Kirby chairman Lawrence retires

Kirby chairman Lawrence retires    Tank barge specialist Kirby Corp. said Chairman C. Berdon Lawrence will retire April 27 at the company’s 2010 annual meeting.
   The founder and former president of Hollywood Marine, Lawrence has served as Kirby’s chairman since the two companies merged a decade ago.. He will continue to serve as a consultant to Kirby and will remain on the Kirby Board.
   The merged company has seen assets grow from $753 million to $1.5 billion and revenue from $513 million in 2000 to $1.4 billion in 2008.
   Houston-based Kirby operates inland tank barges and towing vessels transporting petrochemicals, black oil products, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals throughout the United States’ inland waterway system. Kirby also owns and operates four oceangoing barge and tug units transporting dry bulk commodities in United States coastwise trade. Through the diesel engine services segment, Kirby provides after-market service for medium-speed and high-speed diesel engines and reduction gears used in marine, power generation and railroad applications.