Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

James Dyson has voiced his feelings in regard to what it will take to save Britain's manufacturing industry in a report commissioned by the country's Conservative Party.  An interesting read and plenty of UK reader comments follow.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/recession/7400742/Sir-James-Dyson-plan-to-fill-UKs-engineering-vacuum.html

M00seUK and vacmanuk, I'll be glad to learn what you think.

Venson

Dyson is in the news today with ambitious plans scale up new product development, by employing 350 more people in R&D - doubling the number of existing staff:-

Dyson goes on recruitment drive to develop its brave new world

"The British company whose futuristic designs led to the reinvention of the vacuum cleaner is planning to push the boundaries still further by hiring 350 engineers and scientists to work on new products."

James Dyson: “We are doing very well despite the recession and we have made the decision to increase our spend on R&D. It may be difficult to find 350 suitably qualified people, [but] despite the country’s failing in investment in education in the engineering sector I am sure we will find the right people. It is vital that Dyson continues to invest to stay at the forefront of industry.”

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/industrials/article7107878.ece

If they indeed follow this though, it's certainly a bold move for the company. Coming out of a recession and adding, say, 50 skilled positions would be encouraging - 350 positions is something else. For a private company, they must have a fair amount of board-level optimism and funding in place.

Thanks M00seUK for the dyson update.  As usual sounds great.  Makes for great press.  Especially in the politically charged air of UK these days.  If Tony Blair or the Liberal democrats defeat David Cameron, Sir James bold strategy may wane.

Of note in the article, dyson financial results for 2009 have not been issued yet.  Sir James is still despondent over Tony Blair's snub/thumbs downon dyson's engineering HS.  Seems dyson is turning away from vacuums for more pie in the sky inventions.  Nice to dream big. 

Not noted ion the article, Euro is taking a beating with the financial crisis in Greece.  At $1.38 now I believe if not lower.  Expected to go lower.  Other countries in Europe can follow Greece too, downward.  Housing market is suffering in the UK as badly as the USA.  Maybe worse.  All doesn't bode well for the new bold dyson strategy.  Is it more politics and personal?  Time will tell. 

Carmine D.

Hello Carmine,
Always glad to have your unique take on positive news for Dyson, lest this place ever become a fawning Dyson worship forum.

I'd hope that whatever government is formed in the upcoming elections, that they realise the long-term gains of encouraging high-tech innovation, alongside the returns in the short-term (when times are good) from the financial services.

I'm still not personally 100% sure if the fortunes of the Euro directly affect Dyson? It's reported that Dyson products are imported in to the UK, then exported to the various markets, presumably with value-added, which classes them partially as a net export, by value. While the exchange rate of Euro would influence the value of exports to Europe, I don't think it would effect, for example, the value of exports to North America, which would be covered by the USD / GBP exchange rate. At least, that's the argument we often hear in the UK, against adapting the Euro, is that it would restrict businesses here to a common rate.

What I observe from this announcement is that Dyson is more than a little PR savvy. In one swoop, they project a message that:- 1) Their products are reportedly very popular 2) They have a pledge towards dramatically increasing their UK-based skilled workforce 3) They're getting the word out there that they're hiring (who needs to rely on expensive recruitment agencies, if you're high profile enough?).

There also give themselves some 'wiggle room'. They could announce in 6 months time that they could only fill 50 of the positions locally and the other 300 R&D jobs will be filled internationally. Now, there's nothing uncommon with that - plenty of businesses fill their research positions across the world, wherever they can find the right talent. However, Dyson is frequently put under the great scrutiny from a cynical British public, aided with the help of the cynical British press.

Going by a flurry of recent patent filings, with high quality drawings, it looks highly likely that later in the year Dyson will announce a range of kitchen appliances, which will feature in most cases, their digital motor technology. If the trials of these products have been positive, then they'll be looking to prepare and capitalise with some spotless PR and the added optimism that an increase in revenue can support all these new job positions.

Hiya MOOseUK,

Hope all is well for you on your side of the sea.  We'll have to see how this announcement proves out.  It sounds no more than a non-commital chat with the press.  People do it all the time for the sake of business.  You do have to entertain them now and then so they'll keep your name out in front of the public for reasons other than scandal.

