MetroVac is proud to be a family-run company that’s been operating in the United States for over 80 years. Starting as Metropolitan Vacuum way back in 1939, we’ve upheld the tradition of producing high-quality, durable, long-lasting products for a wide range of customer needs.
Learn about the history of MetroVac below in the timeline we’ve put together!
In 1939 Hyman Gulker pawned his prized pocket watch for $50 and gave the money to his son-in-law and daughter, Israel and Pearl Stern. Israel had been selling vacuum cleaners door to door for a number of floor care companies, but with the $50 gift, he and Pearl were able to launch their American Dream: The Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Company. It was a bold move because Israel was a very successful salesman. So good, in fact, that the President of the last company he worked for offered him $100 to return. “Nothing doing,” declared Pearl. “We’re on our own now!”
And so their American Dream began.
The early years were devoted solely to the distribution and retailing of vacuum cleaners. By 1946, the main core of their business had become the reconditioning and sale of vacuum cleaners to retail specialty stores, Five & Dimes, and mail-order houses.
In 1951, things began to change when Israel and Pearl’s son, Jules Stern, joined the business full-time and helped introduce unique industry innovations. In 1957, MetroVac unveiled the first 110-volt handheld vacuum cleaner. 1964 saw the first 12-volt automotive handheld vacuum cleaner that plugged into the cigarette lighter in cars. It was around this time that Metropolitan Vacuume became commonly referred to as “MetroVac.”
In 1968, in order to meet the production demand that resulted from the enormous success of its products, MetroVac moved to a 32,000 square-foot facility in Suffern, New York. In 1970, MetroVac introduced the Metro Duo-Volt, the world’s first, and still only, dual voltage handheld vacuum that’s designed to work in homes and cars, continuing a legacy of innovation in the cleaning industry.
1974 saw Kenneth Stern, the eldest son of Jules, join MetroVac, adding a third generation of Sterns to the family business. MetroVac continued to introduce many new, different models from full-size vacuum cleaners to powerful compact canisters. It was during this time that MetroVac introduced the DataVac Computer Cleaning Systems—now a major factor in the computer/office product industry—designed for the cleanup and maintenance of computers, printers, laser printers, and copiers.
David Stern, Jules’ youngest son, entered the company on a full-time basis in 1984. David spearheaded the introduction of Air Force pet dryers. By 1989, MetroVac’s Air Force Pet Grooming Dryer division had catapulted MetroVac to the top of the pet dryer industry which now had worldwide distribution.
2001 saw continuous growth of the DataVac division, as computers became more widely available to consumers, and MetroVac’s Magic Air Division, which markets high volume pumps and inflator/deflators to the marine, camping, and sporting goods industries. Magic Air pumps are also used to inflate emergency inflatable shelters for medical and decontamination purposes.
MetroVac entered the motorcycle industry in 2002 with the Air Force Blaster Motorcycle Dryer, which was specifically designed for cleaning and drying motorcycles. The MetroVac Air Force Blaster cuts cleaning time by 80%, is completely safe for all paint and chrome finishes, and is one of the most innovative motorcycle care products in decades.
Product lines and market penetration continued to grow, and in 2008, MetroVac introduced the handheld DataVac Electric Duster: a safe, environmentally-friendly alternative to controversial and potentially dangerous “canned-air” dusting products. It offers superior cleaning performance and greater versatility over throwaway cans and is safe for all computer/electronic equipment, printers, copiers, fax machines, digital cameras, and more.
Also in 2008, MetroVac entered the automotive industry with a full line of car vacuum cleaners from the Metropolitan 500 (500-watt handheld) to the Jumbo Vac N Blo wall-mounted garage vacuum cleaner. MetroVac also introduced a line of car dryers, including the Master Blaster, which will completely dry a full-size car in 15 minutes. Both product lines are targeting professional detailers and automotive enthusiasts worldwide. This same year, Bob Stevenson joined the company as General Manager.
In 2013, MetroVac and its employees moved into a new 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Oakland, New Jersey.
2019 marks the 80th anniversary of MetroVac as we prepare for an exciting future, focusing on innovative new products and adding employees to the manufacturing and management teams.
“Each and every day, I’m so very proud of what we have accomplished over the last 80 years. It’s very gratifying to produce quality products right here in the USA that actually work and are durable. We will continue to innovate and introduce new products into the markets we serve and carry on the tradition that my parents, Israel and Pearl, founded in 1939.”
– Jules Stern, President and CEO
Regardless of your cleaning needs, MetroVac has a solution for you! We are proud to say that our products are all made In the USA from domestic and international components, using only the best materials in order to guarantee a long life for our products. Browse our collection of home, pet, auto, motorcycle, IT, marine and camping vacuums now to see why you should choose MetroVac today!
