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History

Advancing an Industry, Sustaining a Legacy

Founded in 1870 by George H. Tennant, Tennant Company began as a one-man woodworking business, evolved into a successful wood flooring and wood products company, and eventually into a manufacturer of floor cleaning equipment. Throughout its history, Tennant has remained focused on advancing our industry by aggressively pursuing new technologies and creating a culture that celebrates innovation. Today, Tennant is a global leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world.



Tennant Company Timeline
1870-history-george-tennant

1870

George H. Tennant opens his small woodworking shop in northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

1932-Motorized-Equipment

1932

Tennant’s company begins producing motorized floor cleaning equipment.

1947-Vacuum-Power-Sweeper

1947

Tennant engineers invent the first vacuum-equipped power sweeper for industrial use

1963-Pre-Sweeper-Scrubber

1963

Tennant introduces the predecessor to the sweeper/scrubber, making Tennant units the most versatile in the world

1969-tennant-goes-public

1969

GH Tennant Inc. goes public as Tennant Company

1970-First-Rider-Scrubber

1970

Tennant Company develops the first “built from the ground up” riding scrubber

1978-Walk-Behind-Scrubber

1978

Tennant Company introduces its first walk-behind scrubber

2002-FaST-Foam-Scrubbing-Technology

2002

Tennant Company introduces FaST® Foam-activated Scrubbing Technology for hard floor surfaces

2004-ReadySpace

2004

Tennant Company introduces ReadySpace® quick-drying carpet cleaning technology

2008-ec-H2O-Technology

2008

Tennant Company introduces ec-H2O™ technology that electrically converts water into an innovative cleaning solution

2015-ec-H2O_NanoClean-T300-at-work

2015

Tennant Company develops ec-H2O NanoClean®, the next generation of sustainable cleaning with breakthrough nanobubble technology

2018-T7AMR-Scrubber-robot-cleaning-machine

2018

Tennant Company launches the first-to-perform T7AMR, making robotic cleaning practical in large spaces

2020-150th-anniversary-tennant-headquarter

2020

Tennant Company celebrates 150 years in business

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