What U Bx Book Exchange does

Builders Exchange of Central Ohio (BX), founded in 1892 as The Builders' and Traders' Exchange, is a private membership-based trade association serving the commercial construction industry in Central Ohio from its headquarters at 1175 Dublin Road, Columbus. The organization serves nearly 600 member firms spanning the full industry vertical — architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, manufacturers, and adjacent professional service providers (attorneys, insurance and bonding agents, bankers, accountants) — through a portfolio of interconnected programs including a member directory, online job board, safety and industry training, leadership development, awards programs, the Ohio Construction Conference, student outreach, and the Builders Exchange Foundation scholarship program. Annual engagement metrics include 1,758 individuals trained, 1,798 networking event attendees, 400+ conference attendees, and 1.1M+ directory accesses.

The business operates on a multi-stream revenue model: recurring annual membership dues (pricing not publicly disclosed), pay-as-you-go job board postings ($110-$260 per posting), professional development and safety training fees ranging from $55 to $6,700 per program, event registration and corporate sponsorships (Ohio Construction Conference, Annual Meeting, Golf Outing, Open House), and administrative or referral fees from an endorsed partner stack comprising Staples Business Advantage, Sedgwick workers' compensation, IGS Energy, BEST Courier, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the BX 401(k) Pooled Employer Plan, and SOCA MEWA health insurance. Member firms utilizing endorsed programs report average annual savings of $14,362, generating strong retention economics. The organization is supported by a 14-person professional staff led by Executive Director Mary Tebeau, with the affiliated 501(c)(3) Builders Exchange Foundation holding $4.2M in assets and having distributed over $1.2M in grants to support construction industry education and scholarships totaling $2.4M since 1959.

Name

U Bx Book Exchange

Legal name

Builders Exchange of Central Ohio

Website

https://bx.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Builders Exchange of Central Ohio is a 134-year-old private trade association serving nearly 600 commercial construction member firms in Central Ohio through membership dues, training programs, events, an online job board, and endorsed discount partner programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for commercial construction firms providing access to networking, education, safety training, and member discount programs.
2. Job Board Postings: BX Job Board generates revenue from posting fees - $110-160 for members and $210-260 for non-members for 2-6 week postings.
3. Education and Training Programs: Course fees ranging from $55-$6,700 for various professional development, safety, and leadership programs including OSHA training, estimating, and superintendent certification.
4. Event Sponsorships and Fees: Ohio Construction Conference, Annual Meeting, Golf Outing, and Open House generate revenue through registration fees and corporate sponsorships.
5. Member Discount Programs: Endorsed business services (Staples, Sedgwick, energy programs) provide savings to members while BX receives administrative fees or volume-based revenue through the endorsed partnership model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio (BX) is a private, membership-based trade association serving nearly 600 commercial construction firms in Central Ohio through annual memberships, education and safety training programs, a dedicated construction job board, industry awards and recognition, peer networking/industry groups, and endorsed member discount programs on business services. Revenue is generated from membership dues, paid training courses, job board posting fees, event registrations and sponsorships, and administrative/endorsement fees from partner service providers.

Product overview

The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio (BX) is a professional trade association serving the commercial construction industry with a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include a job board (BX Jobs), membership directory, education and safety training programs, leadership development institutes, industry awards, networking events (including the Ohio Construction Conference), student outreach, scholarship programs, and member discount services. The organization serves nearly 600 member firms and facilitates over 1,700 annual training attendees and 1,100+ jobsite tours for students. The programs support the entire construction industry spectrum including architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and related professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BX Foundation: The Builders Exchange Foundation, which has distributed over $1.2 million in grants and maintains assets of $4.2 million for scholarships and industry support.
• Ohio Construction Conference
• BX Safety Awards
• BX Cornerstone Award
• BX Craftsmanship Award
• BX President's Award

Products and services

• BX Membership Annual association membership for commercial construction firms (architects, engineers, GCs, subcontractors, suppliers, and allied professionals) in Central Ohio providing networking, education, safety training, member discounts, awards, and directory exposure.
• BX Job Board Online job posting platform for construction industry professionals with 9,090+ monthly views, offering 2-week, 4-week, and 6-week posting options for BX members and non-members.
• BX Safety Training Programs Construction industry safety training including OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour courses, Standard First-Aid/CPR/AED, Rigging & Signaling Certification, Confined Space Training, and Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) Program training for member and non-member firms.
• BX Industry Education Programs Construction industry education including Certified Superintendent (BXCS) Program, Estimating & Bid Preparation, Construction Drawings 101/201, Field Supervision, Project Management for Contractors, Scheduling, and Construction Finance courses for member and non-member firms.
• BX Leadership Development Programs Multi-tiered leadership development series including Rising Leaders Institute (in partnership with OSU Fisher College of Business), BX Executive Leadership Experience (BXLX), BX Field Leadership Excellence Series (BXFlex), and Managing From the Middle Series for member and non-member firms.
• Ohio Construction Conference Annual one-day conference where construction professionals gather for education, business solutions, and networking with 400+ attendees.
• BX Awards Program Recognition programs honoring excellence in the commercial construction industry including Cornerstone Award, Craftsmanship Award, President's Award, Safety Award, and 100 Year Anniversary Award for member firms and individuals.
• BX Membership Directory Online and print directory of member firms providing brand visibility to the commercial construction industry, accessed 1.1M+ times per year via bxcentralohio.atlasams.com.
• BX Member Discount Services Endorsed business services discount programs for member firms including Workers' Compensation Group Rating (Sedgwick), 401k Retirement Pooled Employer Plan (PEP), Staples Office Supplies, Health Insurance (SOCA MEWA, Anthem), Energy Services (IGS Energy), Managed Care, and Delivery Services (BEST Courier), delivering average $14,362 annual savings per participating member firm.
• BX Scholarship Program Tuition assistance program for students pursuing construction-related degrees, awarding $230,000 to 75 students for the 2026/27 school year and $2.4M+ cumulatively since 1959.
• BX Foundation 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the Builders Exchange that distributes scholarships and grants for construction industry students; has distributed over $1.2 million in grants with $4.2 million in assets.
• BX Industry Groups Peer networking groups for construction professionals including HR Professionals Group, Law & Finance Group, Safety Advisory Council, Tech Group, Young Professionals Group (YPs), and Blueprints for Well-being Council.
• BX Student Outreach Program Volunteer program where construction professionals present career information to central Ohio students, having reached 100,000+ students since inception.

