The Kirby Company is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and home cleaning accessories, based in Cleveland, Ohio,USA. It is a division of the The Scott Fetzer Company (also known as Scott & Fetzer) which in turn is part of Berkshire Hathaway. Dealers are located in over 70 countries throughout the world. Since 1914, Kirby's products have been sold only door-to-door using in-home demonstrations. The name of the brand is often associated with the naming of Nintendo's video game character Kirby, who has the ability to suck and blow out objects similar to a vacuum cleaner.
Berkshire does not disclose Kirby's sales numbers, but Gene Windfeldt, the CEO from 1988 to 1997, estimated the vacuum sales at $1.1 billion per year in 1999. About 70% of Kirby's vacuum sales are financed through distributors.
The Kirby Company is a member of the Direct Sales Association.
Read more about Kirby Company: History, Kirby Sentria Model, Warranty, Sales Model, Criticism of Marketing and Sales Practices, Litigation
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