Kirby Company sold to Right Lane Industries

[oreck_xl]

It happens when vacuum manufacturers no longer want to fit in with the times. It happened to Air Way 20 years ago, and frankly I can't figure out how Filter Queen is still holding on. They're DATED designs and as Tom already pointed out the customers who appreciate the tried and true are passing away.

 

[juju93]

@y Kirbyg6

I can't see kirby doing a scrubbing brush type attachment for the portable shampooer, especially since its in the blower mode type format. I do hope rexair does a scrubbing spinbrush for its portable shampooer. At lease with rexair thats a good possibility and a potential one too.


If kirby doesn't change something within the next few years or within the next few models, I can see them sadly going out of buisness. I say that simply because they don't wanna address consumers and current owners concerns and issues with the system. I mean if they wanna keep the G-series then change something on it, besides the handle and pattern design. The belt lifter design is long overdue to be changed and the same can be said about the headlight area, hence it not looking like a sentria/avalir anymore. Now Ive addressed my concerns and wants in various threads and I'm sure yall have see them so yeah, those concerns I think a lot of us can agree on and I think someone in Kirby should read these threads and take notes and pass it on.

 

[electromatik]

Absolutely the modern customers are fueling all this. Everything is about convenience and fast results now. There could still be hope for these vacuums if they do what is necessary to make themselves known and relevant to the modern consumer. Kirby needs to make some design changes. Like others have pointed out, it needs to be lighter and easier to use. They don't have to give up the direct air system, but some engineering muscle could give it modern features too.

For example, they could re-imagine the Kirby with a flatter head design while keeping the direct air design, similar to the Tandem Air head of the Tacony models, only much stronger of course since it would be the main suction fan. Reconfigure the belt so that it operates with independent gears. Include an ability to turn off the brushroll with a foot pedal. Perhaps do away with the cloth bag entirely (but keeping a mini-emptor). Attach a built-in hose that is sealed with rubber gaskets and operates by rotating the hose to the ABOVE FLOOR setting (shutting off the suction to the floor).

I don't think these things are impossible, but they might be if Kirby doesn't have the R&D money to do it with.

If these companies don't get busy our only choices will be Shark and Bissell...

Bluuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeggggggkkkkkkkk

 

[ironman]

The problem is if Warren Buffets money wasn’t enough how is RLI going to do it when they are seriously under capitalized in comparison to Berkshire Hathaway’s big bucks. I just don’t think RLI is going to pump money and resources into a new Kirby as much as they are likely to just remove items, cut cost, remove complexity, remove dealers, and sell directly to their huge Kirby data base of customers directly and target new customers on amazon with a much lower MSRP. Just an opinion and time will tell.

 

[tolivac]

Kirby design change---Change to WHAT?Wonder if RLI wanted a home cleaning products in their fleet of companies.Looked at the websites of the other companies RLI has and they cater to industrial-commercial customers.When some on here say Kirby is "outdated" what about 'Lux,Rainbow,TriStar,Vortech Force,and other premium DTD vacuums?With things opening up now DTD sales are resuming.The Kirby man I know is going DTD again.-and doing well!

 

[ironman]

I wonder if the new owners have the right to terminate existing contracts with their current dealers. I assume their was likely a clause hidden in there just in case something like this occurred.

 

[kloveland]

Tolivac

That’s right! Look at how long the basic style of the lux classic has been around and people jump on Kirby for not changing their design. The basic 2100 tank has had around a 34 year run.

 

[electromatik]

Yes the Kirby is outdated

All of those vacuums mentioned above are easier to use, quieter, and less clunky than a Kirby will ever be. While the Rainbow is somewhat cumbersome to use, it's still far ahead of a Kirby in the modernity arena.

And yes, some of those are outdated also. The Lux vacuums are regularly criticized on this forum for using outdated designs. They are not sealed, they look "old", and they lack some features. The Platinum is the only modern machine (some might would say TOO modern with all the electronics).

The world moves on. We don't use outhouses and we don't drive Model T's. Change requires working out bugs from time to time but we don't just cease.

 

[panasonicvac]

Filter Queen now offers two different colors of choice on their vacuums. Either the Worldwide Edition or the Limited Edition Bronze.

 

[tolivac]

Lux,Rainbow,Filter Queen,ANY of the premium DTD vacuums all have their same basic design they started with.And of course-Kirby.Sticking with designs that WORK is not "outdated"Your newer car works in the same basic way as a model T-think about it!

