KB started out at 12 Swinbourne Grove, Withington Manchester (Burns-Anderson Ltd, Offices), supplying an on site service of cut, bent and fixed reinforcing bar. It was primarily involved in advanced bridgework contracts during building of the M6 in Cumbria, the M61 and the M62. In 1968 it ceased site work and moved to factory premises at Bridge Street, Swinton. In 1971 it moved to Boothstown, where it stayed for 38 years until 2009, before moving to its present location in Wigan.
Founder Kenneth Buckley whose initials are the name of the company, had hobbies of photography and sailing at Abersoch. Some of the photos on this webpage were taken by him during the early years of KB Reinforcements. He lived in Anglesey and died in 1995. Over the years KB Reinforcements has been owned by several companies including Burns-Anderson Ltd, Richardson Bros, Akeler Group and Bowmer & Kirkland Ltd. Its name has also evolved over the years, lastly changing in 2008 to KB Rebar Ltd when the current owners took over.
KB Rebar Ltd, Manchester’s reinforcement supplier for over 50 years. Evolving over the decades to becoming the private independent limited company you know today.
The company’s latest logo is part of a plan to give the well established brand name of KB a fresh new image to show it is continually evolving and ready to take on the future. The slide show opposite shows a selection of old photographs charting various aspects of the company’s history. These black and white photos were taken by Kenneth Buckley.
Previous Company Names:
- K B Reinforcements (Manchester) Ltd
- K B Reinforcements Ltd
- K B Reinforcements (Northern) Ltd
