with the Michigan Manufacturing Association joins us to discuss this year's nominees for the coolest thing made in Michigan. 

More information can be found here: https://micoolestthing.org/

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, when it comes to manufacturing, Michigan is getting it done.
This is West Michigan's Morning News. Steve Kelly and Brett Pakita.
We are joined once again by the executive vice President
of Operations for the Michigan Manufacturing Association, Delaney McKinley. Delaney,
thanks for doing this again today.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
I am very happy to be here for this big.

Speaker 1 (00:21):
Day, the coolest thing made in Michigan. The nominees are in.
As we race towards our finalists, talk to us first
and foremost about what is behind the competition. Why do
we do this year in in era?

Speaker 2 (00:38):
Well, you know that for generations, Michigan has been a
hub of innovation, and we know this is where creative
ideas and skilled craftsmanship come together to shape the products
that make life better here and around the globe. So
every year since twenty eighteen, the Michigan Manufacturers Association has
invited michiganers to help us recognize these incredible, creative products

(01:02):
that impact the entire world. So they get their opportunity
to vote for their favorite Michigan made products.

Speaker 1 (01:10):
You can see the list and you can actually vote
on this thing starting today through September twelfth, and as
you look at this year's list, can you tell us
a couple of things that maybe stand out?

Speaker 2 (01:26):
Absolutely, this year's competition features twenty five innovative nominees and
it really showcases the breadth of Michigan manufacturing. I want
to talk a little bit about some West Michigan manufacturers.
In Kentwood, PMC Furniture is making really thoughtfully designed library
furniture for parents to manage their young children. Why are

(01:47):
they while they're utilizing the library? Over in Holland Knit
it's LLC is it's really kind of cool. I know
for those of you with young children, babies, I'm here
familiar with the swaddle, Well, this is the swaddle Leani.
It is zero waste, three D knit and it's a

(02:08):
baby swaddle that will help keep your baby calm and
peaceful and comfortable.

Speaker 3 (02:12):
Wow. I love that. Can I jump on one more
from Holland tell me more about this because we've got
dogs Heal Roam three point fifty The Virtual Dog Leash Virtual.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
Absolutely, it's really cool. If there's no GPS or cellular required.
It's the first of its kind of It's a virtual
leash that keeps up to three dogs within a certain
perimeter of the owner or the handler.

Speaker 1 (02:38):
Wow, that's interesting. Yeah, I'm looking at the entire list
right now, and year in and year out in Michigan,
talk to us a little bit about how we show up.
How easy how difficult is your job year in and
year out when compared to other states. You guys all
have to get together from time to time.

Speaker 2 (02:57):
Absolutely, And what I can tell you is Michigan can
needs to take the lead in manufacturing. It's in our
DNA and it continues to be the most impactful and
vital industry here in Michigan, and it's growing every day
and I just continue to be amazed by the technology
we see, the innovation. We are really leading the world

(03:19):
forward and it's something that all Michiganders should be proud of.
And that's exactly why we give everyone the chance to
vote and the Coolest Thing Made in Michigan competition.

Speaker 3 (03:29):
I love Delaney. There's a couple things on the list
too I want to ask you about. And it just
shows the changing going on in Michigan too. You know,
there was a while there Steve and I covered the
Buick Open back of the day. PGA tour would always
come to Michigan, it made sense, right with all the
golf courses everything. One of the things in here is
who made the Rocket Mortgage Classic trophy this year? That's

(03:51):
on display. And the other thing is what a big
disc golf community we are in the state of Michigan.
And there's a disc golf designer right for ultimate and
freestyle distance in there from Wixham.

Speaker 2 (04:03):
Absolutely, it really is a very diverse industry. You know,
you mentioned our friends aristocast over in all months and
they created a custom aluminum golf trophy for Detroit's PGA
event for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. And when you see
this thing, it's really stunning and it really represents the

(04:24):
nature and the spirit behind the event itself.

Speaker 1 (04:26):
Man our heads were had and you mentioned.

Speaker 2 (04:29):
The disk Craft disc golf discs and so these are
world class names, really changing the sport itself. But made
brighton Wixam.

Speaker 1 (04:38):
He wasn't that long ago that we talked about Electrolux
closing in Greenville, right, and it seemed almost like a
domino effect and manufacturing had a real tough time, but boy,
it is back in Michigan, in West Michigan. We'll put
the link in the podcast section at Woodradio Dot com
to find all of the products listed and to vote
through September twelfth with the coolest thing made in Michigan.

(05:01):
Delaney McKinley is the executive vice president of Operations for
the Michigan Manufacturing Association. Thanks, thank you, have a great day,
and to you, thus say