Quality Supply

By Paula J. McGarvey for The Montana Standard - 04/29/2007

Manager Ben Vetter, center, is surrounded by staff members in the clothing department of the Quality Supply store at 3939 Harrison Ave. in Butte. Specializing in farm and ranch equipment and supplies, the store also carries everything from pet products to power tools. photo by Paula J. McGarvey for The Montana Standard.

Quality Supply 3939 Harrison Ave.

in Butte Phone: 494-6188 Business history: A local success story, Butte’s Quality Supply store will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in May. The chain is owned by Dave and Suzanne Peterson of Missoula, and was started by Dave Peterson’s father in 1965. The Petersons currently own Quality Supply stores in Butte, Dillon, Hamilton and Missoula. The chain employs 145 workers statewide, with 35 based in Butte.

Ben Vetter was working in management in Missoula when the opportunity to work for the Petersons arose in 1997.

“I was hired by them to open this store and run it,” said Vetter, who took on the job as manager of Butte’s Quality Supply and relocated his wife and children here.

“One of the reasons I decided to move was because Missoula was getting so big,” said Vetter, who hasn’t regretted his decision and is enjoying the somewhat slower pace of life Butte has to offer.

Vetter said that, initially, when the Butte store opened sales were sluggish.

“It started off slowly. It took a while for people to learn what product lines we carried,” Vetter said. Once recognition increased, so did the customer base.

“We’ve had real good success. We’ve had double-digit increases in sales each year,” Vetter said. Part of that success was a 4,000-square-foot expansion of the clothing department in September.

Products, services and specialties: Vetter described Quality Supply primarily as a farm and ranch store, and went on to list items in the store’s extensive inventory.

For the ranchers and farmers, Quality Supply carries everything from tack and livestock panels to veterinary items for large-animal health.

The store also carries Western apparel — both fashion wear and work wear — with brand names like Carhartt, Levi and Wrangler.

The store stocks a large selection of pet supplies for everything from rabbits to dogs, including pet foods from Iams, Nutro and Science Diet.

For the kids, Quality Supply always has a large display of Breyer horse and livestock figurines, and the candy selection at the checkout is extensive enough to satisfy anybody’s sweet tooth.

Inventory also includes a wide variety of power tools and equipment including chain saws, trimmers and push and ride-on mowers made by Honda and Husqvarna.

“We have service after the sale,” added Vetter, whose staff services what they sell and provides replacement parts for sale for the “do-it-yourselfer.” Business philosophy: “It’s all about customer service,” said Vetter, who tries to staff each department with knowledgeable sales people.

Advice for others wanting to start a business: “I think the customer service factor will just about guarantee their success. It’s not all about cost,” he said. Vetter said he also believes in treating employees well and making your store a fun place to shop.

What makes doing business in Butte and southwest Montana unique? After time spent living in the state of Washington and in Missoula, Vetter truly enjoys his Butte customers. “Butte has such great people. It’s small enough that it’s still a friendly town,” he said.

Rewards and challenges: Vetter said he found two aspects of doing business to be rewarding: “On a personal level, working with the public; on a business level, the success that we’ve had is very encouraging and motivating,” he said.

As we enter into spring, one challenge came straight to Vetter’s mind.

“Challenges include the weather, because we run a greenhouse and the growing season’s so short that it’s difficult to keep the plants from freezing,” he said.

Future plans: Vetter keeps a schedule of events and activities going on at Quality Supply throughout the year.

“We try to be as involved in the community as possible,” said Vetter, whose store is a big supporter of local 4-H groups and activities.

This June the store will host the Priefert ranch equipment company’s Radar, a Belgian draft horse featured as the tallest living horse in the 2006 Guinness World Record Book. Radar stands 6 foot, 7½ inches at the withers and weighs more than 2,400 pounds.

In August, Quality Supply is hosting a Breyer horse show for their collecting clientele to give them the opportunity to show off their favorite figurines.

Freelance writer Paula J. McGarvey may be reached via e-mail at pjmcgarvey@in-tch.com.