Industries of the Blind

What Industries of the Blind does

Industries of the Blind, Inc. (IOB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1933 in Greensboro, North Carolina, and affiliated with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) under the federal AbilityOne Program (Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act). The organization manufactures and distributes SKILCRAFT-branded products — including ballpoint and gel pens, mops, brooms, clipboards, and household items — along with military apparel (combat uniforms, ballistic nape pads, parachutes, face masks) and provides contract manufacturing, packaging, assembly, and 3PL distribution services. Operations are conducted under a regulatory mandate requiring at least 75% of direct labor hours to be performed by individuals who are blind or severely disabled; approximately 130 of IOB's 250+ employees are blind or visually impaired. IOB is ISO 9001/AS 9100 certified and operates across more than 265,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution facilities in Greensboro, including a 153,000-square-foot 3PL facility launched in late 2023.

IOB generates revenue primarily through government manufacturing and distribution contracts awarded under the AbilityOne Program, with the U.S. Army, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), DLA Troop Support, and the General Accounting Office as anchor customers. Notable multi-million-dollar contracts include a $3 million U.S. Army face mask contract (2020), a four-year DLA $3.2 million distribution contract (2015), and two U.S. Army contracts totaling $4.2 million (2015). Commercial revenue comes from packaging and distribution services for Southeastern Paper Group (15+ year relationship), Walmart 3PL distribution, and SKILCRAFT product sales through its own e-commerce shop and 160+ Base Supply Center stores. The 2017 revenue range was reported at $20-25 million, with no more recent public disclosure. The GTM motion is enterprise-field-sales directed at federal procurement, supplemented by direct e-commerce and third-party logistics operations. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by Chairperson Brad Huffstetler and led operationally by President & CEO Joshua Gould (since 2017).

Name

Industries of the Blind

Legal name

Industries of the Blind, Inc.

Website

https://industriesoftheblind.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Industries of the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1933 in Greensboro, NC that manufactures SKILCRAFT pens, mops, brooms, military apparel, and provides 3PL distribution services under the federal AbilityOne Program, employing approximately 250 people of whom 130+ are blind or visually impaired.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Manufacturing & Government Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing (339940)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Protective Disposable Wear (Masks, Gloves, Shoe Covers, Hairnets) (CRADALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories) (IMAOAFAH)

Keywords

• Contract manufacturing services
• Government apparel manufacturing
• Third party logistics distribution
• Janitorial product manufacturing
• Blind employment nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Greensboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Manufacturing Contracts: IOB operates under the AbilityOne Program (Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act), which requires federal agencies to purchase products from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind. Revenue comes from contracts with the U.S. Army, Defense Logistics Agency, and other government agencies for manufacturing, assembly, and distribution services.
2. Commercial Product Sales: Sale of SKILCRAFT-branded products including pens, mops, brooms, clipboards, and other janitorial/household supplies to government and commercial customers. Products sold through AbilityOne Program and direct e-commerce.
3. Third-Party Logistics/Distribution: Distribution and logistics services including warehousing and on-demand shipping for various companies including DLA Troop Support and Walmart. IOB holds product until needed, relieving customers of inventory burden.
4. Donations and Charitable Support: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, IOB receives donations to support assistive technology, computer training, job readiness training, and professional development programs for visually impaired employees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Industries of the Blind manufactures the SKILCRAFT product line of pens, brooms, mops, clipboards and household items, plus military apparel such as combat uniforms, ballistic nape pads, parachutes and face masks. It also provides contract manufacturing, custom packaging, assembly, and warehousing/distribution services to U.S. federal agencies (notably the U.S. Army and Defense Logistics Agency) and commercial customers such as Walmart, operating under the AbilityOne Program with approximately 75% of its workforce being legally blind or visually impaired.

Product overview

Industries of the Blind is a manufacturing organization operating under the AbilityOne Program that produces a diverse portfolio of physical products. The core offerings include the SKILCRAFT brand of pens (ballpoint, gel, and refillable pens producing 4 million annually), SKILCRAFT brooms (warehouse, whisk, push brooms made for nearly 8 decades), SKILCRAFT mops (cotton mop heads and sponge mops), and SKILCRAFT clipboards (recycled aluminum and plastic). Beyond consumer products, IOB manufactures military apparel including hot weather combat coats, physical fitness pants, combat jackets, ballistic nape pads, parachutes, and T-shirts. The company expanded into face masks in 2020 with a $3 million Army contract. Service offerings include contract manufacturing, custom packaging solutions, assembly services, and distribution & logistics operations managing millions of inventory items. An ancillary offering is the 33 & Elm Coffee House operated by employees. The company holds ISO 9001/AS 9100 certification and operates a 153,000 square foot distribution facility added in late 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SKILCRAFT: Registered trademark brand for pens, brooms, mops, clipboards, and other office and janitorial supplies produced by people who are blind. Licensed by National Industries for the Blind.

