3M Investor Relations Material

3M, initially known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is a multinational conglomerate founded in 1902 and headquartered in St Paul, Minnesota. With operations in various industries, the company has a diverse range of products in its portfolio, from adhesive tapes to medical equipment and from automotive components to electronic materials. Throughout its history, 3M has developed and commercialized a multitude of products that have become iconic over time.

Founded in 1902 as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, 3M began its journey in with an aim to mine corundum, a mineral ideal for making sandpaper and grinding wheels. However, the venture soon discovered that the mineral they were mining was of low quality, leading to the company pivoting its focus.

3M's true breakthrough came when they started developing sandpaper products, and their commitment to research and development began to yield significant dividends. One of their most iconic innovations, the Scotch tape, was introduced in the 1930s. This adhesive tape set the foundation for 3M's reputation as a leading innovator in various fields. Over the decades, 3M's continuous dedication to innovation saw the creation of numerous other notable products, such as the Post-it Note in the late 1970s.

3M is a diversified conglomerate that produces a vast array of products beyond the well-known Scotch tape and Post-it Notes. Their portfolio of products spans sectors like healthcare, where they manufacture items such as dental restorative materials and stethoscopes. In safety & industrial, they offer personal protective equipment like respirators and earplugs. Their electronics & energy segment produces mes products like touch screens and insulation for power cables. In transportation & electronics, they produce items for automotive and aerospace applications, including paint protection films and reflective sheeting for road signs. One can also find 3M products in everyday items like air filters, water purification systems, and even bandages.

Due to this diversified area of operations, the companies that 3M competes with are equally varied. Some publicly traded companies competing with 3M across different industries include names like DuPont, Honeywell, and Avery Dennison to name a few.

Today, 3M is a truly global company with offices in around 70 countries and sales in over 200. Their expansive distribution network and regional research facilities enable them to understand and adapt to local needs while maintaining a consistent global brand, which means that Post-It notes bought in Europe are going to be more or less identical to Post-It’s bought in North America.