COMPANY PROFILE
Summary
At 3M we apply science to improve lives around the world. Our commitment to science includes continued support for the next generation of scientists and STEM education for all. 3M is a global science and innovation company driven by a unique culture that embraces creativity and collaboration. Our innovation fuels clear differentiation for the benefit of all. 3M has an extraordinary track record of innovation, creating 122,000 patents and adding an average of more than 3,500 patents annually; a testimony to the strength of our innovation engine.
With 96,000 employees in more than 200 countries leveraging 3M science and its 51 technology platforms, unique solutions are being worked on every day for our customers. 3M innovation reaches everyone, around the world, every day, with one purpose: to make progress possible. Our four business groups, Safety and Industry, Transportation and Electronics, Healthcare and Consumer Affairs, make this vision a reality.
Founding Year
1902
Main Leadership
Luis Palenque, General Director for Andean Region
Luis has a history of more than 15 years at 3M and has worked in various areas within the organization. He began his career at 3M as Marketing Manager in Bolivia and later became Senior Sales & Marketing Manager, where he led commercial initiatives and worked directly with business strategies for the region. In 2013 he served as Technical and Innovation Director and, under the Six Sigma methodology applied at 3M, he became Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, where he was the leader of technical organizations within all regional business units. Later, he entered as director in the Supply Chain Operations area until 2016. At the beginning of 2016, he was Commercial Director for the Andean Region, where he was at the head of the 5 countries that make up the region: Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. In January 2020, he assumed the position of President and General Director of 3M in the Andean Region.
Luis Palenque is a great representative of the 3M culture as he has a long history of leadership and values that he shares with his people.
Strategy
Customer-inspired invention drives our innovation. Insights from those we work with help in creating new products that serve people around the world. Our 51 technology platforms are shared and combined across the company to invent unique products for a variety of industries. These platforms range from adhesives and abrasives to nanotechnology, metamaterials, and additive manufacturing. Integration and collaboration between businesses, geographies and scientific disciplines mean effective and efficient development of new ideas and products from the laboratory to the factory, to the homes and to the clients' businesses. Finally, and in the words of our CEO, Mike Roman: “At 3M we are a purpose-driven company. We know that we can grow our business while working together to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges. And we know that innovation is not innovation without sustainability”.
