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{{Short description|UK cleaning appliance company}} |
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|logo = VAX_brand_logo.svg |
|logo = VAX_brand_logo.svg |
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| area_served = {{unbulleted list |
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|United Kingdom| Australia}} |
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|founder=Alan Brazier |
|founder=Alan Brazier |
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'''Vax UK Ltd''' is a brand that manufactures electrical goods and cleaning products in the floor-care and air treatment sectors, and which has its headquarters in the United Kingdom. |
'''Vax UK Ltd''' is a British based brand that manufactures electrical goods and cleaning products in the floor-care and air treatment sectors, and which has its headquarters in the United Kingdom. Since 1999 the brand has been owned by a company called [[TechTronic Industries|TTI Co. Ltd Group]], which is based in [[Hong Kong]]. Vax UK Ltd has its main headquarters and R&D centre located in the city centre of [[Birmingham]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] and a service, warehouse and depot operation in the village of [[Hampton Lovett]], near [[Droitwich]], [[Worcestershire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/vax|title=VAX LIMITED|author=Comdevelopment Ltd|access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/647384-vax-invests-1m-in-new-r-amp-d-lab-in-birmingham-city-centre.html|title= Vax invests £1m in new R&D lab in Birmingham city centre|author=TheBusinessDesk.com|access-date=15 February 2017}}</ref> '''Vax''' branded machines are manufactured in [[China]]. Vax employs over 400 staff across its Birmingham and Droitwich sites in the UK.<ref name="Insidermedia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/new-range-cleans-up-sales-boost-for-vax|title=NEW RANGE HELPS VAX CLEAN UP|author=Insider Media Ltd|access-date=15 February 2017}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Vax UK Ltd was founded in December 1977 by Alan Brazier, who had prior experience in the field of industrial carpet cleaning. Brazier developed a prototype of a machine suitable for a household but capable of washing carpets and handling accident spillages or flooding. In 1979, Vax launched an "orange tub" multi-functional floor-care machine to fulfil this purpose and initially engaged with consumers by door-to-door sales of the device.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} This product was a world first.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/bromsgrove/951147.Alan_____a_man_who_really_cleaned_up_/|title=Alan – a man who really cleaned up|work=Worcester News| |
Vax UK Ltd was founded in December 1977 by Alan Brazier, who had prior experience in the field of industrial carpet cleaning. Brazier developed a prototype of a machine suitable for a household but capable of washing carpets and handling accident spillages or flooding. In 1979, Vax launched an "orange tub" multi-functional floor-care machine to fulfil this purpose and initially engaged with consumers by door-to-door sales of the device.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} This product was a world first.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/bromsgrove/951147.Alan_____a_man_who_really_cleaned_up_/|title=Alan – a man who really cleaned up|work=Worcester News|date=4 October 2006 |access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> |
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===Trademark conflict with DEC and advertising slogan=== |
===Trademark conflict with DEC and advertising slogan=== |
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Vax products were first offered for sale by high-street retailers in 1982, and the 111 Orange Tub model went on to become a top-selling vacuum cleaning product.<ref>{{cite web |
Vax products were first offered for sale by high-street retailers in 1982, and the 111 Orange Tub model went on to become a top-selling vacuum cleaning product.<ref>{{cite web |
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|title=Iconic Vacuum Cleaners: The Vax 111 Orange Tub |
|title=Iconic Vacuum Cleaners: The Vax 111 Orange Tub |
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|date=10 August 2017 |
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|url=https://cleanhire.co.uk/iconic-vacuum-cleaners-vax-111/ |
|url=https://cleanhire.co.uk/iconic-vacuum-cleaners-vax-111/ |
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|quote=A look at the Vax 111 Orange Tub cleaner, which put Alan Brazier's Vax UK Limited on the wet and dry vacuum cleaning map for the last four ...}}</ref> |
|quote=A look at the Vax 111 Orange Tub cleaner, which put Alan Brazier's Vax UK Limited on the wet and dry vacuum cleaning map for the last four ...}}</ref> |
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In June 1990 Vax contracted [[James Dyson]] to produce an upright vacuum cleaner aimed at the British market. This deal involved a £75,000 licence. By July 1991, he had left the company to produce this product independently.<ref>''Against the Odds: An Autobiography'' by James Dyson {{ISBN|978-0752809816}}</ref> |
