IFB Solutions
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1934
- HeadquartersWinston Salem, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IFB Solutions does
IFB Solutions is a non-profit social enterprise founded in 1934-1936 and headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the United States, operating with 600+ employees across 27 states and territories through facilities in Winston-Salem (HQ), Asheville, Clemmons (North Carolina), and Cabo Rojo (Puerto Rico). The organization runs three core operational lines: (1) Manufacturing of advanced textile, packaging, and assembly products for military and commercial customers under the AbilityOne Program; (2) Workforce Services, providing staffing solutions and remote work-at-home positions nationwide for blind employees; and (3) Base Supply Centers, retail operations on 14 government and military installations. In October 2021, IFB Solutions acquired Pinnacle Mercantile to add an Amazon e-commerce channel for home products made by its blind workforce.
The company's business model blends government contracting (AbilityOne / National Industries for the Blind), direct B2B staffing revenue, retail sales on military bases, and consumer e-commerce via Amazon, supplemented by charitable donations — most notably a $3,000,000 Workforce Services Expansion Campaign aimed at creating 300 remote jobs. Distribution is multi-channel: 14 physical Base Supply Centers, an Amazon storefront (Pinnacle Mercantile), enterprise staffing sales, and AbilityOne procurement. Customer segments are concentrated in U.S. federal government (U.S. Military, Department of Energy, AbilityOne), with secondary commercial and consumer exposure. The organization reports that 95% of every dollar received funds programs for blind individuals.
There is no proprietary technology disclosed; the platform is operational rather than technological, centered on adaptive workstations, transportation support, coaching, and accessibility expertise. Supporting community programs include Sensitivity to Blindness Training, Student Enrichment Experience (SEE), Focus on Literacy, and Fiona's Freedom and Independence Fund. Strategic partners include Massif (90th Anniversary Sponsor), Maximus, and Guidant Global (2024 Partners of the Year). Leadership is headed by President and CEO Dan Kelly.
IFB Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IFB Solutions
- Legal name
- IFB Solutions
- Website
- https://ifbsolutions.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1934
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IFB Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contract Manufacturing and Workforce Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Help Services (56132)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Independent Contractor Compliance & Classification (IC vs Employee) (BPACAGAA)
Keywords
Where IFB Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winston Salem
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
IFB Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Manufacturing Products: IFB Solutions manufactures high-quality products through partnerships with the AbilityOne Program and commercial entities. Products include home goods and are sold through Amazon storefront and government contracting channels.
- Workforce Services: Staffing and workforce solutions providing employment for people who are blind, operating nationwide through remote work-at-home jobs and on-site positions.
- Base Supply Centers: Retail operations on government and military bases selling products made by employees who are blind.
- E-commerce Sales: Pinnacle Mercantile Amazon Storefront sells home products made, assembled and packaged by employees who are blind.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Government contracting through AbilityOne Program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
IFB Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IFB Solutions operates contract manufacturing, workforce staffing, and Base Supply Center retail operations that create employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Through partnerships with the AbilityOne Program and commercial entities, the organization produces textile, packaging, and assembly products, places blind workers in remote and on-site jobs, and operates 14 retail supply centers on U.S. military installations.
Product overview
IFB Solutions is a multi-business operation that offers a portfolio of products and services designed to create employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. The core offerings include Manufacturing (advanced textile manufacturing, packaging, and assembly), Workforce Services (staffing and remote work-at-home positions), and Base Supply Centers (retail operations on military bases). The acquired brand Pinnacle Mercantile extends reach through Amazon eCommerce. The company also provides community programs including Sensitivity to Blindness Training, the Student Enrichment Experience (SEE), and Focus on Literacy. These products and programs work together to fulfill the company's mission of building life-changing opportunities for people who are blind.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pinnacle Mercantile: Home products brand featuring products made, assembled and packaged by employees who are blind, sold through Amazon storefront
Products and services
- Manufacturing Manufacturing operations producing high-quality products, including advanced textile manufacturing, packaging, and assembly services for military and commercial customers, performed primarily by employees who are blind or visually impaired.
- Workforce Services Professional staffing and workforce placement services that create accessible jobs for people who are blind, including remote work-at-home positions nationwide and on-site placements for commercial and government clients.
- Base Supply Centers Retail supply centers located on 14 government and military bases, providing products and services to military customers under the AbilityOne Program, operated by employees who are blind.
- Pinnacle Mercantile Home products retail and manufacturing brand sold through Amazon.com, featuring products made, assembled and packaged by employees who are blind or visually impaired.
