Winning Products
2025 Winner
The 2025 Nissan Frontier, manufactured by Nissan North America in Canton, is the winner of the fourth annual Mississippi Makers’ Challenge Sponsored by Hancock Whitney.
Hosted by the Mississippi Business Alliance, the Mississippi Makers’ Challenge is a contest to find The Coolest Thing Made in Mississippi. The Nissan Frontier collected 42 percent of the vote in the Round of Four, defeating the C-130J Hercules by Lockheed Martin in Meridian, the MX-11 Vocational Diesel Engine by PACCAR Engine Company in Columbus, and the Walk-in Coolers and Freezers by Thermo-Kool in Laurel.
“The 9,366 votes in the Round of Four were a contest record, as was the margin of victory. The Nissan Frontier bested our second-place finisher by just 316 votes,” said MSBA President & CEO John McKay. “Those numbers signify the effort our finalists put into this contest as well as the passion they have for the products they make each and every day.”
There were 70 products submitted in this year’s contest and 92,395 votes. The Mississippi Makers’ Challenge began with two weeks of product nominations followed by a two-week Nominated Products Voting Round. The top 16 products advanced to a three-round bracket-style competition.
“On behalf of Hancock Whitney, we would like to congratulate Nissan on your outstanding achievement in the Mississippi Makers Challenge!” said Hancock Whitney Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking James Kaigler. “Your creativity, dedication, and innovation have set a new standard, and your hard work truly inspires us all! Here’s to many more successes ahead!”
Representatives from Nissan were presented with a trophy, Finalist and Winner banners, as well as a championship belt during an awards ceremony at the Mississippi State Capitol this morning.
“The craftsmanship from Canton employees ensures that our vehicles perform at their very best – making it a reliable, versatile, and capable truck,” said Nissan Canton Vice President of Manufacturing Victor Taylor. “Our pride in what we do shines through in every Frontier that rolls off the assembly line, and this recognition celebrates our employees’ hard work and commitment.”
Governor Tate Reeves spoke at today’s event. He praised the finalists and the role they have in making Mississippi a leader in American manufacturing.
“The Mississippi Makers’ Challenge showcases the very best of what’s being built right here in the state,” said Governor Reeves. “Ingenuity, creativity, and innovation have always had a home in Mississippi. There’s no better place to carry out a vision than here, and there’s no better place to build things than Mississippi.”
2024 Winner
The Destin Collection from Kevin Charles Furniture
The Destin Collection from Kevin Charles Furniture in New Albany is the winner of the 2024 Mississippi Makers’ Challenge Sponsored by Hancock Whitney and earns the title of The Coolest Thing Made in Mississippi.
Hosted by the Mississippi Business Alliance, the Mississippi Makers’ Challenge began with three weeks of product nominations followed by a two-week Nominated Products Voting Round. The top 16 products advanced to a three-round bracket-style competition.
The Destin Collection, which collected 47 percent of the total votes in the final Round of Four, offers custom designs for living rooms with its modern look, modular design, cozy seating, and 50+ fabric offerings. Representatives from Kevin Charles Furniture were presented with a trophy and a ‘Winner’ banner during a news conference at the Mississippi State Capitol Wednesday morning.
“This competition highlights the best of Mississippi’s manufacturing community, and we want to congratulate Kevin Charles Furniture for winning the title of The Coolest Thing Made in Mississippi,” said MSBA President & CEO John McKay. “We had four great finalists and an outstanding variety of products submitted into the competition. We hope this contest made a lasting impression on the public as we showcased all of the cool things made in our state.”
The other finalists were the GOShelter Hands-Free Wearable Canopy (The GOShelter, Tupelo), Little Birdie Pillows (The Little Birdie, Calhoun City), and Walk-In Coolers and Freezers (Thermo-Kool, Laurel). All four finalists received ‘Finalist’ banners and were recognized on the floors of the House and Senate before the awards ceremony.
“We at Hancock Whitney extend our good wishes and gratitude to all of the Mississippi Makers’ Challenge nominees. Their commitment to manufacturing high-quality products helps our economy thrive and further affirms the initiative, ingenuity, and creativity that distinguish our state,” said Hancock Whitney Commercial Banking Senior Vice President James Kaigler. “We’re especially proud to recognize and celebrate Kevin Charles Furniture’s Destin Collection as the 2024 winner and congratulate finalists Thermo-Kool, Go Shelter, and Little Birdie.”
There were 71 products submitted in this year’s competition and a total of 118,210 votes, which is the second-most in contest history.
“There’s no better place to build things than in Mississippi. We’re going to continue doing whatever it takes to make our state the manufacturing capital of America,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “Congratulations to Kevin Charles Furniture on winning the Mississippi Makers’ Challenge and thanks to the rest of the finalists for helping to showcase the very best of manufacturing in our state.”
2023 Winner
Next Generation Jammer from Raytheon Technologies
The Next Generation Jammer denies enemy assets the ability to identify and target friendly assets within the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing them to penetrate enemy airspace and does so by jamming radars within certain frequencies.
2022 Winner
TM1000 from Taylor Power Systems
The TM 1000 is a container-based portable generator that is powered by twin 500 kW tier 4 final Volvo Penta engines. The two engines are paralleled for the total 1000 kW but can be separated for redundant 500 kW use. It is utilized by equipment rental companies, first responders, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and any other business that needs a considerable volume of immediate power.