 

[ironman]

Filterqueens always remind of a cheap plastic trashcan with a motor attached on top.

 

[juju93]

Also rainbow's have changed through the years. If we look over the past 30 years we had the D series and then when they updated that to the E series we got a lot of improvements, primarily a new shape and new connection parts and hepa filtration. Then while in the E series we got the direct connect functions where we didn't have to connect the electrical cord through anything, and we also got several different updates to the aquamate during the E series. Then recently with the SRX series, which is what I have, we no longer have to latch the basin onto the machine as well as a larger hepa filter. Idk about yall but that was a huge key point in me getting the SRX over the E2 Black. Also going back to the D series we had 1 speed, and then the same with the E series and then we got two speed and now 4 with the SRX. So rexair had made drastic improvments over the past 30 years. Also rexair has improve the sound quality through the years, whereas kirby can't and hasn't address the loudness of its machines, which Im sure its something we all want addressed at some point. What has Kirby done in 30+ besides, name, color, belt lifter shape and headlight shape? Not much if you ask me.

 

[scvacuumguy]

I’ll tell you exactly what they will do (if they are smart)

They will ride the wave of the “Kirby” name for the next 15-25 years. They will begin private labeling various models and create a retail big box line. They will consolidate dealers into protected territories for the “flagship” model (it won’t change). They will probably have Tacony label the lightweight corded and cordless and retail those as a non-protected line. The Kirby name on a Chinese piece in Best Buy or WM will appeal to those who have grandparents with the machines, and the $299 price will make it an unbelievable steal, because they never remember how well the Kirby cleans, they just remember the price.

This can work, but only for a little bit. Just ask Joe Urso ;-)

 

[juju93]

@ Scvacuumguy

I really hope that aint the case with Kirby. If they start appearing in retail stores in retail like packaging with different models out at the same time then it wouldn't even feel like a kirby anymore. What kirby really needs to do is keep one model out at a time and not appear in retail store in retail packaging with all types of graphics and stuff on it. What I can say about the packing of kirby is that its clean and simple. It gives enough information to grab the customers attention. It typically got the name of the company, the model type,the color and pattern scheme and depending on the model the MSRP for the machine and accessories on the side of the box. Kirby doesn't need to do all that graphics and information like what you see in the big box stores. This also doesn't take into how they will sell the optional accessories like the MS3, turbo accessory or the floor kits.

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

Bissell would have a heyday. They would make a green Avalor call it a big green clean machine. The could do a upright with hose built in and tools on board. The shampooer could be a cross between a crosswave and Kirby in shampoo mode.
They could just stop selling them a together and dominate the market oh wait can you dominate something that an industry as a whole fell off a cliff and is abysmal.
I'm sure changes are coming. Changes camo for Hoover America's top selling vacuum for along time. Electrolux made amazing canister vacuums that never die. Royal was a poor man's Kirby but a great vacuum. Eureka/sanitaire made quality machines and was a top commercial vacuum company. They all have a common theme.
Bought sold bought sold bought liquidated and disbanded.
If there is a future for Kirby it's not good.

 

[dysonman1]

Hey Les

Wait until the bagless Kirby with the onboard hose comes to QVC. That day will come. Mark my words. “Kirby“ is now just a word. Like “Hoover“.

 

[lesinutah]

Lol

That would be funny. Sharks Dyson's have no bag. It will probably sale for $89.99 but you can't trade your old Kirby in for a new bag less.
Your probably right. The Kirby ninja duo clean with power find.

 

[ironman]

Berkshire Hathaway stock reached an all time high this year (2021) so the sale of Kirby was not done in some desperate need to raise cash, but rather a method to purge an outdated company that no longer fits in with the corporate family.

Berkshire had all the money in the world to invest into Kirby and the decided not to.

 

[lesinutah]

Berkshire

Hathaway basically made a blueprint to retire using the stock market with vanguard accounts. They innovated the entire investment game and basically how america will prosper. They are pioneers in changing hundreds of millions life.
Kirby innovated the vacuum market with a good design. They added a transmission and made a $2200 vacuum that's $400 value.
Kirby will change sadly there not a big enough apple for buffets company to bother with.

 

[juju93]

Heres a hypothetical idea

What if Kirby fiinally comes out with that design that was suppose to be the real avalir? Remember several years ago that there were design pattens for what was suppose to be a newly design kirby? Well what if this new company that bought kirby decides to invest in that design and then launch it as the new kirby whenever that maybe.