Phipps Featured in Blue Book Network Who’s Who
Posted by Matt Milos on Oct 17th 2017
President Dave Thomas and Vice President of Operations Ben Brown, was recently featured in Blue Book Network Who's Who on the company's history, philosophy and future plans.
A Family Legacy
In December 1921, Charles Phipps incorporated his existing Cleveland business of supplying bulk sand, cement, stone, and slag to contractors and industry.
After C.E. Phipps’ passing in 1935, his son Mel Phipps took the helm and guided the company through the Depression—when an owner’s weekly salary was $50. After serving as a major from 1941-45 in the Army’s material supply department, Mel Phipps shifted the company into distributing concrete accessories to general contractors throughout northern Ohio.
Responding to the changing product mix, a modest warehouse replaced the silos in the 1960s, and Phipps became one of Tremco’s first U.S. distributors of its construction sealants.
In 1979, David Thomas, Mel Phipps’ nephew, became the sixth employee. After Mel Phipps’ death in 1984, Thomas finalized the purchase of company shares and assumed his current role as president.
In 1993, Phipps opened its first branch in Perrysburg, Ohio to better serve customers in northwest Ohio. Continued growth required moving the main Cleveland office and warehouse in 2000 to its current 35,500 sq. ft. facility in Cuyahoga Heights.
Ben Brown, David Thomas’ stepson, joined Phipps in 2003, and three years later Brown led the opening of the company’s third branch in Canton.
Since 2010 Phipps has invested heavily in construction equipment rentals, such as surface preparation equipment; specialty pumps for sealants, machinery grouts, and concrete repair materials; dust control equipment; and hydronic heaters and dehumidifiers that enable contractors to place materials in warm, dry, and safer jobsites.
In 2017, the company secured a two-acre site and 32,000 sq. ft. warehouse and office adjacent to its Cuyahoga Heights facility to accommodate current and future growth. Phipps is one of the Midwest’s largest distributors for BASF Construction Chemicals, Sika, Euclid Chemical, Tremco and other premier construction product manufacturers.
Core Philosophy
For over two decades Phipps has focused on providing value-added services to the construction supply chain. Dave Thomas explains the company’s driving philosophy, which is squarely focused on quality and value.
He says, “Manufacturers need the option of local distribution, and contractors need products to be readily available, not to mention the technical advice on material selection and installation procedures that we provide.”
Plans for the Future
With its long-standing focus on supporting contractors’ project and business goals, Phipps’ dedicated professionals continue to offer high-quality products, exceptional service, and equipment that speeds the placement of materials or reduces risks to workers. With these strengths always front and center, Phipps will be well positioned to lead its segment of the construction industry into its second century.