Hoover Sold for $107 Million

Hoover began in North Canton 99 years ago and became a world famous name. That brand is exactly what Techtronic Industries - or TTI - was looking for. The sale for $107 million puts an end to the hopes of its workers for an employee stock ownership plan. In the 1980s those International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members tried to fight the move of jobs to Texas, and then Mexico. Hoover has more than twice as many workers on the Tex-Mex border than the 800 some in Stark County. Area congressman Ralph Regula says the company will put its headquarters in Cleveland. Almost exactly four years ago TTI purchased Royal Appliance Manufacturing, the makers of Dirt Devil in Cleveland. TTI officials say it's too early to talk about their long term plans for Hoover.