OUR HISTORY
IBP began as a store front business in Detroit, at Linwood and Grand River Ave, in 1946 as International Venetian Blind Company by two brothers, Joe and Manny Sulkes. In pursuit of “The American Dream”, Joe left his job as a butcher at the Eastern Market and Manny joined him when he returned home after being a Captain in the Army from WWII.
They grew quickly and purchased a commercial building in an industrial area at the corner of Lyndon and Greenlawn in Detroit. The business became a major dealer of Levolor Venetian Blinds, locally manufacturing every Venetian blind sold by Sears Roebuck in Michigan. In the Detroit Metro Area they also installed all of the blinds for Sears.
In the next 10 years the business was incorporated and the name was changed to International Building Products, Inc. Division 10, 11 and 12 items were added to their product line and IBP turned their focus to the world of commercial construction and away from residential. It was at that time they became members in what is now called Construction Association of Michigan.
After the original owners passed away, IBP was acquired by Manny’s nephew (Joe’s son), Sanford Sulkes. Sanford continued the 70-year tradition of excellence and quality for which IBP is known. He continued to be involved with the business until his passing in 2020.
ABOUT IBP TODAY
On December 29, 2017 Sanford retired and sold the IBP to Susan (Chrissy) Brown who had already been running the company as CEO and COO. Chrissy started with IBP as a high-school co-op student in 1998 and in her 20+ years experience has performed every job at IBP. Her knowledge, credentials and reputation in the Commercial Construction Industry is vast and impeccable. Since Chrissy has taken over ownership of the company, she has continued the IBP legacy with such jobs as Chrysler JNAP, Ameritrade, Walsh College, Henry Ford Piston Center and many more.
IBP has now transitioned to a 100% women-owned business and is nationally certified by the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council. Chrissy sits on the Board of Directors at Construction Association of Michigan and IBP is now certified as a Small Business Enterprise through Wayne County, Michigan. Additionally, IBP was recognized as the Employer of the Year in September 2021.
IBP since 1946 is a real milestone. It reflects our durability, adaptability and excellence in estimating, engineering, project management and our ability, that if you need a specialty, we will find it for you. IBP looks forward to serving our industry for many more years into the future. IBP has been proud to be part of the history of Michigan, the commercial construction industry, and its iconic buildings and structures. To name a few: Ford World headquarters, General Motors, JNAP, Chrysler Warren Truck Plant, Chrysler World Headquarters, The Renaissance Center, both terminals at Detroit Metro Airport, The Silverdome, MGM Casino, Cobo Hall, The Beaumont, DMC and Providence Hospital Systems, buildings and facilities at MSU, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Wayne State, Eastern, Western, Ferris, Grand Valley, John Deere Headquarters in Moline, IL, McCormick Place in Chicago, The Detroit Institute Of Arts and many others. Check out the SELECTIONS area for a list of some of the products of IBP. We pride ourselves on having many unique products that are required to finish a building.