Sustainability, technology and performance are celebrated as world’s first Lithium-ion-powered, zero emissions sweeper selected to receive coveted “UKTI Award for Innovation”
ANTWERP, BELGIUM, September 9, 2010—Tennant Company was selected for a prestigious Ruban d’Honneur in the European Business Awards sponsored by HSBC. Receiving a Ruban d’Honneur is an impressive achievement and celebrates businesses that demonstrate exceptional performance within their sector. Tennant was selected for its Green Machines™ 500ze, a municipal sweeper with a zero emissions rating. Green Machines will now compete as a finalist within the UKTI Award for Innovation*.
Tennant was awarded the 2009 Ruban d’Honneur for innovation for its ec-H2O technology, which effectively cleans without chemicals or detergents. Winning the 2010 award demonstrates Tennant’s continuing focus on its vision for sustainability. With the recent launch of the Green Machines 500ze, Tennant has again shaped the cleaning industry by introducing the world’s first Lithium-ion powered zero emissions, electric vacuum street sweeper. This innovative product is widely recognized as providing a powerful but environmentally conscious sweeping option for enclosed or crowded pedestrian areas such as city centers.
Benefits of the Green Machines 500ze include:
- Zero exhaust emissions to improve air quality in cities and urban areas.
- Zero CO2 emissions to help address the growing requirement to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
- Significant noise reduction to enable unobtrusive early morning or late night operation. In transit mode, the 500ze is nearly silent.
- Up to 8 hours of operation on a single charge of its Lithium-ion battery packs.
- Reduces water consumption through the innovative Cloudmaker dust control system.
“We are incredibly proud to receive the Ruban d’Honneur, it truly is a mark of distinction and a reflection of the dedication and commitment of every member of the Green Machines team who have worked tirelessly to create the 500ze,” said Karel Huijser, VP International, Tennant Company. “We look forward to the Award ceremony and celebrating the success of many incredible businesses for whom innovation and excellence is king.”
Tennant Green Machines was one of only five Belgian-based companies to be recognized for a Ruban d’Honneur and will be at the glittering Awards final at The Westin, Paris, on November 16. The Ruban d’Honneur is awarded to up to ten successful entrants in each category. Judges deliberate to select which individuals and businesses are awarded the Ruban d’Honneur, and it is from the Ruban d’Honneur recipients that the final winner in each category is decided.
All Ruban d’Honneur recipients will now prepare to appear before a third judging panel of highly regarded academics, heads of state, industrialists, entrepreneurs and media commentators drawn from across the 27-member European States. The interviews will take place at HSBC’s offices in Canary Wharf, London.
Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards says, “To get this far in the Awards programme is a tremendous achievement. The gaze of the European business community is well and truly on the Ruban d’Honneur recipients and Tennant Green Machines demonstrated real talent in the UKTI Award for Innovation category despite what has been a difficult trading period. Together with HSBC we wish Tennant Green Machines every success in this next and final round of the European Business Awards.”
Alan Keir, HSBC Group General Manager and Global Co-Head Commercial Banking, added: “We are delighted to be part of the European Business Awards and our congratulations go to the Ruban d’Honneur recipients who have excelled to get this far. It is heartening to see that businesses across Europe are flourishing in spite of the recent economic downturn. I wish all the companies well in the next round of judging and look forward to the Awards final.”
About Green Machines™
Green Machines, a Tennant company, is a global leader with a world-class reputation in creating innovative and technologically advanced outdoor city cleaning equipment. Green Machines sweepers incorporate more than 40 years of continuous product improvements. Designed for performance, safety, and sustainability, Green Machines sweepers clean paved areas and other pedestrian spaces without disrupting patrons, students, citizens, or guests. They reach difficult areas effortlessly and keep dust to a minimum. Walk-behind and rider models alike are designed for use in crowded areas, engineered for thorough sweeping in varied spaces, and built to withstand heavy use.
