HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 03-16 3M celebrates opening new R&D lab MAPLEWOOD REVIEW (2)3/16/2016 3M celebrates opening new R&D lab I Lillie Suburban Newspapers - LillieNews.com
3M celebrates opening new R&D lab
Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/16/2016 - 12:OOam
By: Marjorie Otto
(submitted graphic)
3M has developed safety technology for utility workers to prevent
falls and t o prevent workers from dropping tools and hurting people
below, (Marjorie G: ttola.??view)
Building 0 is the latest
addition 1
Maplewood campus
3M opened its new research and development
laboratory for viewing on Friday, March 11, during
a grand opening event.
Attendees included Gov. Mark Dayton, U.S. Sen.
Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Reps. Betty McCollum, Keith
Ellison and Tom Emmer, Maplewood Mayor Nora
Slawik, Maplewood City Council members, top
leaders from the Legislature and Mattias Fyrenius
from the Nobel Organization.
Building 280, the newest addition to the
Maplewood -based company's campus, cost $150
million. The four-story building is approximately
470,000 square feet, which is about the size of
eight football fields in area. About 700 scientists
and researchers will occupy the high-tech building.
Construction on the new facility began in August of
2013. The building is LEED sustainability certified
and incorporates more than 100 3M products.
Ashish Khandpur, 3M senior vice president of
R&D and chief technology officer, led the state
politicians on tours of the research labs and
office areas.
Khandpur explained that this new facility implements
a more open layout, which will foster 3M's
collaborative atmosphere between scientists and
researchers.
The tour included stops in adhesives and abrasives,
films, dental technology, and a department where
safety equipment is designed for utility workers and
heavy equipment operators, such as Iron Range
workers.
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3/16/2016 3M celebrates opening new R&D lab I Lillie Suburban Newspapers - LillieNews.com
e, Klobuchar and Rep, McCollum
are shown how 3M's adhesive fibres
can be applied to a car without
affecting the paint underneath,
(Marjorie Ottolf?evia w)
Rep, l Dire l: iram r, Rep, Betty McColla. m
and Sen, Amy Klobuchar are shown the
different types of adhesive tibias 3M has
developed and will continue to develop
in their new lab facility,
(Marjorie Ottolf? via w)
The event also included an announcement from 3M CEO Inge Thulin regarding a partnership between 3M and the Nobel
Organization. While Fyrenius and Thulin were vague on the specifics of the partnership, they said itwould be a great source
for inspiration and a way to organize collaborative events globally.
"Don't think about it like Minnesota 3M, Nobel Stockholm. Don't think about it like that," said Thulin. He said instead, people
should think of the partnership globally and how 3M and its employees can inspire around the world.
After the tours, the ribbon -cutting ceremony included remarks from some of the attendees.
"Your astounding success has been our success," Dayton said. He expressed gratitude that 3M has kept the "brainpower
state of Minnesota" as its home.
McCollum added to the sentiments about 3M's deep Minnesota roots and shared her childhood memories of seeing 3M's
tallest building's office lights form a Christmas tree every holiday season, a tradition that continues every December.
Klobuchar told the crowd, "This is an incredible tour de force of bipartisan legislative support for 3M and the place where all
this magic happens."
She added, "3M didn'tjust invest in this building here. 3M invested in imagination and a shared future, and we are so proud
to be a part of it."
Marjorie Otto can be reached at 651-748-7816 or at eastsidep_lillienews.com. Follow heron Twitter atQEastSideM Otto.
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