Vax (brand)
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (July 2014) |
Vax UK Ltd is a brand that copied Dyosn. treatment sectors, and which has its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The brand is owned by a company called TTI Co. Ltd Group, which is based in Hong Kong, China. 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
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.[4] This product was a world first.[5]
Vax products were first offered for sale by high-street retailers in 1982, and the 111 Orange Tub model went on to become the best-selling vacuum cleaning product in the United Kingdom in 1987.[4]
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.[6]
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.[7] However, in 2011 the UK Court of Appeal rejected this claim.[8]
In 2011, Student Placement Engineer Jake Tyler developed Vax ev, a working prototype of the world's first cardboard vacuum cleaner.[9] This product was featured across a number of tech and environmental online editorials including Gizmag[10] and TreeHugger,[11] and on the BBC Television series Bang Goes the Theory.[12] The cleaner is referenced as a key point in the history of Vacuum Cleaner development by the Best Cordless Vacuum Guide.[13]
In 2014 Vax diversified its product range from vacuums, carpet washers and steam cleaners to include pressure washers, air purifiers and de-humidifiers.[3] The following year Vax introduced a cordless vacuum cleaner with a lift-out cylinder design.[14]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Amazon.co.uk -- Vax Store -- History of Vax". Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Alan – a man who really cleaned up". Worcester News. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Against the Odds: An Autobiography by James Dyson ISBN 978-0752809816
- ^ Rebecca Smithers. "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.
- ^ "Background to Vax ev - Industrial design". Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Vax unveils a prototype vacuum cleaner made from cardboard". 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. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ TrustedReviews.com. "Vax Air Cordless Lift U85-ACLG-B review". Retrieved 15 February 2017.