Sebo
Encyclopedia
Sebo is the range of vacuum cleaner
s made by Stein & Co GmbH, a company based in the German
town of Velbert
. They produce a range of upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners for domestic use, as well as vacuum cleaners for commercial use. Sebo vacuum cleaners are endorsed by Allergy UK
(the British Allergy Foundation) . Sebo stands for SEmigewerbliche BOdenpflege, German
for semi-commercial floor care.
Klaus Stein and Heinz Kaulig, two engineers decided to set up a vacuum cleaner company based on engineering expertise culminating in Stein & Co, the founding company behind SEBO. In 1977 they began to experiment with the vacuum cleaner having an electronic clutch for the brush, a top fill dust bag design and an integrated plastic wand with an inner hose to fit to the back of the vacuum cleaner, making it an easier design format for the generations of new SEBO upright vacuum cleaners.
By 1978 the SEBO 350 commercial upright vacuum is on sale and with the integrated wand and hose on board, SEBO’s engineering expertise means the clutch driven brush roll is protected and shuts off if anything gets clogged. The large 14” floor head means it is highly suited for larger expanses of flooring and the vacuum has two motors - one to supply suction and one to supply the floor head brush. The commercial upright for SEBO is a great sales success with the added benefit of being able to slip under low furniture with the brushes constantly keeping contact with all types of floors and a 3 metre hose integrated into a pull out wand for easy and quick to instant cleaning access. SEBO further enhances the 350 by adding a button release for roller brush access instead of forcing owners to take apart machines or the whole assembly of, if the barrel gets clogged or bristles need cleaning and SEBO offer a strip of bristles which pop out, replace and are easy to install for performance again.
A year late SEBO begins building SEBO upright vacuums for Windsor Industries, selling the 350 and 360 uprights under Windsor signature blue and grey colouring. Very little difference exists between the different brands of vacuums to keep costs low. Windsor’s contract means the SEBO design sees the commercial trade taking advantage of the German design, bettering many of its rivals for ease of use, strong suction from not so powerful and economically rated motors, dust capture via its patented top fill high filtration bags and an S-Class rated filter system that captures dust through microfiltration and later, hospital grade filtration systems. Both uprights have quiet motors by design.
By 1980 the 25000th vacuum cleaner is produced, and SEBO machines a year later are distributed worldwide through the Windsor, SEBO and private cleaning company brands such as Ensign and Jeyes-Diversey. In 1984 SEBO launch the SEBO DUO P carpet cleaning “dry” powder that is safe to use with both children and pets around. It is a dry cleaning powder that eradicates stains without the use of water. It also means less strain to the user and an electronic rolling brush upright machine is also made to promote the powder product. In 1986 SEBO enhance their upright vacuum cleaner technology by making further use of the electronics already established by the protected clutch. A computer controlled “brain” that shows the user what is happening during the performance and general use of the vacuum is added, from the direction of the head moving up or down, to correct positioning of the brush when it senses the thickness of thinness of carpet covering and thus matches it perfectly, to brush roll warning of clogging or changing the brush, to dust bag full indicators. This means no more manual height adjustment when the electronic clutch and central hydraulic assisted wheel adjusts the floor head automatically without intervention from the user and constantly alerts the user to what is going on. It also protects flooring from excessive brush wear.
By the 1990’s, SEBO has already become established throughout Europe, including United Kingdom, South Africa and France. In 1991 when the SEBO X1 Automatic upright is launched, it is very much a model which is geared towards the domestic home, even though it becomes a commercial model under the “XP2,” and “XP3,” sub-names with 12” or 14” sized floorheads. Colours of the vacuums are differentiated between grey/green, grey/dark grey to black/grey and black/black depending on the market and country. In all the SEBO X1 Automatic is an instant sales success and keeps the general design of top fill high filter bags, large 5.5 litre capacity, top wand release and integrated 3 metre wand to the slim and flat design that the predecessor 350 and 360 commercial uprights already enjoyed. SEBO also continue to keep the S-Class and Hospital Grade filtration system on the X1 Automatic as well as offering buyers many different cost optional tools to use later on, including a much longer 3 metre extension hose and suction-only 2 way floor tool for hard floors, before later offering a parquet/wall brush tool for more floors than carpet coverings. The X1 is also environmentally low powered compared to many upright vacuums on the market. 850 watts to a maximum of 1000 watts is a feature SEBO had initially saved for this model and even its successors, the X1.1 (1150 watt) and X4/5 (1300 watt) have lower powered motors against rivals that are less as energy efficient, but the SEBO models still maintain excellent pick up and performance.
