Hoover

Hoover began as an American company based in Ohio. Hoover expanded and founded a large research and manufacturing base in the UK. In fact, some would claim it's dominance in the UK often surpassed that of it's homeland. Hoover so dominated the vacuum cleaning business in the UK, that many people in the UK still refer to a vacuum cleaner as a 'hoover'. Very rarely does a brand name become so synonymic, that it supplants or is interchangeable with the product type it is.

Having said that, hoover's stature is not what it was. New brands, most notable Dyson, have taken it's crown in the UK and US. No longer is it the best selling vacuum cleaner brand. Hoover's hegemony has been in full retreat for twenty years or more. It's UK/European division was sold to Candy in nineteen ninety three.

It's US business was acquired by Whirlpool, who then sold it on to TTI. The Hoover brand is not finished however. It still remains a prominent brand in Europe and the US. The difference is in the type of products it now sells. As the US and European brands are owned by different companies, the products they develop and sell differ. Candy has ensured that Hoover continue to build vacuum cleaners, but has expanded the brand into white goods, such as washing machines. Hoover US has not expanded into white good. Instead, the brand primarily focuses upon vacuum cleaners and floor care products.