Tacony breaks ground for continued growth

St. Louis-based company improves and expands St. James plant

Recently, the Tacony Corporation broke ground for continued improvement and expansion of the infrastructure of its St. James, MO, plant. Headquartered in Fenton, Tacony, a distributor of high-end sewing machines, ceiling fans and lighting, and a manufacturer of commercial and residential vacuum cleaners, produces its Riccar and Simplicity lines of vacuum cleaners at the St. James plant.

The plant, currently 93,000 square feet, will double in size with a planned additional 104,000 square feet, allowing Tacony more space for production and warehousing. In addition, Tacony will also make improvements to the roadway surrounding the St. James plant. These roadway renovations, funded through a $196,049 Community Development Block Grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, will assist in product and supply delivery and distribution, providing direct access to the Interstate-44 frontage road.

Both renovation projects are estimated to produce 20 new, full-time jobs for the people of the St. James area, as well as additional development for Tacony as a company.

“This will allow for the growth of our vacuum products, increase production for other floor care products -- both commercial and residential -- as well as provide space for additional special projects,” said James Fleming, plant manager. “We’re in a great location for shipping and feel we will be able to service our customers.”

Ten years ago, Tacony relocated a major portion of its vacuum production facilities from Taiwan to the United States. As a result of this move, the St. James plant flourished, doubling its original size, both in space and in number of employees. With the new renovations, it will double in size yet again.

“This is an exciting time for Tacony,” stated Ken Tacony, CEO. “We’re developing rapidly and plan on using this expansion as a catalyst for additional growth opportunities.”

Currently, the plant produces thousands of vacuums each day. In 2006, it celebrated the manufacturing of its one-millionth vacuum.

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a major importer and distributor of sewing machines and ceiling fans and manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and commercial floor care equipment. It has over 600 employees in nine facilities throughout the United States plus one in England and one in Suzhou, China. Most recently, it purchased two additional companies -- Truvox of Great Britain and Tornado of Chicago.

Reprinted from Floor Care Professional, July 2007