Eureka (company)
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home appliances |
| Founded | 1909 in Detroit, United States |
| Founder | Fred Wardell |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina , United States |
Area served | North America |
| Products | Vacuum cleaners (upright, cordless, canister, stick, handheld), replacement vacuum parts (bags, belts, filters) |
| Owner | Midea Group |
Eureka is a U.S.-based home appliance brand specializing in vacuum cleaners, owned by the Chinese corporation Midea Group. Its product range includes upright, cordless, canister, stick, and handheld vacuum models. Additionally, Eureka offers a variety of replacement vacuum parts such as bags, belts, and filters.
Recognized as one of North America's pioneering vacuum cleaner makers, Eureka was under Electrolux ownership from 1974 until its acquisition by Midea Group in 2016.
History
The company was established in 1909 in Detroit by Fred Wardell (1866–1952), a real estate auctioneer originally from Toronto. Initially, Eureka retailed vacuums manufactured by other companies. By 1913, Wardell and his associates secured their first manufacturing facility. The launch of the Eureka Model 9 in 1922 significantly impacted the market by offering comparable performance to Hoover products at half the price, featuring a front-mounted bag and a 10-day home trial. This model achieved sales of one million units within three years and reached two million by 1927, capturing approximately one-third of the U.S. vacuum market and establishing Eureka as a prominent competitor to Hoover.
In 1930, Eureka diversified into electric stove production. However, financial difficulties emerged during the Great Depression due to expensive door-to-door sales strategies, leading to losses by the late 1930s. The company reduced its sales staff in 1940 and did not return to profitability until wartime manufacturing provided stability during World War II.
Following the war, growth accelerated with a 1945 merger between Eureka and Bloomington-based Williams Oil-O-Matic, a producer of oil heaters and refrigerators, resulting in the formation of Eureka-Williams Corporation. The company broadened its product lines to include heaters, air conditioners, ventilators, school furniture, and incorporated National Stamping & Electric Works along with its White Cross brand.
In 1953, ownership transferred to Henney Motor Company; subsequently in 1959, it became part of National Union Electric Corporation. During this era, Eureka was involved in producing the Henney Kilowatt (1959–1961), recognized as the first electric car manufactured in the United States, although it did not achieve commercial success.
Electrolux acquired Eureka in 1974 and reinstated the original brand name. By 2004, the entity operated under Electrolux Home Products Division while maintaining the Eureka brand identity. In August 2011, Electrolux centralized its North American vacuum and appliance operations in Charlotte, North Carolina. The brand was sold to Chinese company Midea Group in 2016.