When Miele became one of the nation's best-selling premium vacuum cleaner brands in the second half of the 1990s, it came at tiny Tacony's expense. Tacony's two brands, Riccar and Simplicity, were top sellers at independent vacuum cleaner stores, where most $500-and-up machines are sold. But Miele's vacuums -- praised for their German engineering and sleek styling -- quickly surpassed Riccar and Simplicity sales, threatening to undermine Tacony's business.
"The sun rose and set on Miele," recalls Geoffrey Bagnal, owner of Sweeps Vacuum & Repair Center in Hudson, N.Y., which sells both Miele and Tacony products. "They were absolutely the best." Not anymore.
