Aerus Electrolux

The history of Electrolux in North America is fascinating to say the least. Just surfing the web, I found a bit more information about the corporation behind the Electrolux-branded vacs that were made in North American factories.

Here are some interesting dates and facts from the corporate website of Consolidated Foods:

"Born in Canada in 1896, Nathan Cummings began his career in his father's shoe store. By 1917 he had built his own shoe manufacturing firm. Cummings's enterprise eventually expanded into a successful importer of general merchandise. This venture allowed him to purchase a small biscuit and candy company, which he later sold at a profit.

In 1939, at the age of 43, Cummings borrowed $5.2 million to buy the C.D. Kenny Company, a small wholesale distributor of sugar, coffee, and tea established in 1870. The Baltimore-based company represented Cummings's first entry into U.S. markets, and he sought to increase the number of Kenny-label products.

After several smaller acquisitions, in 1945 Cummings acquired Reid, Murdoch and Company, the producer of the nationally recognized Monarch label. After this acquisition, the C.D. Kenny Company changed its name to the Consolidated Grocers Corporation, and in 1946 Consolidated made its first public stock offering, with a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The Monarch purchase boosted sales to $123 million in 1946.

In 1951 Consolidated consisted of more than a dozen companies, and in 1953 sales passed $200 million. They did not remain that high for very long, however. Sales in 1954, the year Consolidated Grocers changed its name to Consolidated Foods Corporation, dropped to $133 million. Sales fell another $15 million the following year, when after-tax profits were only slightly greater than $1 million and earnings per common share fell almost 40 percent.

Cummings met these losses with further diversification. The Kitchens of Sara Lee, a five-year-old maker of frozen baked goods with annual sales of $9 million, was acquired in 1956 for 164,890 shares--not Consolidated's biggest purchase to date, but eventually a significant one. The company had been founded by Charles Lubin, who had named it after his daughter, and the firm's best-selling product was Sara Lee cheesecake. A slightly larger purchase of 34 Piggly Wiggly supermarkets marked Consolidated's first venture into food retailing. An even larger purchase, of the Omaha Cold Store Company, demonstrated Consolidated's preference for distribution and marketing operations rather than direct-to-consumer sales.

Between 1966 and 1967, Consolidated made eight of its first nonfood acquisitions, including Oxford Chemical Corporation, a maker of cleaning products; Abbey Rents, a home furnishings company; The North American branch of Electrolux vacuum cleaners; and the Fuller Brush Company. Consolidated also entered the apparel industry in 1968 when it purchased Gant shirts and acquired several other clothing makers during this period. Within five years, nonfood businesses comprised 50 percent of the company's profits.

In 1985 Consolidated announced that it would change its name to Sara Lee Corporation. The name was chosen because it was the corporation's most prominent brand name, and as a corporate name would give the company higher visibility and make advertising efforts more cost effective."

The article goes silent about the evolution of the Electrolux division of Sara Lee Corporation. All I see is that Sara Lee sold Electrolux in 1987. But I have not found out who bought it from them. Here is the article: "James, Frank E., "Sara Lee to Buy Dutch Business, Sell Electrolux," Wall Street Journal, September 18, 1987."

Wait - now I see more information from Reuters News Service:

The Sara Lee Corporation is in final negotiations to buy the food and consumer products business of the Dutch company Akzo N.V. for $600 million, the Chicago-based concern said today. Sara Lee also said it had signed a letter of intent to sell its Electrolux division, which makes vaccuum cleaners and electric carpet brushes, to investors led by Electrolux's management. It would not disclose the terms of that deal. Besides its well-known baked goods, Sara Lee makes Hanes underwear, Isotoner gloves, Leggs stockings, Jimmy Dean sausages and Kiwi shoe polish.
September 18, 1987

See the link below for Sara Lee's corporate history:

CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekaprince's LINK


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Post# 117949 12/12/2010 at 23:41 (4,882 days old) by motojoejo (MO)
Checkrate/Likes I've not read much mentioning of the Aerus line and was curious if they are like. I've been a huge electrolux fan for years and the current models look simply beautiful to me. Just wondering.

