EaglePicher is winner of SBJ’s first Coolest Things awards

EaglePicher Technologies LLC's Perseverance rover battery won Best in Show at Springfield Business Journal's inaugural Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks event.

Sixteen products manufactured across southwest Missouri were on display last night at DoubleTree by Hilton's Glendalough Convention Center. The top four were unveiled after a public vote, and the Best in Show was selected by audience members.

Joplin-based EaglePicher produces the lithium-ion batteries powering NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars.

"EaglePicher’s space heritage dates to the earliest days of the U.S. space program, when we powered the first U.S. satellite," said Ron Nowlin, senior vice president of aerospace, in the company's award profile. "Since that time, we have powered nearly every major U.S. space program from the International Space Station, the Hubble Telescope, every mission to Mars and currently power over 600 active satellites."

The other companies and their products voted into the top four are:
• Hammons Products Co.'s black walnuts;
• Hollister High School's biodegradable flowerpots; and
• Jordan Essentials' lotion bar.

SBJ readers voted on the final 16 products determined by a judging panel. Click here to read about all of the companies that were part of this year's Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks.

During the event, Tom Jensen of presenting sponsor Connell Insurance Inc. spoke to the need to grow the region's manufacturing workforce and the importance of the industry.

"Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy," he said.