Vax (vacuum)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the VAX computer, see VAX.
Vax is a brand of vacuum and carpet cleaning products. It is part of Hong Kong based TechTronic Industries Co. Ltd , with a 2005 turnover of $HK22B.
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[edit] History
Vax was started by Alan Brazier in the 1970's. Their first product, and still an icon, was a wet-dry floor cleaner. It was an almost industrial wet floor cleaner modified for home use. It was able to clean carpet by dripping cleaning solution onto the floor and then vacuuming it up. The machine could suck up large amounts of liquid, and also perform dry sweeping and carpet washing, making it a 3-in-1. This was achieved through reapplying some known features from industrial wet cleaners, together with some innovations in cleaning head design.
According to the company's web site, in 1989 Vax became the best selling vacuum in the UK.
There was some dispute on the ownership of these inventions reported in the press.[citation needed]
[edit] Vax today
Vax today sells a full range of dry vacuums, wet vacs/carpet washers. They still sell an iconic orange tub wet model that looks like the 1980's model.
[edit] Trivia
- There was a non compete agreement over the use of the brand name Vax between the company and Digital Computing (Dec), owner of the VAX computer trademark. Although trademark rules usually mean that a trademark can be used freely across categories (e.g Delta airlines, Delta faucets), since so many electrical companies were entering the computer industry, this was considered needed.
- Vax's slogan "nothing sucks like a Vax" was also used ironically to refer to the VAX computer.
- When Hoover released their Aquamaster range circa 1989, they took an almost direct copy of the VAX carpet washing tool and were surprised when they got sued. VAX ultimately won the courtcase, forcing Hoover to hand over millions in settlement fees. Ironically, Techtronic bought Hoover (USA) in 2006 making them part of the same company.