Quantifiable outcome

• $14,362 average annual savings per member firm using BX endorsed discount programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Staples Business AdvantagecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBX members receive an average discount of 20% off Staples' already low-priced products including office supplies, janitorial supplies, safety supplies, breakroom supplies, technology products, office furniture, promotional products, and print solutions. One member firm saved $9,210 through Staples alone in a recent year.
• IGS EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIGS Energy is a trusted supplier of natural gas and electricity helping BX members navigate the ever-evolving energy marketplace with solutions for better energy usage, transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and dedicated support.
• BEST CourierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBEST Courier provides 24/7 delivery services specializing in construction jobsites with BX members receiving 20% discount on dedicated courier, delay, immediate, mail, inter-company, out-of-town, airport, and scheduled delivery services.
• SOCA (Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBX partnered with SOCA to offer small employers (2-50 employees) access to a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) health insurance program, allowing members to pool together for buying power and more affordable health insurance.
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Alliance Saver Program administered by Anthem for employers with 50 or more employees allows for premium savings through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of 1%, with potential savings up to 5% when adding ancillary programs.
• AscensuscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides recordkeeping system for the BX 401(k) Pooled Employer Plan, powering the PEP with integrated trust and custody services and digital access to all plan functions.
• Plante MoranminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for the Ohio Construction Conference, offering construction industry consulting services.
• Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for the Ohio Construction Conference, providing legal services to construction industry clients.
• Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSafety Awards sponsor providing legal services to construction industry clients.
• Jendco Safety SupplyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSafety Awards sponsor providing safety supply products to construction industry.
• PSC Crane & RiggingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for the BX Golf Outing, providing crane and rigging services to construction industry.
• Ohio Power ToolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCart sponsor for golf outing and Craftsmanship Awards sponsor, providing tools and equipment.
• Astute Technology ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBreakfast sponsor for Ohio Construction Conference and website sponsor, providing technology management services.
• Mark Wahlberg Automotive GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch sponsor for Ohio Construction Conference, providing automotive services.
• OSU Fisher College of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBX partnered with OSU Fisher College of Business for the Rising Leaders Institute, offering management development programs through the partnership.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Dodge Construction Network: Data, analytics, and project intelligence platform serving commercial construction. Comparable information-broker and networking function to BX's directory/job board, but delivered via digital SaaS rather than association model.
• Procore Technologies: Construction management software platform connecting project participants, including bidding, training marketplaces, and a directory of construction firms. Competes for some of BX's networking and information-sharing role via a digital-first model.
• BuildingConnected (Autodesk): Bid management and subcontractor discovery platform owned by Autodesk. Directly substitutes for BX's networking and project-leads functions via a technology-enabled bid marketplace.
• Blue Book Network: Commercial construction directory and prequalification platform used to find subcontractors, suppliers, and project leads. Direct substitute for BX's membership directory and project-discovery function, with broader multi-region coverage.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): National trade association for the residential construction industry offering education, advocacy, and member services. Functionally similar to BX but serving residential rather than commercial construction nationally.
• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): Largest national construction trade association serving general contractors, specialty contractors, and service providers with education, advocacy, and networking. Comparable mission and member-services portfolio but national scope versus BX's regional model.
• American Institute of Architects (AIA): National professional association for architects providing education, advocacy, networking, and member benefits. Comparable in association model and member-services portfolio, with architects forming part of BX's membership.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): National construction trade association offering training, safety, networking, and advocacy across all construction specialties. Closest broad-incumbent analog to BX, though operating at national scale rather than Central Ohio regional focus.

Regional players

• Construction Safety Council: Construction safety training and advocacy organization; BX itself links to SafeColumbus. Comparable training-and-safety mission and overlapping audience in the construction safety space.
• Builders Exchange of Northwest Ohio: Regional builders exchange serving Northwest Ohio with similar membership, plan room, and training services. Direct regional peer operating an equivalent model in an adjacent Ohio geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/bxofcentralohio
• Facebookfacebook.com/BXofCentralOhio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/builders-exchange-of-central-ohio
• Instagraminstagram.com/BXofCentralOhio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 U Bx Book Exchange