In 1995 SEBO begins production of the C series cylinder vacuum cleaner that features the same high filter dust bag used in the X1. Again SEBO have a habit of using existing components to keep costs low and incites an early and much preferred use of recycling parts and components fit for the different variations of vacuum cleaners they produce. The C series gets excellent ratings and awards, not just for its large dust bag capacity, but general performance, quiet motor, healthy benefits thanks to its side bumper material molding called “AirBelt,” and the ability to clean up using optional floor tools including a new electronic floor head - the ET-C/H floor head, which is then made with a bigger size, optional for bigger homes.
By 1998 the 1,500,000th (millionth) vacuum produced happens to be the X1 Automatic and has already been given a Which UK “Best Buy” as well as securing and giving SEBO outright reliability ratings in the upright vacuum category. It also goes on to win numerous awards from national magazines and other organizations and has the ability to shut off the moment the bursh bar is clogged as well as being double-protected with an “instant” thermal cut out that can be restarted instantly once a clog or repair has been done. SEBO also celebrate 20 years of being in business and family member, Thomas Stein joins the company.
The 2,00,000th (millionth) vacuum produced in year 2000, is the SEBO C3.1 cylinder vacuum.
In 2002 the X1 Automatic design grows again in the form of the “Professional G” series that replaces the electronically assisted floor head and gives users 8 different floor height settings to independently choose. It becomes a good seller in the commercial market too.
SEBO also produces the compact cylinder vacuum, the K series in several different versions. The basic design incorporates an earlier design patent called “AirBelt,” which diffuses cleaner produced air from the vacuum’s exhaust motor into homes to the sides of the vacuum as opposed from the front or rear which can affect the user’s breathing. SEBO’s K series wins more awards including Best Buy from UK Which Consumer magazine, and features different floor heads including the SEBO C’s electronic ET-C floor head. SEBO’s K series is however a small cylinder vacuum that houses a larger 3 litre dust bag with a cap for sealing the dust in. Out of the many rivals on the market at the time, SEBO’s health engineering skill patents a high filter bag with four layers of filtration outwith the hospital grade/microfilter filter on board. The model also has a longer hose than rivals, remains very lightweight (around 5kg) and has two simplistic full size tools taken from existing SEBO components with a new flat upholstery tool that simply slides onto the bottom of the longer, noise free crevice pipe.
In 2003 the X1 is replaced by the 1150 watt X1.1 (not available in the U.S) and has a few cosmetic differences as well as slightly uprated power, but still maintains the excellent top fill bag design, integrated wand and hose and a two stepped motor to add the mini pet hair turbo brush whereas X1 Automatic models would stop functioning sensing a blockage if the pet brush is added. SEBO also produce the 14” larger X4 called “X5,” and a 1300 watt model X4. By 2008, SEBO hone their skills to the market realizing buyers buy a model by name and function only, giving buyers the X4 Pet which comes with additional tools and a unique black and silver body colour.
