International Building Products, Inc.

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. To pursue “The American Dream”, Joe left his job as a butcher in the Eastern Market and Manny had come home as a Captain in the Army from WW II.

They grew quickly, bought 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 the State of 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 Product, Inc. Division 10, 11 and 12 items were added to their product line and IBP turned the focus to the world of commercial construction and away from small residential. It was at that time they became members in what is now call 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.

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. IBP has now transitioned to 100% women owned business and is nationally certified by Great Lakes Women’s Business Council. Since Susan Brown has purchased IBP, it is also certified as Small Business Enterprise through Wayne County and is a qualified Section 3 company through MSHDA, a division of the state of Michigan. Chrissy came to IBP as a high school co-op in 1998 and over her 20 years has performed every job at IBP.  Her knowledge, credentials and reputation in the Commercial Construction Industry is vast and impeccable.

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, 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, U of M, 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. Since Susan Brown has taken over ownership of the company, has continued the IBP legacy with such jobs as Chrysler JNAP, Ameritrade, Walsh College, Henry Ford Piston Center and many more.

The following is a list of some of the products of IBP. In fact, we have many more unique products that are required to finish a building.

Toilet/Bath Accessories

Toilet Partitions/Compartments

Projection Screens

Floor Mats

Fire Extinguishers & Cabinets

Access Panels

Restroom Signs

Lockers

Cubicle Track & Curtains

Bike Racks

Mailboxes

Blinds, Horizontal & Vertical

Shades, Motorized & Manual

Corner Guards

Wall Protection Specialties