How a Firm Got Smart To Fight Grime, Rivals†

Wall Street Journal, January 28, 2008 — Beset by cheap imports from overseas and facing a slowing U.S. economy in 2002, Tennant Co., a big name in the small market for industrial floor-cleaners, could have tightened its belt and sent more of its factory jobs overseas.

Instead, the Minneapolis company decided to place a big bet that it could outsmart its competitors with innovative products.