In 2005 the SEBO Felix/Dart is presented. It is a compact upright vacuum cleaner designed to sit next to the larger X series and has a stylistic nod to traditional soft bag upright vacuums by offering an exhaust material wrap around replaceable filter on the front in various designs but also features a short built in hose and a compact design suitable for small homes or flats. The “Classic,” (cream/brown Burberry inspired) Dark blue “Navy Blue,” “Ice Blue,” and loud orange/red “Fun,” models are presented as well as commercial versions, Dart 1 and 2. The Dart 1 and 2 replace the XP2 and XP3 commercial uprights. The new vacuum wins a lot of awards and has the ability to swivel left and right around corners instead of the traditional push forwards pull back upright vacuum design. Felix continues to win awards even by 2011 with Which UK Consumer magazine awarding a “Best Buy,” and is further enhanced by new models “Rosso,” (red) and “Pet” (Black/Silver,) and a light cream/grey model called “Vogue.” Functionality and design are still the two by-words that sum up SEBO design – the Felix/Dart has lockable floor heads that allow the floor heads to be taken away leaving a hand held vacuum that can be used in many cleaning situations. The ET-1 floorhead from the SEBO C and K series is also given with an additional colour change to match the main body of the vacuums and further floor options like a Deluxe Parquet floor tool is made available which has removable brush strips for ease of cleaning.
By 2010 the new SEBO D series cylinder vacuum cleaner is presented, designed to replace the older C series and brings a larger dust bag capacity (6 litre) as well as carrying on with the AirBelt, high suction motor design and optional floor tools. SEBO gain numerous awards including a GHI award for the general design and filtration on this model line up. Models D1, D2, D3 and D4 Premium are produced with varying tools and options. D2 and D4 are sold in the UK. For 2011, SEBO also produce the new Disco floor polisher head suitable for all "electrified," C, K, D and Felix/Dart models. It brings a new dimension to the Felix/Dart model with four to five different floor polishing caps and the ability to suck up dust at the same time as polishing hard floors. The Disco mirrors the ET floor heads as they all have built in motors outside the suction of the main unit.
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner, commonly referred to as a "vacuum," is a device that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and dirt, usually from floors, and optionally from other surfaces as well. The dirt is collected by either a dustbag or a cyclone for later disposal...
s made by Stein & Co GmbH, a company based in the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
town of Velbert
Velbert
Velbert is a town in the district of Mettmann, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Langenberg, a district of Velbert, is well known as the location of the Sender Langenberg transmitter site.-Geography:...
. They produce a range of upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners for domestic use, as well as vacuum cleaners for commercial use. Sebo vacuum cleaners are endorsed by Allergy UK
Allergy UK
Allergy UK is a British medical charity dedicated to helping humans with their allergies, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity. It was founded in 1991 as the British Allergy Foundation, and in 2002 the operational name of the charity became Allergy UK...
(the British Allergy Foundation) . Sebo stands for SEmigewerbliche BOdenpflege, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
for semi-commercial floor care.
Klaus Stein and Heinz Kaulig, two engineers decided to set up a vacuum cleaner company based on engineering expertise culminating in Stein & Co, the founding company behind SEBO. In 1977 they began to experiment with the vacuum cleaner having an electronic clutch for the brush, a top fill dust bag design and an integrated plastic wand with an inner hose to fit to the back of the vacuum cleaner, making it an easier design format for the generations of new SEBO upright vacuum cleaners.
By 1978 the SEBO 350 commercial upright vacuum is on sale and with the integrated wand and hose on board, SEBO’s engineering expertise means the clutch driven brush roll is protected and shuts off if anything gets clogged. The large 14” floor head means it is highly suited for larger expanses of flooring and the vacuum has two motors - one to supply suction and one to supply the floor head brush. The commercial upright for SEBO is a great sales success with the added benefit of being able to slip under low furniture with the brushes constantly keeping contact with all types of floors and a 3 metre hose integrated into a pull out wand for easy and quick to instant cleaning access. SEBO further enhances the 350 by adding a button release for roller brush access instead of forcing owners to take apart machines or the whole assembly of, if the barrel gets clogged or bristles need cleaning and SEBO offer a strip of bristles which pop out, replace and are easy to install for performance again.
