The 3M Canada Story

The year is 1951. One of the first subsidiaries of 3M is established in Canada, with administrative offices located in London, Ontario. On the first day, 3M Canada’s first order arrives.  One day later, sales offices open nationwide.

In 1952, a new 145,000-square-foot manufacturing and packaging plant opens in London, Ontario. By 1953, the plant hums with workers filling orders for tapes and adhesives and now abrasives. The list of imported products expands, stimulating diversification into new markets.

After three years in London, with net sales having doubled and the number of 3M staff increased by 70 per cent, two new areas are built in 1957. A 52,000-square-foot, two-storey administration building is built to house up to 250 people. Manufacturing space is increased by 69,000 square feet.

By 1957, growth and increasing market diversification overtake the administrative structure that served 3M well in simpler times; reorganization sets a pattern familiar with 3Mers today. 3M forms divisions headed by a manager responsible for the marketing, production, sales, quality and profits of a specific group of products. Each division operates like an individual company, unified by a central management committee.

In 1960, 3M becomes Canada’s only producer of artificially coloured, ceramic-coated roofing granules opening a plant in Havelock, Ontario. 3M invented the process some years earlier and operated similar plants in the United States (US).

3M Canada enters the export market in 1961 and throughout the decade office, warehouse, lab and manufacturing space expansion takes place.

In 1972, 3M Canada begins producing large volumes of specific products for the Canadian and US markets. It’s the beginning of a large increase in the export business and it more than doubles the number of employees in that area of the business.

In the 1970s, 3M Canada opens branch offices in Toronto, Ontario and Ottawa, Ontario and the head office and lab in London, Ontario expands. 3M Canada announces two 3M Centres – one in Montreal and one in Calgary - will be constructed and in the next decade, another plant will be built in Perth, Ontario.

In 1972, cardboard recycling begins at the 3M London plant and an energy conservation program is launched the next year. The London Chamber of Commerce presents 3M Canada with the Industrial Environmental Award and Ontario Hydro lauds 3M’s commitment to the environment honouring the company with their Energy Award.
Another pollution reduction effort, 3M Pollution Prevention Pays (3P), begins in 1975. It leads to over 590 million tonnes of pollution reduced from manufacturing operations over the next few decades.

3M Canada receives its first French trademark with registration of “Feuillets Notocollant” in the early eighties.

Construction is completed in September 1980 of the plant in Perth, Ontario. Over the next decade, expansion continues in Perth.

A new lab facility consolidates all 3M Canada research and development functions.
Morden, Manitoba is brought into the 3M family in 1982 when the company announces a 34,000-square-foot plant will be constructed on 40 acres in the community.

Encouraging excellence in education, 3M Canada introduces National Teaching Fellowships in 1986. The awards recognize exceptional Canadian university professors.

3M is a major sponsor of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and the following year, 3M Canada establishes the Coaching Canada Awards aimed at honouring outstanding coaching efforts across the country. 3M Canada also announces sponsorship of the National Coaching Certification Program.

In 1990, Tartan Place, a five story glass and granite office building, opens in London.  Also, the London abrasive factory expands by 36,000 square feet.

In 1991, the physical size of the plant in Morden, Manitoba is doubled.
Then, 3M Canada purchases a 132,500 square foot building on 11 acres in Brockville, Ontario where it establishes a new pressure-sensitive tape plant.

3M Canada establishes the 3M Clinic, a partnership between 3M Canada, The University of Western Ontario (UWO) and London Health Sciences Centre. Located on the UWO campus, the state-of-the-art clinic provides orthopedic care for London and surrounding communities.

3M Canada makes another extraordinary gift in September of 1999 to two new facilities in London, Ontario. The $1.5 million is to be shared between the 3M Women’s Wellness Centre of London Health Sciences Centre and the 3M Osteoporosis Centre at the Monsignor Roney Centre of the St. Joseph’s Health Sciences Centre.

Coaching remains a focus for the company and a joint venture is announced between 3M Canada and the Coaching Association in March 1990. Annual coaching awards are also established with the RCMP and the Coaching Association of Canada. Later, a partnership is announced between 3M Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation to develop an Ontario Community 3M Coach of the Year.

The company continues its philanthropic activity. A quarter of a million dollars is donated to the Parkwood Hospital Foundation in London. The donation allows members of the chronic wound and skin care team to increase and share research.

In 2001, 3M Canada celebrated 50 years of service.  The next year, 3M Canada’s Havelock, Ontario plant closes.

3M began expanding its footprint in the oil and gas industry in 2006 with the expansion of the Scotchkote™ plant in Morden, Manitoba and appointed an Alberta regional director.

The next year, 3M announced plans to build an administration and sales office in Calgary to respond to oil and gas industry needs and formed an alliance with a power system solutions manufacturer, Edmonton-based Cantega Technologies Inc.  3M also began expanding its presence in Quebec later that year appointing a director to oversee the development of the region.

In 2008, 3M solidified its commitment to the oil and gas industry partnering with the Alberta Research Council to test the erosion and corrosion of the linings in pipes by creating a flow loop.  3M also acquired Quebec-based Les Entreprises Solumed Inc. expanding its infection prevention product line.

A Century of Innovation: The 3M Story Book (US, English, PDF, 8.0MB)