What 3M does

3M Company (NYSE: MMM; formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company) is a diversified multinational industrial technology conglomerate founded in 1902 and headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. The company develops science-based products across materials-science platforms including surface chemistry, polymer chemistry, dispersion and coating technologies, and microfabrication. Its portfolio spans industrial tapes and adhesives (Scotch, ATG transfer tapes, VHB bonding tapes, Scotch-Weld), safety and reflective materials (Scotchlite retroreflective sheeting for firefighter and high-visibility applications), abrasives (Cubitron II, Trizact, Scotch-Brite), masking solutions for automotive refinishing and painting (ScotchBlue, Hand-Masker films), consumer office and home products (Post-it, Scotch, Command, Scotchgard), and consumer health and personal care (Nexcare, Futuro, Filtek, Lava). Technologies are substantiated by registered brand IP and by third-party safety certifications including ISO 20471, EN 469, EN ISO 6330, and PEFC.

Name

3M

Legal name

3M Company

Website

https://3mschweiz.ch

Company type

Public

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

3M is a publicly traded (NYSE: MMM) diversified industrial and consumer science company operating in 70+ countries with $34.2B in revenue. It manufactures materials-based products — tapes, adhesives, reflective safety sheeting, abrasives, masking films, and consumer office and healthcare goods — for industrial, automotive, construction, safety, healthcare, and consumer end-markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotkreuz

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial and Safety Products: 3M generates revenue through diversified industrial product categories including adhesive tapes, reflective materials, abrasives, personal protective equipment, and construction materials sold to manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, and safety industries.
2. Consumer Products: Revenue from consumer-facing products including Post-it notes, Scotch tape, Scotch-Brite cleaning products, Command hooks, and home improvement products sold through retail channels and directly to consumers.
3. Healthcare Products: Medical supplies including dental products, health information systems, pharmaceutical solutions, and medical devices sold to healthcare providers and institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

3M is a diversified industrial technology and consumer products manufacturer that develops and sells adhesives, reflective materials, abrasives, personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and consumer goods (such as Post-it notes, Scotch tape, and Command hooks). Its offerings serve B2B industrial customers in healthcare, automotive, construction, and safety sectors, alongside consumer products sold through retail and direct channels. The company applies proprietary materials science, polymer chemistry, and coating technologies across its product portfolio.

Product overview

3M is a diversified industrial technology company offering a broad portfolio of products across multiple categories. The company's product ecosystem includes core brands like Scotch (tapes and adhesives), Scotchlite (reflective materials for safety), ScotchBlue (painter's masking solutions), and Scotch-Brite (abrasives), complemented by consumer brands including Post-it, Command, Nexcare, and Futuro. The product range spans industrial tapes and adhesives (ATG transfer tapes, box sealing dispensers), reflective safety materials (multiple series for industrial laundry and flame-resistant applications), painter's masking solutions (tapes, films, applicators), and consumer health/wellness products. The portfolio architecture consists of distinct sub-brands serving B2B industrial customers and consumer end-users, with products designed for applications ranging from automotive refinishing to occupational safety, construction, and personal care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Command™: Brand for hanging solutions and adhesive hooks
• FUTURO™
• Nexcare™
• Post-it®
• Scotch®
• Scotch-Brite™
• Scotchgard™
• Scotchlite™
• ScotchBlue™
• Scotch-Weld™
• Scotchshield™
• Peltor™
• Speedglas™
• Thinsulate™
• VHB™
• Attest™
• Cavilon™
• Clarity™
• Controltac™
• Coban™
• Cubitron™ II
• DI-NOC™
• E-A-R™
• Emphaze™
• Filtek™
• Lava™
• Novec™
• Petrifilm™
• PPS™
• RelyX™
• Trizact™
• Nexcare™

