The city of Butte and the rest of Southwest Montana are home to some of the most high-quality and hardworking manufacturers in the nation. From food and beverage manufacturers to high-tech, advanced manufacturing plants, there is an endless list of companies manufacturing high-quality goods within the state. Supported by the powerful, well-educated workforce of the state, producers who choose to set up shop in Montana are uniquely positioned to succeed. Throughout the month of October, Manufacturing Month, we are taking the time to celebrate the amazing producers in Southwest Montana. Here are three manufacturers in the machining industry from Southwest Montana.
Continental Steel Works
Butte, Montana
When it comes to steel, Continental Steel Works can complete any task. From ironworking to sandblasting and specialty painting, they are amazing metal fabricators with great craftsmanship. On their website you can see many photos of their creations such as tools, tanks, pipe and structures.
Sheep Shearers Merchandise & Commission Co., Inc.
Butte, Montana
While this company does supply sheep shearers such as the name suggests, they also have a complete machine shop that allows them to supply any custom machine needs. From sheep shearing handpieces to custom cutters and grinders, Sheep Shearers Merchandise & Commission Co. Inc. is a one-stop-shop for machining needs.
Imperium Tool & Instrument, Inc.
Butte, Montana
With the slogan “craftsmanship in the art and science of mechanical design and engineering,” it is clear that Imperium Tool & Instrument, Inc. creates high quality custom tools. They offer both build-to-print and design-to-order services to make your “custom tools, scientific instruments and performing critical components a reality.” Owner Sam Park was featured in a Montana Standard article after landing a contract with NASA to create a genetic research hardware tool used in the International Space Station.
BONUS: Kramer Designs
Clancy, Montana
Kramer Designs is not a machining manufacturing company, but they do make amazing backcountry tripods. With years of experience in the backcountry, owner Jerry Kramer recognized a few common frustrations with the backcountry tripods and decided to make his own. Kramer Designs makes high-quality tripods and tools for cameras, guns, binoculars and spotting scopes. Jerry’s goal is to create products that are compact, functional and lightweight.
BONUS: Headwaters Seat Covers
Three Forks, Montana
Another non-machining manufacturer in Southwest Montana, owner of Headwaters Seat Covers, Paul Lindsoe, has been making seat covers since 1987. What started as a bootstrapped dream in his garage has become a large manufacturing company. The company now employs multiple local designers, sewers and machine operators. From Chevy to Toyota and nearly everything in between, Headwaters Seat Covers crafts high-quality, tough and fine-fitting seat covers.
BONUS: Montana Clothing Company, LLC
Butte, Montana
Created by the Crowley Family of Butte in the early 2000s, Montana Clothing Company, LLC creates outerwear for “adventurous and creative-minded women everywhere.” Using exquisite fabrics from around the world, their long-lasting jackets are designed in Montana and worn around the globe. The Crowley Family is still involved in the day-to-day production of the Montana Clothing Company outerwear. They strive to continue to design globally inspired innovative styles.
