Company Description3M Company operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. The Transportation and Electronics segment provides ceramic solutions; attachment tapes, films, sound, and temperature management for transportation vehicles; premium large format graphic films for advertising and fleet signage; light management films and electronics assembly solutions; packaging and interconnection solutions; and reflective signage for highway, and vehicle safety. The Healthcare segment offers food safety indicator solutions; health care procedure coding and reimbursement software; skin, wound care, and infection prevention products and solutions; dentistry and orthodontia solutions; and filtration and purification systems. The Consumer segment provides consumer bandages, braces, supports and consumer respirators; cleaning products for the home; retail abrasives, paint accessories, car care DIY products, picture hanging, and consumer air quality solutions; and stationery products. It offers its products through e-commerce and traditional wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors, and dealers. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
How the Company Makes Money3M generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily by selling a vast array of products across its various business segments. The company operates in four main sectors: Safety and Industrial, Transportation and Electronics, Health Care, and Consumer. Each segment contributes to its overall revenue through the sale of specialized products and solutions tailored to specific industry needs. Key revenue streams include the sale of industrial adhesives and tapes, personal protective equipment, and healthcare products like wound care and infection prevention solutions. 3M's strong focus on innovation helps maintain a competitive edge, allowing it to command premium pricing for its technologically advanced products. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships and collaborations with other businesses and organizations, enhancing its reach and distribution capabilities. Additionally, 3M often engages in licensing agreements and provides consulting services, which further diversifies its income sources.