Ward's Canister from Canada?

Eureka had a Canadian division called "Onward Manufacturing" located in Kitchener, Ontario. Canada's Eurekas were made there - including those vacs branded Eaton Viking, Beaumark and Baycrest for our department store chains.

At some point, it must have been advantageous to make the bare floor brush in Kitchener for all of North America. I bought a bare floor brush on a trip to Boston to add to my tool set for my 1983 budget Dial-a-Nap upright, and I was surprised to see the words "Made in Canada" embossed inside the floor brush. So that is why you have a floor brush made in Canada included in a Ward's canister made by Eureka in Bloomington.

It is only a long day's drive between Bloomington, Illinois and Kitchener, Ontario - and you can imagine Eureka's trucks going back and forth between the two factories quite easily. Also, Eureka has some deep roots in Canada - its founder Fred Wardell was born in 1866 in Toronto - not far from Kitchener.

It is possible that the rest of the tool set was made in Canada as well, but I never saw the words "Made in Canada" embossed on any attachment other than the floor brush.

We also had dust bags made here, and it is quite possible these packages ended up in American homes for some reason - usually transported by Canadians vacationing in Florida and Arizona, or students/professors/business people moving between our two countries.

Hope that solves the mystery!!!!


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Post# 387003 3/2/2018 at 09:29 (2,238 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes I recently acquired this Montgomery Ward canister from Ebay. I cleaned it up, serviced the motor, replaced the switch, and installed a new cord. The cord is actually an old Rainbow cord that I had lying around. While cleaning her up, I noticed that the original attachments say "Made in Canada". The Montgomery Ward bags that were shipped by the seller say the say thing. However, the builder's tag does not indicate the country of origin. So I'm wondering if this model was made by Eureka in Canada and sold in the U. S. by Montgomery Ward or was this strictly a Canadian model that somehow ended up on this side of the border. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 387004 , Reply# 1 3/2/2018 at 09:31 (2,238 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes Is the hole in the tool-pac supposed to be there or was the plastic mounting lug missing? View Full Size

Post# 387005 , Reply# 2 3/2/2018 at 09:33 (2,238 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes This model has some thoughtful touches that I haven't seen in my other Eureka canisters. One is the latch design with this tension spring. It allows the cover to be secure when closed. View Full Size

Post# 387017 , Reply# 3 3/2/2018 at 13:36 (2,238 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Eureka had a Canadian division called "Onward Manufacturing" located in Kitchener, Ontario. Canada's Eurekas were made there - including those vacs branded Eaton Viking, Beaumark and Baycrest for our department store chains. At some point, it must have been advantageous to make the bare floor brush in Kitchener for all of North America. I bought a bare floor brush on a trip to Boston to add to my tool set for my 1983 budget Dial-a-Nap upright, and I was surprised to see the words "Made in Canada" embossed inside the floor brush. So that is why you have a floor brush made in Canada included in a Ward's canister made by Eureka in Bloomington. It is only a long day's drive between Bloomington, Illinois and Kitchener, Ontario - and you can imagine Eureka's trucks going back and forth between the two factories quite easily. Also, Eureka has some deep roots in Canada - its founder Fred Wardell was born in 1866 in Toronto - not far from Kitchener. It is possible that the rest of the tool set was made in Canada as well, but I never saw the words "Made in Canada" embossed on any attachment other than the floor brush. We also had dust bags made here, and it is quite possible these packages ended up in American homes for some reason - usually transported by Canadians vacationing in Florida and Arizona, or students/professors/business people moving between our two countries. Hope that solves the mystery!!!!

Post# 387026 , Reply# 4 3/2/2018 at 15:31 (2,238 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes *@Eurekaprince* Thanks for the information! When I took the rug tool apart, I discovered it also has "Made in Canada" embossed inside. The bags are Montgomery Ward brand bags made in Canada! Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 387028 , Reply# 5 3/2/2018 at 15:51 (2,238 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I don't think the hole in the tool pac is supposed to be there. There should be 4 knobs, one for each of the rug tool, floor brush, dusting brush, upholstery nozzle and then a spot under one of them for the crevice tool as shown in your pic. Gary

Post# 387066 , Reply# 6 3/3/2018 at 08:29 (2,237 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)
Checkrate/Likes *MW/Eureka* Nice vac! As above Tool Pak is broken.These could be removed by pulling up (gently) at rear and left in closet or stay on vac.I should have Tool Paks in a box somewhere at old shop that must be cleaned out soon.(Not just box but entire building!Anyone interested??)Latch with spring was used from early 60s on most metal canisters with type H & B bags.