Voting opens for 2026 Hottest Thing Made in Arizona finalists

The field is set for the 2026 Hottest Thing Made in Arizona.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Arizona Manufacturers Council today announced the top three finalists in the fourth annual statewide competition, presented by Grand Canyon University. Public voting is now open.

The finalists are:

• SynCardia Total Artificial Heart — Manufactured in Tucson, the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart is the world’s first FDA-approved total artificial heart. The device is used as a bridge to transplant for eligible patients facing life-threatening biventricular heart failure, replacing the heart’s pumping chambers and keeping blood circulating while a patient awaits a donor heart.
• Wireless SPC4® Load Indicating System — Made by Valley Forge & Bolt in Phoenix, the SPC4 system allows users to measure and monitor fastener tension locally or remotely, helping identify bolts or studs that have lost clamp load. The technology is used in demanding industrial applications including mining, oil and gas, steel and other heavy industries.
• Hatch Chile Gatos Golden Ale — Brewed by Fate Brewing Company in Scottsdale, Hatch Chile Gatos is a golden ale made with roasted Hatch chiles, giving it a pronounced chile aroma with mild flavor and very little heat. The beer has become one of Fate’s longstanding signature brews. 

“This year’s top three reflect the diversity of Arizona manufacturing, from lifesaving medical devices and precision industrial technology to Arizona-brewed craft beer,” said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. “That diversity is exactly what this competition is meant to highlight, along with the companies and skilled teams behind the products made here.”

The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition was launched in 2023 to highlight the range and strength of Arizona’s manufacturing sector, with past winners including Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopter, the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor, and Honeywell Aerospace’s 131-9 auxiliary power unit.

The 2026 winner will be announced Oct. 13 at the Arizona Manufacturers Council’s Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon. Event details and registration are available here.

Public voting is open through Oct. 13, with one vote allowed per day per device. Cast your vote at HottestThingAZ.com.

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