The iconic orange Vax, the world’s first vacuum cleaner that could also wash carpets and suck up spills, was created in Droitwich.
Invented by Alan Brazier in 1979, at first it was sold door-to-door. Within three years it was in High Street shops and by 1987 it was the UK’s best selling vacuum, with the company valued at £60 million. By 1995 you could buy a Vax in nearly 50 different countries.
Droitwich-born Brazier built his headquarters and main manufacturing plant at the town’s Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate, where it still has a presence. The Duke of Kent was presented with a Vax machine on a visit there in 1990.
The company’s headquarters are in Heritage Way, Droitwich.
Click here to see a 10-second Vax TV ad from 1989.
Ooh Aah Droitwich Spa 
I designed and made a production tool for Vax to help fit seals to the control valves. They paid me £800 even though I made it at work during works time up at Longbridge!