HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 06-29 3M could end body armor line after Army funding delayed PIONEER PRESS 3M could end body armor line after Army funding delayed
Updated:06292015 02:7520 PM COT TwinCities.com
3M Co.is reportedly threatening to shut down its body armor business after the U.S.Army delayed
funding the Maplewood-based company expected to receive in 2015.
3M and Arlington,Va.-based BAE Systems were awarded a contract to develop lightweight body armor
for soldiers,but when Congress appropriated$80 million in 2015 sustainment funding for the project,the
entire amount went to BAE,according to a Finance&Commerce report.
Michael Roman,executive vice president of 3M's industrial business group,said in a letter to Secretary of
the Army John M.McHugh that 3M was told it will have to wait until 2016 to receive funding.
"For 3M,this is not tenable for our business,"the letter said,adding that the company has already laid off
90 employees at factories in Lexington,Ky.,and Irvine,Calif.
3M does not disclose how many people it employs in its individual business units,spokeswoman Lori
Anderson said.Anderson added that the company's body armor unit--part of its advanced materials
division--does include some administrative employees in the Twin Cities. �
Copies of the letter were also sent to members of Congress,including Sens.AI Franken and Amy
Klobuchar,and Rep.Betty McCollum.
Nick Woltman can be reached at 651-228-5189.Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/nickwoltman.