Nilfisk has become part of Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions after completion of a takeover offer that gives the Freudenberg division control of approximately 94% of Nilfisk’s share capital.
Freudenberg intends to complete a compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares and delist Nilfisk, moving the professional cleaning equipment manufacturer into private ownership under a larger family-owned industrial group. Nilfisk will continue to operate as a standalone brand within Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions.
The transaction brings together two adjacent parts of the cleaning market. Nilfisk adds professional cleaning machines, equipment, and services, while Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions owns manual cleaning and household brands including Vileda, Vileda Professional, O-Cedar, Oates, Gimi, Gala, Wettex, Vermop, and Marigold.
Cleaning operations across industrial, commercial, and facilities management environments are under pressure to deliver higher standards with tighter labour availability, stronger compliance demands, and greater scrutiny of water, chemical, and energy use. Nilfisk’s machine portfolio sits directly within that operating environment, where cleaning equipment is increasingly expected to support productivity, sustainability, and service data as well as hygiene performance.
Jon Sintorn, CEO of Nilfisk, said: “This marks an important milestone for Nilfisk. 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 Danish industrial heritage to the combined structure, having been founded in 1906. The company sells products and services in more than 100 countries, operates five manufacturing sites globally, and generated revenue of €996.3m in 2025. Its largest market in 2025 was the US, followed by Germany, France, Denmark, and the UK.
Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions generated more than €1.3bn in sales in 2025 and employed more than 3,800 people. The division said continuity for customers and partners will remain central as it connects sales capability and customer reach across the two businesses.
Karin Overbeck, CEO of Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions, said: “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”.
Freudenberg’s ownership gives Nilfisk a longer-term industrial structure while preserving the established Nilfisk brand. Transaction documents and related information are available through the Nilfisk investor site.
