What are Oreck doing?

[vintagerepairer]

A short while ago, I saw a commercial vacuum cleaner here in the UK which looked identical to the older Electrolux C16 upright. The cleaner was called "Perfect". I later found out that the patents on the Electrolux design had lapsed and that a replica cleaner was being made in China. I have no way of quantifying this, but it seems to add up. In the UK these Chinese cleaners can be purchased very cheaply if one is aware of them (they are not readily advertised).

Imagine then my surprise to see that in the USA Oreck are using the exact same cleaner, with their own colours and name. They also seem to be reasonable expensive. What is happening with Oreck now? Mentally, I still visualize them as the company who make lightweight softbag uprights, but recently their name seems to be on a good deal of other cleaners too.

http://evacuumstore.com/p-750-oreck-commercial-upright-vacuum-cleaner-or102.aspx

 

[jfalberti]

That looks like a Sanitaire

Me thinks that Oreck had that machine made by whoever makes the Sanitaire and put their name on it. Not unusual because there are other machines that look like that with different brand names on them. I believe Clarke was one.

 

[sbakerde]

The Sanitaire design has been used for decades and re-labeled with so many different names its not even funny. Just through my general supply companies I can order the same vacuum with 4 or 5 different labels on it. I guess this is one simple design that works so well every company wants a part of it. I will say I was thrilled when Oreck brought out the design in their line. The original 8 pound commercial is a nice vacuum but not suitable for heavy duty applications such as restaurants, or very high traffic buildings. Poor little vacuums don't stand a chance in some settings.

 

[eurekaprince]

It looks like the classic Eureka upright of the 1970's is no longer just Eureka's alone. The shape of the hood, front end dial for height adjustment and the top fill bag are all from the famous, high performing "Dial-a-Nap/Rugulator" uprights of that great era in Eureka Williams history.

I guess the copyright expired and now Oreck and Karcher and Rubbermaid and everyone else who wants to sell a Eureka/Sanitaire classic fan-first, "bag-in-the-back" upright can do it. :-(

Just waiting for them to put a box-top bag and a cord reel on their versions!

I guess we can all see a "Hoover Dial-A-Matic" underneath the design of most clean-air bagged uprights sold today too......

 

[vintagerepairer]

This is the UK model, gentlemen. I have seen one, once. Although it was very like the Electrolux, it did not feel like one. With delivery, we can get these over here for less than £60, which I believe is around $92 in the US. I see you Oreck version is priced at $249.99. So we are getting a bargain here!

http://www.perfectcommercialvacuums...fect-commercial-16-hepa-upright-vacuum-p103ce

 

[sebo_fan]

Same with the Hoover Insight - the SEBO G2 copy. List price in the U.S is around $540-00 compared to $649 for the G2 or $589 for the Essential G/G1. Though on Amazon.com, there seems to be a have problem with Hoover's handles for their Insight and the G1 on Amazon.com gets better reviews, still only two likewise with the Insight. 'Strange that there don't seem to be that many sellers who actually sell the Insight since it was launched.

Oreck have re-done SEBO commercial uprights before, so it doesn't surprise me that they are using other brands too for extended commercial ranges.

http://www.amazon.com/HOOVER-CH5010...qid=1364755973&sr=1-3&keywords=Hoover+Insight

 

[turbo500]

Oreck have NEVER made a vacuum of their own. The original Oreck design was just a patent that David Oreck bought and started manufacturing under his own name. I believe it was an old Whirlpool design that had been sold under various names. The first Oreck was sold as McDonald Electric outside the US, due to a licensing agreement for McDonald to produce the Oreck design in his behalf whilst he was still making a name for himself. 


 


Every single Oreck vacuum has been a slight modification of an earlier design or manufactured under licence by somebody else. 

 

[sebo_fan]

Interesting - I never knew that Chris - but from the photo shown, there's no slide out door for the drive belt - perhaps Oreck "added" that themselves on their own models.

 

[turbo500]

Well, that must've been something added later. This is a pic of the first Oreck which is identical to the McDonald Electric cleaner above, but branded Oreck.