And the time has come to say 'Good Bye'

Overall, 3M seems to be a very reputable company from both a consumer and employee standpoint. If a 3M Company was located closer to where I live, I do believe that I would enjoy working for the company. The possibilities with the company appear to be endless; you can go as far as you want to go. This has been proven by the executives who have started at a younger age and worked their way up nearly reaching the top. As for investments, even though I have noted some fluctuation in stock pricing, the trend shows it on a steady climb; therefore, if I were looking to invest in a stable company 3M would be the way to go. Not to mention that with their desire for innovation, you never know what they may come out with next. As for being a customer, I already am, and yes I enjoy being a customer. I do hope that I have encouraged many of you to the idea of using more 3M products. From one satisfied customer to the next, I wish you all the best as we venture out into the world. Good luck in all that you do!

What I know now that I didn't know back then...

Throughout my research and blogging of the company 3M, I have realized they are much bigger than I’d ever imagined. Previously when I thought of 3M, I primarily thought of the personal protection equipment my husband purchases and his favorite sand paper. Little did I know, I personally use many 3M products on a regular basis. The most interesting thing that I have learned about 3M is their ability to remain innovative in their products markets. Who would have thought they would create a fluid used in the preservation of a giant squid, or provide an insulation so light weight and flexible that it could be used in a comfortable blanket or throw. I have always known 3M was a reliable brand, but now I know that I am a loyal 3M customer who seeks out their products over other brands on a regular basis.

Stock Prices Back on the Rise

3M's stock price is back on the rise after being on a steady decline since November 24th. Today the stock price rose $2.07 putting it back up to $86.05. As we move into the Christmas season, hopefully it will continue to increase instead of being on the downfall.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-stockquote

Chilly winter nights are almost upon us...

As the chilly nights of winter approach, it is important to prepare for keeping yourself warm and your home shielded from the cold breeze. 3M has several products that are designed to do just that, keep you warm. 3M has teamed up with Ellery Homestyles to design a blanket/throw that is sure to keep your body nice and toasty. Using the Thinsulate technology provided by 3M Ellery Homestyles has created the ComfortTech blankets and throws. This product is schedule for debut in December at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and would be a great Christmas gift idea. The King size blanket will retail at $89.00, but the 50"X70" throw will only be $39.99. I am interested to learn more of this product and will consider purchasing one when they are available. Please see the 3M article for more information: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/3m/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&ndmConfigId=1000940&newsId=20100910006084&newsLang=en&vnsId=Chill-Nippy-Nights-Cozy-Blankets-Throws

Christmas Time is Right Around the Corner

With Christmas right around the corner, companies everywhere are preparing for sales and shopping and....gift wrapping. 3M is a producer of many products that are sought after during the holiday season; one of these products is Scotch tape. The use of tape in most gift wrapping projects is essential. 3M's brand, Scotch, has a portion of their webpage dedicated just for gift wrapping ideas and tips. One featured tip that is posted on the webpage is how to wrap a cylinder shaped gift. Anyone who has ever tried to wrap gift of this shape knows just how difficult it may be. If you would like to see how it's done, please use this link for a PDF version of the instructions: http://www.scotchbrand.com/3MContentRetrievalAPI/BlobServlet?locale=en_WW&lmd=1272350539000&assetId=1258566269519&assetType=MMM_Image&blobAttribute=ImageFile

In addition to tips like the one listed above, Scotch brand has many innovative taping and adhesive products that are sure to assist in any of your taping needs, including shipping, storing, scrap booking, crafting, and as many of us will soon find out...gift wrapping.

Scotch website: http://www.scotchbrand.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ScotchBrand/Scotch/

Scandals...Not in the Big Picture

For the most part, 3M appears to have been involved with very few scandals. They only one I could find definitive information on took place nearly 30 years ago. Yes, 3M was involved with one of the most well known scandals of its time...The Watergate Scandal and Investigations. 3M was cited as giving the Nixon group a $30,000 donation. According to Time Magazine, 3M did not have any self-interest in supporting the political group by giving them the donation. If there was not any underlying goal, then why would they do it. Chairman William McKnight did not feel as if they were doing any thing different than what other organizations was doing. Apparently, 3M decided if everyone else was doing it, why not us.

