Waupaca Foundry is in the semi-finals for the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) competition titled the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. Waupaca Foundry placed in the finals after securing enough popular votes online. More than 30,000 votes were cast for 150 state nominees, more votes than the entire inaugural contest held in 2016.

The contest has received nominations for products made in every corner of the state. Waupaca Foundry is the nation’s largest foundry and makes gray and ductile iron castings at four foundries located in Waupaca and Marinette. The iron casting supplier’s products are used in automobiles, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, heavy trucks, rail, oil and gas and other industrial sectors.

“Manufacturing is healthy and growing in Wisconsin,” said Waupaca Foundry CFO and Vice President, Finance Rob Johnson. “This contest helps create a positive image of manufacturing and reinforces that good jobs at global companies like Waupaca Foundry are available right in our backyard.”

The nominees are placed into a bracket-style tournament called Manufacturing Madness with two more rounds of voting. The first round of voting determines the Top 8 nominees from Sept. 18 to Sept. 25 and the second round of voting determines the Top 2 nominees from Oct. 2 to Oct. 6. The final round of voting between the last two finalists runs Oct.10 to Oct. 16. The winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin will be announced at the State of Wisconsin Business & Industry Luncheon on October 16, 2017 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Individuals can vote daily for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin by visiting MadeInWis.com.