Post# 117956 , Reply# 1 12/13/2010 at 00:28 (4,882 days old) by cardsvacfan1 (Roseville, IL)
Checkrate/Likes You are correct, the Aerus line of vacuums is made by the original Electrolux company which is headquarted in Dallas, Texas. The vacuums you see in stores that carry the Electrolux name at Sears, Target, Wal-Mart, and Lowe's are made by Electrolux Home Care Products North America, which is the current Eureka company, in Normal, Illinois. The Aerus vacuums are what you want to purchase if you want the original Electrolux company. They are still high quality and have one of the best bag designs on the market in my opinion with their self-sealing bags. Quite good for filtration. Hope this helps! Craig

Post# 118043 , Reply# 2 12/13/2010 at 20:49 (4,881 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Craig - to be more historically accurate, the original Electrolux company WAS the Swedish Electrolux company. They were the ones that originally made the classic Electrolux canister vacs in North America. It's just that they sold their North American operations in 1968 and sold their rights to the Electrolux name in North America along with the factories. Swedish Electrolux then re-entered the North American market in 1974 by buying a competitor to their former factories - Eureka. Between 1974 and 2007, Eureka vacs made in authentic Eureka plants in Bloomington Illinois or Kitchener Ontario were actually products sold by Sweden's Electrolux, and North American Electrolux vacs were actually being sold by a company named Consolidated Foods. To make things even more complicated, at some point in the 1980's, Sweden's Electrolux bought White Consolidated Industries in the States. This resulted in you seeing some Eureka vacs actually bearing the brandname "White Westinghouse" in the 1990's. Finally, Sweden's Electrolux bought back the rights to use the name Electrolux in North America, forcing Consolidated Foods to use a new name on their vacs - they chose Aerus. Not sure who owns Aerus now. But in summary, the "original" Electrolux company is the company selling vacs branded with the names Eureka, Electrolux, Sanitaire and Beam in North American stores now. In truth, there is no more "Eureka" company. It's just one of 4 brandnames plastered onto the vacs Sweden's Electrolux sells in North America today. I don't even think any Eureka vacs are made in Bloomington anymore, and the North American Free Trade Agreement killed Eureka's Canadian factory in Kitchener. Besides the fantastic SmartVac uprights which I think are made in Mexico, all other Eureka vacs are either re-branded vacs from other Electrolux companies (Volta, AEG, etc), or just cheapie vacs made in China. The only true remnant of the Eureka we used to know and love is found in Sanitaire uprights today - that's it. Similarly, the Aerus vacs we see today don't reflect the quality of the classic American or Canadian Electrolux canisters of the 1960's and 1970's. Hope this clears up some of the confusion my friend! :-) Go to the link below to see all the names Sweden's Electrolux uses on their products the world over: CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekaprince's LINK

Post# 118047 , Reply# 3 12/13/2010 at 21:05 (4,881 days old) by kirbyeureka95 ()
Checkrate/Likes so consolidated owned it with machines such as the renny or discovery under the name electrolux and then when the name was switched they continued with its type, though it was never made by the original company? what machines marked the transitions?

Post# 118051 , Reply# 4 12/13/2010 at 21:44 (4,881 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Hey there Michael, I can think we can safely say that when Sweden's Electrolux sold it's ownership of it's North American operations in 1967, the two branches of the formerly united "family" went their separate ways - never to be reunited again. Though the European company and the American company both sold vacs labelled as "Electrolux", the designs and concepts and quality was never ever the same or even similar as it may have been before 1950 or 1960. In essence, the two companies continued to make cylinder-shaped vacs with the name Electrolux tacked onto them, but the industrial designs were never the same ever again. That was the splitting point both in terms of ownership, corporate control and design. The only thing that I think ever remained the same on both sides of the ocean was the famous combination dusting brush/upholstery nozzle!!!!! Somehow, that common design survived the "divorce"!! :-)