This information was taken from the article "Scandals: A Record of Corporate Corruption" published in Time Magazine on Feb. 23, 1976. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,918067-1,00.html

Today's Employees Lead to Tomorrow's Success

3M seeks out talent of all types to fill positions at their many manufacturing facilities, research facilities, and corporate offices. The positions offered at 3M vary from business to marketing to scientific research and engineering. In this case there is really something for everyone. All in all 3M has over 75,000 employees worldwide, all striving to achieve greatness and be the best that they can be. They recruit college graduates and professionals from many accredited universities and other competing business. Over the years, 3M has been awarded and recognized for their employee loyalty and for being an exemplary company to work for. Below is a list of the recognitions 3M has received:

• In 2010, for the fifth year running, Fortune magazine listed 3M in its "Top 20 Most Admired Companies."
• 3M is among America's favorites companies according to the results of the ninth-annual Harris Interactive Reputation Quotient Survey. 3M ranked no. 4 on the list.
• In 2009, for the fifth year running, 3M received the ENERGY STAR "Sustained Excellence in Energy Management Award" from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Listed at #2 in its industry sector in Newsweek Magazine's Green Rankings list.
• In 2010, 3M ranked no. 3 by Chief Executive magazine in "The Top 20 Best Companies for Leaders."
• Fortune magazine (2009) listed 3M in the "100 Top MBA Employers."
• 3M was #2 on Selling Power magazine’s "Best Companies to Sell For" in manufacturing for the past five years.
• 3M appeared in R&D Magazine's top 10 list of "The World's Best R&D Companies."
• The National Black MBA Association Twin Cities Chapter named 3M as its Corporate Partner of The Year.
• 100% rating award for Best Places to Work by the Human Rights Campaign.
• 3M was highlighted for its best practices in Leadership Assessment, Succession and Development by the Society of Human Resource Management.
• 3M was recognized as a Best Diversity Company by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine and website in 2009.
• Hay Group and Bloomberg Business Week ranked 3M third in “Best Companies for Leadership 2009.”

3M's career website offers tutorials from other 3M employees, as well as, a wealth of information regarding the company's many diverse career areas, benefits & compensation, and tips on the application process. The layout of their career page is inviting and allows you to learn a good deal about the company all on one page.

Information was found on 3M's career webpage: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/careers/home/

Moving on up...

Many of 3M's fifteen executive management team has been with the company since the 1970's and 1980's. Some such as Robert MacDonald has been with the company since joining as a co-op student in 1971. Over the years each of them have been able to progress from their lower level positions to now being prominant leaders within the company. Short biographies can be found for each of the fifteen executive management members by clicking on the following link and then selecting their name: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-govBio&ID=50097

Future Ventures of 3M

The future of any company depends on their ability to succeed and grow. In order to do this, 3M is seeking future growth in newly ventured areas including the following:

• Architecture - Light and Living
• Mobility solutions
• Health
• Water scarcity
• Renewable energy
• Safety & Security

Venturing into new market areas will allow expansion of 3M's total market position. Currently 3M is the leading provider in several of their product markets. Some of these markets include:

• Industrial abrasives
• Auto body repair & Car care solutions
• Adhesive tapes and fasteners
• Skin & wound care
• Oral care solutions
• Personal protective equipment such as respiratory, eye, and hearing
• Filtration
• Cleaning Products
• Reflective signage material
• LCD films
• Optical clear adhesives
• Fiber splicing/connectivity

Seeing 3M's ability to excel in all of these markets provides strong hope for the future of the company and its newly desired ventures.

Information retrieved from the Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference PowerPoint presentation. This presentation was given by CEO George Buckley on 6/3/10

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MzEzMzI4MXxDaGlsZElEPTM4NTAzMHxUeXBlPTI=&t=1

Desired Growth and How to get There

In June 2010 CEO George Buckley discussed the company's strategic decisions for achieving their desired growth rates. His presentation plotted a framework to use in accelerating their growth. Discussions for this framework included the following strategic plans:

Grow the Current Core By:

• Revitalizing the core with innovation
• Strengthen "Enduring Franchises"
• Constant reinvention; drill down
• Fill in the product "white spaces"
• Localization and differintiation

Extend the Core By:

• Managing the entire pyramid
• Building new adjacencies
• Build relative share and scale
• Become important to customers
• Support with local acquisitions

Invent a New Future By:

• Imagining, Dreaming, and Inverting
• Build picutres of the future
• Leap Frog through disruptive technology
• Follow mega trends
• Plan for cannablizm
• Greater technology push

Build Broad Long-term Capability

• Develope broad long-term capabilities
• Acquire supporting core technology with quality brands
• Build new endurign franchises

These strategic decisions were taken from the PowerPoint presentation given by CEO George Buckley on 6/3/10 at the Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MzEzMzI4MXxDaGlsZElEPTM4NTAzMHxUeXBlPTI=&t=1

Decline in Stock Price not the First Time...

