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Where are Vax vacuum cleaners made? And are any of this British company’s products still manufactured in the UK? Keep reading to find out.
Vax is one of the most popular vacuum cleaner brands in the UK. The company produces a large range of upright, cordless, and cylinder vacuum cleaners, with models like the Blade 5 becoming big hits in the UK market.
In general, Vax vacuum cleaners are designed to be affordable options. They might not be the most powerful, reliable, or advanced, but the vacuums are often great value and perfect for people who don’t want to pay extra for a premium machine.
Despite being a UK company with headquarters in Birmingham, many people will be disappointed to learn that Vax produces all of its products in China. Production was moved abroad in the early 2000s and is unlikely to return.
Vax isn’t the only company that has moved production overseas though: the vast majority of vacuums sold in the UK are built in Asia. Let’s take a closer look at Vax’s manufacturing and headquarters to learn more about this popular brand.
Where Are Vax Vacuums Made?
Vax manufactures all of its vacuum cleaners (and other products) in China. The company originally manufactured their products in the UK, but moved production overseas in the early 2000s after being acquired by a large multinational.
Where Are The Vax Headquarters?
Despite its vacuums being manufactured in China, Vax still has its headquarters in Birmingham, UK.
The company also has an R&D centre in Birmingham, along with a distribution centre in Worcestershire. These locations employ around 400 UK staff.
Which Company Owns Vax?
At the time of writing, Vax is owned by a company called TTI Co. Ltd Group. This large multinational company based in Hong Kong bought the Vax brand in 1999, which was one of the reasons why production was moved to Asia.
In addition to Vax, TTI Group owns brands such as AEG, Ryobi, and Dirt Devil. They also own the Hoover US brand, although not Hoover International.
When Was Vax Founded?
Vax was founded in 1977 by Alan Brazier in Worcestershire. His first model, known as the Vax 101, was a 3-in-1 cleaning machine, which could vacuum, wash, and suck up spills.
Over the next two decades, Vax became one of the most popular brands of vacuum cleaners in the UK. It also began to expand its business around the world, before being bought by TTI Group in 1999.
Does Vax Have Offices Around The World?
Vax’s UK headquarters, R&D centre, and distribution centre, along with its factories in China, are its only significant offices.
What Makes Vax Vacuums Stand Out?
As we mentioned earlier, most of Vax’s vacuums are at the lower end of the vacuum price spectrum. This makes the company a popular choice for people who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new vacuum cleaner.
For example, the company’s flagship Vax ONEPWR Blade 5 Pet cordless vacuum is currently priced at £279.99. Similar vacuums from other brands cost £500+, making the Vax a significantly cheaper option.
When it comes to corded vacuums, many of Vax’s models are available for less than £200. There is even a range of Vax products that are sold for less than £100, such as the Vax Mach Air or Air Stretch.
Of course, there are always trade-offs when buying a lower-priced vacuum cleaner. You should always read reviews before buying a vacuum to check how the model performs. But some of the best Vax vacuums do a great job for the price.
Why Did Dyson Sue Vax?
Back in 2010, Dyson sued Vax with the claim that Mach Zen cylinder vacuum cleaner was almost identical to the design of the Dyson DC02. In Dyson’s words, the Mach Zen “flagrantly copied” the DC02’s “iconic design.”
There are certainly similarities between the two vacuum cleaners, but the courts ultimately disagreed with Dyson’s case. In 2011, the claims were rejected. If you’d like to learn more, we’ve written a detailed article about this court case here.
Are Any Vacuum Cleaners Still Made In The UK?
Very few vacuum cleaners are made in the UK anymore. Hoover, Dyson, Gtech, and various other brands have all moved their production to China (or other parts of Asia) over the last few decades.
The only exception is Numatic – the company behind the Henry range. Henry vacuums are still made in the UK at a manufacturing plant in Somerset. Numatic is even looking to expand its UK production facilities, so there’s no reason to think that they will move abroad in the foreseeable future.
So, if you’re looking for a UK-built vacuum, then the Henry (or one of his siblings) is currently the only option. There are other companies that still produce vacuums in Europe though, such as the German brands Miele and SEBO.
Summary
Vax vacuums are often designed to be affordable alternatives to premium vacuum brands. They might not be the most advanced on the market, but they provide great value and can still do a solid cleaning job (as long as you buy the right model).
At the time of writing, Vax manufactures all of its products in China. This is unlikely to change in the future, as there has been no suggestion of Vax moving their production back to the UK. Vax still has its headquarters and R&D centre in the UK though.
Do you have any questions about where Vax manufactures its vacuum cleaners? Or would you like to learn more about this company? Please let us know in the comments section below.
