After 300,000+ Votes, LION V-Force Turnout Gear Grabs the Title Over T. Marzetti Company’s Texas Roadhouse Mini Rolls
FRANKFORT, KY – LION Group Inc.’s V-Force turnout gear for firefighters, which protects American and international firefighters and is manufactured in the Kentucky communities of West Liberty, Beattyville, and Hazel Green, has won the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers’ “KAM 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky Tournament Presented by Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance” in a two-month long tournament that garnered more than 320,000 votes.
LION V-Force turnout gear defeated Texas Roadhouse Mini Rolls, made by T. Marzetti Company in Horse Cave, Kentucky, by a 57%-43% margin in the Tournament finals that concluded Sunday.
“Since 1957, Kentuckians have been sewing and distributing LION’s high-performance uniforms and protective garments to first responders around the world. But our history is not just about nearly 70 years of sewing products in Kentucky; it’s about the dedication, passion, creativity, and hard work of our more than 600 Kentucky-based manufacturing team members,” said Steve Schwartz, CEO and fourth-generation family owner of LION Group. “They hand-sew each set of V-Force turnout gear we ship to firefighters that protects them in extreme conditions so they can protect their communities. Knowing that what they create is cherished and celebrated as the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky fills all of our hearts with immense pride.”
Now in its third year, the annual online voting, bracket-style tournament gives Kentuckians the opportunity to pick the “Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky” from among the thousands of world-class products manufactured in the Commonwealth.
“The ingenuity of Kentucky manufacturing took center stage once again during KAM’s ‘Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky’ contest, and we are honored to be among the first to congratulate LION Group for giving this state and the world a real winner with the LION V-Force turnout gear,” said John Sparrow, Executive Vice President and CEO of Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance. “We sponsor this contest to help highlight the incredible value Kentucky manufacturing adds to the industry, and LION Group makes an impressive addition to the prestigious list of winners.”
“On behalf of our Board of Directors and team, I want to add my congratulations to our finalists, the teams at all three LION Group facilities in Kentucky and at T. Marzetti Company in Horse Cave, for making the Finals of the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky such a hard-fought competition,” said Kerry Creech, President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky and Chairman of the KAM Board. “Kentucky manufacturers clearly know how to make world-class cool things and have fun celebrating what we do!”
“From an initial field of more than 50 nominations, LION Group’s V-Force turnout gear has roared to a richly deserved victory as the KAM 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky Presented by Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, and we salute every LION Group team member on their championship,” said Frank Jemley, KAM’s President and CEO. “Our Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky Tournament is designed to celebrate the work of every Kentuckian who makes cool things because they and their companies help Kentucky communities prosper. Thank you to the teams at LION Group, T. Marzetti Company, and all of the teams and companies competing in this year’s Tournament for what you do every day.”
About the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers
The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) is Kentucky’s leading industry and business organization. Our mission is to make a better Kentucky by promoting and growing manufacturing in the Commonwealth. We are the voice for economic growth and opportunity in Kentucky. Learn more at KAM.us.com.
