<P> Vax UK Ltd is a brand that manufactures electrical goods and cleaning products in the floor - care and air treatment sectors, and which has its headquarters in the United Kingdom . The brand is owned by a company called TTI Co. Ltd Group, which is based in Hong Kong, China . Vax UK Ltd has its main headquarters and R&D centre located in the city centre of Birmingham, West Midlands and a service, warehouse and depot operation in the village of Hampton Lovett, near Droitwich, Worcestershire. Vax branded machines are manufactured in China . Vax employs over 400 staff across its Birmingham and Droitwich sites in the UK . </P> <P> Vax UK Ltd was founded in December 1977 by Alan Brazier, who had prior experience in the field of industrial carpet cleaning . Brazier developed a prototype of a machine suitable for a household but capable of washing carpets and handling accident spillages or flooding . In 1979, Vax launched an "orange tub" multi-functional floor - care machine to fulfil this purpose and initially engaged with consumers by door - to - door sales of the device . This product was a world first . </P> <P> Vax products were first offered for sale by high - street retailers in 1982, and the 111 Orange Tub model went on to become the best - selling vacuum cleaning product in the United Kingdom in 1987 . </P> <P> In June 1990 Vax contracted James Dyson to produce an upright vacuum cleaner aimed at the British market . This deal involved a £ 75,000 licence . By July 1991, he had left the company to produce this product independently . </P>

The name of the first ever vax that was sold in the uk