At the tail-end of the article: The company’s recruitment drive comes after new figures revealed that there has been no relief from the downsizing of British industry. Statistics from the CBI last week showed that while the manufacturing industry is beginning to recover, deep job cuts of last year are not being reversed. Long-term statistics revealed that the British manufacturing sector has failed to raise employment levels since 2004. The company’s recruitment drive comes after new figures revealed that there has been no relief from the downsizing of British industry. Statistics from the CBI last week showed that while the manufacturing industry is beginning to recover, deep job cuts of last year are not being reversed. Long-term statistics revealed that the British manufacturing sector has failed to raise employment levels since 2004. The company’s recruitment drive comes after new figures revealed that there has been no relief from the downsizing of British industry. Statistics from the CBI last week showed that while the manufacturing industry is beginning to recover, deep job cuts of last year are not being reversed. Long-term statistics revealed that the British manufacturing sector has failed to raise employment levels since 2004. The company’s recruitment drive comes after new figures revealed that there has been no relief from the downsizing of British industry. Statistics from the CBI last week showed that while the manufacturing industry is beginning to recover, deep job cuts of last year are not being reversed. Long-term statistics revealed that the British manufacturing sector has failed to raise employment levels since 2004.

At the beginning of the article 560 jobs were regarded as lost due to the company's moving work elsewhere.  350 jobs lost doest quite match the amount lost.  As well, there comes another statement by Dyson himself as to the big IF of finding enough qualified persons for the proposed research and development positons -- It may be difficult to find 350 suitably qualified people, [but] despite the country’s failing in investment in education in the engineering sector I am sure we will find the right people.

Sounds to me like a deliberate opening and excuse for backing off on this whole deal later on.  In any event, we're not talking either skilled or unskilled labor here -- we're talking about the acqusition of real talent -- especially in light of the work called for and the salary proposed.  People just don't give away 45,000 pound yearly salaries and  I doubt if those of a mind to do business are prepared to wait for UK education standards to rise to their level of requirement if they are as low as Dyson's iindictment\ infers.  That kind of thing does not happen over night.

Last of all, worldwide economic improvement should be his barometer since he sells worldwide.  Thus far even myself -- just another dumb shopper -- does not see the advantage in his claimed intentions in that, bottom line, you have to have someone to sell the stuff you develop to.  Research and develop all you want but if there's no one to buy the final product, what's the good?

Venson

Hello Venson, M00seUK:

Seems my unique view is shared.  I have from the start cast a very weary eye on all things dyson, as Sir James is not a business man let alone a vacuum man.  He got lucky thanks to the persuasion of BEST BUY management to launch in the USA and 2 successful lawsuits with windfall profits.  3 cheers for all the dyson patents and political manuevering in the UK.  Maybe dyson can finally get a dishwasher to market after 3 years plus of patent filing.  Sadly patent laws accomplish just the opposite of their intent.  Especially when you have filers sitting on patents for years without ever bringing a product to market with the patent.   

Carmine D.

Ah but Carmine you have to admit that hollow fan is a heck of an idea. Why no one ever thought of it before, is beyond me.

Frankly I'd love it if Dyson invents a lawn mower that needs less emptying!

vacmanuk wrote:

Sorry to burst your bubble and shoot holes in your dreams but not for the dyson prices.  $300 plus for a 10-12 inch fan?  Don't like the desk top model at that price. Never will.  Prefer a window/portable AC for that price and they are in abundant supply.  As usual, Sir James invents the high price solution for the problem that no one knows/has except him. 

Carmine D.

Not having a fan that has to have its impellers cleaned because of dust forming on them is better in my book Carmine. When Dyson first launched the upright vac in the UK hardly anyone bought them because they were too expensive. However prices do drop due to demand and purchase. It wont be long before Dyson brings a small model to the market. It is a clean proposition when considering an air fan.

Two pieces of news off the back of the Dyson R&D job announcement this week...

Sunday Times Rich List 2010
Whilst I personally think these lists are little more than speculation, if you do follow them you might be interested to learn that James Dyson has seen his net worth rise 64 per cent from GBP 560m to GBP 920m
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8117554.Dyson_cleans_up_in_the_rich_list/

Royal approval for AirBlade
The Sun newspaper reports that Buckingham Palace has been fitted out with the Dyson AirBlade and illustrated by a mock-up photo of the Queen using the hand drier. Perfect news fodder for getting their message in to the tabloids - Dyson's PR machine is as well oiled as ever.

M00seUK wrote:

Hi MOOseUK,

These days that's what it's all about.  Hearsay, sound bytes and video clips to make you feel "fluffy" inside.  I'd ask if in reality the queen sent someone off to Harrod's or wherever to buy a houseful of fans or if Dyson somehow "contributed" to the effort.

Best,

Venson