Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 23rd April 2026 Issue no. 1207
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Nilfisk joins Freudenberg following takeover completion
Nilfisk has entered a new phase of growth after becoming part of Freudenberg Home & Cleaning Solutions following the successful completion of a takeover offer, marking a significant change in ownership for the business.
Freudenberg will acquire around 94% of Nilfisk's share capital, with plans to complete a compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares and delist the company.
The move brings together Nilfisk's established position in professional cleaning equipment with Freudenberg's scale and long-term ownership, creating a broader offering for customers across facilities management, manufacturing and other industrial sectors.
For UK customers, the deal is expected to strengthen Nilfisk's offer, with more investment, more capabilities and a continued focus on service and long-term support.
"This marks an important milestone for Nilfisk," says Jon Sintorn, Nilfisk CEO. “Through a structured process, we have found a strong new long-term owner in Freudenberg - a larger industrial group that brings the scale, stability and long-term perspective to support our continued development.”
Nilfisk brings more than 120 years of heritage in professional cleaning, having built its reputation on quality, innovation and strong customer relationships. Freudenberg, a global family-owned group with a 175-year history, adds further industrial expertise and long-term stability.
Karin Overbeck, Freudenberg’s CEO, explains further, saying:
"With the acquisition of Nilfisk, we are strengthening our position across both innovative manual systems and professional cleaning machines, creating a uniquely positioned provider to support our customers with more comprehensive solutions. The intention is to build on the respective strengths of each business."
The deal comes at a time when the cleaning industry is under pressure to deliver more, from higher standards and compliance to better efficiency and more sustainable operations. As part of Freudenberg, Nilfisk will have greater scale and backing to respond to those demands.
Nilfisk will continue to operate as a standalone brand within Freudenberg, maintaining its focus on delivering professional cleaning equipment and services to customers globally across its core markets.
Setting out future strategy, Jon Sintorn says:
"Our priority now is clear: to translate this stronger platform into consistent results and long-term value creation. We move forward with a committed long-term owner, a clear industrial logic and strong momentum, and are well positioned to continue to create value for customers, employees and partners in the years ahead."
More information about the offer and the transaction, including the Board's statement and Freudenberg's offer document, is, (subject to certain restrictions) available at:
Further information, published in Cleanzine in January, is available at: www.thecleanzine.com
23rd April 2026