A year late SEBO begins building SEBO upright vacuums for Windsor Industries, selling the 350 and 360 uprights under Windsor signature blue and grey colouring. Very little difference exists between the different brands of vacuums to keep costs low. Windsor’s contract means the SEBO design sees the commercial trade taking advantage of the German design, bettering many of its rivals for ease of use, strong suction from not so powerful and economically rated motors, dust capture via its patented top fill high filtration bags and an S-Class rated filter system that captures dust through microfiltration and later, hospital grade filtration systems. Both uprights have quiet motors by design.
- Even today against bagless vacuums, the healthiest way of capturing dust in clinics and health institutions is in a bag – and most hospitals have SEBO commercial uprights for this very preference.
By 1980 the 25000th vacuum cleaner is produced, and SEBO machines a year later are distributed worldwide through the Windsor, SEBO and private cleaning company brands such as Ensign and Jeyes-Diversey. In 1984 SEBO launch the SEBO DUO P carpet cleaning “dry” powder that is safe to use with both children and pets around. It is a dry cleaning powder that eradicates stains without the use of water. It also means less strain to the user and an electronic rolling brush upright machine is also made to promote the powder product. In 1986 SEBO enhance their upright vacuum cleaner technology by making further use of the electronics already established by the protected clutch. A computer controlled “brain” that shows the user what is happening during the performance and general use of the vacuum is added, from the direction of the head moving up or down, to correct positioning of the brush when it senses the thickness of thinness of carpet covering and thus matches it perfectly, to brush roll warning of clogging or changing the brush, to dust bag full indicators. This means no more manual height adjustment when the electronic clutch and central hydraulic assisted wheel adjusts the floor head automatically without intervention from the user and constantly alerts the user to what is going on. It also protects flooring from excessive brush wear.
By the 1990’s, SEBO has already become established throughout Europe, including United Kingdom, South Africa and France. In 1991 when the SEBO X1 Automatic upright is launched, it is very much a model which is geared towards the domestic home, even though it becomes a commercial model under the “XP2,” and “XP3,” sub-names with 12” or 14” sized floorheads. Colours of the vacuums are differentiated between grey/green, grey/dark grey to black/grey and black/black depending on the market and country. In all the SEBO X1 Automatic is an instant sales success and keeps the general design of top fill high filter bags, large 5.5 litre capacity, top wand release and integrated 3 metre wand to the slim and flat design that the predecessor 350 and 360 commercial uprights already enjoyed. SEBO also continue to keep the S-Class and Hospital Grade filtration system on the X1 Automatic as well as offering buyers many different cost optional tools to use later on, including a much longer 3 metre extension hose and suction-only 2 way floor tool for hard floors, before later offering a parquet/wall brush tool for more floors than carpet coverings. The X1 is also environmentally low powered compared to many upright vacuums on the market. 850 watts to a maximum of 1000 watts is a feature SEBO had initially saved for this model and even its successors, the X1.1 (1150 watt) and X4/5 (1300 watt) have lower powered motors against rivals that are less as energy efficient, but the SEBO models still maintain excellent pick up and performance.
In 1995 SEBO begins production of the C series cylinder vacuum cleaner that features the same high filter dust bag used in the X1. Again SEBO have a habit of using existing components to keep costs low and incites an early and much preferred use of recycling parts and components fit for the different variations of vacuum cleaners they produce. The C series gets excellent ratings and awards, not just for its large dust bag capacity, but general performance, quiet motor, healthy benefits thanks to its side bumper material molding called “AirBelt,” and the ability to clean up using optional floor tools including a new electronic floor head - the ET-C/H floor head, which is then made with a bigger size, optional for bigger homes.
By 1998 the 1,500,000th (millionth) vacuum produced happens to be the X1 Automatic and has already been given a Which UK “Best Buy” as well as securing and giving SEBO outright reliability ratings in the upright vacuum category. It also goes on to win numerous awards from national magazines and other organizations and has the ability to shut off the moment the bursh bar is clogged as well as being double-protected with an “instant” thermal cut out that can be restarted instantly once a clog or repair has been done. SEBO also celebrate 20 years of being in business and family member, Thomas Stein joins the company.
