People, Products, Programs, PARTNERSHIPS
Montana Silversmiths
Celebrating 50 Years
Columbus, MT
The partnerships developed over the years at Montana Silversmiths remain one of the company’s greatest achievements. With well over twenty national associations ordering buckles and awards for events, tens of thousands of handcrafted buckles are custom designed each year and awarded to deserving champions and winners.
From PRCA and PBR to AQHA and FFA the buckles range in value from $50 to $50,000 are proudly worn by those that have risen to the winner’s circle.
“Our buckles are as different and diverse as our partnerships,” said Callie Adams, Director of Events at Montana Silversmiths. “We make iconic pieces of history for the recipients of each buckle, whether it’s a grand champion project at a county fair, a local rodeo queen, or a World Champion at the NFR. They are all equally important achievements to the recipient.”
Just as important to the company is their relationship with the 3600 wholesale customers located across the US and Canada that showcase Montana Silversmiths buckles and jewelry in their retail locations.
“All of our retail stores have their own niche in the market,” Jade Opfer, Chief Revenue Officer said. “From western clothing stores to farm and ranch stores, with over 1200 active items and new pieces coming out four times per year, there’s always something new and exciting for customers to look forward to seeing.”
Jade oversees the company’s territory managers and part of their job is to ensure that retailers have product knowledge and the support they need to maximize their sales.
“There’s a reason we’ve doubled our sales in the last seven years,” Jade continued. “It starts with the company and filters out.”
The Montana Silversmiths display case is one example of standing out. Beautiful, well-lit and stocked with beautiful silver jewelry and belt buckles, it’s a familiar piece, located in all the retail stores, and customers quickly recognize it.
“We offer high quality value at an affordable price,” Jade said. “And we’ve stuck to our guns when it comes to our warranty. We stand behind our product.”
“Our partnerships know that and trust us,” Callies added. “Some of our partners have been with us for decades because they know that we take pride in making buckles that are recognized around the world.”
Montana Silversmiths stands out because of the quality of the materials, the intricate detailing in each piece and the fact that they are “Made in USA,” in Columbus, Montana.
“In addition to a superior product, it all comes down to the people,” Callie said. “Between the retail, vendors, and industry connections, we’re all a tight knit group in the western space. We’re all working toward the same goal.”
That goal is purposeful. Partnering with some of the biggest organizations in the nation also exposes tens of thousands of people to more than an awarded buckle. The buckles are an invitation to check out the thousands of pieces of jewelry fashioned specifically for the catalog that comes out four times per year or to visit one of the thousands of retail stores located across the country.
The people, products, programs, and partnerships that Montana Silversmiths has developed over the last fifty years continues to keep the company at the cutting edge of design and quality and remain an icon in the western jewelry industry.