Two Winona companies included in Round 2 of “Coolest Thing Made in MN” competition

Minnesota companies have a long history of innovation, creating some of the “coolest” products to fuel our economy. As the state’s manufacturing trade association and home of the Minnesota Manufacturers’ Council, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, along with sponsor BMO, is again looking for the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota! Two Winona-based companies – Pillbox Bat Company and Sanborn Canoe Co. – are in the running during this second round of competition in 2025.

Pillbox Bat Company crafts wood baseball bats and other goods inspired by hometown teams, sandlot fields and childhood memories. Pillbox is an officially licensed partner of Major League Baseball and creates unique and beautiful artisan baseball bats and merchandise.

Sanborn Canoe Company began as many of the best things do – with a series of “what-ifs” shared between friends over a campfire. Over the years the Sanborn family has grown but the mission to provide you with inspiring, effective, and long-lasting equipment to help you best enjoy your time on the water, or maybe even just inspire you to get back out there. Whether you’re tackling open ocean waves in a sea kayak, enjoying the cabin in a classic canoe, tackling a multi-day canoe camping expedition in the boundary waters, or just soaking up some sun on a stand up paddleboard, we at Sanborn want you to enjoy the water in every way that you can.

View the Kare11 news segment about this unique competition featuring Pillbox Bat Company and Sanborn Canoe Co.

There are 32 remaining products vying for the title and the public gets to choose! The second round of public voting opened at 12:00 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2025 and runs until Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Here are the rules for voting:

• One vote per week on each matchup.
• Vote on any or all matchups each week.
• Round of 16 voting will begin Monday, September 15, 2025.