Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

TTI Bought Royal and then Hoover USA. Vax was acquired by Royal prior to that.

There seem to be similarities certain Bissell carpet cleaners share with these brands. Anyone know anything about this?

The D/D i vac seems to have disappeared from their website. It was Vax before that, Bosch before that, Siemens before that. Anyone know where the original design came from? The new D/D Gator vac looks similar to Shark/EuroPro, especially the power nozzle. 

Finally, from the first time I saw the Shark cordless power sweeper, I thought it would make one heck of a battery operated power nozzle! Instant upgrade for older canisters, and power sweeping under beds and couches for uprights.  The tray would catch the heavy objects.  Good idea, even if I did think of it.

Trebor wrote:

Hello Trebor:

Excellent idea.

Carmine D.

The big box uprights that you see on the market esp ones from Bissell, Electrolux, Hoover, Dirt Devil, Vax - all of them come from one main Chinese factory. Accordingly whoever then pays extra license fees will find their own name brand on a similar upright model that is available elsewhere. For example, in the UK we have Proaction which is a mix of LG and Dirt Devil U.S models that the UK doesn't get much of, despite Vax churning out similar based models but not the SAME. However under a different brand name you can buy a Dirt Devil U.S model without any knowledge.

Trebor wrote:
TTI purchased VAX, but Royal did not purchase VAX.  Royal did use some VAX products, in the USA, before ever being purchased by TTI.

I can help you w/the DD, VAX, Bosch upright question also.  This DD ivac was originally designed and made by TTI.  Remember,  TTI was/is a major designer/marketer of vacuum cleaners, not only for them, but for other companies.

TTI is not the only vacuum cleaner manufacturer in China.  Like I said way back on the other forum, There are hundreds of factories making vacuum cleaners alone in China.  There are major factories that you may recognize like TTI, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, and Daewoo to name a few.  Then there are other companies that make vacuum cleaners, for the USA, that you would not even recognize.

A short narrative on the Chinese economy and perhaps an insight into the reasons companies have their production plants there, in addition to cheaper labor costs.  Of interest when you read this blurb is that the "middle class" alone in China is expected to number 300 MILLION in a few short years, about the total population of the USA.  Keep in mind too that while China's economy and people are growing by leaps and bounds, the rest of the global economy is tanking and forecasts are the trend will continue.

Enjoy.

Carmine D.

________________________________________________________________________________________

China's economy expected to grow faster in 2009: World Bank report

www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-04 16:55:13

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank on Wednesday raised China's economic growth forecast for this year and projected sustainable and robust growth in 2010.     China's gross domestic product would increase 8.4 percent this year, making the country's goal of 8 percent within reach, the Washington-based lender said in its latest update on China's economy.     In June, the bank raised its forecast of China's economic growth rate in 2009 to 7.2 percent from its earlier forecast of 6.5 percent.     Ardo Hansson, the bank's lead economist for China, attributed the possible faster growth to the Chinese government's massive fiscal and monetary stimulus.     China registered an economic growth rate of 8.9 percent in the third quarter and the figure for the first nine months stood at 7.7 percent, according to the National bureau of Statistics in October.     The report said China would see robust growth continue in 2010, and rising exports would help drive growth.     Hansson said China's economy would rely more on domestic consumption and a more flexible exchange rate policy should be worked out as the U.S. currency would continue weakening.     The bank advised China put more emphasis on consumption and services rather than investment and industry with an aim of achieving balanced and sustainable economic development.     Conditions were not yet ripe for major tightening, but, in the context of abundant liquidity, risks of asset price bubbles and misallocation of resources did exist, and the government should be well prepared for them, said Louis Kuijs, the bank's senior economist in Beijing.

"...Then there are other companies that make vacuum cleaners, for the USA, that you would not even recognize..." as Mike W says, including Miele's Powerhouse uprights which are the Panasonic here.

So Does TTI own any production facilities of their own? Or do they simply purchase models made to their specs and branded Hoover, Dirt Devil, Vax, the way EurekaLux and Bissell do?  Are all of these factories independent? Or like the most of the major brand name appliances in the world today, are they all in bed with each other making products for whichever whore will pay their price?

Trebor wrote:
Hi again Trebor,

Check out Alibaba.com when you've time. Set up a search for "vacuum cleaner" and choose any country you're interested in from the pull-down menu. The search results may prove quite interesting.

