Skylights can range in size from residential skylights in a ceiling to airport structures that span an entire concourse ceiling. For the last 45 years, IBG Canada has been well-known as skylight specialists in the construction industry, with the ability to supply the diverse range of needs that fall under the umbrella of “skylights.” In Canada the company got its start in 1964 working with aluminum, glass and wood greenhouses, and in 1967 started implementing skylights in shopping centers, government buildings, and even homes. President Paul Davison and Vice-President Keith Ferguson bought the company in 1985 from US ownership. The trend has since taken off—they are now supplying skylights all around the world in every type of building imaginable. Similarly, work for IBG now extends far beyond the original boundaries of company history. In the commercial, residential and institutional markets, IBG has become known as a leader in skylight design, putting to use the latest technology and experience. The company’s name originates from the title Ickes-Braun Glasshouses. “We dropped that about 25 years ago,” Davison says, “but some old-timers still know that’s what IBG stands for.” Davison himself has been around the business for 34 years. A self-described “type-A personality,” he started off in a shipyard a couple years out of college, and joined IBG soon thereafter. Since rising to the top of the company, he has considerably strengthened and grown IBG’s reputation and scope. IBG currently employs 16 individuals and has corporate headquarters and a main office located in Beamsville, Ontario, conveniently situated between and Toronto and Buffalo, New York, about an hour away from both. The work that IBG completes extends worldwide, and the company has representatives in Japan, Bahrain, the US, Canada, and elsewhere. This independent business was originally an American company based in Chicago, with offices in San Jose, California, Colorado, Florida and Canada. IBG initially was not allowed to do international work independently, but only through the US office; however, that changed when Davison took the helm in 1985. Since then, IBG has completed work in Hong Kong, Algeria, Japan, Holland, Bahrain, Turkey, and projects for the sultan of Brunei. IBG’s services span through every stage of planning, development and execution, and also includes tasks such as preliminary design, fabrication, computer aided design (CAD), on-site project management and consultation, and excellence in execution. IBG works closely with architects and engineers through each step of the process ensuring close management and accurate end products . IBG’s commitment to top-quality partnerships shows. Work completed by IBG includes Toronto’s state of the art Skydome (now known as Rogers Centre) and the vast and impressive West Edmonton Mall, the National Art Gallery in Ottawa, and work on the Toronto Airport. IBG also completed work for the upscale Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC which involved renovating work that another company completed several years ago that didn’t live up to the client’s standards. The company has also completed a variety of commercial projects, ranging from a budget of $5,000 to $2 million. Given IBG’s small size and versatility, Davison notes that his team has the unique ability to complete large as well as small jobs and to do intricate and complicated architectural glasswork that other, larger companies can’t handle. IBG is versatile in part because its employees are cross-trained to do all jobs-- and everyone is always looking for ways to make improvements. Some long-time employees help give continuity to the company. For example, the foreman, assistant foreman, and shipper have been a part of IBG for 25 years, as have half of the engineering and office staff. In terms of marketing and publicity, Davison says, “Our customers are our salesmen. They come to us,” based on the reputation that IBG has built over decades. Davison goes to some trade shows to make his company’s presence felt, and he notes the success of working directly with customers to solve problems, especially when it comes to design issues. When asked about challenges and the triumphs, Davison stresses the importance of working closely with architects: “the challenge on every job is seeing that the architect gets what he wants. He may have a vision of what he wants, but we have to make it work technically – do the engineering, make it functional – make it possible. Our work in aluminum and glass interprets their vision.” New and exciting challenges lie ahead on the horizon, too: “We have lots of work booked. Right now one of our largest jobs is a penthouse skylight at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto for Sota Glazing Inc.” Davison knows that the challenging economy will present tough times, but he suspects the next six months will create an increase in business once more, especially with stimulus money making its way into the system. IBG is also expanding into new areas including sunshades and louvers; “a compatible business,” as Davison notes. “I’m not averse to trying something new so that IBG always stays at the forefront of skylight technology.”