3M Company, formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing

Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based

in Maplewood, Minnesota.

With over 76,000 employees, they produce over 55,000 products,

including: adhesives, abrasives, laminates,
passive,
dental
products,
electronic materials, medical products electronic circuits and optical
films. 3M has operations in more than 60 countries 29 international
companies with manufacturing operations, and 35 with laboratories.
3M are an innovative company, they devote part of the working week to
coming up with new ideas and developing those ideas. They identify with
their customers' needs well and dominate the market space they occupy.
SWOT ANALYSIS ON 3M:

Strengths:

Diversified businesses - industrial and transportation, healthcare,

display and graphics, consumer and office, safety, security and
protection services, and electro and communications.

Strong research and development capability

Diversified geographic presence

Solid revenue & profit growth

Established distribution channels,

Brand loyalty,

Well capitalized

Weaknesses:

Low inventory turnover which impacts inventories and margins.

Weaker than expected performance in key segments

Not as nimble as smaller, more focused competitors

Lack of synergy between business units

Poor recruitment strategy,

Poor organizational culture,

Poor marketing strategy

Opportunities:

Acquisitions in key operating areas

Continued global expansion

Rising healthcare spending in the us

Security concerns with weaker economy in the us could present

opportunities for 3m's security business

Move into a new market

A specific capital projects

Threats:

Rising commodity and energy prices

Exchange rates fluctuations

Environmental regulations

Emerging competitor

Skills shortage

Does not identify with customers