In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Indian cleaning industry, Tennant Company, following a six-year-long association, has signed a strategic agreement with L&T Technology Services (LTTS), a leading global engineering and technology services company.
LTTS is proud to collaborate in advancing next-generation solutions in its Sustainability segment. By leveraging our expertise in engineering design, manufacturing, and supply chain optimization, we are committed to enabling intelligent, responsible products, enhancing efficiencies, and supporting Tennant’s growth in emerging technologies to build a sustainable and responsible tomorrow.”
Alind Saxena, Executive Director & President – Mobility & Tech, L&T Technology Services
With a dedicated team of highly skilled engineers, the Offshore Development Center (dedicated engineering centre) will focus on enhancing Tennant’s product innovation, optimizing performance, and integrating smart automation into its industrial cleaning portfolio. The collaboration also lays the groundwork for broader innovation in emerging markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Steve Hubbard, Vice President – R&D, Tennant Company; Wallace Malheiros, Senior Director – Product Engineering, Tennant Company; Tony Chazhoor, Managing Director – IPC India & GM – Indian Subcontinent, Tennant Company; Ravi Kumar, Head – HR (India & APAC), LTTS; Ashish Khushu, Chief Technology Officer, LTTS; Seema Ghanekar, Chief Segment Officer & Mumbai Centre Head, LTTS; and Vaijnath Admuthe, Global Delivery Head – Industrial Tools & Machinery, LTTS, were among those present at the inauguration of the LTTS centre in Rabale, Mumbai.
Addressing the close-knit gathering, both physical and virtual, Steve Hubbard said, “I am a big believer in local innovation and having an R&D centre in India. Associating with engineers who live and breathe the industry will provide deep insights into innovations that matter for the Indian market—far more so than anywhere else in the world.” Tennant already operates R&D centres in the US, Europe, and China.
Speaking to Clean India Journal, he added: “The LTTS team has been instrumental in augmenting our teams across the world to expand our capacity and capabilities. We have strong ties and the ability to work together—hence, the strategic agreement.”
The Indian cleaning market presents unique challenges due to its diverse conditions and customer expectations. Opportunities exist across various sectors, including airports, railway stations, and healthcare facilities. Addressing these challenges requires localized product development and strategic market approaches.
The plans include developing sustainable and AI-powered machines and expanding into diverse market segments. The collaboration aims to leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to achieve shared goals.
At a time when India is emphasizing Make in India, this strategic agreement is expected to positively impact the cleaning industry. “This will have a definitive impact on our competitors because we are heavily investing in our sustainable future,” said Tony.
Particularly in a market like India—which has often been dismissed by many international manufacturers as overly price-sensitive—Tony adds, “You cannot write off India as merely a price-sensitive market. Take, for example, Apple. Its sales are close to ₹60 million in a country like ours. Yes, we are price-conscious.
“In any developing country with the sheer size and depth of 1.4 billion people, the spaces being managed are so much larger. There is immense potential, and being here earlier gives Tennant a first-mover advantage.
“And again, while this initiative will go through certain phases before the process is complete, this is the first and strongest step toward that goal.”
Working with LTTS enables us to harness world-class engineering capabilities and accelerate our product roadmap. Reinforcing a shared commitment to pioneering transformative solutions, the dedicated ODC will play a crucial role in driving new innovations that align with our mission to create a cleaner, safer, and healthier world.”
— Pat Schottler, Chief Marketing & Technology Officer, Tennant Company
With robotics entering the Indian market rapidly, the next phase of cleaning products will leverage two to three aspects of new-age technology — products that are highly autonomous and sustainable in their design, incorporating alternative operational models. Importantly, AI will play a key role in how these machines function and respond in real time.
To elaborate, the upcoming generation of cleaning equipment will not only embrace advanced technology but also align with evolving policies that allow greater flexibility and innovation. These machines will be designed to reach previously inoperable surfaces and adapt to a variety of cleaning environments. For example, spider robots capable of climbing glass façades for exterior cleaning, or modular extensions that enhance the versatility of existing equipment.
In fact, there are several uniquely Indian challenges that can be effectively addressed through new-age solutions. “Such required changes,” as discussed, “will be factored into the product design cycle.”
The gathering also highlighted the need to address issues across different categories of machines — both indoor and outdoor. While making machines autonomous is a technological milestone, the true challenge lies in making them India-friendly: lower maintenance, higher durability, and consistently meeting customer expectations.
Additionally, products must be modern yet compatible — meaning newer versions should retain maximum component similarity with older models. Upward compatibility with downward versions is essential to reduce redundancy, simplify servicing, and support long-term product usability.
With robotics entering the Indian market rapidly, the next phase of cleaning products will leverage two to three aspects of new-age technology — products that are highly autonomous and sustainable in their design, incorporating alternative operational models. Importantly, AI will play a key role in how these machines function and respond in real time.
To elaborate, the upcoming generation of cleaning equipment will not only embrace advanced technology but also align with evolving policies that allow greater flexibility and innovation. These machines will be designed to reach previously inoperable surfaces and adapt to a variety of cleaning environments. For example, spider robots capable of climbing glass façades for exterior cleaning, or modular extensions that enhance the versatility of existing equipment.
In fact, there are several uniquely Indian challenges that can be effectively addressed through new-age solutions. “Such required changes,” as discussed, “will be factored into the product design cycle.”
The gathering also highlighted the need to address issues across different categories of machines — both indoor and outdoor. While making machines autonomous is a technological milestone, the true challenge lies in making them India-friendly: lower maintenance, higher durability, and consistently meeting customer expectations.
Additionally, products must be modern yet compatible — meaning newer versions should retain maximum component similarity with older models. Upward compatibility with downward versions is essential to reduce redundancy, simplify servicing, and support long-term product usability.