It appears that 3M's stock is for the most part steady; however, this sharp decline isn't the first time. According to this article/profile on The Dividend Guy.com website, 3M has had a drop in stock price in the past. It seems as though 3M is capable making quick turnarounds in terms of their stock prices and revenues. This is what The Dividend Guy had to suggest a few years ago to those thinking about purchasing 3M stock:

Based on MMM’s current price of $95.62 (10/10/07), I am putting this stock at a hold. There was a real sharp drop a few months ago in 3M’s share price, but the company has since rebounded and is hitting new highs. That being said, the dividend growth has been very good so if someone is looking for a pretty steady stock, then MMM may fit that bill. Personally, I will wait to see if the stock drops to around the $85 level before making a purchase.

Looking at a one year trend, it appears that 3M has a couple periods where their stock prices have dropped; typically in June/July and November/December.

http://www.thedividendguyblog.com/dividend-stock-wednesday-3m-inc-mmm/

Going down and down and down...

Over the last month, 3M's stock price has steadily declined. As of close of day on November 26th, 3M's stock price was at $84.40. This price is down $6.50 from one month ago on October 25th.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-IRHome

Innovation all around us

While I hated to post the entire article, I felt as if it was very interesting regarding 3M's drive towards innovation.

3M's innovation revival
By Marc Gunther, contributing editorSeptember 24, 2010: 4:40 AM ET

FORTUNE -- 3M is everywhere. That's the point George Buckley, the chairman and CEO of 3M, is trying to make as he talks about his favorite subject, inventing things. Last year, he says, "even in the worst economic times in memory, we released over 1,000 new products."

As if on cue, Buckley's new iPhone rings, showing a photo of his daughter. "Daddy's in a meeting," he says, and hangs up.

"I'm told there's some 3M inside that phone," I say. Buckley replies, "There's lots of 3M inside." He can't say exactly what 3M (MMM, Fortune 500) gadget is in the iPhone; Apple's (AAPL, Fortune 500) skittish about such things. But point well made: 3M is everywhere.

Apple and many others couldn't do what they do without 3M. The St. Paul company produces a mind-bending 55,000 products. Some of them you know -- Post-it notes, Scotch tape, Dobie scouring pads, Ace bandages, Thinsulate insulation. But most you don't, because they're embedded in other products and places: autos, factories, hospitals, homes, and offices. Scientific Anglers fly-fishing rods and Nutri-Dog chews? Yup. They also come from 3M.

Somehow they all add up to a business with $23.1 billion in revenue and $3.2 billion in net income in 2009, placing 3M at No. 106 on the Fortune 500. It has also recovered nicely from the recession. Sales grew 21% and net income 43% in the first half of 2010. The stock? Up about 20% in the past 12 months. The company's shares have consistently outperformed the S&P 500 and other conglomerates, including GE (GE, Fortune 500). Says Buckley: "The magic is back. It is an absolute joy to behold."

3M has long been synonymous with innovation. Founded in 1902 as the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co., it has deployed a range of practices to promote out-of-the-box thinking.
Long before Google (GOOG, Fortune 500) gave its engineers one day a week to pursue their own ideas, 3M let its researchers do the same with up to 15% of their time. Several years ago folks in the company's infection-prevention division decided on their own to see whether 3M's Littmann electronic stethoscopes could be wirelessly connected. Last year 3M introduced the first electronic stethoscope with Bluetooth technology. It allows doctors and med students to listen to patients' heart and lung sounds as they go on rounds and then transfer those sounds to software programs for deeper analysis.

In another unusual practice, 3M awards annual Genesis Grants, worth as much as $100,000, to company scientists for research. The money is allocated by their peers and is spent on projects for which "no sensible, conventional person in the company would give money," says Chris Holmes, vice president of 3M's abrasives division.

