Freudenberg takes over cleaning specialist Nilfisk

With the completion of the public tender offer, Nilfisk has been part of Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions since April 15, 2026. Nilfisk CEO Jon Sintorn describes the move as the result of a structured process, at the end of which there is an owner who has what Nilfisk needs strategically and financially for the next phase of growth: industrial depth, entrepreneurial stability and staying power. Freudenberg, as a family-owned company with a 175-year history, fits the bill in this sense.

In terms of content, the two companies complement each other: Nilfisk brings professional cleaning machines to the table, while Freudenberg has expertise in manual cleaning solutions. Together, they cover the key segments of the professional cleaning market - a combined portfolio that should appeal to customers with more holistic solutions in the future. Freudenberg CEO Karin Overbeck emphasizes that this is not merely a matter of consolidation, but of further developing the specific strengths of both companies in a targeted manner.

Nilfisk itself can look back on over 120 years of history and has performed well operationally despite the considerable upheavals of recent years. The new group affiliation now creates a more solid starting point: more scaling, access to industrial resources and an ownership strategy that is not dependent on quarterly results.

As far as the ownership structure is concerned, around 94 percent of Nilfisk shareholders have accepted the takeover offer and will receive the agreed cash price. Freudenberg has announced that it will acquire the remaining shares via a squeeze-out and delist Nilfisk from the stock exchange. The brand will be retained and will continue to operate as an independent unit within Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions.

"Our priority is clear: we want to translate this strengthened entrepreneurial foundation into reliable results and sustainable value creation. With a long-term committed owner, clear industrial logic and positive momentum, we are very well positioned to continue creating added value for customers, employees and partners in the future," says Jon Sintorn.