Guest ContributorVoting in the final round of the inaugural Hottest Thing Made in Arizona contest is underway. The finalists come from the automotive sector, aerospace and defense, and sports equipment, a reflection of the depth and breadth of the state’s thriving manufacturing industry.
The finalists are:
Lucid Air Dream: The Lucid Air is an electric vehicle produced by Lucid at its factory in Casa Grande. The top-of-the-line Dream edition boasts 1,111 horsepower and a charging range of up to a whopping 520 miles, offering drivers a sleek, sophisticated luxury EV that makes range anxiety a thing of the past.
Boeing AH-64 Apache Helicopter: Made in Mesa, Boeing calls the AH-64 Apache “the world’s most advanced, proven attack helicopter for the U.S. Army and a growing number of international defense forces.” The helicopter offers warfighters leading edge technology, including real-time video streaming from UAVs and to ground systems, as well as ultra-high-resolution cockpit displays for pilots.
PING G430 Max Driver: Whether a PGA tour pro or a weekend duffer, PING’s G430 allows players to hit their drives with what Golf Monthly described as “control and confidence,” delivering an “easy-to-hit sensation.” Made at PING’s facility in north Phoenix, the driver is lightweight, aerodynamic, and highly forgiving, making it a sought-after addition to any bag.
The finalists were announced on Tuesday at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards ceremony at Grand Canyon University Arena.
Finalists were winnowed down after an initial round of online nominations at the contest website, hottestthingaz.com. A new round of voting is now open at the website.
The contest winner will be announced October 26 – the same day voting concludes – at a special reception as part of the Made in Arizona Tour, a two-day bus tour that gives attendees a behind-the-scenes look at some the state’s leading manufacturers, including Swire Coca-Cola, Viavi Solutions, NXP Semiconductors, Boeing, and Nammo Defense Systems.
“What a great way to celebrate Manufacturing Month,” Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. “The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition is a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible manufacturing talent in our state. We’re encouraging everyone to cast a vote and spread the word about Arizona’s world-class manufacturing environment.”
Arizona is home to the fastest growing manufacturing sector in the country, employing more than 630,000 people and contributing over $77 billion annually to the state economy.
Joseph Kavetsky
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