Tech pivot story / founded 1902
3M pivot story
A failed mining plan became a materials innovation machine.
Bad mine -> sticky empire
Before
Mining corundum for grinding wheels.
to
After
A diversified materials and adhesives company.
The pivot story
The mining idea did not work as expected, so the company shifted into sandpaper and later a wide range of industrial and consumer products.
Why it worked
It built a culture of material experimentation that produced products like tape and Post-it Notes.
Known for
Materials and adhesives
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