FARGO, N.D. (GNDC) – The Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) announced the StarFire™ 7500 Receiver, manufactured by John Deere, as the winner of the inaugural Coolest Thing Made in North Dakota contest—a statewide competition celebrating innovation, advanced manufacturing, and products proudly made in North Dakota.
“Manufacturing touches nearly every corner of North Dakota, supporting thousands of families and communities across the state,” said Arik Spencer, President and CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber. “With nearly 900 manufacturers employing tens of thousands of North Dakotans, this industry drives opportunity, innovation, and economic growth. Coolest Thing Made highlights the people and products making that impact every day.”
The Coolest Thing Made contest was launched to highlight the depth and diversity of North Dakota’s manufacturing sector. The competition featured an online product showcase and multiple rounds of bracketed voting.
Following weeks of head-to-head matchups, four products advanced to the final four:
- StarFire™ 7500 Receiver — John Deere
- Brioche Cinnamon Roll Dough — Baker Boy
- Lithium-Ion Batteries — Badland Batteries
- Bobcat Compact Loaders — Bobcat Company
The StarFire™ 7500 Receiver, designed and manufactured by John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group and proudly assembled in Fargo, serves as the foundation of John Deere’s precision guidance system for agriculture, construction, and road building. The advanced technology enables hands-free steering with sub-inch accuracy, helping operators improve efficiency, reduce fuel and input costs, and increase productivity through precise field mapping and repeatable performance. The product earned the top honor following the final round of the competition, securing the title of North Dakota’s Coolest Thing Made.
“This inaugural contest reinforces the strength and competitiveness of North Dakota manufacturing,” said Spencer. “From food production to heavy equipment to advanced precision technology, these finalists represent the innovation that drives and diversifies our state’s economy.”
“Dedicated employees in Fargo proudly assemble the StarFire 7500, building technology that farmers and contractors depend on every day,” said Dan Dougherty, Director, Electronics Manufacturing and OEM Sales at John Deere. “We continue to innovate on behalf of our customers, delivering precision solutions that help them work more efficiently and confidently in the field and on the jobsite. This recognition belongs to everyone who makes that possible, from the teams who design and build this product to the customers who put it to work. Our employees show up every day with pride, committed to pushing boundaries and helping our customers succeed.”
The winner was announced during an award ceremony held February 19 at John Deere’s Fargo facility. GNDC plans to make Coolest Thing Made in North Dakota an annual competition, continuing to showcase manufacturing excellence, workforce opportunities, and innovation across the state.
For more information about the Coolest Thing Made in North Dakota contest, visit ndchamber.com/coolest-things-made-in-nd-showcase.
Feature photos: Award Presentation; Arik Spencer – GNDC CEO & President, Matt Potter (Director, Robotics and Mobility Technology) and Dan Dougherty (Director, Electronics Manufacturing and OEM Sales) – John Deere