Two local companies vie for title of "Coolest Thing Made in Indiana"
POSTED: 12/08/2022
Two local companies vie for the title of "Coolest Thing Made in Indiana"
by Lynnette Grant, WSBT 22 Reporter
Wednesday, December 7th, 2022
Two local companies vie for, "Coolest Thing Made in Indiana" (WSBT Photo)
Michiana is home to the “Coolest Thing Made in Indiana”.
Both remaining companies in the state-wide competition are practically neighbors only 20 minutes apart.
It started with 54 submissions. The two finalists are Maple Leaf Farms and Polywood, ant they went head-to-head to see who has the coolest thing made in Indiana. (12 seconds)
7 miles are all that separate the two finalists for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's "Coolest Thing Made in Indiana" contest.
Maple Leaf Farms began in 1958 in Milford.
Founder Donald Wentzel wanted to bring all aspects of commercial duck production in one place... northern Indiana.
“We were really born from a sustainable story and that's how we started and my grandpa and the rest of my family has really carried on," said Olivia Tucker, 4th Generation Owner, Maple Leaf Farms.
Indiana is #1 duck producer in the nation. The product vying for the title: their roast half duck.
Employees do all the work raising, feeding, preparing, and cooking the duck. All the consumer has to do is reheat it.
"This is really a Hoosier product through and through. everything originates from here," said Tucker.
The other finalist is from Syracuse.
Polywood was created over thirty years ago. They design and develop weatherproof outdoor furniture using recycled plastic.
"I was expecting a couple of guys in their garage slapping together some furniture, and I came up here and saw the operation and how impressive it was!" said Bryce Glock , Polywood Sales Manager.
Their product: a multi-piece sectional set that reconfigures into a giant bed. All with the goal of taking plastic found in oceans and landfills and transforming it into something that will last for decades.
"The first furniture that I made personally with these hands over 30 years ago still exists. I have them at my parents house. They're still there. They've been using them for over 30 years," said Doug Rassi, Polywood Founder & CEO.
Both companies are proud of their work. They know only one will come home with the title but are excited to compete with their neighbors.
"We're excited to compete against Polywood. It's really fun to be just down the road," said Tucker.
"In the end, Kosciusko county wins!" said Glock.
These two companies will find out next week, at the annual Indiana Chamber of Commerce dinner, who will come home with the title of the coolest thing made in the Hoosier state.