Products and services

• SKILCRAFT Pens SKILCRAFT brand retractable ballpoint pens, gel pens, and ink refills produced at IOB (4 million pens annually by a team of 25 blind workers) and used by U.S. federal agencies for more than 40 years, also sold commercially online.
• SKILCRAFT Clipboards Standard and heavy-duty clipboards made from recycled aluminum and plastic, including models used for Census collection, sold by the case to government and commercial customers.
• SKILCRAFT Brooms Warehouse brooms, whisk brooms, push broom heads and mill brooms sold by the case or dozen to government and commercial customers; IOB has been making brooms for nearly eight decades.
• SKILCRAFT Mops Cotton mop heads, sponge mops and wooden handles (spring-type and screw-type), with IOB producing six types of 8-ply cotton mop heads, sold by the case to government and commercial customers.
• SKILCRAFT Household Items Household cleaning products including Scrub-eez scrubbing pads, wooden clothespins, and paint roller kits sold to government and consumer customers.
• Military Apparel and Protective Equipment Military clothing and protective equipment including hot weather combat coats, physical fitness pants, combat jackets, ballistic nape pads (Kevlar neck guards), parachutes, cargo nets, base layer T-shirts, and COVID-19 era durable adjustable face masks, sold under contract to the U.S. Army and Air Force.
• Contract Manufacturing Services In-house production and quality engineering services that bring customer product manufacturing online at required rate while meeting or exceeding quality requirements, achieving quality yields as high as 99%; serves the U.S. Army, National Industries for the Blind, and commercial companies.
• Custom Packaging Solutions Custom packaging services for companies large and small, including sorting, measuring, and packaging of products such as tops, caps, and channel runners; served Southeastern Paper Group for over 15 years.
• Assembly Services Contract assembly services for products ranging from pens to parachutes with ultra-efficient manufacturing methods and quality yields as high as 99%.
• Distribution & Logistics Services Warehousing and on-demand shipping services that hold product until needed and relieve customers of inventory burden; manages inventory for DLA Troop Support, Walmart, and General Accounting Office (over 4 million light bulbs and 7 million springs) from facilities totaling more than 265,000 square feet.
• 33 & Elm Coffee House In-house coffee shop at 924 West Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, operated by IOB employees and serving espresso and non-coffee beverages to staff and the community as an employee development and community engagement initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Quality yields as high as 99% achieved through continuous improvement methods
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• UNCG College of Visual and Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Public art collaboration pairing UNCG painting students with IOB employees to tell stories of visually-impaired people through art and music. Project includes bronze bas-relief sculptures, audio descriptions, and newly-created musical scores displayed on IOB's building facade. Funded by $27,900 in grants.
• Royal Park USA (formerly Royal Park Sewing)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Acquired from Burlington Technologies in 2014, Royal Park USA expanded IOB's sewing and apparel manufacturing capabilities. Expected to generate millions in revenue.
• SourceAmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006SourceAmerica is the second central nonprofit association (CNA) designated by the AbilityOne Commission to assist with program implementation. Together with NIB, SourceAmerica coordinates over 600 nonprofit agencies producing products and services under the AbilityOne Program.
• AbilityOne CommissioncoreOthers · 1 January 2006The AbilityOne Commission (Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled) is the federal agency charged with administering the AbilityOne Program. The Committee decides which commodities and services the government should purchase under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act and designates central nonprofit associations for program execution.
• National Industries for the Blind (NIB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1938NIB is one of two central nonprofit associations (CNAs) designated by the AbilityOne Commission to assist with program implementation. IOB operates as an associated nonprofit agency of NIB, producing SKILCRAFT products and services under the AbilityOne Program. NIB connects associated agencies with manufacturing opportunities with the federal government. To participate, at least 75% of direct labor must be performed by people who are blind.
• Southeastern Paper GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFor more than 15 years, IOB's assembly department has been sorting, measuring, and packaging products such as tops, caps, and channel runners for this distribution giant. Partnership continues to expand with more items being processed.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): NIB is the central nonprofit association (CNA) that coordinates the AbilityOne Program and is the parent/oversight organization of associated agencies including IOB. NIB and IOB produce and distribute SKILCRAFT-branded products to federal agencies under the same procurement mandate.
• SourceAmerica: SourceAmerica is the second CNA designated by the AbilityOne Commission, coordinating over 600 nonprofit agencies producing products and services under the AbilityOne Program. It is a structural parallel to NIB, administering similar contracts on the 'severely disabled' side of the program.
• Chicago Lighthouse: Chicago Lighthouse is an AbilityOne-associated nonprofit agency serving people who are blind, with manufacturing, call center, and program administration services similar to IOB. It competes with IOB as a fellow associated agency for federal procurement opportunities.
• Lighthouse for the Blind of San Antonio: Lighthouse San Antonio is an AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit manufacturing agency producing SKILCRAFT and similar federal products while employing blind and visually impaired workers. It is one of IOB's most direct competitors for Army, DLA, and AbilityOne contract awards.
• Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI): IBVI is a Birmingham, AL-based AbilityOne nonprofit agency manufacturing products for federal customers while employing people who are blind. Like IOB, it operates manufacturing, assembly, and distribution services under the AbilityOne mandate.
• Industries for the Blind (Milwaukee): Industries for the Blind in Milwaukee is an AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit agency producing SKILCRAFT and other federal products. It shares IOB's model of employing blind and visually impaired workers in manufacturing and distribution for government customers.
• Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB): Virginia Industries for the Blind is an AbilityOne-associated nonprofit manufacturing agency located in Charlottesville, VA, producing products for federal customers. It is one of the regional peer agencies competing with IOB for Army and DLA contracts.
• Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: CABVI is an AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired individuals through manufacturing, training, and employment programs. It competes with IOB for federal procurement opportunities under the AbilityOne mandate.

Broad incumbents

• ADS Inc. ADS Inc. is a large diversified military and federal procurement supplier offering logistics, distribution, and product solutions to DoD customers. While for-profit and much broader in scope than IOB, it competes for some of the same federal procurement and distribution contracts IOB serves through DLA and Army.
• W.B. Mason: W.B. Mason is a large office products, janitorial supply, and furniture distributor serving federal and commercial customers. It competes with IOB's SKILCRAFT pen, mop, broom, and clipboard lines in non-mandated federal and commercial channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/IndustriesofTheBlindGreensboro
• Instagraminstagram.com/iobgreensboro

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Industries of the Blind