Nilfisk Shifts U.S. Strategy: Closes Minnesota Plant, Opens New Commercial Hub in Plymouth
In a strategic pivot for its American operations, Nilfisk A/S, the Copenhagen-based manufacturer of industrial vacuums and floor cleaning systems, has announced a dual move within the Twin Cities metro area. The company will shutter its Brooklyn Park facility by May 1, resulting in 105 layoffs, while simultaneously establishing a new U.S. commercial headquarters in Plymouth set to open in Q2 of this year.
The new office, located at the Atria Corporate Center (3033 Campus Dr., Plymouth), will house approximately 70 employees focused on sales, marketing, and commercial support. This relocation marks the end of Nilfisk's U.S. manufacturing, with production of three key industrial machine lines shifting to an existing plant in Querétaro, Mexico—a move the company states is necessary for global cost competitiveness.
Despite the manufacturing exit, Nilfisk executives emphasize a renewed commitment to Minnesota. "Plymouth represents our long-term anchor for U.S. commercial strategy," a company spokesperson stated. "This central hub will drive innovation and growth, underscoring our sustained investment in the region." The new location offers improved access to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), facilitating travel for a workforce that increasingly collaborates globally.
The decision reflects broader trends in manufacturing, where companies often separate high-value commercial functions from production to optimize footprint and costs. For the Twin Cities, it represents a net loss of manufacturing jobs but a retention of corporate operations.
Community Voices
Michael Torres, Economic Development Officer, Plymouth: "This is a significant win for Plymouth. Attracting an international company's commercial headquarters validates our business-friendly environment and infrastructure. While we sympathize with Brooklyn Park's loss, we're confident these 70 roles will be high-wage, stable positions that contribute to our local economy."
Sarah Chen, Supply Chain Analyst: "The Mexico shift is a textbook case of supply chain optimization. For a global firm like Nilfisk, aligning manufacturing in a lower-cost region while keeping customer-facing teams close to a major transport hub is a logical, if painful, restructuring. The key will be how they support the displaced workers."
David Miller, Former Brooklyn Park Employee (laid off): "It's corporate double-talk. They talk about 'commitment to Minnesota' while shipping 105 good jobs to Mexico weeks before opening a fancy new office. What about commitment to the workers who built their products here for years? This isn't 'growth'—it's abandoning a community for profit."
Linda Gibson, MN Chamber of Commerce: "The retention of the commercial headquarters is crucial. It keeps decision-makers, R&D adjacency, and regional investment here. While manufacturing losses hurt, the evolving economy demands we compete for these knowledge-based hubs. Nilfisk's choice to keep its U.S. brain in Minnesota is a positive signal."
This report includes original reporting from Bring Me The News, first published on January 30, 2026.