Products and services

• Scotch-Brite Abrasives and Cleaning Products Abrasive cleaning pads, brushes, and sanding tools for household and industrial surface preparation and cleaning. Sold to consumers via retail and to industrial buyers for cleaning applications.
• Post-it Notes and Organization Products Self-adhesive note products, flags, and dispensers for office, home, and personal organization. Sold through retail and office supply channels to consumers and businesses.
• Command Hanging and Mounting Products Damage-free hanging hooks, strips, and adhesive mounting products for home and office use. Sold to consumers through retail channels.
• Scotch Tape and Adhesive Products Packaging tape, masking tape, filament tape, and craft tape products sold to consumers through retail and to industrial users via distributors. Includes box sealing tapes, ATG transfer tapes, and dispenser systems.
• Scotchlite Reflective Materials Retroreflective materials bonded to fabric substrates for high-visibility protective clothing and workwear, including flame-resistant and industrially washable series meeting ISO 20471 and EN 469 standards. Sold to industrial workwear manufacturers, emergency services, and safety apparel producers.
• ScotchBlue Painter's Masking Solutions Painter's masking tapes, covering films, and tape applicators designed for sharp paint lines and surface protection during professional and DIY painting. Sold through retail and distributor channels.
• Nexcare Personal Healthcare Products First aid supplies, bandages, braces, and therapeutic supports sold to consumers through retail pharmacies and personal care channels.
• Futuro Joint Supports and Compression Wear Orthopedic braces, joint supports, and compression products designed for joint support and pain relief. Sold to consumers through retail and pharmacy channels.
• Scotchgard Fabric and Surface Protection Fabric and surface protection products offering stain repellency for consumer and commercial textile applications.
• 3M Medical and Healthcare Products Medical supplies, dental restorative materials, wound care products, surgical equipment, and health information systems sold to hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and pharmaceutical companies.
• 3M Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment including hearing protection devices, respiratory protection, welding helmets, fall protection, and reflective clothing materials sold to industrial companies, safety managers, and emergency responders.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Authorized 3M DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor3M operates through a global network of authorized distributors and resellers who stock, sell, and provide technical support for 3M industrial products including adhesives, abrasives, safety equipment, and reflective materials. These channel partners enable localized sales and customer service across different regions and industries.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Honeywell International: Diversified industrial conglomerate with comparable breadth across performance materials, safety and productivity solutions, and adjacent B2B/industrial segments. Most analogous large-cap peer in scale and product-platform diversity.
• Illinois Tool Works: Diversified industrial manufacturer operating across multiple niche segments with a similar horizontal segmentation approach. Comparable in operating model, decentralized structure, and exposure to industrial end markets.
• Avery Dennison: Specialty materials company with leadership in pressure-sensitive adhesives, labels, and reflective materials. Highly comparable in adhesive/tape technology platforms and overlap with 3M's industrial and graphics businesses.
• Henkel AG: Operates a similar dual-engine model with an Adhesive Technologies business (comparable to 3M's industrial adhesives) and Consumer Brands (comparable to 3M's consumer staples). Direct competitor in industrial adhesives globally.

Broad incumbents

• DuPont de Nemours: Specialty chemicals and materials company with overlapping capabilities in protective materials, electronics, and industrial applications. Broader chemicals exposure but comparable end markets in safety and electronics.
• Parker Hannifin: Diversified industrial manufacturer of motion and control technologies. Less direct overlap than adhesives peers, but comparable in scale, B2B industrial channel, and broad customer base across industrial verticals.
• Dow Inc. Materials science company with significant plastics, chemicals, and specialty products portfolios. Comparable materials science expertise and global manufacturing scale, though more upstream than 3M's finished-goods orientation.
• Emerson Electric: Industrial conglomerate focused on automation, measurement, and specialized industrial solutions. Comparable diversified industrial business model serving B2B customers across multiple verticals.
• Stanley Black & Decker: Tools and industrial products manufacturer with overlap in industrial adhesives, abrasives, and safety-related product lines. Broader tools focus, but with shared industrial channel and end-market exposure.
• RPM International: Specialty coatings, sealants, and adhesives holding company. Smaller than 3M but directly comparable in industrial sealants/adhesives product portfolios and B2B distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/3MSchweiz
• Facebookfacebook.com/3MIndia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3m-east-a.g.

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3M