Management efficiency came at a cost to creativity

Despite such practices, many inside and outside 3M, including Buckley, think 3M lost some of its creative juice under James McNerney, the acclaimed GE alum who led the company from 2001 to 2005 and is now CEO of Boeing (BA, Fortune 500). It's not that McNerney, the first outsider to run 3M, did a poor job. The company had become sluggish, and McNerney whipped it into shape. He streamlined operations, laid off 8,000 people, and imported Six Sigma management techniques, popularized by GE, to analyze processes, curb waste, and reduce defects. "He brought the discipline and the focus on execution we needed," says Mark Colin, who oversees a 3M business that makes products for mobile devices. Earnings grew, margins improved, and shareholders cheered.

But the efficiency gains came at a price. Scientists and engineers griped that McNerney, an MBA, didn't understand the creative process. Six Sigma rules choked those working in the labs. "It's really tough to schedule invention," says Craig Oster, a mechanical engineer who has been with 3M for 30 years. (Boeing said McNerney would not be available for comment.)

Why is that important? Because as 3M's older products grow outmoded or become commodities, it must replace them. "Our business model is literally new-product innovation," says Larry Wendling, who oversees 3M's corporate research. The company, as a result, had in place a goal to generate 30% of revenue from new products introduced in the past five years. By 2005, when McNerney left to run Boeing, the percentage was down to 21%, and much of the new-product revenue had come from a single category, optical films. (3M also has a history of acquisitions and has announced deals recently.)

Turning over a new leaf

The board turned to Buckley, now 63, who had demonstrated his business chops as CEO of Brunswick, an Illinois company known for bowling gear and boats. But the most important thing to know about Buckley, a Brit with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, is that he's a scientist at heart who has several patents to his name. In other words, he's a good fit for 3M. "This is to me an engineer's and scientist's Toys 'R' Us," Buckley says.

Buckley has laid out some clear business goals for the company. He wants his managers to protect and strengthen 3M's core businesses, like abrasives, industrial tapes, and optical film. He wants 3M to develop lower-cost products to compete in emerging regions. He wants 3M to be part of future growth markets like renewable energy, water infrastructure, and mobile digital media. Above all, Buckley has been an outspoken champion of the labs. Last year, despite the recession, he kept R&D spending at more than $1 billion. Says management guru Ram Charan, who advises 3M: "George has accelerated the innovation machine by devoting his personal time, his energy, his focus, to empowering the researchers, opening up their minds and urging them to restore the luster of 3M." The results speak for themselves: The percentage of 3M's revenue from products introduced in the past five years is back to 30% and may reach the mid-30s by 2012.

Six Sigma remains in force in 3M's factories, but it's gone from the labs. Each of 3M's six major business units has its own research lab, which is product-focused, while the corporate research staff works on core technologies that are shared by all the businesses. Altogether, 3M employs 6,500 people (out of about 75,000) in R&D.

It's the core technologies -- things like abrasives, adhesives, imaging, and films -- that drive growth at 3M, often in unexpected ways. Consider microreplication, a process 3M uses to create tiny, precisely shaped structures that can be arranged on a variety of surfaces; the technology dates to the 1960s, when it was used to make low-cost overhead projectors for schools and offices. The projectors are mostly gone, but microreplication is alive and well, embedded in 3M products that enable traffic signs to be brighter and golf gloves to deliver a tighter grip with less effort. Currently 3M is seeking regulatory approval for a drug-delivery device -- a skin patch made of pain-free microneedles that barely pierce the skin and could replace hypodermics.

It's safe to say that no 3M product will generate the buzz of, say, the next iPhone. But 3M has never been about inventing the Next Big Thing. It's about inventing hundreds and hundreds of Next Small Things, year after year. Things like Cubitron II. Buckley explains that Cubitron II is an industrial abrasive that cuts faster, lasts longer, sharpens itself, and requires less elbow grease than any other abrasive on the market. Introduced last year, it's selling like crazy, to the CEO's delight. "How the heck do [you] innovate in abrasives?" he asks. "A 106-year-old business for us! For goodness' sake -- it's sandpaper!" Catching himself a moment later, he jokes, "I probably need to get out more." Maybe so, but you can understand what he's excited about: little things like grains of sand that add up to the big business that is 3M.

