3M Company (3M) operates as a diversified technology company. 3M manufactures products for many of the markets it serves.
Businesses
The company operates through three segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; and Consumer.
Safety and Industrial
This segment’s underlying divisions/businesses include abrasives, automotive aftermarket, electrical markets, industrial adhesives and tapes, industrial specialties, personal safety, and roofing granules. The company’s represen...
3M Company (3M) operates as a diversified technology company. 3M manufactures products for many of the markets it serves.
Businesses
The company operates through three segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; and Consumer.
Safety and Industrial
This segment’s underlying divisions/businesses include abrasives, automotive aftermarket, electrical markets, industrial adhesives and tapes, industrial specialties, personal safety, and roofing granules. The company’s representative revenue-generating activities, products or services include industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; industrial specialty products, such as personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution and electrical original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. The company’s brands/offerings include 3M Cubitron II abrasives; Scotch-Brite Abrasives; Scotch & Temflex Vinyl Tapes, Scotchkote Coatings, Dynatel locators, Scotchcast resins; Collision repair and paint spray products; Reclosable fasteners; tapes and label materials for durable goods; Electrical infrastructure products; medium voltage cable accessories and insulation tapes; 3M VHB Bonding tapes; Scotch masking, packaging and filament tapes; disposable respirators and fall protection products; and Scotchgard Protector for shingles.
Transportation and Electronics
This segment’s underlying divisions/businesses include advanced materials; automotive and aerospace; commercial branding and transportation; display materials and systems; and electronics materials solutions. The company’s representative revenue-generating activities, products or services include advanced ceramic solutions; attachment/bonding, films, sound and temperature management for transportation vehicles; premium large format graphic films for advertising and fleet signage; reflective signage for highway, and vehicle safety; light management films and electronics assembly solutions; chip packaging and interconnection solutions; semiconductor production materials; and solutions for data centers. The company’s brands/offerings include 3M Nextel Ceramic fibers and textiles; Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation products and automotive components; 3M Scotchlite graphic films, 3M Scotchcal and 3M Controltac Commercial graphics; 3M Diamond Grade DG3 reflective sheeting for transportation safety; electronic display enhancement films and optically clear adhesives; and electronic interconnect products.
Consumer
This segment’s underlying divisions/businesses include consumer safety & well-being; home and auto care; home improvement; and packaging and expression. The company’s representative revenue-generating activities, products or services include cleaning products for the home; consumer air quality products; picture hanging accessories; retail abrasives, paint accessories and safety products; stationery and office products; automotive appearance products; and consumer bandages, tapes, braces and supports. The company’s brands/offerings include Command adhesive hooks; Filtrete HVAC air filters; Scotch-Brite cleaning sponges; Meguiar’s car wash; Scotch tape; Post-it stick notes; Nexcare bandages; and Scotchgard spray. Some seasonality impacts this business segment, for example back-to-school and holiday.
3M’s business segments bring together common or related 3M technologies, enhancing the development of innovative products and services and providing for efficient sharing of business resources.
Distribution
3M products are sold through numerous distribution channels, including directly to users and rough numerous e-commerce and traditional wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors and dealers in a wide variety of trades in many countries around the world.
Patents, Trademarks and Licenses
The company’s products are sold around the world under various trademarks. The company also owns, or holds licenses to use, numerous U.S. and foreign patents. The company’s research and development activities generate a steady stream of inventions that are covered by new patents or trade secrets. Patents applicable to specific products extend for varying periods according to the date of patent application filing or patent grant and the legal term of patents in the various countries where patent protection is obtained. The actual protection afforded by a patent, which can vary from country to country, depends upon the type of patent, the scope of its coverage and the availability of legal remedies in the country.
Research and Development
The company’s research, development and related expenses totaled $1.1 billion in 2024.
Significant Events
On April 1, 2024, 3M completed the previously announced separation of its Health Care business.
Government Regulation and Environmental Law Compliance
The company’s business operations are subject to various governmental regulations in the U.S. and internationally, including, among others, those related to product liability; securities and corporate governance; antitrust and competition; intellectual property; environmental, health, and safety; tax; the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; international import and export requirements and trade sanctions compliance; laws and regulations that apply to industries served by the company, including the False Claims Act, anti-kickback laws, and the Sunshine Act; and other matters.
History
3M Company was founded in 1902. The company was incorporated in 1929 under the laws of the state of Delaware.