3M announced today that it is bringing its technology even closer to customers in Latin America with the opening of an innovative Customer Technical Center in Bogota, Colombia.

The new Customer Technical Center features 17 showrooms that will showcase 3M technology, capabilities and products for the Latin American market. Customers will be able to touch and test multiple 3M technologies and learn about their various applications in the on-site teaching rooms. In addition, the center will serve as a central ideas hub for accelerating the development of new products and services locally.

“Fifty years ago 3M was introduced in Colombia and we have witnessed how Colombia has developed into one of the emerging economies in Latin America,” explained Ana Maria Noreña, managing director, 3M Colombia. “In addition to its ideal geographical location, its growing economy and its outstanding human capital, Bogota is an excellent choice for locating this new center that will bring innovative solutions to our customers in this region.”

The new center’s modern design includes a vertical garden representing Colombian biodiversity while demonstrating to visitors how technology and nature can work together. During the construction, recycled materials, natural light and air, energy efficiency, waste recycling and water savings were used to create efficient use of energy consumption and a healthy building for customers and suppliers, as well as for employees. In addition, more than 70 3M products were used in the facility including fire barrier products, graphic materials, touch screens, tapes, electrical systems, volition systems, Scotchgard protector, and floor tech systems.

Customer Technical Centers are unique to 3M and serve as places where 3M can share its vast technology portfolio openly with customers and engage in customer inspired innovation. 3M now has over 30 such CTC's located all across the world.

About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27 billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

Media Contacts:Donna Fleming Runyon, 3M651-736-7646orMartha Marulanda, 3M Colombia57 1 4161666