Reporting by Marilyn Adamo and Betsy Feldman contributed to this article.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/23/news/companies/3m_innovation_revival.fortune/index.htm

Stock Price Update

As of 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2010 3M's stock price was $90.44, a $0.11 drop for the previous value.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-fundIncomeA

Acquisitions

Over the years, 3M has grown tremendously. Since 1982 3M has made 107 acquisitions, some of which allowed them to expand in their current markets while others opened doors for new markets. Either way 3M has become very successful in their targeted industries. This year alone, 3M has successfully acquired five companies; however, in 2007 this number was 17 which is the most the company has acquired in one year. Other busy years were 2006 with 13 and 2008 with 14. The acquired companies fall into ranges of personal goods, industrial, and even medical - what will be next...

http://www.alacrastore.com/mergers-acquisitions/3M_Company-1011244

Driving Innovation

3M is the proud sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series car number 16 driven by Greg Biffle, who is currently 10th in the point’s standings. In addition to racing in the biggest spectator sport in the US, Greg Biffle and his wife Nicole founded the Greg Biffle Foundation which is dedicated to the advocacy of animal welfare. The foundation is partnered with other companies, including 3M. In 2009, 3M and the Greg Biffle Foundation donated small pet sized oxygen respirators that were used in rescuing nine puppies from a house fire. The foundation also gives grants on an annual basis to various shelters and non-profit groups used for the well being and protection of animals.

See the following link for more information on the puppy rescue: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/01/earlyshow/main5203810.shtml?tag=latest

Stock Price Update

According to the Investor Relations page of 3M's website, the company's stock price rose another $.07 to $89.14 as of 4:00 p.m. ET on 10/15/10.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-IRHome

Speed-to-Market

Over the years, 3M has developed its business units to include thousands of products, several in which 3M has taken a vertical integration approach to production and manufacturing of the product. One product line in particular is its Inhalation Drug Delivery systems. The use of vertical integration within the product line allows for the final good to be deliver sooner than if this integration did not exist. Vertical integration allows for one company to own or manage several stages or companies along the supply chain of the production of a good. The article below provides a greater insight to the medical division of the company.

http://solutions.3m.com/3MContentRetrievalAPI/BlobServlet?locale=en_WW&lmd=1222963521000&assetId=1180605258922&assetType=MMM_Image&blobAttribute=ImageFile

A little here and a little there goes a long way...

In 1999, 3M needed a way to cut back on its expenses incurred through the manual processing of purchases orders between its buyers and suppliers. The procurement department project lead Kathy Van Keulen stated the following regarding the costs involved with purchase orders, “the average cost of processing a purchase order at $120; those were expensive transactions for low-dollar items.” According to the June 2000 article in Communications News Magazine, purchase orders only contributed 2% of 3M’s purchasing dollar volume, but greater than 70% of their transaction volume; meaning that in the long run saving a little here and a little there can go a long way in increasing revenues.

To combat this problem 3M recognized they did not have the means to effectively build an electronic catalog. It was then that 3M outsourced this project to TPN Register to create a TPN Marketplace database for 3M’s buyers and suppliers to purchase goods all in one link. By doing this not only does it save 3M money spent towards expenses, but it also saves on processing and shipping times so that others receive their orders more quickly and accurately.

Sean Kelly "Outsource catalog services - 3M, TPN Register - Company Business and Marketing". Communications News. FindArticles.com. 16 Oct, 2010. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CMN/is_6_37/ai_62893697/

Stock Pricing over past 10 days

Sorry I have not been timely in providing a stock pricing update. Below is a graph showing the fluctuations over the past ten days. As of 10/1/10 3M's stock price was at $87.62.

Information gathered from 3M's Investor Relations page: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-stockquote

Follow 3M on Twitter and Facebook

Now it’s easier than ever to keep up-to-date on all the latest 3M news. Twitter is a rich source of instantly updated information, so it’s easy to stay current on new products, acquisitions, fun new product demonstrations and applications, and more on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter.

Facebook is great a way to keep in touch with friends and acquaintances, and you can also learn about your favorite products. Facebook pages provide easy access to information about a variety of well-known 3M products, including Post-it® Notes and Scotch® Tape. Find us on Facebook.

