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  • February 2010 (Revised January 2014)
  • Case
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Tennant Company

By: Toby E. Stuart, Lynda M. Applegate and James Weber
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:28
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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.

Keywords

Business Startups; Change Management; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Disruptive Innovation; Product Development; Organizational Design; Organizational Structure; Research and Development

Citation

Stuart, Toby E., Lynda M. Applegate, and James Weber. "Tennant Company." Harvard Business School Case 810-040, February 2010. (Revised January 2014.)
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About The Authors

Toby E. Stuart

Strategy
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Lynda M. Applegate

Entrepreneurial Management
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Related Work

    • February 2010 (Revised January 2014)
    • Faculty Research

    Tennant Company

    By: Toby E. Stuart, Lynda M. Applegate and James Weber
Related Work
  • Tennant Company By: Toby E. Stuart, Lynda M. Applegate and James Weber
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