Innovation at Its Best

Whenever I am scheduled to travel, I always see to it that I have researched about the places I’m about to go to. I don’t have to read everything about the place, because I believe some information are best experienced when caught off guard, but I list a few things that are mandatory to visit.

From the preparation of what to pack, where to go, flight details, paper works, visa requirements to the actual taking down of notes, phone numbers and hotels during travel, even up to after I come back from a vacation, I have to list them all down. I’m a pen-and-paper kind of girl despite the age of computers, touch-screen technology and mobility. I had to sell my then Palm PDA after four months of buying because I couldn’t find the time to arrange it and it took me more time to sync it with my actual schedules.

This is where Post-it comes in. I tell you, I cannot live without this. It’s also the first thing that comes to mind when I see or hear about 3M, well it used to be.

You see, from my previous work, I handled 3M for a short time as a client. I appreciate their mission as a company, and probably that is why they have been in the business for so long (108 years!). 3M strives hard to make our lives easier. Innovation is their second name. I used to think that 3M’s products were limited to Post-it, Scotch tapes and packaging adhesives, Scotch Brite and a brand of tint car owners apply on their windows.

The Innovation Tour that was held proved that 3M products are in our everyday lives. The tour showcased around ten rooms where products are displayed and explained. It was like touring a science museum, it was just awesome (okay, the geek in me is beginning to show). :P

Right inside our homes, 3M’s Scotch Brite, Filtrete and Command has several home care products (sponges, mops, wall adhesives, etc.) that are top notched. Nexcare and ESPE also offers some consumer health products such as cute and functional band-aids, compress, toothpaste as well as cements, crowns, light cure on demand, dental composites and adhesives for the dental professionals.

In the industrial world, 3M has invented the waterproof sandpaper, industrial adhesives and tapes that are even used for attaching glasses used in buildings (wow, right?). The company has built effective storage and tools for transmission of energy as well as expansion through fiber optics and copper solutions to support DSL.

Safety should be the priority of us consumers and 3M makes sure that we get the most out of everything life has to offer so patient care and food safety are components that are very important. Electronic stethoscope that significantly reduces ambient noise is made available for medical practitioners. There is also the Tegaderm products which are for wound care, as well as tapes for gauzes. Effective gas masks, especially during the time when AH1N1 was prevalent, were made available to consumers (I brought a lot when I went to Hong Kong for travel). Clear Trace technology on the other hand takes care of the food we consume as leading hotels, restaurants and fast food chain buy this to ensure safety of the customers.

I’m not done yet, I have more proof that 3M is EVERYWHERE.

In automotives, 3M also has tint and wax brands. Digital graphics for ads placed in buses, materials used for plate numbers and road signs for traffic and safety are all innovations by 3M.

It does not end here but I’ll run out of space if I specify everything, so let me tell you the best part. 3M helps in taking care of the environment. A layer or a film used for the creation of solar panels is produced by the company. They have also invented environmentally safe chemicals used for product testing.

Who says that 3M only equates to Post-it? If these products are not proof that 3M is everywhere, I don’t know what will.

Special thanks to the girls I was with in the photo below. Thanks for the invite :D I miss you guys!

Visit 3M’s website to know more about the company and the innovative products they offer.