There is a simple reason that Harris Leather and Silverworks is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year — they take care of their customers with quality craftsmanship. With their attention to detail and a warm smile for everyone, it is not surprising that they are considered one of the very best in our industry.
“We treat everyone like family, and it is usually a family member that answers the phone at our shop,” Phil Harris told us. “We also can produce a unique product, and we are in the business of pleasing people. Money is a byproduct of what we do, but the most important priority for me is for people to be happy with what they buy and enjoy the experience.”
With the current changes in the business culture of companies trying to build a product the fastest and cheapest to make the most money, Harris has stuck by its roots of trying to make a product better, more affordable but at the same time, last longer. The family has also done this in their hometown of State Road, North Carolina. “People told me it wouldn’t work because people bought their saddles West of the Mississippi – in Texas, Colorado and Wyoming, but we succeeded despite these challenges.”
When GoHorseShow interviewed the Harris Family, they were in the middle of setting up their booth in Congress Hall. The entire Harris family was there to help get everything ready for the All American Quarter Horse Congress which is coming up in October. Phil told us that this event is their busiest show of the year and they love getting the chance to see all of their customers face-to-face from all over the world gathered in one place.
“It takes months and months of preparation to get ready for the Congress,” Phil shares. “We have a lot of custom ordered saddles as well as we bring several saddles ready-made to the show. All of us are worn out before we even get here. Then, everyone is in my face every minute of the day, but I love it.”
Harris adds, “We also have a few surprises for our 50th Anniversary – a few saddles with some special features to celebrate this milestone,” Phil states. “Everyone will have to stop by and see them at our booth.”
It is also not surprising that a woman started Harris Leather and Silverworks. As I am sure you have heard the quote, “Behind every successful man, there is a strong, wise and hardworking woman.”
For the Harris Family that happened to be the matriarch, Mabelene Harris. Mabelene and her husband, Ralph started the business at their kitchen table making leather tooling, belts, purses and wallets.
“The family started off doing the work for ourselves, and then other people started asking us about our leatherwork and, later, it slowly turned into a business that catered to other people and mainly the western pleasure crowd,” Mabelene told us.
Today, it’s still a family affair with several family members running the business. Mabelene and Ralph started the company but with the help of their sons, Phil and Eddie, they have turned it into one of the most respected saddle companies in the industry. Phil and Eddie’s children, Mary-Gwyn, Preston and Stanton also help with day-to-day operations.
With constant innovations and unique designs, the company is always at the forefront of changing the trends in the industry. They also now have a fourth generation, Bennett Harris, who was recently born in January during the Fox Lea Circuit in Venice, Florida. This new family member will more than likely help carry on the tradition.
Preston told us that working for his family’s company is all he has ever known. 
“For thirty years, I have been involved with the family business – working at the shop so, I’m very proud of being the third generation of our family involved. It is gratifying to be a USA manufacturer and to be involved with creating a product that is in high demand.”
Phil Harris designs the saddles while his brother, Eddie is the silversmith and engraver. Eddie told us that he is mostly self-taught and loves working with silver due to being able to work with his hands.
“I don’t ever look at other styles or designs because it pollutes my creativity,” Eddie told us. “My styles and methods are reflected throughout all our products. I also would like to give credit to our customers who have come up with extraordinary ideas and some of those requests have been some of my favorites designs.”
Eddie is also known for his gorgeous trophy buckles and has designed buckles for country music star Kenny Chesney and NASCAR’s Richard Petty. He also does all the buckles for the Breeder’s Halter Futurity and other shows and organizations for their year-end awards.
The Harris family takes pride in the fact that all of the leathers they use are real, not imitation. Harris adds, “We deal with an incredibly reputable company. The skins have to go through a customs process which ensures that they are authentic and that they were legally harvested.”
The biggest challenges over the years, Phil tells us, is working with family, but at the same time, it has been a blessing. “You have to have a lot of patience at times working with family all the time,” Phil states and laughs. “But, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and we have also been lucky to have some great employees over the years – some who have been with us over 30 years.”
We asked Phil what he is most proud of with regards to working in this industry for 50 years. “It is incredible to be at some of the biggest shows in the industry and see 20 of the 25 competitors riding in a Harris. It tells me that riders respect and trust our product, that means a lot to us.”
As far as a 50th Anniversary party? In predictable Phil Harris fashion, “No, we aren’t going to have a party. We aren’t braggers. We are just going to keep our heads down and focused with the goal of being relevant the next 50 years.”
