Finger Lakes Textiles Named New Yorks Coolest Manufacturer
The Canandaigua-based firm earned the annual title after a statewide voting competition.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Manufacturing
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The Business Council of New York State has crowned Finger Lakes Textiles as the winner of its 2026 Coolest Thing Made in New York competition. The textile manufacturer, which is a branch of the organization Mozaic, secured the title following a six-week voting process.
Why it matters
The competition highlights the diverse manufacturing landscape across New York State and serves to bring public recognition to local producers. The victory provides Finger Lakes Textiles with a spot on the upcoming 2027 Manufacturing Bus Tour.
The competition featured 38 participating businesses from across the state. Winners were determined by a total of more than 40,000 votes cast during a six-week duration.
The players
Finger Lakes Textiles
This Canandaigua-based manufacturer operates as a branch of Mozaic and focuses on employing people with disabilities and veterans.
The Business Council of New York State
This organization represents business interests in the state and sponsors the annual manufacturing competition.
Mozaic
Mozaic is the parent organization that oversees the operations of Finger Lakes Textiles.
Moog Inc.
Moog Inc. is a high-performance motion and fluid control company that finished as the competition runner-up.
The details
Finger Lakes Textiles, headquartered in Canandaigua, distinguishes itself by employing veterans and people with disabilities. The manufacturer emerged from a series of elimination rounds, ultimately defeating runner-up Moog Inc. in the final phase of the contest.
Timeline
The 2026 competition concluded with the selection of the winner.
The 2027 Manufacturing Bus Tour will feature the winning organization.
Market Landscape
This competition functions as part of a larger push by The Business Council of New York State to incentivize local production and industry pride. It positions smaller operations like Finger Lakes Textiles against established industrial giants, leveling the visibility field for New York manufacturers.
Residents and customers can expect to see increased visibility for Finger Lakes Textiles as it joins the upcoming 2027 Manufacturing Bus Tour. This result highlights local job opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities within the region.
The takeaway
This competition demonstrates how public engagement can amplify the presence of regional manufacturers that prioritize inclusive hiring practices. Readers can support local economies by identifying and purchasing goods from state-based manufacturers recognized in such public forums.
What happens next
Finger Lakes Textiles is scheduled to join the Business Council's Manufacturing Bus Tour in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's industrial sector on the New York Manufacturing section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHAM.
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