Floorcare AppliancesOur Heritage

Our Heritage

Electrolux was founded nearly a century ago by Axel Wenner-Gren, a Swedish business man who realized that the vacuum designs of the day were awkward, heavy and unpractical. Upon seeing a cleaner that weighed more than 40 pounds in a store window, Axel thought, "If I could make this machine lighter and more affordable, I could sell one in every home." Axel's understanding of consumer needs led to the development of the modern day vacuum cleaner. Today, more than 100 years later, Electrolux offers a wide range of vacuums – from uprights and canisters to handhelds and lightweights – all designed with a detailed understanding of today's consumer and her cleaning needs.

As Axel's small vacuum company transitioned over the years to the developer of some of the world’s most revolutionary home appliances, its focus on consumer-driven design never wavered. Headquartered in Stockholm, one of the world's most modern and technologically-advanced cities, Electrolux is a global leader in household appliances, including vacuums, refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines. The company proudly sells more than 40 million high-quality products to customers in more than 150 markets every year. 

Each Electrolux appliance is created by a global design team dedicated to helping customers achieve a better quality of life through the use of innovative features, outstanding performance and stylish, easy-to-use designs. And our design process remains insight-driven at every level. Our teams are constantly conducting market research studies to identify the everyday challenges our consumers face so we can develop practical, easy-to-use solutions. It's no wonder we are thought of as the "Thoughtful Designer Innovator."

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