Since 1939, the Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Co., Inc. has evolved into a multidivisional corporation. From a small retail store front in the Bronx, NY rebuilding and selling vacuum cleaners, to a diversified multiunit manufacturing facility in 2001, producing amongst other products, Data-Vac Computer Cleaning Systems and Air Force Dog Dryers.
The early years for Metropolitan were solely devoted to vacuum cleaners. Founded by Israel and Pearl Stern, Metro was totally involved in the distribution and retailing of vacuum cleaners. From 1946 through 1949, the main core of Metro's business was the reconditioning and sale of vacuum cleaners to retail specialty stores, 5 & Dime and mail order houses.
In 1951 Jules Stern, son of Israel and Pearl, joined the business on a full-time basis. Between 1957 and 1970 Metro introduced three innovative industry "firsts". In 1957 a popularly priced 110-volt handheld vacuum cleaner. In 1964 the first 12-volt automotive hand held vacuum cleaner that plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet of cars. With the introduction of these two overwhelmingly successful products, demand outstripped production capabilities and a move to a larger facility was necessary. In 1968 Metro moved into its own 32,000 square foot building in Suffern, NY. In 1970 Metro introduced another industry first, the Metro Duo-Volt, the world's first and still only dual voltage (110V-12V) hand held vacuum cleaner, designed to work in the home and in the car.
In 1974 Kenneth Stern, the eldest son of Jules, joined Metro, adding a third generation of Sterns to the family business. Through the seventies and into the eighties Metro introduced many different models of vacuum cleaners from compact powerful canisters to full size vacuum cleaners.
In the eighties, Metro aggressively began to diversify into new and different industries. David Stern, Jules' youngest son, entered the company on a full-time basis in 1984. Since 1984 under the keen eyes of Jules, President, Kenneth, Vice-President of National Sales and David, Vice-President of Marketing, many new and different markets have been opened for Metro products.
Metro is now a major factor in the computer/office product industry with Metro Data-Vac Computer Cleaning Systems. Data-Vac Computer Cleaning Systems are designed to avoid costly downtime. Ever so important, is the cleanup and maintenance of computers, printers, laser printers and copiers.
2001 proved to be extraordinary for Metro for a number of reasons, Continuous growth of the Data Vac division, Metro's Magic Air Division which markets high volume pumps and inflator/deflators to the marine, camping and sporting goods industries and Metro's Air force Pet Grooming Dryers Division which by January of 1989, was catapulted to the top of the pet dryer industry and now has over 80 wholesale distributors in the United States and many foreign countries. Metro is concentrating on expanding all of these diverse product categories with the introduction of new products in each of their divisions.
Metro entered the motorcycle industry in April, 2002, with the Air Force Blaster Motorcycle Dryer. The Metro Air Force Blaster motorcycle dryer was specifically designed for cleaning and drying motorcycles with dry, filtered warm air (about 20-25 degrees above ambient temperature). The Metro Air Force Blaster will cut cleaning time by 80%. Five to seven minutes is all it takes to quickly and effectively dry motorcycles. The Blaster is the hottest new motorcycle care product to come out in decades and is completely safe for all paint and chrome finishes. In our 65 years of business, this has been one for the fastest and most successful product launches ever.
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