Page 18 - CIJ June 2025-Digital Edition

SPECIAL REPORT

which has often been dismissed by Additionally, products must be
many international manufacturers as modern yet compatible — meaning
overly price-sensitive—Tony adds, newer versions should retain
“You cannot write off India as merely maximum component similarity with
Working with LTTS a price-sensitive market. Take, for older models. Upward compatibility
example, Apple. Its sales are close to
with downward versions is essential to
enables us to harness ₹60 million in a country like ours. Yes, reduce redundancy, simplify servicing,
world-class engineering we are price-conscious. and support long-term product
usability.
“In any developing country with
capabilities and the sheer size and depth of 1.4 billion With robotics entering the Indian
accelerate our product people, the spaces being managed market rapidly, the next phase of
are so much larger. There is immense
cleaning products will leverage
roadmap. Reinforcing a potential, and being here earlier gives two to three aspects of new-age
shared commitment to Tennant a first-mover advantage. technology — products that are
highly autonomous and sustainable in
“And again, while this initiative will
pioneering transformative go through certain phases before the their design, incorporating alternative
solutions, the dedicated process is complete, this is the first operational models. Importantly,
AI will play a key role in how these
and strongest step toward that goal.”
ODC will play a crucial With robotics entering the Indian machines function and respond in
real time.
role in driving new market rapidly, the next phase of To elaborate, the upcoming
cleaning products will leverage
innovations that align two to three aspects of new-age generation of cleaning equipment
with our mission to technology — products that are will not only embrace advanced
technology but also align with
highly autonomous and sustainable in
create a cleaner, safer, their design, incorporating alternative evolving policies that allow greater
flexibility and innovation. These
and healthier world.” operational models. Importantly, machines will be designed to reach
AI will play a key role in how these
machines function and respond in previously inoperable surfaces
— Pat Schottler, Chief real time. and adapt to a variety of cleaning
environments. For example, spider
To elaborate, the upcoming
Marketing & Technology Officer, generation of cleaning equipment robots capable of climbing glass
Tennant Company will not only embrace advanced façades for exterior cleaning, or
modular extensions that enhance the
technology but also align with versatility of existing equipment.
evolving policies that allow greater
The Indian cleaning market presents flexibility and innovation. These In fact, there are several uniquely
unique challenges due to its diverse machines will be designed to reach Indian challenges that can be
conditions and customer expectations. previously inoperable surfaces effectively addressed through new-age
Opportunities exist across various and adapt to a variety of cleaning solutions. “Such required changes,” as
discussed, “will be factored into the
sectors, including airports, railway environments. For example, spider
stations, and healthcare facilities. robots capable of climbing glass product design cycle.”
Addressing these challenges requires façades for exterior cleaning, or The gathering also highlighted the
localized product development and modular extensions that enhance the need to address issues across different
strategic market approaches. versatility of existing equipment. categories of machines — both indoor
The plans include developing In fact, there are several uniquely and outdoor. While making machines
autonomous is a technological
sustainable and AI-powered machines Indian challenges that can be milestone, the true challenge lies in
and expanding into diverse market effectively addressed through new-age making them India-friendly: lower
solutions. “Such required changes,” as
segments. The collaboration aims to maintenance, higher durability,
leverage each other’s strengths and discussed, “will be factored into the and consistently meeting customer
expertise to achieve shared goals. product design cycle.” expectations.
The gathering also highlighted the
At a time when India is need to address issues across different Additionally, products must be
emphasizing Make in India, this categories of machines — both indoor modern yet compatible — meaning
strategic agreement is expected and outdoor. While making machines newer versions should retain
to positively impact the cleaning autonomous is a technological maximum component similarity with
industry. “This will have a definitive milestone, the true challenge lies in older models. Upward compatibility
impact on our competitors because making them India-friendly: lower with downward versions is essential to
we are heavily investing in our maintenance, higher durability, reduce redundancy, simplify servicing,
sustainable future,” said Tony. and consistently meeting customer and support long-term product
Particularly in a market like India— expectations. usability.
18 JUNE 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com