3M

From ArticleWorld

3M is a diversified technology company serving customers and communities with innovative products and services. Each of our seven businesses has earned leading global market positions.

3M was founded in 1902 at the Lake Superior town of Two Harbors, Minn. Five businessmen set out to mine a mineral deposit for grinding-wheel abrasives. But the deposits proved to be of little value, and the new Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. quickly moved to nearby Duluth to focus on sandpaper products

During the 1970s, 3M introduced its first and only traffic signal, the M-131. Labeled a "programmable visibility" signal, the signal had the unique ability to be 'programmed' so it could only be seen from certain angles. It was the first signal of its type and is still being produced today. 3M was able to sell these signals for special-use applications; usually left turn signals, skewed intersections, or dangerous intersections where a very bright indication is needed. The signals are very heavy however and expensive to maintain. Removal is quite frequent in some areas of the country.

3M At a Glance

1 Worldwide sales: $21.2 billion. 2 International sales: $12.9 billion (61 percent of company's total). 3 Companies in more than 60 countries. 4 3M products sold in nearly 200 countries. 5 More than 69,000 employees. 6 3M employs mostly local nationals. Fewer than 300 3M employees worldwide are Foreign Service Employees not residing in their home countries. 7 Plant locations: 139 worldwide. 8 Sales office locations: 188 worldwide.

3M is a diversified technology company with a worldwide presence in the consumer and office; display and graphics; electro and communications; health care; industrial and transportation; and safety, security and protection services. What makes us so diverse is our ability to apply our technologies – often in combination – to an endless array of customer needs.