3mEdit
3M Company, commonly known simply as 3M, is a U.S.-based multinational conglomerate with a long history as a diversified technology and manufacturing firm. It traces its origins to 1902, when it was founded as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, a small operation in the American Midwest focused on abrasive materials. Over the decades the company shifted away from mining toward a wide array of products and markets, building a portfolio that includes consumer tapes and office supplies, industrial abrasives, health care devices, safety equipment, and advanced materials. Today, 3M operates on a global scale, with operations in dozens of countries and products that touch both everyday life and industrial processes. It is headquartered in Maplewood, Minnesota, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MMM. The company’s breadth is regularly reflected in familiar items such as Post-it Notes and Scotch tape, alongside specialized products used by professionals in health care, manufacturing, and construction. It earns revenue through multiple business groups and maintains a substantial research and development program aimed at steady, incremental innovation across markets. See also Research and development.
History
Origins and early years - 3M began as a mining venture in the early 20th century and soon pivoted toward abrasive products that could be sold to a growing manufacturing sector. The shift from a pure mining concern to a diversified materials company set the stage for future expansions into adhesives, coatings, and surfaces that would become core to many later product lines. See also Minnesota, Maplewood, Minnesota.
Expansion and diversification - Throughout the mid- to late 20th century, 3M expanded into a wide range of product categories beyond abrasives, establishing a reputation for in-house research and a penchant for applying cross-disciplinary knowledge to everyday problems. Notable outcomes of this approach include consumer office supplies, industrial materials, safety products, and medical and electronic materials. The company’s strategy has long centered on broad product platforms and a global manufacturing footprint, built around research and development and patent activity. See also Scotch tape and Post-it Notes.
Modern form and governance - In recent decades 3M has reorganized its structure to emphasize major business groups, align with shifting market needs, and pursue efficiency in global operations. The governance model combines a board of directors with executive leadership responsible for capital allocation, risk management, and long-term shareholder value. As a large, diversified producer, 3M has faced the usual set of debates surrounding corporate strategy, regulatory compliance, and the trade-offs involved in maintaining a broad portfolio in a highly connected global economy. See also Dividend (finance) and New York Stock Exchange.
Products and brands
- 3M’s product family spans consumer, industrial, and health care segments. In the consumer realm, Post-it Notes and Scotch tape are among the most widely recognized items, emblematic of the company’s emphasis on practical, everyday solutions. In industrial and professional settings, 3M offers a wide range of abrasives, coatings, and materials that support manufacturing efficiency and product quality. The health care and safety segments include products such as protective equipment and various medical devices, reflecting the company’s ongoing investment in high-value, regulated markets. See also N95 respirator and Personal protective equipment.
Corporate responsibility and controversies
3M’s scale and reach mean that its activities intersect with public policy, environmental responsibility, and consumer safety. One area of ongoing attention concerns product safety and legal exposure related to specialized equipment used by professionals. For example, lawsuits over certain earplug products used by military personnel drew national attention as plaintiffs argued for damages related to hearing loss; the company and its subsidiaries faced significant litigation, and 3M pursued settlements and restructuring to address the claims while continuing to serve customers. The controversy highlights the tension between rapid product deployment in high-stakes environments and the long-run duty to manage risk and compensate legitimate harms. See also Aearo Technologies and Combat Arms Earplug Version 2.
Environmental and regulatory issues have also drawn attention in the broader conversation about corporate responsibility. 3M, like many large manufacturers, has faced scrutiny over the use and disposal of certain chemical substances, sometimes leading to settlements or compliance actions with Environmental law and regulatory agencies. Supporters argue that large-scale manufacturing inherently involves trade-offs and that the firm engages in ongoing efforts to improve safety, reduce emissions, and innovate cleaner processes, while critics may call for faster and more transparent remediation. See also PFAS.
From a perspective that emphasizes domestic manufacturing and job creation, 3M’s role in the U.S. defense and industrial supply chain is often framed positively for its contributions to American competitiveness and technological leadership. Proponents contend that the company’s focus on scalable innovation, engineering talent, and long-term investment supports well-paying jobs and regional development. Critics of broad corporate activism may view certain social or political campaigns as misaligned with core business priorities, arguing that responsible corporate behavior is best pursued through competition, efficient markets, and direct product safety improvements rather than broad political interventions. See also Economic policy and Competition (economics).