The Kirby brand has been established in Australia since 1924. The company was acquired by Lennox International in 1999 and began trading with Lovelocks under the Heatcraft name in 2004.
Beijer Ref’s SEK450m purchase from Lennox International in April last year included operations in Australia, China and Singapore and a manufacturing unit in Wuxi, China, where heat exchangers and cooling units are produced. The deal also included 5% of the shares in Thai compressor manufacturer Kulthorn Kirby.
One of the largest refrigeration wholesalers in Australia, Kirby has a distribution network of over 60 outlets. Over the coming 12 months, all Heatcraft store fronts will undergo a rebrand to Kirby.
Beijer Ref says the new Kirby business will continue to operate alongside the Group’s Beijer Ref Australia operation as two independent businesses and Kirby will continue to distribute and promote its exclusive brands including Kirby refrigeration equipment, Lennox HVAC equipment, Gas2Go and smart@ccess alongside the other leading brands.