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of every dollar received is used in programs for people who are blind
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use IFB Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IFB Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
IFB Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Sen. Thom TillisminorSenior Senator for North Carolina sponsored funding for revitalization of manufacturing infrastructure that supports employment opportunities for individuals that are blind and disabled.
- MassifcoreMassif is the official 90th Anniversary Sponsor of IFB Solutions. Their partnership has directly advanced the mission of employing people who are blind through tangible support, contributing to the organization's milestone celebration.
- MaximuscoreMaximus was recognized as IFB Solutions 2024 Partner of the Year alongside Guidant Global. Both companies have been integral in creating accessible jobs for people who are blind through their dedication to creating a supportive workplace.
- Guidant GlobalcoreGuidant Global was recognized as IFB Solutions 2024 Partner of the Year alongside Maximus. Both companies have been integral in creating accessible jobs for people who are blind through their dedication to creating a supportive workplace.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IFB Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB): NIB is the central nonprofit agency for the AbilityOne Program, overseeing a network of associated agencies (including IFB Solutions) that employ blind Americans in manufacturing and services. Directly comparable as the umbrella mission and contracting counterpart.
- SourceAmerica: SourceAmerica is the AbilityOne central nonprofit agency for people with significant disabilities, operating a parallel federal contracting and employment model. Comparable as a sister mission-driven nonprofit in the AbilityOne ecosystem.
Direct peers
- Alphapointe: Alphapointe is a Kansas City-based nonprofit serving people who are blind or visually impaired through manufacturing, employment, and vision rehabilitation services. Closely comparable as a regional AbilityOne-affiliated manufacturer-employer with a similar multi-line model.
- Bosma Enterprises: Bosma Enterprises is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing employment, workforce development, and manufacturing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Directly comparable in mission, manufacturing capability, and workforce services offering.
- Industries of the Blind (Greensboro, NC): Industries of the Blind, Inc. is a Greensboro, NC-based nonprofit manufacturer employing blind and visually impaired individuals in textiles, packaging, and assembly under AbilityOne. Directly comparable as a geographically adjacent regional peer.
- Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle): Lighthouse for the Blind is a Washington-state nonprofit manufacturing organization employing blind individuals in industrial and consumer products under AbilityOne. Comparable as a peer AbilityOne manufacturer with overlapping product and mission focus.
- Envision, Inc. Envision is a Wichita-based nonprofit employing people who are blind in manufacturing, call center, and printing services under AbilityOne. Directly comparable on multi-line nonprofit manufacturing plus services business model.
Regional players
- Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Vista Center is a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired individuals with employment, training, and adaptive technology services. Comparable on the workforce services and accessibility training side rather than manufacturing.
- The Lighthouse Guild: Lighthouse Guild is a New York-based nonprofit providing services, workforce programs, and advocacy for people who are blind or visually impaired. Comparable in the workforce development and adaptive technology training space, with regional (Northeast) concentration.
Others
- ManpowerGroup (AbilityOne-aligned staffing programs): ManpowerGroup is a global staffing firm that has partnered with AbilityOne-affiliated agencies on workforce inclusion programs. Comparable only as an adjacent corporate partner providing staffing infrastructure; not a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IFB Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceIFB Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IFB Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
IFB Solutions subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
IFB Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IFB Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IFB Solutions
What does IFB Solutions do?
IFB Solutions operates contract manufacturing, workforce staffing, and Base Supply Center retail operations that create employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Through partnerships with the AbilityOne Program and commercial entities, the organization produces textile, packaging, and assembly products, places blind workers in remote and on-site jobs, and operates 14 retail supply centers on U.S. military installations.
Is IFB Solutions a public or private company?
IFB Solutions is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IFB Solutions founded?
IFB Solutions was founded in 1934. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is IFB Solutions based?
IFB Solutions is headquartered in Winston Salem, United States, in the North America region.
How does IFB Solutions make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Manufacturing Products are the primary driver. The others are workforce Services, base Supply Centers and E-commerce Sales.
Who are IFB Solutions's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and SourceAmerica. Direct peers are Alphapointe, Bosma Enterprises, Industries of the Blind (Greensboro, NC), Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle) and Envision, Inc.. Regional players are Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and The Lighthouse Guild. ManpowerGroup (AbilityOne-aligned staffing programs) is listed as an others.
Does IFB Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for IFB Solutions.
What industry is IFB Solutions in?
IFB Solutions's product category is Contract Manufacturing and Workforce Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAGAA, Independent Contractor Compliance & Classification (IC vs Employee). Its NAICS code is 56132 and its SIC code is 3560.