The UK arm of the US company, 3M. A diversified science-based group of companies. Founded in 1902 with the aim of exploiting mineral deposits for grinding-wheel abrasives. They initially concentrated on sandpaper, inventing a water-proof sandpaper in the 1920s, before diversfiying into other products. They invented masking tape in 1925 and later moved into video tape, microfilm, printing plates, post-it notes, print cartridges, pharmaceuticals and fabric cleaning products. In 1951, 3M established its international division with new companies established in 7 countries including the UK.

The UK arm is one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the US, employing 3850 people across 17 locations. They mostly focus on manufacturing medical equipment and the head office is in Bracknell, Berkshire.