Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI) is a Wisconsin nonprofit, founded 1952, that manufactures SKILCRAFT products and provides custom kitting, distribution, and on-base retail to U.S. federal and military customers through the AbilityOne program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersWest Allis, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired does
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI) is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization founded in 1952 that manufactures products and supplies federal agencies through the AbilityOne program, a congressionally mandated initiative requiring U.S. government purchasers to source qualifying goods and services from nonprofit agencies employing blind or disabled workers. The company produces SKILCRAFT-branded writing instruments, brooms and brushes, tactical gear, and custom tool kits — including the Vertical Skills Engineer Construction Kits (VSECK) for the U.S. Army, the largest AbilityOne product contract in the program's 85-year history — alongside proprietary kitting, distribution, and 'We Found It' sourcing services for hard-to-find items.
IBVI operates from roughly 198,000 square feet of combined manufacturing space in West Allis and Menomonee Falls, plus a Janesville facility, supported by adaptive manufacturing technology, a JAWS-compatible e-commerce platform (IBVISupply.com), and assistive devices such as OrCam MyEye that enable blind and visually impaired workers to perform precision tasks and customer service. ISO 9001:2015 certified processes underscore the manufacturing capability, and the company runs 18 Base Supply Center (BSC) retail stores on U.S. military installations and federal buildings across nine states. Approximately 51% of its 237-person workforce is blind or visually impaired, fulfilling the program's labor requirements and reinforcing the mission-driven operating model.
The business generates revenue primarily through U.S. government product sales via AbilityOne and GSA contracts (sold through IBVISupply.com, FedMall, and GSA Advantage), custom kitting and supply chain services for military customers (VSECK, DRAK, Disaster Relief, Evidence Collection, MMTS), distribution and direct fulfillment, and on-base retail at BSC stores. Pricing is quote-based against GSA schedules; commercial sales (e.g., 20 million pencils to Walmart) have occurred opportunistically but are not the primary revenue engine. Distribution is national and exclusively domestic, anchored in U.S. federal procurement.
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Legal name
- Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
- Website
- https://ibvi.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI) is a Wisconsin nonprofit, founded 1952, that manufactures SKILCRAFT products and provides custom kitting, distribution, and on-base retail to U.S. federal and military customers through the AbilityOne program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Supply and Contract Manufacturing Services
- NAICS
- Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216)
- SIC
- Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tools & Tool Accessories Retail (Hand, Power, Pneumatic) (CRAIADAB)
Keywords
Where Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Allis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices19 records
Markets served
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Product Sales: Sale of manufactured products (SKILCRAFT brand pens, brushes, tools, office supplies, tactical gear, cleaning supplies) to U.S. government agencies and military through AbilityOne program and GSA contracts. Products sold via IBVISupply.com, FedMall, and GSA Advantage.
- Kitting and Supply Chain Services: Custom kitting services for military and government customers, including kit design, strategic sourcing, supply chain planning, warehousing, and logistics. Major contracts include VSECK (Vertical Skills Engineer Construction Kits) for US Army.
- BSC Retail Store Operations: 18 retail stores (15 BSC's, two COCESS's and one COPARS) located on military bases providing one-stop shop for office supplies, Jan-San supplies, MRO, clothing and tactical gear. Payment options include GPC Program, Customer AR Account, WAWF, DLA/TLS Milstrip Program.
- Distribution and Fulfillment Services: Direct fulfillment capabilities eliminating customer need for warehousing and inventory management. Also offers 'We Found It' sourcing service for rare and hard-to-find items.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI) manufactures SKILCRAFT brand products including pens, brushes, brooms, and tool kits while providing custom kitting, supply chain management, distribution, and retail services. As an authorized AbilityOne provider, IBVI supplies federal government agencies and military installations with office supplies, tactical gear, cleaning supplies, and specialized mission kits, while employing blind and visually impaired workers who comprise more than half of its workforce.
Product overview
IBVI operates as a manufacturing and supply organization offering a unified portfolio of products and services. The core offerings include Manufacturing Services, Kitting & Supply Chain Management, IBVI Made (SKILCRAFT brand products), IBVI Custom (custom merchandise), Distribution Services, IBVI Supply (online e-commerce store), and BSC Stores (Base Supply Centers at military bases). IBVI manufactures SKILCRAFT brand products including pens, brushes, brooms, and tool kits. Their kitting division produces specialized kits for military applications including VSECK construction kits, Evidence Collection Kits, Direct Response Aid Kits, and Disaster Relief Kits. The IBVI Supply online platform serves as the e-commerce channel for office supplies, tactical gear, cleaning supplies, and AbilityOne products. All services support the company's mission to create employment for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SKILCRAFT: Brand of products manufactured by IBVI, including wall painting supplies, brooms, brushes, pens, and tool kits.
- IBVI Supply
- IBVI Made
- IBVI Custom
- BSC Stores
Products and services
- Manufacturing Services Manufacturing services using adaptive technology to produce high-quality products meeting or exceeding industry standards. Produces SKILCRAFT brand products including pens, brushes, and brooms for federal government customers.
