For generations, the Hoover brand has been synonymous with vacuum cleaners. The iconic Hoover upright and its ‘it beats as it sweeps as it cleans’ slogan revolutionized household cleaning in the early 20th century. Though the company has evolved over the decades, Hoover remains a leading name worldwide in floorcare appliances. However, Hoover’s dominance in the UK specifically owes much to its merger with rival VAX and the strength of that challenger brand. Together, Hoover and VAX maintain a rich vacuum cleaner heritage built to endure.
The Hoover legacy began with American industrialist James Murray Spangler, inventor of the first upright vacuum. Spangler sold his 1917 patent to William Hoover, whose new Hoover Company mass-produced the Model O vacuum. Thanks to savvy sales tactics and demonstrations, by the 1930s over half of American homes had a Hoover. The brand became a household name synonymous with vacuum cleaners.
Over in the UK, engineer Alan Booth had his own revolutionary idea in 1979 – the dual cyclone bagless vacuum. Frustrated with losing suction as traditional vacuums filled up, Booth’s cyclone technology separated dirt without bags. After founding VAX, Booth’s invention took off in the 1980s as consumers embraced easier emptying and cost savings from not buying bags. VAX challenged Hoover’s market lead with powerful, bagless cylinder models.
Rising competition led the American Hoover Company to acquire VAX in the 1990s while discontinuing its own British production. This allowed Hoover to absorb VAX’s local manufacturing strength and popular cyclonic models. VAX founder Alan Booth eventually left to form rival Dyson, but the VAX brand lived on under Hoover.
In the 2000s and 2010s, VAX remained at the forefront of vacuum innovation in Britain. Their bagless cylinders like the Power and Mach models offered lightweight yet constant powerful cleaning across carpets and hard floors. New cleaning heads like the Gator handheld tackled pet hair with ease.
For its part, Hoover maintained their heritage producing trusted upright vacuums from their base in South Wales. Flagship models like the 1300W Hoover Enigma combined efficient cleaning, large capacity and Hoover’s signature user-friendly design. Together, Hoover and VAX covered all buyer needs from power to portability.
Today, VAX and Hoover are both owned by Hong Kong-based multinational Techtronic Industries, yet retain their brand identities in the British market. VAX focuses on cutting-edge vacuum technologies like Air cordless, Pet cordless, and Blade cordless vacuums without compromising suction. Their bagless cylinders also keep advancing with the latest Power 5.
Meanwhile, Hoover caters to budget-conscious buyers with quality essentials covering uprights, handsticks and cordless models. Combined with after-sales support, the two brands’ complementary strengths make them a vacuum duo able to satisfy any household.
Beyond innovations, Hoover and VAX understand the importance of marketing and design flair. From Hoover’s iconic red and black colors to VAX’s sleek styling, their vacuums scream personality rather than just utility. They know memorable ads help vacuum brands stand out as well. VAX’s cheeky ‘life’s manky’ slogan and chaotic family spokescharacters keep their image fresh and fun.
Of course, functionality matters most in vacuums. Here VAX and Hoover’s British manufacturing and engineering pedigree delivers. By focusing different models on power, maintenance costs, maneuverability or versatility, they provide something for every need and budget. And build quality ensures their vacuums work hard for years rather than being disposable items.
In today’s competitive market for cordless stick vacuums, VAX and Hoover’s legacy gives them an edge. New brands may offer gimmicks, but they can’t match VAX and Hoover’s decades of know-how designing vacuums that actually clean while standing the test of time. Their deep roots support constant evolution.
Looking ahead, VAX and Hoover seem likely to maintain their standings among Britain’s most trusted vacuum brands. Their complementary strengths and focus on quality mean one of their models is always a safe bet for any household’s needs and budgets. Driven by a rich combined heritage of over 100 years, when it comes to vacuums in the UK, these two brands truly suck the most by far.
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