8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

___________

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

April 15, 2011

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KIRBY CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Nevada   (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 1-7615   (Commission File Number) 74-1884980   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000 Houston, Texas    (Address of principal executive offices)   77007   (Zip Code)

(713) 435-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.01.                      Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

On April 15, 2011, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) completed the previously announced purchase (the “Purchase”) of all of the membership interests of United Holdings LLC (“United”), a privately held distributor and service provider of engine and transmission related products for the oil and gas services, power generation and transportation industries, and manufacturer of oilfield service equipment. The Purchase was completed in accordance with a Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2011, between Kirby Engine Systems, Inc. and United Engines Holding Company, LLC.  The base purchase price was $270 million in cash, before post-closing adjustments, plus a three-year earnout provision for up to an additional $50 million payable in 2014. The Purchase was financed through borrowings under Kirby’s revolving credit facility and existing cash on hand.

Item 7.01                       Regulation FD Disclosure

On April 15, 2011, Kirby issued a press release announcing the completion of the Purchase.  A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this item 7.01 by reference.

Item 9.01.                      Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)           Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release of Kirby Corporation dated April 15, 2011

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	KIRBY CORPORATION
Date: April 20, 2011	/s/ David W. Grzebinski
	David W. Grzebinski Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release of Kirby Corporation dated April 15, 2011

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

KIRBY CORPORATION	Contact:  Steve Holcomb
	713-435-1135

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KIRBY CORPORATION COMPLETES PURCHASE OF UNITED HOLDINGS LLC

Houston, Texas (April 15, 2011) – Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) (NYSE:KEX) announced today the completion of the purchase of United Holdings LLC (“United”), a distributor and service provider of engine and transmission related products for the oil and gas services, power generation and transportation industries, and manufacturer of oilfield service equipment. The base purchase price was $270 million in cash, before post-closing adjustments.  The purchase was financed using Kirby’s existing cash and revolving credit facility.

United, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with 21 locations across 13 states, distributes and services equipment and parts for Allison Transmission, MTU Detroit Diesel Engines, Daimler Trucks NA, and other diesel and natural gas engines.  United also manufactures oilfield service equipment, including hydraulic fracturing equipment.  United’s principal customers are oilfield service companies, oil and gas operators and producers, compression service companies and transportation companies.

Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, is in the marine transportation business, principally operating inland tank barges and towing vessels, and transporting petrochemicals, black oil products, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals throughout the United States inland waterway system.  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, and distributes and services high-speed diesel engines, transmissions, pumps and compression products and manufactures oilfield service equipment, including hydraulic fracturing equipment, for land-based pressure pumping and oilfield services markets.

Statements contained in this press release with respect to the future are forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect management’s reasonable judgment with respect to future events.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including cyclical or other downturns in demand, significant pricing competition, unanticipated additions to industry capacity, changes in the Jones Act or in U.S. maritime policy and practice, fuel costs, interest rates, weather conditions, and timing, magnitude and number of acquisitions made by Kirby.  Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and Kirby assumes no obligation to update such statements.  A list of additional risk factors can be found in Kirby’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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