DENSO product makes top four "Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee"

A DENSO product is in the top four of a competition to select the “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” this year. The Blount County manufacturer’s “Phone as a Key” stands in the third spot after almost 45,000 votes have been cast, according to a release from the Tennessee Manufacturers Association.

The product allows for keyless entry into a range of items such as electric gate locks and car doors.

This is the inaugural year for the competition, which was launched by the Tennessee Chamber and TMA, along with others, to shine a light on the state’s manufacturing industry. The field employs one in eight Tennesseans, according to the release, and contributes over $62 billion to the state’s economy.

After three rounds of voting, the top four entries are Eastman’s Eastman Tritan Renew, American Paper Optics’ eclipse glasses, DENSO’s PAAK and the Nissan Rogue.

“We are thrilled to see such strong support for our local manufacturers and the incredible products they make right here in Tennessee,” Bradley Jackson, President & CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce said in a statement.

Voting for the top four starts Tuesday, July 9 and runs through Wednesday, July 24. The winner will be announced July 25. Voting starts at cool estthingmadeintn.com/vote.