In June 1990 Vax contracted [[James Dyson]] to produce an upright vacuum cleaner aimed at the British market. This deal involved a £75,000 licence. By July 1991, he had left the company to produce this product independently.<ref>''Against the Odds: An Autobiography'' by James Dyson {{ISBN|978-0752809816}}</ref> |
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In July 2010, Dyson attempted to bring legal action against Vax, over its Mach Zen vacuum cleaner, in the High Court for infringement of design patents.<ref>{{cite |
In July 2010, Dyson attempted to bring legal action against Vax, over its Mach Zen vacuum cleaner, in the High Court for infringement of design patents.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/jan/27/dyson-sues-vax|title=Dyson sues rival Vax over vacuum cleaner design|author=Rebecca Smithers|work=The Guardian|date=27 January 2010 |access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> However, in 2011 the UK Court of Appeal rejected this claim.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vax's Court Battle With Dyson: What You Need To Know|url=http://spotlessvacuum.co.uk/blog/vaxs-court-battle-with-dyson-what-you-need-to-know/|website=spotlessvacuum.co.uk|date=7 February 2022 }}</ref> |
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In 2011, Student Placement Engineer Jake Tyler developed Vax ev, a working prototype of the world's first cardboard vacuum cleaner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardboardvax.com/background|title=Background to Vax ev - Industrial design| |
In 2011, Student Placement Engineer Jake Tyler developed Vax ev, a working prototype of the world's first cardboard vacuum cleaner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardboardvax.com/background|title=Background to Vax ev - Industrial design|access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> This product was featured across a number of tech and environmental online editorials including ''Gizmag''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/vax-unveils-cardboard-vacuum-cleaner/19135/|title=Vax unveils a prototype vacuum cleaner made from cardboard|date=7 July 2011 |access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> and ''[[TreeHugger]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/vacuum-cleaner-made-from-its-own-cardboard-packaging.html|title=Vacuum Cleaner Made From Its Own Cardboard Packaging|work=TreeHugger|access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> and on the BBC Television series ''[[Bang Goes the Theory]]''.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lwxj1 Bang Goes the Theory]. bbc.co.uk</ref> The cleaner is referenced as a key point in the history of Vacuum Cleaner development by the Best Cordless Vacuum Guide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestcordlessvacuumguide.com/vacuum-cleaner-history-infographic/|title=Vacuum Cleaner History|work=Cordless Vacuum Guide|date=9 September 2013 |access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> |
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In 2014 Vax diversified its product range from vacuums, carpet washers and steam cleaners to include pressure washers, air purifiers and de-humidifiers.<ref name="Insidermedia.com"/> |
In 2014 Vax diversified its product range from vacuums, carpet washers and steam cleaners to include pressure washers, air purifiers and de-humidifiers.<ref name="Insidermedia.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cleansecarpet.com/lightweight-self-propelled-vacuum-cleaners/|title=Lightweight Self Propelled Vacuum Cleaners|work=Cleansecarpet.com|access-date=13 February 2022}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*[http://www.vax.co.uk Official website] |
*[http://www.vax.co.uk Official website] |
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{{Techtronic Industries}} |
{{Techtronic Industries}} |
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*[https://www.earthhershop.com/best-corded-stick-vacuums/ |
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{{Techtronic Industries}} |
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[[Category:1977 establishments in England]] |
[[Category:1977 establishments in England]] |
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[[Category:Companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands]] |
[[Category:Companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands]] |
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[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1977]] |
[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1977]] |
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[[Category:British companies established in 1977]] |
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[[Category:Vacuum cleaner manufacturers]] |
[[Category:Vacuum cleaner manufacturers]] |
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[[Category:1999 mergers and acquisitions]] |
