The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in
New Orleans, LA
February 27 - 29, 2012
at the Ernest Morial Convention Center
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The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in |
The legacy lives on as MetroVac celebrates 70th Anniversary Three generations of Stern family ownership have led the Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Company from humble beginnings to revered American manufacturing icon. It all started back in December of 1939 when a Jewish immigrant named Hyman Gulker pawned his gold pocket watch and gave his son-in-law and daughter, Israel and Pearl Stern, $50 with which to follow the American Dream and start their own business. From that humble beginning in a small Bronx, NY, storefront, three generations of Sterns have built the company into a thriving, multidivisional, American manufacturing corporation now headquartered in Suffern, NY. This year the Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Company is celebrating 70 years in a continuous, family-owned business. During that time the company has survived five wars and 12 recessions while maintaining a 100% order fill rate with less than ½ of 1% returns! During that time they have also pioneered many industry firsts in a wide range of diversified markets. Today, Metro manufactures such well known brands as the Metropolitan® Professional home and floor care line, DataVac® computer cleaning systems, Air Force® motorcycle, car and pet dryers, Vac’N’Blo® automotive cleaning products, Magic Air® inflators, and many others. “Although a great deal has changed since my father started the business back in 1939,” said Metro President Jules Stern, “we have never lost sight of his original commitment to providing the highest quality products at fair, marketable prices; backed by uncompromising service and dealer support.” A Brief Company History In the years from 1957 through 1970 Metro introduced three, innovative industry firsts: in 1957, a popularly priced, 110-volt hand-held vacuum cleaner; in 1964, the first 12-volt automotive vacuum cleaner that plugged into a car cigarette lighter; and in 1970, the first dual-volt (110-V/12-V) hand-held vacuum cleaner designed to work in both the home and in the car. By 1967 the overwhelming success of those first two product introductions created a demand that far outstripped Metro’s production capabilities. And so, in 1968, the company moved into their present 32,000 square foot manufacturing facility overlooking historic Sideman’s Pass and the beautiful Ramapo Mts. of southern New York state. In 1974, Jules’ eldest son, Kenneth Stern joined Metro adding a third generation of Sterns to the family business. Throughout the 70’s and into the 80’s, Metro developed a wide range of specialty vacuum cleaner products from powerful, compact canister models to full-size, high-performance, professional systems…all backed by the exceptional service and dealer support that has become the company’s hallmark. In 1984, Jules’ youngest son, David Stern joined the company full-time. Now, with Jules at the helm, David as vice-president of marketing and Kenneth as vice-president in charge of national sales, Metro embarked on an aggressive diversification campaign into new, exciting and very different markets! One of the first new markets Metro entered was the computer/office electronics industry with their DataVac® line of safe, effective computer cleaning systems. Then, as the Metro® floor care and DataVac® lines continued to grow, the company began developing and adapting products to meet the needs of the fertile marine and pet grooming industries. Like the DataVac® line, Metro’s new, high-volume, Magic-Air® inflators/deflators soon became industry benchmarks in American marine, camping and sporting goods markets. And, by January of 1989, Metro Air Force® forced-air pet dryers had made it to the top of the pet grooming industry with over 80 wholesale distributors serving the U.S. and many foreign countries. In April of 2002, Metro came out with their most successful new product launch to date: the Air Force® Blaster® motorcycle dryer. Within two years this revolutionary product had become the hottest selling new motorcycle accessory to hit the market in decades. The line has since been expanded to include the original 4.0 Peak Horsepower Blaster® Classic, the awesome Master Blaster® with its two, 4.0 HP motors, and the newest member of the Blaster® family, the SideKick® portable. Under the watchful eye of Jules, Ken and David Stern, Metro’s immediate plans are to face this latest recession as they have all the others by continuing to aggressively develop and promote new products and markets with an even greater emphasis on cost-efficient, high-quality American manufacturing and customer service. Marketing plans for this year include:
As Israel Stern used to say: “There’s no such thing as recession, you just have to throw more mud at the wall!” Good advice from a man who founded this thriving company 70 years ago on $50 and a dream! For more information call 1-800-822-1602 or visit www.dogdryer.com or www.metrovacworld.com. Reprinted from Floor Care Professonal, July 2009 |