Cincinnati-based Kirk & Blum ranks first in sales among North American sheet metal contractors, the Engineering News-Record reported. The rankings are based on 2006 sales.

Part of Ceco Environmental, Kirk & Blum moved up from third to first on increased sales from $81.5 million to $104.8 million, the largest year-to-year jump in company history.

Sales through the first three quarters of 2007 are running ahead of last year’s pace, offering good prospects for K&B to hold on to its No.1 position in next year’s rankings, said Rick Blum, Ceco Environmental president.

Kirk & Blum provides full-service design, fabrication and installation operations in Cincinnati; Canton, Miss.; Columbia, Tenn.; Defiance, Ohio; Greensboro, N.C.; Indianapolis; and Lexington and Louisville, Ky.
The company said that its multiple locations allow K&B to stay close to customers and markets and provide a fast, flexible response to opportunities

Founded in 1907, Kirk & Blum was family-owned until purchased by Ceco in 1999.