- Kitting & Supply Chain Management
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100,000 pens manufactured per day
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS)coreIBVI partnered with MCTS to provide safe, efficient transportation for IBVI employees. Partnership includes on-site bus shelter, Go! Pass program enabling visually impaired employees to ride to work independently. Expanded bus service to IBVI West Allis facility in June 2024 with buses running every 30 minutes from 6am to 6pm.
- eSightsupportingPartnership to work toward realization of wearable assistive device technology that allows the visually impaired to see. IBVI is testing ground for new technologies used in manufacturing and office professions.
- Vision ForwardcoreIBVI invested $75,000 in partnership with Vision Forward in March 2022. Provides free employee assessments, job-specific training, accessibility consultation, and individual staff development. Vision Forward offers up to 4 hours of individual training per employee in low vision, technology, daily living, orientation and mobility, braille, and support services.
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB)coreIBVI is a member of NIB and authorized AbilityOne provider. NIB helps shape policies and programs for vocational rehabilitation services. IBVI participates in Public Policy Day advocacy on Capitol Hill with other NIB agencies.
- Think Ability WisconsinsupportingStatewide awareness campaign established to create employment and career opportunities for workers with disabilities. Funded through Workforce Innovation Grant from Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. IBVI CEO CJ Lange advocates for disability employment through this campaign.
- Wisconsin Rehabilitation CouncilsupportingIBVI's Kevin Fortune serves on the council, appointed by Governor Tony Evers. Council approves budgets, ensures fiscal responsibility, and improves DVR programs for access to education, job training, and employment for visually impaired individuals.
- AbilityOne ProgramcoreCongressionally mandated public-private partnership that harnesses U.S. government purchasing power to create jobs for blind and disabled Americans. IBVI is an authorized provider selling products through AbilityOne.
- FlexSweepminorCo-brand agreement for commercial broom products. FlexSweep product line features three broom types for different surfaces along with deck broom and floor squeegee.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- McMaster-Carr: Major industrial supply distributor with extensive tool, hardware, and MRO product lines serving federal and commercial customers. Represents the for-profit scale benchmark in adjacent product categories.
- SourceAmerica: SourceAmerica is the AbilityOne counterpart for people with significant disabilities (other than blind), running a parallel federal procurement program. Comparable as a sibling AbilityOne-designated nonprofit agency that supplies federal customers.
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB): NIB is the central nonprofit agency that coordinates the AbilityOne program and represents IBVI and other associated agencies. It is the natural umbrella peer and channel partner for IBVI's federal sales.
- W.W. Grainger: Large industrial MRO distributor serving federal and commercial customers with hand tools, janitorial, and office supplies that overlap with IBVI's SKILCRAFT product lines. A broad incumbent representing the for-profit competitive benchmark.
Direct peers
- Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing employment for people who are blind and other disabilities, offering manufacturing, assembly, and packaging services to government and commercial customers. Directly comparable mission and offering.
- Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit manufacturer employing people who are blind, producing SKILCRAFT products and military/government kits. A direct peer under NIB/AbilityOne competing in similar product categories and customer base.
- The Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle): Seattle-based nonprofit employing people who are blind, deaf-blind, and blind with other disabilities in manufacturing, kitting, and government supply services. Closely comparable mission and AbilityOne orientation.
- Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind: North Carolina-based NIB-affiliated nonprofit producing SKILCRAFT products, kitting, and government supply services. Direct peer in size, mission, and product mix.
- Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind: Texas-based nonprofit manufacturing facility employing blind individuals, producing SKILCRAFT products and military kits. Direct peer under AbilityOne, comparable product/customer profile.
- Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Ohio-based nonprofit providing employment and rehabilitation services for visually impaired individuals, with manufacturing operations serving federal contracts. Comparable mission and customer base.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired social profiles
Digital presenceIndustries for the Blind and Visually Impaired compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired
What does Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired do?
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI) manufactures SKILCRAFT brand products including pens, brushes, brooms, and tool kits while providing custom kitting, supply chain management, distribution, and retail services. As an authorized AbilityOne provider, IBVI supplies federal government agencies and military installations with office supplies, tactical gear, cleaning supplies, and specialized mission kits, while employing blind and visually impaired workers who comprise more than half of its workforce.
Is Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired a public or private company?
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired founded?
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired was founded in 1952. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired based?
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired is headquartered in West Allis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are kitting and Supply Chain Services, BSC Retail Store Operations and distribution and Fulfillment Services.
Who are Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are McMaster-Carr, SourceAmerica, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and W.W. Grainger. Direct peers are Bosma Enterprises, Alphapointe, The Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle), Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind and Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Does Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired have an API?
No public API is recorded for Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
What industry is Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired in?
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired's product category is Government Supply and Contract Manufacturing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIADAB, Tools & Tool Accessories Retail (Hand, Power, Pneumatic). Its NAICS code is 332216 and its SIC code is 3950.