The 3M Innovations

Can we imagine doing something without the needed materials to complete the task? Wood furnitures  cannot be finished without passing through the use of 3M Sandpaper, washing the dishes without our trusted Scotch-Brite™, or wrapping our gifts without using Scotch Tape™.

3M innovations have been so part of our daily lives and without them, life cannot be complete. But 3M has more to offer than the usual Post-it® and Scotch Brite™—and this is exactly what was showcased in "The 3M Experience: Innovation Tour."

 Hospital devices including the stethoscope are just some of the 3M products

“We want to highlight 3M’s Innovation culture and showcase the products borne out of that commitment to innovate," says WS Shim, Managing Director. “As we open our doors to everyone, we will invite them to take that 3M Experience, touch the products, understand how they work and discover things they never would have thought to be a 3M application or product. It is a very interesting experience.”

 Jun demonstrates a device that can detect germ content in things

3M has tremendously changed how people live. From its humble beginnings as company that called itself Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in 1902 to a $23 billion company known now as 3M. Since then, 3M has introduced valuable innovations from waterproof sandpaper (early 1920’s) and masking tape (1925), as well as cellophane Scotch Tape™ and in 1980’s the introduction of Post-it® Notes which created a whole new category in the marketplace and changed people's communication and organization behavior forever.

I remember watching the comedy film, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997) starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow. It was a hilarious film wherein Romy and Michele got into trouble when they lied about their lives in their high school reunion. Romy claimed that she invented Post-its. I can never forget that scene. 

“We never stopped inventing, we never stopped innovating” continues WS Shim. “We have 45 technology platforms all geared to delivering practical ingenious solutions that help customers succeed.”

3M truly is one of the leaders in innovation in the world. A whole range from adhesives, abrasives, laminates, safety protection gears, office and home consumer supplies, dental products, electronic materials, electronic circuits and optical films among others. 3M has operations in more than 60 countries – 29 international companies with manufacturing operations, and 35 companies with laboratories.

“Established in the Philippines in 1964, we became the 26th subsidiary of 3M growing from an organization of 5 personnel to what is now over 200 employees. We have indeed come a long way in terms of manpower, plant facilities, revenues and resources. We continually expand our distribution network throughout the Philippines making sure we deliver that 3M solution to every home, office or plant location where we are needed."

3M officers and staff

The 3M Innovation Tour is open to the public upon schedule wherein, students or special interest groups or businesses will be able to learn about the different applications and products that 3M has through its divisions like Abrasives, Automotive Aftermarket, Commercial Care and Occupational health & Safety (OHES), Commercial Graphics Division, Traffic and Safety Solutions, Industrial Adhesives & Tapes, Renewable Energy, Dental (3M ESPE), Communications Market, Electrical Markets, Electronic Solutions, Electronics Markets and Materials, and Food Safety and Medical.

It's exciting to discover 3M innovations in person, and go beyond the materials that we know and see.