When you need abrasives, bandage, locks, fiberglass, or gun injections, chances are you will find the name 3M on them. 3M is a highly diverse technology company. It has wide market share on consumer and office; display and graphics; electro and communications; health care; industrial; safety, security and protection services; and transportation. The company was able to reach these markets because of its systmematic research, manufacturing, and marketing strategies.
3M however continued to seek for a better market position. The company found the answer in Six Sigma methodology. The quality strategy has proved that fundamental process change leads to higher quality output, increased productivity, and energized employees.
At present, more than 30,000 employees have trained and completed Green Belt training for all salaried employees. This includes the entire industrial business sales force and technical teams. Globally, over 11,000 projects have closed and more than 12,000 projects are currently underway.
Here are just a few examples of 3M Industrial Business-Customer Six Sigma projects:
* A major automotive manufacturer had a significant challenge with one of its largest-selling vehicles. 3M led a Six Sigma joint effort that provided a cost-effective solution in a short time frame. 3M now has multiple Six Sigma projects underway with this customer.
* A well-known food producer needed to keep track of products it makes and ships. In the event of a product recall, it needed to locate every food item shipped, right down to the hour it left the production line. The Six Sigma solution involved a combination of 3M packaging equipment, 3M-developed packaging management software and a Six Sigma control plan.
* A leading manufacturer was experiencing a quality issue with one of its new product designs. 3M applied Six Sigma methodology and, together, the joint team developed a solution in less than a month. As a result of Six Sigma, 3M is now a “benchmark supplier” for this customer and has multiple joint Six Sigma projects underway.
3M Finding a Way: Six Sigma Methodology
