Kirby Company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kirby Company | |
|---|---|
| Type | subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Headquarters | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Industry | Consumer products |
| Products | Vacuum cleaners |
| Parent | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Website | www.kirby.com |
The Kirby Company is a manufacturer of high-end vacuum cleaners and home cleaning accessories, based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a subsidiary of the Scott Fetzer Company and part of Berkshire Hathaway. Since the 1920s, Kirby's products have been sold only door-to-door using in-home demonstrations.[1] Kirby vacuum cleaners have a retro look reminiscent of a 1920s model. The company's cleaners are often described as effective in The new development of a self propelled function introduced in the G Series making cleaning much easier.[2]
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[edit] History
The first Kirby vacuums were designed by Jim Kirby for George Scott and Carl Fetzer after World War I, although the Kirby name was not used on a Vacuum Cleaner until the 1930s.[citation needed]
In 1970, input from Kirby Distributors, Dealers, management and customers guided Kirby engineers in developing the Kirby Classic. The model was an instant success, with soaring sales, forcing the company to expand its manufacturing facilities outside of Cleveland for the first time. In 1972, Kirby West began operations in Andrews, Texas. The facility doubled the company’s manufacturing capabilities.[citation needed]
[edit] Warranty
The Kirby warranty[2] varies depending on the model sold, but always has the lifetime factory rebuild plan. The warranty on the current model, the Sentria, is a three-year factory warranty excluding wear and tear. After the initial warranty expires, the rebuild plan is activated and thats good for the lifetime of the original purchaser, in which the owner can have the Sentria completely restored to its original condition for a price determined by the United States Consumer Price Index (currently $175), plus shipping cost. In addition, if during this time the Kirby is damaged in a fire, the Kirby company will replace the vacuum with the current model for the same fee. In both of these instances, a new 1-year warranty comes into effect.
[edit] Sales representatives
Kirby uses a rank structure where newly recruited sales representatives perform sales and demonstrations.
Sales representatives are encouraged to be motivated while working at Kirby, sing motivational songs, listen to motivational speeches, and are rewarded with prizes and sales medals.
Dealers are located in several countries throughout the world.
[edit] Regional variations
In the Eastern United States, representatives use a traditional door-to-door approach, providing one person with a vacuum and little management support.[citation needed]
In Hawaii (officially part of the Asia-Pacific Division of the company), there is a hybrid approach of telemarketing and direct sales. Unlike the midwestern approach of having "won" something, the telemarketers advise potential customers that they have been "randomly selected" to have their carpet, couch, or mattress deep-cleaned ending with the pitch, "Which would you prefer?"[citation needed]
[edit] Products
[edit] Model history[3]
The first model with a substantial redesign was the Kirby Classic.
The Kirby Tradition was first Kirby model to feature disposable paper bags, notably later than other vacuum manufacturers.
Another substantial redesign from the ground up, introduces the patented TechDrive Power Assist self-propelled feature which eliminates 90% of the effort required to move the Kirby back and forth.
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[edit] Logo history
- First Logo (1935-1953) The first Kirby logo was founder Jim Kirby's own handwritten signature against a circle, and was used from 1935 to 1953 (it was slightly modified in 1950).
- Second Logo (1953-1963) The follow-up Kirby logo featured a modernized Kirby cursive logo, and was still inside a circle shape.
- Third Logo (1963-1969) Although the Kirby script logo was unchanged from 1963, the shape the script is set against is now an oval instead of a circle.
- Fourth Logo (1969-1990) A very-abstract looking script of the Kirby name. The K features a stem on the upper part while the Y has this stem on its lower part, both of which extend through the lower-cased r.
- Fifth and Current Logo (1990-present) The Kirby name is in all-caps and is styled in a futuristic stretched-out font.
[edit] Kirby products online
Kirby vacuum cleaners, new and used, can be found on eBay for prices ranging from $200 to $1900 for recent models. However, such sales are unauthorized by Kirby and do not carry any warranty. They can also be stolen machines.
Some units originate from distributors that have left the business and are selling their remaining units at wholesale prices, and people selling reconditioned units.
Occasionally, Kirby distributors that are currently in business will sell their units on eBay. The Kirby Company itself is known to buy or have another distributor buy units off of the internet to trace back the serial number. Once the units are traced back to a Kirby distributor that is currently in operation, Kirby usually terminates the distributor, due to the company's strong preference not to have its machines sold on the Internet or at wholesale prices.
[edit] References
- ^ The Kirby Story from the company's website
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Kirby Model History