Venson

Image from Tacony Manufacturing's web site...

Interesting, DIB

Thanks for posting the map

Trebor

Very Interesting map. Not included in U.S. -Tristar, Aerus/Lux, Fairfax, Air Storm, Rainbow,. All are made and sold in U.S.A. Makes me think they want people believe they are the only American cleaners beside KIrby,Oreck and themselves made here for people that buy American.

                                                                                         Procare

  Before I leave this site for awhile there is also Miracle Mate and one other  that the name isn't remembered right now but I will get back to you on that.

                                                                                                                                                      Procare

procare wrote:

Health Mor's Filter Queen.  Rainbow.  There are German and Italian brands of vacuums sold in the USA too that are not illustrated on the map.  Perhaps there are some footnotes that accompany the map that are omitted and not included. 

Carmine D.

Miracle mate is mfg in Canada, right? I think Airstorm has been dropped, leaving only Patriot from Schoettler. Superior Mfg produces Water Matic/Filter Magic (I think these differ only in the size of the bucket) plus the dry p/u only Trendvac. And don't forget Silver King, they still have a website up. Metropolitan. BK200, the last remnant of Airway  design.  Aerus/Lux  was assembled in El Paso, TX from parts made in Mexico. I heard rumors of the Bristol/Piney Flats complex being used again, but that does not mean they make the parts.  Kirby now assembles their units from parts made all over the world.  I don't know about Rainbow, Filter Queen and Oreck, how much of their units are actually made here in the US, and how much is outsourced.

I think the point Tacony is trying to make about the Simplicity/ Riccar lines is that they are all made in the US, even the motors. The injection molding is done at the plant. So the customer can spend anywhere from $200.00 to $1500.00 for a quality, all American-made vacuum cleaner that is truly MADE in the USA. The specialty expensive DTD brands comprise a very small segment of the total vacuum cleaner market.  I think the disposable vacuum trend, along with bagless vacuums, and expensive DTD are pushing the thinking consumer in the direction of central vacuum systems.  Just for fun I recently made two lists of vacuum manufacturers, one of consumer/domestic manufacturers/brand name portable vacuums, and one of central vacuums.  I came up with just over 50 in each list. I expect the number of available brands of portable vacuums will continue to decrease while the central vac makers stay the same or increase.

procare wrote:
That could very well be.

DIB

Trebor wrote:
You're welcome.  Check this out...
DIB
 
Click for story  More here.  There is a small audio file (a speaker icon - mid page/above article) that accompanies the story.  If the page hangs up upon loading - hit refresh.

Trebor wrote:
Yes, Miracle Mate is manufactured and headquartered in Richmond, BC. Though It is my understanding they had a branch plant located in Blaine, Washington to supply the US market.

Kirbys are assembled in Cleveland, OH from parts made elsewhere. Look at a Sentria Box

Does anyone know for certain about Oreck? Do they use American made motors? Do their own injection molding?

This would be a very interesting topic to research.

Trebor

                     Aerus / Lux machines are manufactured in Brstol. The Era Fresh upright is imported. 

                                                                                                                             Procare                                                                                                                                   

Trebor wrote:

Hello Trebor:

The federal government thru its agencies like the Federal Trade Commission regulates/oversees the requirements for brands using the claim on their products:  MADE IN THE USA.  To make the claim, the majority of parts and labor have to be made/performed in the USA.  With ORECK vacuums, which are comprised of 30 plus individual components and/or parts, the overwhelming majority of the vacuum's parts, including the vacuum motors, are USA made.  Else, ORECK could not/would not be allowed to make the claim.  Yes, the companies have to provide proof for the claim that is subject to government review/oversight and if found lacking penalties including not using the claim.

Hope this info clarifies for you/others.

Carmine D.

OH look at you Patriotic lot! Mind you I am slightly jealous - do wish we could have more U.S brands here in the U.K Im totally disappointed to read of another disaster - Chrysler are to stop putting badges on their cars and replaced with Lancia. What a way to go; : (

CarmineD wrote:

Any outsourced parts should also qualify as being MADE IN THE USA if they comprise a significant portion of the units cost. 

Exporting products out of the US can be costly if they fail to qualify as USA origin.  In addition to significant fines the exporter may have to forfeit the goods to the government of the country of destination.