The Minnesota, Mining and Manufacturing Company - known around the world as the 3M Company - was founded in 1902, its primary business being the production of sandpaper for the mining industry. Under the leadership of William L McKnight, the company steadily grew into a diversified manufacturing corporation that now sells over 60,000 product lines around the world. 3M is a public company, listed on the New York stock exchange, and is headquartered in St Paul, Minnesota, USA. It is also a Fortune 500 company.

3M has sold and marketed its products in South Africa since 1953 and currently employs over 500 employees who support and service the business in the South African and sub-Saharan African markets. Our large customer service, warehousing and distribution facilities service orders from around the country and sub-Saharan Africa. The company's products are supplied through a wide network of distributors that service the different market segments.

The range of products available include:

Abrasives and Tapes - used in automotive, mining and manufacturing facilities.
Electrical products - used by industry and mining houses for insulating, splicing and terminating electrical cables.
Telecommunications - a wide range of products supplied to the tele-communications industry for copper and fiber optic networks.
Consumer Products - encompasses a large range of products used in offices, schools and homes. Scotch® Adhesive Tapes and Post-It® notepads are well known. Scotch-Brite® Scourers and Scotchgard® Fabric Protector are also popular consumer products. The Commercial Care products such as Scotch-Brite® Floor Maintenance Pads and Nomad® Floor Mats are widely used in the hospitality industry.
Health Care - a wide range of products used in surgical, medical, orthopaedic, dental and microbiological applications and as well as tapes, dressings, stethoscopes and sterilization monitoring systems. 3M also manufactures and supplies Pharmaceutical products to hospitals and pharmacies.
Transportation, Safety and Chemicals - used for vehicle assembly and repair; reflective materials for road signage; vehicle and outdoor signage materials; and respirators for worker safety.

3M South Africa received ISO 9002 certification for its adhesive tapes and occupational health and safety, as well as its electro-telecommunications products manufacturing facilities at its Elandsfontein site. All imported 3M products would also comply with ISO 9002 in that our global manufacturing sources of supply are also ISO 9002 certified.

A fully equipped technical laboratory facility is also situated at the South African head office in Elandsfontein. The laboratory is staffed with qualified technical staff who support local product development and provide technical service support and training for the market.

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