By Kim McDarison
Members of the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce gathering Tuesday at Carla’s Catering, 1525 Janesville Ave., were among the first to learn the winners of this year’s “Coolest Thing Made in Fort Atkinson” competition.
Marking the fourth year the competition has been held, this year the title, in the category of small manufacturer, defined as one having fewer than 50 employees, went to Hippychick Penny’s Soaps and Body Care for its skincare line.
Receiving the title for a large manufacturer, defined as one having more than 50 employees, was Jones Dairy Farm, recognized for its dry aged bacon, all-natural sausage and naturally smoked ham.
Before the winners were announced, Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism Manager Katie Carey told those in attendance that the competition was developed in conjunction with Manufacturing Month, celebrated nationally in October, as a means by which to recognize the achievements of manufacturers, while also highlighting the diversity of the products they create.
“To increase awareness of Fort Atkinson products and the modern technology needed to produce them, the chamber … hosts the Coolest Thing Made in Fort Atkinson competition,” Carey said.
In early October, the chamber announced its competition, noting in a press release, that the public was invited to nominate candidates to receive the award through an online porthole. Voting remained open through Oct. 31.
Johnson Financial Group and the chamber co-sponsored the event, the press release announced.
During Tuesday’s event, Carey noted that several area businesses had been nominated for the titles.
Within the small manufacturing category, along with Hippychick, those nominated, including product and manufacturer, were: The Complete Edition by Nicholson’s Peerless Transparent Watercolors, screen printed sprits bottles by ink360, and screen printed Fort Atkinson t-shirts by Brindle Ink.
Within the large manufacturing category, nominated, along with Jones Dairy Farm, including product and manufacturer, was IPEC’s super skids.
During the presentation, event-goers learned that Hippychick Penny’s uses product ingredients and packaging materials sourced through small businesses in the Midwest. Hippychick Penny’s soaps were also recently nominated for inclusion in a similar statewide competition, Carey said. The products can be found at Tuttle’s Hallmark Shop in Fort Atkinson and online, Carey continued.
Sharing information about Jones Dairy Farm, Carey said the company’s products that were recognized Tuesday were sold in stores in 21 countries. The company is celebrating 132 years of history as a family-owned business. While the company honors its time-tested traditions and recipes, it also continues to innovate and grow on an international level, Carey said.
Pictures from the event follow.