Tennant Company

Posted: 19 May 2010

See all articles by Toby Stuart

Toby Stuart

Harvard University - Entrepreneurial Management Unit; University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business

Lynda M. Applegate

Harvard University - Entrepreneurial Management Unit

James Weber

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: February 8, 2010

Abstract

Tennant, a leading producer of floor cleaning equipment, must determine how to create, finance, structure, staff, govern, measure and manage a new venture for developing a fundamentally new product line. In 2005, Tennant Company had developed an innovative, environmentally friendly, cleaning technology that could potentially revolutionize cleaning. Historically, Tennant was a producer of floor and carpet washing machines for industrial and commercial markets. Over time, it became clear that the technology had applications far beyond Tennant's core markets. In mid-2009, the company set up a new venture to develop the technology's promise. In 2010 this venture was wholly owned by Tennant and run by a Tennant manager. The case examines the decisions the CEO and new venture head must make to best structure and position the venture to succeed.

Suggested Citation

Stuart, Toby E. and Stuart, Toby E. and Applegate, Lynda M. and Weber, James, Tennant Company (February 8, 2010). HBS Case No. 810-040, Harvard Business School Entrepreneurial Management Unit, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1610233

Toby E. Stuart (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Entrepreneurial Management Unit ( email )

Cambridge, MA 02163
United States

University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business ( email )

545 Student Services Building, #1900
2220 Piedmont Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

Lynda M. Applegate

Harvard University - Entrepreneurial Management Unit ( email )

Cambridge, MA 02163
United States

James Weber

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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