Coolest things made in PA? York County products made this March Madness bracket twist
What’s the coolest thing made in Central Pa.? A different kind of March Madness will let voters decide.
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry recently launched the “Coolest Thing Made in PA” tournament, where 32 of the most interesting products made in Pennsylvania will compete for the right to be called this year’s “Coolest Thing Made in PA.”
“From the steel that built our nation's cities, to the food that feeds our families, and the cutting-edge technology driving today’s and tomorrow's innovation - Pennsylvania makes it all,” Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein said in a prepared statement. “This competition celebrates the commonwealth's storied history and continued leadership in manufacturing, and spotlights the amazing companies who are making incredible things right here in Pennsylvania.”
York County entries
So, which products made in York County are on the list? There's a pretty good showing!
Harley
If you want Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts, accessories, branded clothing, gifts and collectibles, York County Eisenhauer's York Harley-Davidson, located at 100 Arsenal Road, has you covered. And, of course, the actual Harleys are assemble nearby, just down Route 30.
York Barbell
York Barbell, opened in 1932 by Bob Hoffman, specializes in creating weightlifting and strength training equipment, and it quickly became a leader in the fitness industry.
In its early years, York Barbell focused on Olympic weightlifting, sponsoring and training numerous world-class athletes who went on to compete and win medals at the Olympic Games. York Barbell also produced high-quality weightlifting equipment, such as barbells, plates and dumbbells, that became popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts around the world.
In addition to its focus on weightlifting, York Barbell also played a significant role in the development of powerlifting, a strength sport that emphasizes the squat, bench press and deadlift. The company produced specialized powerlifting equipment, such as power racks, benches and lifting belts, that helped popularize the sport and make it more accessible to athletes of all levels.
Today, the corporate office of York Barbell houses the official Weightlifting Hall of Fame and Museum, according to the company's website.
More:Comings & Goings: Community pantry seeks new home; senior facility at former Fitz Farm
More:Soup war breaks out in Dover! Restaurants battle for bragging rights, customers
More:5 quirky Airbnbs in Central Pa.: A cube, a shoe, a beer can house, a treehouse and a bank
Utz chips
Founded in 1921, Utz Quality Foods, based in Hanover, specializes in potato chips, pretzels, and other snack foods. Today, the company produces more than 5.5 million pounds of snack foods each week, and they boast more than $1 billion in annual sales.
Rutter's Ice tea
Rutter's may be widely known as a convenience store and gas station chain, but it made this contest list because of its famous iced tea.
Founded in 1747 by William Rutter, Rutter's began selling milk and other dairy products to the local community, but it wouldn't take long for it to expand its product offerings to include groceries, snacks and gasoline. The company also introduced new products such as fresh-made food and specialty coffee drinks and tea.
How to vote
The 32 companies and products included in this year's tournament will face off in a single-elimination bracket format, with winners chosen through public voting on the PA Chamber's Twitter page. Voting began yesterday, but there is still plenty of time to get your votes in.
The tournament voting schedule is as follows:
First round: 3/14-3/17Second round: 3/21-3/24Third round: 3/28-3/29Fourth round: 3/30-3/31Championship: 4/3
In addition to bragging rights, the winner will receive complimentary tickets to next year’s Annual PA Economic Forecast and Business Leadership Summit where they will be honored.
For more information, visit pachamber.org/coolest_thing_made_in_pa or Twitter.com/PAChamber.
What York County-made products are not in the bracket, but could be?
Tanks: BAE produces and services a variety of military vehicles at its York County locations.
Caskets: York Casket makes a variety of burial caskets. Morbid, yes ... but interesting.
Candy: Wolfgang Confectioners makes a variety of candies for well-known brands.
Animal crackers: D.F. Stauffer produces and markets packaged animal crackers, cookies, crackers and sugar wafers.
What would you add to the list?
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: What's the coolest thing made in Pa.? Voters get to decide