Post# 118061 , Reply# 5 12/13/2010 at 22:18 (4,881 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes The history of Electrolux in North America is fascinating to say the least. Just surfing the web, I found a bit more information about the corporation behind the Electrolux-branded vacs that were made in North American factories. Here are some interesting dates and facts from the corporate website of Consolidated Foods: "Born in Canada in 1896, Nathan Cummings began his career in his father's shoe store. By 1917 he had built his own shoe manufacturing firm. Cummings's enterprise eventually expanded into a successful importer of general merchandise. This venture allowed him to purchase a small biscuit and candy company, which he later sold at a profit. In 1939, at the age of 43, Cummings borrowed $5.2 million to buy the C.D. Kenny Company, a small wholesale distributor of sugar, coffee, and tea established in 1870. The Baltimore-based company represented Cummings's first entry into U.S. markets, and he sought to increase the number of Kenny-label products. After several smaller acquisitions, in 1945 Cummings acquired Reid, Murdoch and Company, the producer of the nationally recognized Monarch label. After this acquisition, the C.D. Kenny Company changed its name to the Consolidated Grocers Corporation, and in 1946 Consolidated made its first public stock offering, with a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The Monarch purchase boosted sales to $123 million in 1946. In 1951 Consolidated consisted of more than a dozen companies, and in 1953 sales passed $200 million. They did not remain that high for very long, however. Sales in 1954, the year Consolidated Grocers changed its name to Consolidated Foods Corporation, dropped to $133 million. Sales fell another $15 million the following year, when after-tax profits were only slightly greater than $1 million and earnings per common share fell almost 40 percent. Cummings met these losses with further diversification. The Kitchens of Sara Lee, a five-year-old maker of frozen baked goods with annual sales of $9 million, was acquired in 1956 for 164,890 shares--not Consolidated's biggest purchase to date, but eventually a significant one. The company had been founded by Charles Lubin, who had named it after his daughter, and the firm's best-selling product was Sara Lee cheesecake. A slightly larger purchase of 34 Piggly Wiggly supermarkets marked Consolidated's first venture into food retailing. An even larger purchase, of the Omaha Cold Store Company, demonstrated Consolidated's preference for distribution and marketing operations rather than direct-to-consumer sales. Between 1966 and 1967, Consolidated made eight of its first nonfood acquisitions, including Oxford Chemical Corporation, a maker of cleaning products; Abbey Rents, a home furnishings company; The North American branch of Electrolux vacuum cleaners; and the Fuller Brush Company. Consolidated also entered the apparel industry in 1968 when it purchased Gant shirts and acquired several other clothing makers during this period. Within five years, nonfood businesses comprised 50 percent of the company's profits. In 1985 Consolidated announced that it would change its name to Sara Lee Corporation. The name was chosen because it was the corporation's most prominent brand name, and as a corporate name would give the company higher visibility and make advertising efforts more cost effective." The article goes silent about the evolution of the Electrolux division of Sara Lee Corporation. All I see is that Sara Lee sold Electrolux in 1987. But I have not found out who bought it from them. Here is the article: "James, Frank E., "Sara Lee to Buy Dutch Business, Sell Electrolux," Wall Street Journal, September 18, 1987." Wait - now I see more information from Reuters News Service: The Sara Lee Corporation is in final negotiations to buy the food and consumer products business of the Dutch company Akzo N.V. for $600 million, the Chicago-based concern said today. Sara Lee also said it had signed a letter of intent to sell its Electrolux division, which makes vaccuum cleaners and electric carpet brushes, to investors led by Electrolux's management. It would not disclose the terms of that deal. Besides its well-known baked goods, Sara Lee makes Hanes underwear, Isotoner gloves, Leggs stockings, Jimmy Dean sausages and Kiwi shoe polish. September 18, 1987 See the link below for Sara Lee's corporate history: CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekaprince's LINK

Post# 118067 , Reply# 6 12/13/2010 at 22:29 (4,881 days old) by motojoejo (MO)
Checkrate/Likes I'm simply curious if Aerus Electrolux is still a good vacuum aside from the metal of the past issue- I'm asking about the present. Metal or plastic is not the issue. I wish to know things like do they do well at deep cleaning, do they have electrical problems, are there issues with the hose connections, are they made in north America or China? The history is neat to know but the new Aerus are beautiful looking machines to me and would like to know more about current- not about past models. Thank you

Post# 118073 , Reply# 7 12/13/2010 at 23:19 (4,881 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Oh...now I understand Josef. Though I don't own an Aerus, I can tell you what the latest Consumer Reports ratings have said about two of the Aerus canisters: Aerus Lux Legacy - $1300 carpet cleaning = good bare floor cleaning = excellent airflow through the hose for tool use = very good noise level = good emission control = excellent handling = fair pet hair removal = excellent Aerus Lux Guardian ultra - $1500 carpet cleaning = good bare floor cleaning = excellent airflow through the hose for tool use = good noise level = good emission control = excellent handling = good pet hair removal = excellent There are at least 10 other canister vacs on the market that rated better than these Aerus models, primarily because they were quieter, handled more easily and were less than half the cost. For instance, you can buy a Miele S2180 Titan for $650 and get better (excellent) airflow through the hose coming from a much quieter machine. I am sure some Aerus owners here at Vacuumland can provide more personal opinions...... Hope this helps Josef!! EP Brian

Post# 118074 , Reply# 8 12/13/2010 at 23:20 (4,881 days old) by powertank ()
Checkrate/Likes It seems to me from experience that their circuit boards are prone to failure. I've have to replace an astonishingly large amount. Also, the joints at the base of their powerheads are weak, kind of like the newer TriStars. Some of the models are a bit clunky to use. However, we are an Aerus dealer. We stand behind what we sell. They may be a tad overpriced, but they creat good airflow and most of them are very quiet. We sell quite a few, people really seem to like them.