This blurb was taken from 3M's website at: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Vikuiti1/BrandProducts/communication/newsletter/

Squid...Up Close and Personal

Thanks to 3M’s innovative technologies, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has been able to safely preserve a 300-pound, 24 foot mysterious creature for all to see up close and personal. The squid is encompassed in approximately 1,000 gallons of Novec 7100 Engineered Fluid which was donated to the museum by 3M. The exhibit opened September 2008.

Read the full press release at: http://solutions.3m.com/3MContentRetrievalAPI/BlobServlet?locale=en_US&lmd=1219678742000&assetId=1180604131947&assetType=MMM_Image&blobAttribute=ImageFile

Also visit the Smithsonian’s website at: http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/ocean_hall/index.html and The Giant Squid section at: http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/ocean_hall/squid.html

The website also provides details regarding the preservation of specimens and the use of 3M’s Novec Engineered Fluids: http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/ocean_hall/marine_life.html

Strategies that focus on more than just profits...

For decades now, 3M has placed great emphasis on protecting the environment through innovations for a brighter tomorrow. According to the company's website, 3M's vision statement is as follows:

3M's commitment is to actively contribute to sustainable development through environmental protection, social responsibility and economic progress. To us, that means meeting the needs of society today, while respecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

In order to make their vision a reality, 3M utilizes decision making strategies focused around three main principles - Economic Success, Environmental Protection, and Social Responsibility. In addition to these strategic principles, 3M employees around the gloobe use the following set of values to guide them from day to day.

• Act with uncompromising honesty and integrity in everything we do.
• Satisfy our customers with innovative technology and superior quality, value and service.
• Provide our investors an attractive return through sustainable, global growth.
• Respect our social and physical environment around the world.
• Value and develop our employees' diverse talents, initiative and leadership.
• Earn the admiration of all those associated with 3M worldwide.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/about-3M/information/corporate/responsibility/

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/about-3M/information/about/us/

3M's Stock is on the Rise

After just a little over one week, 3M's stock price has risen $4.45 to $87.41 per share. This price was last updated on the company's website today at 4:00 p.m. Will it continue to rise? Check back in several days to find out...

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-stockquote

Acquisitions

Within the last week 3M has announced the acquisition of at least three companies; read the articles below to find out more information.

I have updated the links listed below. Sorry for the mix up; please let me know if you have any problems viewing the content I post on the blog. Thank you.

9/9/10 - 3M to acquire Arizant, Inc. http://www.businesswire.com/news/3m/20100909005831/en/3M-Acquire-Arizant

8/31/10 - 3M to acquire Attenti Holdings S.A. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100831005919/en/3M-Acquire-Attenti-Holdings-S.A.

8/30/10 - 3M to acquire Cogent, Inc. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100830005617/en/3M-Acquire-Cogent

Stock Update

3M's stock increased by $0.21 to $82.96 per share.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-stockquote

3M ~ The Beginnings

3M, which stands for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, was founded in 1902 by Henry S. Bryan, Hermon W. Cable, John Dwan, William A. McGonagle, and Dr. J. Danley Budd. These five businessmen set out on a mission to find a mineral to be used in grinding wheels. After a run of bad luck, the founders decided to focus their efforts towards mastering the production of sandpaper products. Nearly fifteen years later, the five businessmen were able to work through their inefficiencies and master the production of quality sandpaper. In 1916, 3M paid its first dividends of six cents per share, which has grown to $4.52 per share according to the 2009 Annual Report. This growth has progressed with years of product developments and innovations, and the acquisition of other companies and their products.

More facts about the company can be found at the following link: 3M History at a Glance

Stock Information

According to the NYSE 3M's stock price increased by $2.46 to $81.01 per share.


This information was provided by Thomson Reuters and more information can be found by clicking on the following link: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80574&p=irol-stockquote

3M - A Brand Trusted Around the Globe

3M is a world leader in product development; their innovations have made impacts on industries worldwide. The production of diverse products can be segregated into six primary markets: Consumer and Office, Display and Graphics, Electro and Communications, Health Care, Industrial and Transportation, and Safety, Security, and Protective Services. 3M uses more than 40 different technologies such as abrasives, adhesives, and even wound management to produce thousands of products. Many of these products can be found in households across the globe, including my own which is why I chose 3M to research and develop a better understanding of their products, innovations, and market position.