work on referrals to sell the company's top line multi-purpose "home maintenance'' machine.

The referral approach, is "still the trend at Kirby -- for everywhere the home maintenance system is sold'', said Mrs. Kim Smith-Jensen.

The company distributes the machine, which has six major functions, in Bermuda and the Caribbean rights.

And according to Mrs. Sherrie Smith-Outerbridge: "Kirby is not just about sales it is about growth.'' The new owners -- who are sisters -- took over the business on August 1 from Mr. Dalton Carlington and his wife, Mrs. Carol Carlington, who retired.

Mrs. Smith-Jensen, who started Kirby Bermuda with Mrs. Carlington, moved to Denmark and introduced the machine to that country. Distribution there expanded to several other European countries while the best sales month for Denmark was 1,200 units, she said.

While Mrs. Smith-Jensen was in Denmark, the company built its sales force up to 500 with nine distributors in 38 distribution areas.

Mrs. Smith-Outerbridge was a sales administrator for Kirby here for three years previously. The Bermuda business will not only include sales to the Island's residents and commercial customers but also to clients in the Caribbean.

The pair feel there is room to grow both on the Island and in the Caribbean.

Kirby Bermuda currently has offices in St. Thomas and the Barbados.

The machine is "not just a vacuum -- it performs several functions in and around the house,'' said Mrs. Smith-Outerbridge.

It will even blow up balloons, blow leaves from the lawn and help change hard-to-reach light bulbs, she added.

Some other features include sanding, spray-painting and a portable shampooing system as well as vacuuming. It also has a patented deep cleaning machine.

There are six major features with 64 functions in total, explained Mrs.

Smith-Outerbridge.

The Bermuda affiliate currently includes 15 employees and not only sells the machine but also services it as well.

The Kirby Company was started by Mr. James Kirby 80 years ago and is currently owned by the Scott Fetzer Company, which is owned by millionaire investor Mr.

Warren Buffett.

SISTER ACT -- Mrs. Kim Smith-Jensen, left, and Mrs. Sherrie Smith-Outerbridge, the new owners and distributors of Kirby of Bermuda.