Public voting now open in NC Chamber’s statewide manufacturing contest
Special to IFN
The NC Chamber announced that the Bobcat MT120 mini track loader is among the record-breaking 188 products nominated for its fifth annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” online competition.
Bobcat employees in Statesville take great pride in the work they do to produce equipment people around the world depend on. The Bobcat MT120 mini track loader has a rugged build, innovative features and exceptional versatility, which stand as a powerful testament to the state’s vital role in advancing American manufacturing.
At just under 36 inches wide, the MT120 is a true workhorse that maneuvers easily through gates, narrow paths and tight spaces, making it the perfect machine for backyard renovations or compact job sites. And, while it is small in stature, it delivers best-in-class lift height (88 inches) and forward reach (22 inches), taking on big tasks with ease. Powered by a 1.2-liter, non-DPF engine, it offers a rated operating capacity of 1,200 pounds and impressive breakout forces. Operators benefit from its smooth pilot joystick controls, balanced design and high-torque engine all working together to deliver fast, responsive cycle times and powerhouse performance—ideal for contractors, landscapers and builders working in tight quarters and tackling tough jobs.
The “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest spotlights North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry which generates more than 13.3% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce.
The contest recognizes three winners: one for small businesses with fewer than 100 employees, one for medium businesses with 100–999 employees, and one for large businesses with 1,000-plus employees.
In addition to receiving a trophy, the victorious company and product will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications, podcasts, social and digital media, among additional statewide publicity efforts.
How to Vote
Go to coolestthingmadeinnc.com to vote daily for the Bobcat MT120 through 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 28. The 10 semifinalists for each category will be announced Friday, September 5, and the next round of voting will begin. The field of candidates will narrow with each round of voting, and the winning products will be revealed on Thursday, October 2, the day prior to National Manufacturing (MFG) Day.