Bess Machining owner Nick Bess says he was pretty floored when the company’s Pivot Sign Device took home the People’s Choice in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Kansas contest.
Developed by former Lyon County Highway Department staffer and Hartford native John O’Connor, the Pivot Sign Device lets road signs return to upright positions so they aren’t destroyed by farm equipment, vehicle accidents or other circumstances.
Honors were announced during the Kansas Manufacturing Summit. Bess says the other nine finalists were ready to share information about their businesses, and the summit provided a lot of information about the current business climate and upcoming manufacturing outlooks.
Bess Machining took over manufacturing of the Pivot Sign Device from Freedom Innovations three years ago. Bess Machining handles small and large machine-shop orders locally, as well as places like Salina and Topeka.
This is the third area win in six years of the contest. EMP Shield of Burlington won in 2020. Hometown Pie Company of New Strawn won in 2021.
