TEXAS DEALERSHIP FOUNDER RETIRES

Kirby Restaurant and Chemical Supply is now under second-generation management. Founder Tom Bell has retired after 40 years and passed on the company to his son, Mike, who joined him at the Longview, Texas, dealership two years after its founding in 1970. Tom can now be found in Maui, Hawaii, while Mike carries on as president.

Their partnership grew Kirby into a full-service E&S company with more than $37 million in annual sales. In addition to showroom and internet sales and a service department, Kirby has a nationwide contract sales division, chemical blending plant, and an ice- and dish-machine leasing division.