What manufacturers still make their vacuum parts in-house

[kubvan1]

After doing some research and seeing how, at least in the early days, made virtually all parts of their machines in-house, I started to think. It seems as though today, quite a few vacuum manufacturers have some clever engineering behind their products, but when you get right down to it, a lot of the parts, including motors, and all manner of sub-assemblies are outsourced or off-the-shelf components.
Even supposed high end brands end up using a relatively small assortment of basic motors made by Ametek or some "nameless" OEM supplier.
What companies today still manufacture the majority of components for their vacuums in house? Anyone left that still makes their own motors etc?

Thanks!
Doug E.

 

[bagintheback]

I'm not sure about motors, but Tacony (Riccar and Simplicity) makes their plastic parts themselves.

 

[kirbylux77]

Sebo, Lindhaus, Panasonic & Miele all manufacture their own suction motors, & Lindhaus manufactures their own powerhead motors. Also, I do believe Suzhou, the Chinese company that TTI & Euro-Pro & many others outsource to, make their own motors & some of their own powerhead motors, too, but I could be mistaken on that so don't quote me 100% on it.

Rob

 

[piano_god]

Re: Motors...

Sebo does not manufacture their own motors. The motors in their vacuums were built to Sebo's spec's by Ametek Lamb in Kent, Ohio. When production was moved to Reynosa, Mexico, Sebo moved their source to Ametek Italia for motor production.

Most outsourced chinese vacuums use motors made by Pentalpha, Ametek Shanghai and / or SIP (Shanghai Industrial Park) Cinderson. In the few Suzhou EUP Electric manufactured machines I have peered into, they have all used Ametek Shanghai motors. The only chinese company that I can think of off the top of my head that manufactures their own motors is TEK Electrical. They manufacture several cyclonic bagless uprights and canisters for TTI.

 

[eurekastar]

I suspect that just about every manufacturer has done outsourcing for parts. However, I do know that Kirby still makes its own aluminum castings in house. I don't know about any other parts beyond that.

 

[kubvan1]

Kirby Aluminum castings

Funny you should mention the Kirby aluminum castings. Just last night I was taking apart my Classic III for refurbishment (or is that rekirbishment?) And I noticed all the castings had the "Halex" logo on them. I had only heard of Halex as a manufacturer of electrical conduit fittings etc, and I assumed they were contracted to do the die casting for Kirby.
Anyway, I just checked, and guess what.... They are a Scott-Fetzer company, so they are indeed in the Kirby family. I would imagine they continue to do the die casting today.

Cheers,
Doug

 

[hype822]

doesn't rainbow make their own suction motors in house? and also, i thought that sebo used domel motors?

 

[kirbylux77]

Rekirbishment......

Doug, that's a funny play on words there! LOL

 

[eurekastar]

Correction

I posted some incorrect information in this thread. Doug is correct. Kirby's aluminum castings are produced by an outside supplier. A source from Kirby set me straight! Sorry about the misinformation.