The CHAS. E. PHIPPS COMPANY was incorporated in December 1921 by Charles E. Phipps to continue the sale of sand, cement, slag, and stone to Cleveland’s construction industry. The firm was located at 7700 Harvard Avenue and early customers included contractors such as SAMUEL AUSTIN, Bolton & Pratt, and A. M. HIGLEY, as well as manufacturers American Steel & Wire and U.S. Gypsum.
Melbourne Phipps led the firm following Charles E. Phipps’ death in 1935. Under his leadership, the company adapted to changing construction methods by offering products such as joint fillers, waterproofing, and insulation. Building sealants became a key segment in the 1960s when Cleveland-based TREMCO named Phipps as one of its first U.S distributors. David Thomas, C. E. Phipps’ grandson, joined Phipps in 1979 as vice-president of sales and assumed the presidency in 1983 after the death of Melbourne Phipps.
As business grew, Phipps opened a Perrysburg, Ohio branch in 1995 and moved its primary office and warehouse to CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS in 2000. Phipps opened a Canton, Ohio branch under the leadership of Ben Brown, Thomas’ stepson, in 2006. The following year, the firm began to rent, repair, and sell floor preparation equipment, concrete trowel machines, and other specialty equipment to contractors. In 2017, Brown became the company's fourth president.