Company Overview - Tennant, founded in 1870, has evolved from a woodworking business to a leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial floor cleaning equipment, now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota [4] - In 2024, Tennant reported sales of $1.3 billion, a 3.5% increase, and a net income of $83.7 million [4] Research and Development - Over the past five years, Tennant has invested an average of 3% of its total revenue in research and development, with a record $43.8 million spent in 2024, representing 3.5% of total revenue [5] - The company aims to maintain a higher level of R&D spending as it is central to its growth strategy, targeting annual revenue growth of 3% to 5% [6][8] Product Innovation - Tennant has been a leader in the floor maintenance industry since 2018, launching its first robotic floor cleaner, the T7AMR Scrubber, and subsequently introducing the X4 ROVR and the latest X6 ROVR [3][9] - The X6 ROVR, designed for larger retail environments, was developed in just one year, showcasing the company's ability to accelerate product development through new digital design tools [10][12] Technological Advancements - The adoption of virtual reality headsets and electronic whiteboards has transformed Tennant's design process, allowing for faster prototyping and collaboration among geographically dispersed teams [2][15] - The use of these technologies has enabled the design team to create virtual prototypes quickly, enhancing communication and speeding up the design process [15][14] Market Strategy - Tennant's strategy focuses on automating cleaning processes to address labor shortages, with the X6 ROVR and XC1 docking station designed to improve operational efficiency [16][17] - The X6 ROVR features automatic navigation to its charging station, ensuring consistent availability and performance, which is crucial for maintaining cleaning operations [18][19]