A firefighting helicopter refill pump recently emerged as the winner of the 2025 Makers Madness contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois.”

Chosen in a bracket-style competition from a field of more than 250 products, MTH Pumps’ (owned and operated out of Plano, Illinois) aerial firefighting helicopter refill pump became the winner of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s competition. This specific pump was designed to cut the refill time of water tanks used on helicopters to fight fires in half, taking as little as 30 seconds to refill.

The product was used by fire departments in California to fight wildfires in January. Tim Tremain, president of MTH Pumps, said the Los Angeles Fire Department praised the pump, calling it, “very consistent, very helpful and very reliable out in the field.”

Three other finalists were also recognized at the ceremony, including aircrew systems tester made by Chemring Energetic Devices of Downers Grove, donor breastmilk distributed by Mother’s Milk Bank of Western Great Lakes of Elk Grove Village and a remote-operated oil skimmer made by Elastec of Carmi.