Terryberry, Collegiate Bead keep skilled labor jobs in West Michigan

Grand Rapids-based Terryberry says that a new partnership with Royal Oak-based Collegiate Bead Company has created skilled labor and other jobs in West Michigan.  

In an effort to find a way to produce its sterling silver Pandora-style beads sporting college and university insignia, Collegiate Bead teamed up with Terryberry and its 93 years of jewelry-making experience.

“We have a real skilled group of jewelers producing branded jewelry and recognition programs, so it was a perfect fit,” says Terryberry Managing Partner Mike Byam. “Over the last couple of months, we have produced thousands of collegiate beads for different schools — University of Michigan, MSU, Penn State, Ohio State — and most of them in the Big 10. Collegiate Bead has added fulfillment jobs and Terryberry has added production people.”

Terryberry has added eight employees and, if a new bracelet line developed by Collegiate Bead rolls out as expected, another six to 10 jobs could be added in 2012.

Those jobs could include creating wax beads used to make the molds for the sterling silver beads, applying enamel to beads and fulfilling orders.

“We all have tee shirts and hats and other clothing with college insignia, and Collegiate Bead capitalizes on the most popular design in women’s jewelry today, which is that Pandora style,” Byam says. “These beads fit in nicely with bracelets and neck chains people already have.”

Source: Mike Byam, Terryberry
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor