ProTeam Information

In 1987, a vacuum design innovation from an emerging company in Boise, Idaho revolutionized the commercial cleaning field. ProTeam® started in a garage in 1983, where Larry Shideler, then the owner of a commercial cleaning operation, utilized PVC pipes, a powerful motor and several different filters to create the original lightweight backpack vacuum. He called it the QuarterVac®, and put it to work to astonishing results. He found the backpack vacuum dramatically improved worker productivity, effectiveness and ergonomic comfort. By combining a Four Level® Filtration system with a powerful motor for improved suction, the backpack also extracted and eliminated more dirt than a commercial upright, canister or dust mop. His innovation sparked a change in thinking and process that took the industry by storm. Maintenance crews in every arena quickly found that ProTeam backpacks saved money, time and resources while improving indoor air quality. With durable materials and fewer moving parts, ProTeam vacuums also last for years, while reducing repair and maintenance issues. In 2009, Emerson—a diversified global manufacturing and technology company based in St. Louis—acquired ProTeam, and the legacy of innovation continues. ProTeam is an educational partner with the American Lung Association, focusing on indoor air quality and lung health.