Post# 118092 , Reply# 10 12/14/2010 at 06:46 (4,881 days old) by magic-clean (FL-GA)
Checkrate/Likes *The* Aerus vacuums are made in Bristol Viginia, aren't they?

Post# 118101 , Reply# 12 12/14/2010 at 07:58 (4,881 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes I have owned an AP280, 6500SR and 9000. The 6500 and 9000 were OK but I hated the size of the hose handle. It was OK when using the power nozzle or floor brush but it was cumbersome when doing above the floor cleaning. Both machines were loud with the 9000 being louder than the 6500. I liked the cord length and the l-shaped power nozzle did an adequate job. The 2 speed motor and ability to turn the power head as well as the machine off from the hose handle was nice but for me not a must have. I also liked that the machine shuts off when the bag is full. On the 6500 this was adjustable whereas on the 9000 it was not - a step backwards in my opinion. I still, however, much prefer my model '89. It is quiet, love the telescopic wand and trigger switch on the hose handle. Gary

Post# 118120 , Reply# 15 12/14/2010 at 11:08 (4,881 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes The 9000 was a new version of the Renaissance/Guardian style. It is blue and white and has the Hepa filter on top. Gary

Post# 118268 , Reply# 17 12/15/2010 at 11:24 (4,880 days old) by sireluxomatic ()
Checkrate/Likes I agree that the white makes for a nice looking machine. I had one of my 89s at the local Aerus showroom after it developed a cord winder problem (I learned the hard way to avoid working on the old cord winders with that high tension coiled steel spring), and the service manager measured the suction. Don't know the reading, but the first thing he said was "This has more suction than the new ones" (referring, at the time, to the new Guardian, Legacy, and Classic). On the other hand, I believe the new Guardian has a completely sealed motor, which no Electrolux, to the best of my knowledge, has ever had.

Post# 118081 , Reply# 9 12/14/2010 at 00:11 (4,881 days old) by cardsvacfan1 (Roseville, IL)
Checkrate/Likes Brian, Thank you for sharing all of that highly interesting information on the Electrolux company! I love learning anything new about the history of vacuum cleaners! I remember those White Westinghouse uprights of the 1990's. It's kind of sad that the Sanitaire uprights are all that is left of the original Eurekas. You are right on the money about the Smart Vac being a great machine. Best value on the market right now for a bagged upright I think.

Post# 118094 , Reply# 11 12/14/2010 at 07:22 (4,881 days old) by sireluxomatic ()
Checkrate/Likes I asked where Aerus vacuums were made on another thread, and nobody answered...am definitely curious to know. As a massive Electrolux devotee, I'm also curious about the new models, especially since many things, outwardly at least, haven't changed in quite some time. The bags have been the same since the 50's, and the cosmetics go back to the early 70's. Even the style of the hoses and tools is basically unchanged from years past. I can't decide if this is a case of a lack of innovation, or a case of "why meddle with what works?" :) I hope some on here who own an Aerus will chime in; the brand seems almost never to come up.

Post# 118114 , Reply# 13 12/14/2010 at 10:23 (4,881 days old) by sireluxomatic ()
Checkrate/Likes Hmm...was the 9000 a Renaissance/old Guardian style machine, or was it like the 6500? There have been so many variations on the same basic theme over the years I can't remember.

Post# 118115 , Reply# 14 12/14/2010 at 10:35 (4,881 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes You are very welcome, Craig! I love history in general, so it's always a pleasure to talk about the history of vac companies.... :-) Brian

Post# 118176 , Reply# 16 12/14/2010 at 20:23 (4,880 days old) by motojoejo (MO)
Checkrate/Likes Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! The new ones look wonderful in that pure white color but I didn't know if the company flipped and changed everything. This is all the info I wished for so- again- thank you!!

Post# 118544 , Reply# 18 12/18/2010 at 04:52 (4,877 days old) by thermokid (Casper, Wyoming)
Checkrate/Likes *I Love my Aerus /Electrolux Vacuums..* I have a Rennisance,A Gaurdian, and a Epic 6500sr. Out of all of these I like the Gaurdian the best. But sadly to find out from my closest Aerus Dealer in Montana The Gaurdian they make these days is like the shape of the 6500sr. I liked the bigger Gaurdian machine style like the Rennisance shape. And my Gaurdian is so much quieter then the Rennisance(probably because of the big box Hepa filter on top of the machine. But both the Rennisance and the Gaurdian have powerful suction. I don't know how the new Gaurdian performs. I will find out in the spring when I get a new one. Dan