Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Dyson has this week released details of their end of year 2009 performance and generally paints a positive picture. Highlights include:-

• Despite the recession, global sales for the company increased 23% to 770m GBP
• Operating profits more than doubled from 90m to 190m GBP
• The Dyson Air Multiplier is a top seller in Australia; within 6 weeks, representing 64% of the market for desk fans, by value.
• In the UK and US markets, the updated 'ball' range represents more than half of the Dyson cleaners sold.
• In the UK, the company has a total market share for vacuum cleaners, by value, of 40%.
• Dyson is the market leader for vacuum cleaner sales (by value) in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, France, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland and New Zealand.

Looking ahead, the company talks about new product launches scheduled towards the end of 2010 - a fair number of which (my speculation) are likely to continue the trend of offering a completive advantage by using digital motor technology. Ironically, a technology originally developed for use in their full-size vacuums, while all current models continue to use traditional motors.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/dyson-profits-double-thanks-to-rd-investment-1983841.html

http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/content/10603/Dyson_cleans_up

http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/channel/Entrepreneurship/news/1006022/sales-vacuum-dyson-gadgets-cost-worth-paying/

http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/article/25296/Dyson-doubles-operating-profits.aspx - note: this has the statement 'The company has also confirmed plans to launch a robotic version of its bagless vacuum cleaner' - dunno if that's significant, but I haven't seen it reported elsewhere.

Does anyone know and care to update here what ever became of the new range of stylish lights that were intro'ed by Sir Jame's son awhile back?  I believe it was M00seUK who first posted about them here.  Any news to update?

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

Haven't got a clue as to how well they're doing but they're around. http://www.conranusa.com/productdetails.aspx?cid=Table&language=en-US&pid=MLFBLUE  (Get out the smelling salts before you look at the price.)

Oh yeah -- and then they wrote . . . http://www.conranusa.com/productlist.aspx?cid=Wall&language=en-US

The hot new thing as far as lighting goes, I think, is LED bulbs.  Some vacuum makers are using them as headlights for uprights and P/Ns  but they are also appearing on the shelf in places like Home Depot.  Though about $25 a pop, they can offer light equal to standard incandescent and flourescent screw-in bulbs but run with even lower electrical draw.  I'm just waiting for a tad of mad money and all of the flourescent curlie-cue bulbs I've been using will be out of here.

Dyson doesn't appear to be either in the energy saving or money-saving vein.

Venson

Venson wrote:

Thanks Venson.  I was curious to know if these gems were still around and what the prices have become.  I guess I missed my Wife's Mother's Day opportunity for this mood setting, ambiance inspiring, environmental lighting.  HAve to wait for her birthday/Anniversary.  I never knew lights were so fascinating and interesting.  I can only imagine what my dear Wife would say if I presented to her as a gift and she learned the price.  She'd beat me over the head with it to knock sense into me. 

BTW,she doesn't care for curlie-cue lights but I have to say almost 4 years and counting.  I bought an extra supply to use and they are still wrapped and stored.  My Wife has been stockpiling the standard types.  No doubt she's waiting to replace the curlie-cues at the first possible opportunity she gets.

LED's are great addition to vacuums.  I'm a huge fan.

Carmine D.

It seems that Dyson still have the ability to surprise. We already knew that they were working on a pedestal-mounted version, but these two designs are very creative variants of the original concept. I wonder if they support Kensington lock devices? If they don't have a easy way of securing them I wouldn't like to be a facilities manager, looking after them in a workplace.

Having a remote control makes them much more compatible with portable A/C units which often have the same feature. Purchase price for both is similar. The energy efficiency / cooling of the Dyson models would be very competitive - but for very warm, enclosed spaces, the high-end ability of an A/C unit would be more effective. The Dyson 'fans' certainly create a better-looking home / working environment than using portable A/C units.

James Dyson is due to be on The Late Late show with Craig Ferguson this Thursday (24 May 2010). 'Sounds like it'll be a general chat type-affair, with the opportunity to promote these new fan models to the masses.

This will be the "hot" or as it were, cool news. Here was me thinking Dyson were going to launch yet another vacuum cleaner.

Thought I'd share this email that dyson sent to me:

 

	Our new Dyson Air Multiplier™ tower and pedestal fans are coming soon. They’re designed for larger spaces, so airflow is smooth across the whole room - without the chop-chop-chop of conventional fans.   No blades means no grilles, so they're easier to clean. Power is precisely adjustable using a dimmer switch. There's also a remote control – it's curved and magnetized to store neatly on top.   The new fans will be exclusive to Dyson.com and select design stores in a few weeks. Click below if you'd like us to get in touch when you can buy yours.
	Can't say I'd buy/own one but have to give Sir James credit for perseverence. Carmine D.

A PS on the Jake Dyson Motorlight product line.  No mention of dyson as the brand name and even the use of Jake's name [his son] has no connection with dyson vacuums.  Interesting?  I recall SEVERUS mentioning that association of the AirMultiplier fans with dyson/vacuums could have a negative impact on past and future vacuum customers who may perceive the fans, and consequently the vacuums, as not just premium but overpriced.

If I recall correctly the lights have a 2-3 week waiting period.  Can it be that they are so much in demand that stores can't keep them stocked?  Or just the opposite, so little demand, stores don't keep them stocked.  Guess you can make the argument both ways depending on your perspective.

Carmine D.

A good review here of the Dyson Air Multiplier:-
http://www.reghardware.com/2010/06/23/review_gadgets_dyson_air_multiplier/

“...while in theory this sounds an improvement, I actually found it made the experience oddly artificial. I prefer the in-yer-face feeling of a wind turbine - this is more like an aircon. The airflow is more uniform from a distance, but when you're up close, it’s like you’re in some breezy vortex tunnel of wind.”

“...the Dyson has a smooth dial control for airflow which enables an output of almost unnoticeable - but still cooling - amounts. It works wonders at such a level and for those looking for a subtle breeze to take the edge off things, it's perfect.”

“Aesthetically, it's miles ahead of a traditional fan. Feature wise it's one of the best I’ve used. While the higher pitched output is annoying, the biggest thing letting this bad boy down is the price.”

I agree; get the price down to a more ‘everyday’ value and it would likely be very popular. I understand the reasons for offering premium pricing at the outset, but it looks like it might be a year or two before the average person can buy it on price, with a clear conscience.

Latest offer from dyson rec'd by email.  Not surprising since most dyson retailers have been offering the same already.

Carmine D.

As someone who is interested in Dyson technology, we wanted to let you know about our latest offer. Select machines now come with three free tools to remove dust and allergens around the home. Until July 6, 2010. Soft dusting brush Keeps delicate surfaces dust-free. Mattress tool Removes dust and dirt from mattresses and upholstery. Flexi crevice tool Cleans awkward gaps and spaces. Asthma and Allergy kit MSRP $69.99 All Dyson uprights and canisters are certified asthma & allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

vacmanuk wrote:

If dyson doesn't surprise with a new vacuum product before the end of this year, it will be the first year since its launch in the USA [2002] that it has not added at least one new vacuum to its lineup.  Making one think that the current lineup with some exceptions, like the DC14 and DC16 and perhaps a spinoff or 2 or 3 like the all white DC25 ball, are the mainstay of its future product lineup.  Yet dyson reports more new hires, better profit [we're told] than the years before, a new non-vacuum CEO in charge of day-to day operations, all good things.  But no new vacuum products? 

Carmine D.