We started as a small sawmill that produced wood products and flooring for local businesses.  This, literally, laid the groundwork for a company that would later become a world leader in floor care solutions.  Over the last 139 years, Tennant Company has survived on a legacy of resiliency and innovation.  Learn more about our 140 year commitment to creating a cleaner, safer world.

1870-1944: Carving out a Niche: The Steel Wool Buffing Machine

Evolving from a frontier business to a cottage industry, Tennant claims new cleaning territory, files its first patent and moves from manual to mechanized sweeping.

1870- George H. Tennant opens his small woodworking shop in northeast Minneapolis.

1909- The business incorporates as the G.H. Tennant Co.

1929- The Great Depression. As its wood products business declines, Tennant focuses in a new direction.

1930s- Tennant buys the rights to a motorized floor “dry cleaning machine” from a Minneapolis janitor.

1938- Floor maintenance equipment is now the company’s main product.

1941- WWII- Tennant keeps defense plants clean.

1945-1979: Sweeping Transformations

World War II redefines industrial America and Tennant strikes out in new directions, pursing distant markets, the service business, vacuumized sweeping – and its initial public offering.

1947- Tennant introduces a vacuumized sweeper to control dust in factories.

1949- Tennant makes its first international sale of sweeping machines.

1957- Tennant moves into world headquarters in Minneapolis, MN.

1969- Tennant becomes a public company.

1970s- Tennant opens a manufacturing facility in the Netherlands.

Tennant enters the service business.

Tennant launches its internal quality initiative.

1978- Model 432, the first walk-behind scrubber is introduced.

1980-2009: Growing Bigger, Stronger, Smarter

Quality initiatives, process improvements and global acquisitions lead to our greenest horizons ever – along with industry recognition for environmental leadership.

1990- Tennant wins Seven Wonders of the World award for its Eco line of non-solvent coatings.

1994- Tennant acquires Castex and the Nobles brand, extending its commercial floor cleaning capabilities.

1995- Tennant acquires the Eagle Floor Care Line of propane burnishers.

2000- Tennant is listed on the NYSE.

2002- Tennant introduces FaST for hard floor surfaces. It’s quick drying and uses less water.

2003- Tennant extends market coverage in Europe, Japan, and China.

2004- Tennant introduces ReadySpace quick-drying carpet cleaning technology.

2008- Tennant expands its sales and service network in South America by acquiring Brazilian market leader, Sociedade Alfa Ltda.

2009- Tennant is awarded the European Business Award for its ec-H2O chemical-free cleaning technology.

2010 and beyond: Inventing the Future

Tennant will extend its legacy of leadership and innovation into the future, expanding markets, finding better ways to satisfy customer needs and delivering value to it stakeholders.