SBJ reveals 2027 Coolest Things Made in Missouri honorees

Springfield Business Journal is revealing is next class of Coolest Things Made in Missouri.

Seventeen products manufactured within Show-Me State borders were recently selected by an independent panel of judges for the 2027 edition of SBJ’s signature manufacturing honors program.

“What I love about this year’s Coolest Things Made in Missouri class is the range of innovation it represents,” said Marty Goodnight, publisher and owner of Springfield Business Journal. “These 17 products are very different, but each tells a story about the people, ingenuity and manufacturing expertise that exist right here in Missouri.”

An independent panel of judges from across Missouri evaluated nominations based on the uniqueness and impact of their products.

The 2027 companies, products and manufacturing locations follow:

• 27 North Inc., Winston 27A (Springfield)
• Aire-Master of America Inc., fragrance oil (Nixa)
• Arning Companies Inc., fuel and QSR canopies (Cassville)
• Artistree Pottery LLC, hand poured vintage bisque molds from the 1970s and ’80s (Springfield)
• Askinosie Chocolate, Midnight Crunch Blend 68% dark chocolate bar (Springfield)
• Beckwood Press Co., custom presses and automation equipment (Fenton)
• The Boeing Co., F-15EX Eagle II (Berkeley)
• CK Supply, carbon dioxide & dry ice (St. Louis)
• Cohen Architectural Woodworking LLC, The Danny Rensch Chess Table (St. James)
• Custom Powder Systems LLC, metal powder packaging system (Springfield)
• L&W Industries LLC, crossing package (Strafford)
• Loren Cook Co., fans for ventilation/HVAC (Springfield)
• Morris Packaging LLC, bottom folded glue large format bag (Jefferson City)
• Piney River Brewing Co. LLC, black walnut wheat beer (Bucyrus)
• Swisher Acquisition Inc., Swisher ESP safety shelter (Warrensburg)
• Tamko Building Products LLC, Titan XT architectural shingles (Joplin)
• Tuff Momma Salt Craft, maple bacon salt (Branson West)

The 2027 Missouri-wide awards represent a second year of expansion for the program. In 2022, Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks was started by SBJ to celebrate southwest Missouri manufacturing. In 2026, the awards competition went statewide.

“We started Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks because we believed some of the most interesting things being built in our region were stories people simply didn’t know,” Goodnight said. “Taking it statewide was a natural evolution, and now, in our second year as Coolest Things Made in Missouri, the response and endorsement we’ve received from across the state has been tremendous.”

The finalists reflect the diversity of Missouri’s manufacturing community. Statewide, Missouri’s manufacturing sector counts nearly 8,900 manufacturing firms, according to the latest data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Last year’s manufacturing payroll in Missouri topped $21.9 billion, up from $19.1 billion the year before. Some 281,900 people have jobs in the manufacturing workforce, and the sector makes up 11% of Missouri’s economy, as measured by gross state product.

The Showcase Award, selected by event attendees, will be determined at an awards ceremony on Feb. 22, which will be held at Hilton Branson Convention Center in conjunction with the Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference hosted by the Missouri Association of Manufacturers. The judges’ panels Top Honors award will also be announced live at the Feb. 22 event.

A magazine produced by SBJ featuring stories on the products and the companies that produce them will be released in early 2027. It will also be made available on SBJ.net.