Hello,
Just when I thought I had the Electrolux history figured out I found some more information--Lux International.
Here is a synopsis of what I have discovered...
Forbes Lux International (http://www.luxinternational.com/about_us/history/) is a descendant of the original AB Lux company which began in 1901 manufacturing and selling kerosene lamps for outdoor lighting applications. With the advent of electrical lighting the company's sales declined until 1912 when Axel Wenner-Gren pitched his vacuum cleaner idea with the help of Swedish engineer Sven Carlstedt. In December of that year he was given the sole rights to distribute his first vacuum cleaner, the Model I, in Germany with a personal guarantee of a turnover of 500 machines. When Wenner-Gren and Carlstedt met that challenge, they went on to design and manufacture the Model II; and by 1919 Wenner-Gren was the CEO of AB Lux. After many years of manufacturing well-designed and built vacuum cleaners and accessories AB Lux broke with the Electrolux Group in 1998 and became independent after the von der Becke family acquired it. Lux International was then founded with its headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. In 2006 it merged with India's largest direct sales company, Eureka Forbes. Forbes Lux International currently manufactures quality vacuum cleaners in over 10 new markets, including Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Russia and the Netherlands. The Lux Intelligence is its current highest-tier model.
What is now known as the Electrolux Group (http://group.electrolux.com/en/) began in 1919 as the merger of AB Lux and Svenska Elektron AB (in which Wenner-Gren was the major owner). This gave Elektron the sole sales rights to AB Lux vacuum cleaners. At the Annual General Meeting on August 29, 1919, Elektromekaniska AB (wholly owned by Wenner-Gren-dominated Elektron) changes its name to AB Electrolux. The new name was a combination of Elektromekaniska and Lux. While Wenner-Gren headed the vacuum cleaner division, AB Electrolux also manufactured other appliances such as refrigerators and ranges. In 1924, the American division of AB Electrolux, known as Electrolux Corporation, USA began distributing Lux vacuum cleaners. Then in 1933, the first American factory for producing the vacuum cleaners opens in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The Swedish and American divisions were separate operations, yet both owned by the Electrolux Group. In 1968, that changed when Electrolux Corporation, USA was bought by Consolidated Foods for SEK 300 million. The deal made it possible for the American division to expand. The buy-out broke the affiliation between the Swedish and American companies. The Electrolux Group has bought out several prominent brands over the years including Frigidaire and Eureka and continues to manufacture and distribute a variety of home and business appliances along with a newer line of vacuum cleaners branded with its Electrolux name that have no connection with the Electrolux vacuum cleaners designed by Axel Wenner-Gren. Electrolux Canada has continued its affiliation with Electrolux Group despite the departure by other countries' divisions over the years.
The company now known as Aerus (http://aerusvacuums.com/)is what was once the Electrolux Corporation, USA. It began in 1924 with the first tank vacuum model, introduced by Gustaf Sahlin. After opening a manufacturing facility in Greenwich, Connecticut, production on the popular Electrolux canister vacuum cleaner, the Model XXX, began in 1937. That machine, as well as its successors earned a positive reputation for the company's quality vacuum cleaners, accessories, and shampooer/polishers. Demand for the products increased so greatly that a second manufacturing facility was opened in Bristol, Virginia in 1970. By 1985 it became necessary to close the original plant in Old Greenwich. In 2000, the North American rights to the Electrolux brand name were sold to Electrolux Group of Sweden, and in August 2001 Electrolux Corporation, USA became Aerus, the Greek word for air (albeit some American franchises go by the name 'Aerus-Electrolux'. Around the same time, the company transitioned from its sole line of floor care products to home health products which included air and water purification systems. Aerus' most recent vacuum cleaner as well as its 'Cadillac' is the Guardian Platinum (similar in design to the Lux Intelligence).
(Information compiled from the aforementioned websites and Wikipedia.)
Just when I thought I had the Electrolux history figured out I found some more information--Lux International.
Here is a synopsis of what I have discovered...
Forbes Lux International (http://www.luxinternational.com/about_us/history/) is a descendant of the original AB Lux company which began in 1901 manufacturing and selling kerosene lamps for outdoor lighting applications. With the advent of electrical lighting the company's sales declined until 1912 when Axel Wenner-Gren pitched his vacuum cleaner idea with the help of Swedish engineer Sven Carlstedt. In December of that year he was given the sole rights to distribute his first vacuum cleaner, the Model I, in Germany with a personal guarantee of a turnover of 500 machines. When Wenner-Gren and Carlstedt met that challenge, they went on to design and manufacture the Model II; and by 1919 Wenner-Gren was the CEO of AB Lux. After many years of manufacturing well-designed and built vacuum cleaners and accessories AB Lux broke with the Electrolux Group in 1998 and became independent after the von der Becke family acquired it. Lux International was then founded with its headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. In 2006 it merged with India's largest direct sales company, Eureka Forbes. Forbes Lux International currently manufactures quality vacuum cleaners in over 10 new markets, including Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Russia and the Netherlands. The Lux Intelligence is its current highest-tier model.
What is now known as the Electrolux Group (http://group.electrolux.com/en/) began in 1919 as the merger of AB Lux and Svenska Elektron AB (in which Wenner-Gren was the major owner). This gave Elektron the sole sales rights to AB Lux vacuum cleaners. At the Annual General Meeting on August 29, 1919, Elektromekaniska AB (wholly owned by Wenner-Gren-dominated Elektron) changes its name to AB Electrolux. The new name was a combination of Elektromekaniska and Lux. While Wenner-Gren headed the vacuum cleaner division, AB Electrolux also manufactured other appliances such as refrigerators and ranges. In 1924, the American division of AB Electrolux, known as Electrolux Corporation, USA began distributing Lux vacuum cleaners. Then in 1933, the first American factory for producing the vacuum cleaners opens in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The Swedish and American divisions were separate operations, yet both owned by the Electrolux Group. In 1968, that changed when Electrolux Corporation, USA was bought by Consolidated Foods for SEK 300 million. The deal made it possible for the American division to expand. The buy-out broke the affiliation between the Swedish and American companies. The Electrolux Group has bought out several prominent brands over the years including Frigidaire and Eureka and continues to manufacture and distribute a variety of home and business appliances along with a newer line of vacuum cleaners branded with its Electrolux name that have no connection with the Electrolux vacuum cleaners designed by Axel Wenner-Gren. Electrolux Canada has continued its affiliation with Electrolux Group despite the departure by other countries' divisions over the years.
The company now known as Aerus (http://aerusvacuums.com/)is what was once the Electrolux Corporation, USA. It began in 1924 with the first tank vacuum model, introduced by Gustaf Sahlin. After opening a manufacturing facility in Greenwich, Connecticut, production on the popular Electrolux canister vacuum cleaner, the Model XXX, began in 1937. That machine, as well as its successors earned a positive reputation for the company's quality vacuum cleaners, accessories, and shampooer/polishers. Demand for the products increased so greatly that a second manufacturing facility was opened in Bristol, Virginia in 1970. By 1985 it became necessary to close the original plant in Old Greenwich. In 2000, the North American rights to the Electrolux brand name were sold to Electrolux Group of Sweden, and in August 2001 Electrolux Corporation, USA became Aerus, the Greek word for air (albeit some American franchises go by the name 'Aerus-Electrolux'. Around the same time, the company transitioned from its sole line of floor care products to home health products which included air and water purification systems. Aerus' most recent vacuum cleaner as well as its 'Cadillac' is the Guardian Platinum (similar in design to the Lux Intelligence).
(Information compiled from the aforementioned websites and Wikipedia.)