[[Category:1999 mergers and acquisitions]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:34, 17 November 2024
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| Founder | Alan Brazier |
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Area served |
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Vax UK Ltd is a British based brand that manufactures electrical goods and cleaning products in the floor-care and air treatment sectors, and which has its headquarters in the United Kingdom. Since 1999 the brand has been owned by a company called TTI Co. Ltd Group, which is based in Hong Kong. Vax UK Ltd has its main headquarters and R&D centre located in the city centre of Birmingham, West Midlands and a service, warehouse and depot operation in the village of Hampton Lovett, near Droitwich, Worcestershire.[1][2] Vax branded machines are manufactured in China. Vax employs over 400 staff across its Birmingham and Droitwich sites in the UK.[3]
History
[edit]Vax UK Ltd was founded in December 1977 by Alan Brazier, who had prior experience in the field of industrial carpet cleaning. Brazier developed a prototype of a machine suitable for a household but capable of washing carpets and handling accident spillages or flooding. In 1979, Vax launched an "orange tub" multi-functional floor-care machine to fulfil this purpose and initially engaged with consumers by door-to-door sales of the device.[citation needed] This product was a world first.[4]
Trademark conflict with DEC and advertising slogan
[edit]Although Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX minicomputer was introduced October 25, 1977[5] and Vax UK Ltd was formed months later, DEC (for a while) still had a trademark problem.[6]
In 1986-87 and some later advertisements, the company adopted the slogan, "Nothing sucks like a Vax!" This echoed its competitor's slogan from the 1960s, "Nothing sucks like Electrolux". Playing on the double meaning of the word "sucks", the slogan "Nothing sucks like a VAX!" was used by critics of the VAX computer and complex instruction set computers in general.[7]
Vax products were first offered for sale by high-street retailers in 1982, and the 111 Orange Tub model went on to become a top-selling vacuum cleaning product.[8]
James Dyson and beyond
[edit]In June 1990 Vax contracted James Dyson to produce an upright vacuum cleaner aimed at the British market. This deal involved a £75,000 licence. By July 1991, he had left the company to produce this product independently.[9]
In July 2010, Dyson attempted to bring legal action against Vax, over its Mach Zen vacuum cleaner, in the High Court for infringement of design patents.[10] However, in 2011 the UK Court of Appeal rejected this claim.[11]
In 2011, Student Placement Engineer Jake Tyler developed Vax ev, a working prototype of the world's first cardboard vacuum cleaner.[12] This product was featured across a number of tech and environmental online editorials including Gizmag[13] and TreeHugger,[14] and on the BBC Television series Bang Goes the Theory.[15] The cleaner is referenced as a key point in the history of Vacuum Cleaner development by the Best Cordless Vacuum Guide.[16]
In 2014 Vax diversified its product range from vacuums, carpet washers and steam cleaners to include pressure washers, air purifiers and de-humidifiers.[3][17]
References
[edit]- ^ Comdevelopment Ltd. "VAX LIMITED". Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ TheBusinessDesk.com. "Vax invests £1m in new R&D lab in Birmingham city centre". Retrieved 15 February 2017.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ a b Insider Media Ltd. "NEW RANGE HELPS VAX CLEAN UP". Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ "Alan – a man who really cleaned up". Worcester News. 4 October 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "VAX 11/780".
- ^ "The VAX Vacuum".
... legally, if DEC had used VAX in the U.S. before that ..... "reasonable person" has no difficulty distinguishing between the two uses
- ^ VAX - Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing
- ^ "Iconic Vacuum Cleaners: The Vax 111 Orange Tub". 10 August 2017.
A look at the Vax 111 Orange Tub cleaner, which put Alan Brazier's Vax UK Limited on the wet and dry vacuum cleaning map for the last four ...
- ^ Against the Odds: An Autobiography by James Dyson ISBN 978-0752809816
- ^ Rebecca Smithers (27 January 2010). "Dyson sues rival Vax over vacuum cleaner design". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Vax's Court Battle With Dyson: What You Need To Know". spotlessvacuum.co.uk. 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Background to Vax ev - Industrial design". Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Vax unveils a prototype vacuum cleaner made from cardboard". 7 July 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Vacuum Cleaner Made From Its Own Cardboard Packaging". TreeHugger. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Bang Goes the Theory. bbc.co.uk
- ^ "Vacuum Cleaner History". Cordless Vacuum Guide. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Lightweight Self Propelled Vacuum Cleaners". Cleansecarpet.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.