The 2,00,000th (millionth) vacuum produced in year 2000, is the SEBO C3.1 cylinder vacuum.
In 2002 the X1 Automatic design grows again in the form of the “Professional G” series that replaces the electronically assisted floor head and gives users 8 different floor height settings to independently choose. It becomes a good seller in the commercial market too.
SEBO also produces the compact cylinder vacuum, the K series in several different versions. The basic design incorporates an earlier design patent called “AirBelt,” which diffuses cleaner produced air from the vacuum’s exhaust motor into homes to the sides of the vacuum as opposed from the front or rear which can affect the user’s breathing. SEBO’s K series wins more awards including Best Buy from UK Which Consumer magazine, and features different floor heads including the SEBO C’s electronic ET-C floor head. SEBO’s K series is however a small cylinder vacuum that houses a larger 3 litre dust bag with a cap for sealing the dust in. Out of the many rivals on the market at the time, SEBO’s health engineering skill patents a high filter bag with four layers of filtration outwith the hospital grade/microfilter filter on board. The model also has a longer hose than rivals, remains very lightweight (around 5kg) and has two simplistic full size tools taken from existing SEBO components with a new flat upholstery tool that simply slides onto the bottom of the longer, noise free crevice pipe.
In 2003 the X1 is replaced by the 1150 watt X1.1 (not available in the U.S) and has a few cosmetic differences as well as slightly uprated power, but still maintains the excellent top fill bag design, integrated wand and hose and a two stepped motor to add the mini pet hair turbo brush whereas X1 Automatic models would stop functioning sensing a blockage if the pet brush is added. SEBO also produce the 14” larger X4 called “X5,” and a 1300 watt model X4. By 2008, SEBO hone their skills to the market realizing buyers buy a model by name and function only, giving buyers the X4 Pet which comes with additional tools and a unique black and silver body colour.
In 2005 the SEBO Felix/Dart is presented. It is a compact upright vacuum cleaner designed to sit next to the larger X series and has a stylistic nod to traditional soft bag upright vacuums by offering an exhaust material wrap around replaceable filter on the front in various designs but also features a short built in hose and a compact design suitable for small homes or flats. The “Classic,” (cream/brown Burberry inspired) Dark blue “Navy Blue,” “Ice Blue,” and loud orange/red “Fun,” models are presented as well as commercial versions, Dart 1 and 2. The Dart 1 and 2 replace the XP2 and XP3 commercial uprights. The new vacuum wins a lot of awards and has the ability to swivel left and right around corners instead of the traditional push forwards pull back upright vacuum design. Felix continues to win awards even by 2011 with Which UK Consumer magazine awarding a “Best Buy,” and is further enhanced by new models “Rosso,” (red) and “Pet” (Black/Silver,) and a light cream/grey model called “Vogue.” Functionality and design are still the two by-words that sum up SEBO design – the Felix/Dart has lockable floor heads that allow the floor heads to be taken away leaving a hand held vacuum that can be used in many cleaning situations. The ET-1 floorhead from the SEBO C and K series is also given with an additional colour change to match the main body of the vacuums and further floor options like a Deluxe Parquet floor tool is made available which has removable brush strips for ease of cleaning.
By 2010 the new SEBO D series cylinder vacuum cleaner is presented, designed to replace the older C series and brings a larger dust bag capacity (6 litre) as well as carrying on with the AirBelt, high suction motor design and optional floor tools. SEBO gain numerous awards including a GHI award for the general design and filtration on this model line up. Models D1, D2, D3 and D4 Premium are produced with varying tools and options. D2 and D4 are sold in the UK. For 2011, SEBO also produce the new Disco floor polisher head suitable for all "electrified," C, K, D and Felix/Dart models. It brings a new dimension to the Felix/Dart model with four to five different floor polishing caps and the ability to suck up dust at the same time as polishing hard floors. The Disco mirrors the ET floor heads as they all have built in motors outside the suction of the main unit.