December 14, 2019
Contributed by Alyssa Lally
Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
International Builders & Consultants, Inc. has a new home in Lee’s Summit. IBC moved into its new headquarters in November, following eight months of construction.
President Brandy McCombs started IBC from scratch in 2009. The company is comprised of two separate entities. IBC Traffic provides road striping and traffic control, while IBC Carpentry is a commercial interior finish contractor. McCombs said there are about 80 employees between the two businesses with another 25 expected to be hired in the spring and summer months of 2020. Approximately 45 jobs are expected to be based in the Lee’s Summit office.
McCombs hired A.L. Huber to be the general contractor for the new $2.5 million building located near NE Independence Avenue and NE Colbern Road. The office features trendy additions such as sit-to-stand desks, flexible seating and wardrobes in offices for employees to keep a change of clothes.
Before the Lee’s Summit location was constructed, IBC had just one office in the West Bottoms area of Kansas City, MO. McCombs said adding the Lee’s Summit location allows for more convenient access to clients and resources on the southeast side of Kansas City.
“MODOT is right there. Also, this is centrally located to our customers on this side of town [Kansas City],” said McCombs. “Most of my guys live in the Lee’s Summit area. It’s one reason we picked Lee’s Summit.”
McCombs said having a location on each side of the Kansas City metropolitan is especially helpful for her employees who are on call 24/7 for the traffic side of her business.
“If he lives in Lone Jack, the office is here, think of how much easier and faster we can get to our clients,” said McCombs.
Aside from the convenience, McCombs said the Lee’s Summit location also allows the company to keep more inventory on-hand and provides much-needed space.
“This is going to be awesome to actually have an office because I’ve given up a lot of my offices to staff since I can work remotely or in meetings and I’m not there as often as they are,” said McCombs. “It will be awesome for everyone to have their own office too because we have a lot of cubicles down in the other location.”
LSEDC President & CEO Rick McDowell said IBC is a nice addition to the Lee’s Summit business community.
“We are so excited to have IBC in Lee’s Summit,” said LSEDC President & CEO Rick McDowell. “Its presence will increase the quality jobs available in our area and give our builders another nearby, quality contracting option.”
IBC is currently working on several large projects including the new KCI Terminal Project, 152 Highway Interchange Project and West Bottoms Flats.
McCombs said she is eager to begin operating out of the Lee’s Summit office and become more familiar with the local business network.
“It seems like all the people here are interconnected,” said McCombs. “There’s a community feel here.”
IBC plans to hold a grand opening celebration in the spring.
