After more than 45,000 votes, the NC Chamber handed this year’s “Coolest Thing” trophies
to Siemens Mobility, World Cat Boats and Ordway Glass Company in large, medium
and small business categories, respectively. There were 188 nominations.
While World Cat has been making boats in eastern North Carolina since 1998, Siemens Mobility started production of railroad cars this year at its $220 million plant in Lexington. Siemens is part of the Munich, Germany-based industrial conglomerate.
The husband-and-wife team of Bogdan and Nicole Ionescu launched Ordway in June 2024 in Fuquay-Varina and work in a home studio.
NC Chamber has promoted the contest for six years to promote awareness of manufacturing’s importance. More than 13.3% of gross state product and more than 10% of the state’s workforce are tied to making everything from giant turbines to tsotchkes.
Deerfield, Ill.-based Baxter sponsors the contest. Its McDowell County plant produces about 60% of the nation’s IV bags. Business North Carolina is the media partner.
LARGE BUSINESS WINNER________________
SIEMENS MOBILITY
Location: Lexington
Employees: 250-plus
When did production start?
January 2025. A dozen Venture coaches are in production, with the first Lexington-built coachesdelivering in 2026. Employment is expected to double in Lexington by 2028. Siemens Mobility employs 4,500 in the U.S. and almost 42,000 worldwide.
What is made in Lexington?
The site produces passenger coaches and supports maintenance and overhaul work for locomotives, coaches and bogies, a structure underneath a railway vehicle.
Its coaches for Amtrak are designed for speed, energy efficiency and comfort. Technology includes robotic welding, 3D printing and advanced software tools. Siemens declined to disclose the price of coaches.
Company comment on the “Coolest Thing” title?
This recognition celebrates not just the trains we’re building, but the people behind
them — and the bright future of American rail manufacturing happening right here in
North Carolina.
LARGE BUSINESS FINALISTS
(more than 1,000 employees):
1st Amtrak coaches – Siemens Mobility (Lexington)
2nd FunPops – Alamance Foods (Graham)
3rd Carrier Chillers – Carrier (Charlotte)
4th Rebar – Nucor (Lexington)
5th Columbia Forest Products – PureBond Formalde, Formaldehyde-Free Hardwood Plywood (Old Fort)
MEDIUM BUSINESS WINNER______________
WORLD CAT BOATS
Location: Tarboro
Employees: 200 in Tarboro and 100 in Greenville
When did World Cat Boats begin?
Production on two initial models started in Greenville in 1998, but operations were moved to Tarboro in 2002. Nine models are now built there. In 2020, World Cat purchased a plant in Greenville, where four more models are made. World Cat expects to build 400 boats this year, up from 300 last year.
What type of boats are produced?
World Cat builds 23- to 40-foot catamaran boats that cost between $100,000 to $1 million. Sales occur through dealerships globally. Its two-hull design helps the catamaran slice through the water with a smoother ride than most monohull boats.
Company comment on the “Coolest Thing” title?
It gave us the opportunity to engage with our friends and families, our customers and most importantly, our team members, who are the core of our business. Our design team is on-site every day. We do not use robots to build our boats. They are hand-built from start
to finish.
MEDIUM BUSINESS FINALISTS
(under 1,000 employees):
1st Powered Catamaran boats – World Cat Boats (Tarboro)
2nd Bright Leaf Hot Dogs – Carolina Packers (Smithfield)
3rd Texas Pete Hot Sauce – TW Garner Foods (Winston-Salem)
4th Cheerwine – Cheerwine (Salisbury)
5th Regulator Boats – Regulator Boats (Edenton)
SMALL BUSINESS WINNER________________
ORDWAY GLASS COMPANY
Location: Fuquay-Varina
Employees: Bogdan and Nicole Ionescu
What does the glasswork cost?
$250 to $300 per square foot for custom commissions. Most repair work is $500 to $1,000.
How is the work split up?
Nicole is the artist, while Bogdan oversees business and social media duties.
How long is the production process?
Custom pieces crafted from hand-cut glass usually take one to three months. Repairs often take longer because matching glass is a lengthy process. About 25 custom pieces are completed annually.
Company comment on the “Coolest Thing” title?
Stained glass art is going through a renaissance, with a lot of talented artists doing it as a hobby. There are not a lot of professional studios that do both custom commissions and repairs, so we decided to satisfy some of that need. We never imagined we’d get so busy so fast, and certainly never imagined we’d win a state-level contest after only being operational for a little over a year.
SMALL BUSINESS FINALISTS
(under 100 employees):
1st Custom stained glass – Ordway Glass Co. (Fuquay-Varina)
2nd Dual Agent Fire Suppression System – AFEX Fire Suppression Systems (Raleigh)
3rd 12-ounce Can-dles – Blaze On Creations (Arden)
4th Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon Cream – BHAWK (Southern Pines)
5th Atlantic Beach Sea Salt – Atlantic Beach Sea Salt Co. (Atlantic Beach)