2026 Coolest Things Made in Missouri

Editor's note: Made in Missouri takes center stage

The Coolest Things Made in Missouri awards contest traces its origins to Springfield Business Journal’s backyard. We started this event highlighting products made in the Ozarks – and with this inaugural magazine, the competition in its fifth year has expanded statewide.

From our base in Springfield, SBJ’s mission is to cover the business news happening in our metro area that our readers need to know to stay informed. But we saw an opportunity to expand those stories to the larger manufacturing community across the Show-Me State.

Manufacturing is an industry driver in the state, not only because of the financial and workforce impact, but because these companies are elevating Missouri’s profile globally.

The product winners in the 2026 Coolest Things Made in Missouri awards include stainless steel tanks used by the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, enclosures protecting massive amounts of data, chocolate bars made with cocoa beans sourced from thousands of miles away, a medical innovation device, and trailblazing technology impacting several sectors.

These products are all being manufactured in communities across our state by fellow Missourians.  It’s a testament to our homegrown innovation and skill.

We hope you enjoy learning about these products, and the people who make them, on the pages that follow.

Additionally in this magazine, the SBJ newsroom has compiled the state manufacturing picture through data, a profile on a manufacturing company success story, a check-in on educational investments in manufacturing statewide, and a Q&A with two industry players.

Here’s to the innovators and makers – we’re here to share your stories.

—Christine Temple, Executive Editor