- Companies to combine strengths to serve global metals market -
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3M and Shale-Inland today announced they have entered into a five year commercialization agreement that builds on the strengths of both organizations to offer new-to-the-world product solutions for advancing the development of protective and decorative films in the global primary metal and metal fabrication markets.
3M's expertise in material science technology platforms combines to drive disruptive innovation in the market place, while Shale-Inland brings comprehensive expertise in steel and aluminum distribution, stainless steel polishing, stamping and fabrication.
“We welcome the opportunity to gain first-hand customer insight from this agreement with Shale-Inland. The global metals market exceeds $2 trillion in annual revenue. We feel this market is vastly underserved when it comes to technological advances in coatings, adhesives and reflectivity.” said Mike Roman, vice president, Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division at 3M. He added, "This is where we love to be: showcasing 3M’s collaborative depth in designing solutions with and for our customers.” Craig Bouchard, Chairman and CEO of Shale-Inland said, “It's an exciting time for both companies and we are extremely pleased to have 3M's technological innovation supporting the Shale-Inland companies. 3M is the best technology firm in the world. We will be moving forward aggressively on a number of projects that will be announced in 2012."
The Industrial Adhesive and Tape Division is 3M’s largest division, known for products and materials that bond, attach, join, protect, and add durability and aesthetics to manufactured products. This division leverages an array of 3M technology platforms – such as adhesives, coatings, films, sealants and more – helping industrial customers solve problems and enabling them to be more productive.
About Shale-Inland
Shale-Inland combines stainless, aluminum, carbon steel and protective film distribution with stamping and fabrication. Shale-Inland pursues world-class customers and provides them with service that engenders fierce loyalty. Shale-Inland’s mission is to optimize supply chain management and deliver a broad spectrum of metal or finished parts just-in-time to allow its customers to be creative in assembling their products and streamlining their processes. For more information, visit www.shale-inland.com.
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.
3MConnie Thompson, 651-733-89143M Public Relationswww.3M.com/PressContactorOgilvy Public Relations WorldwidePeter B. Hirsch, 212-880-5278peter.hirsch@olgivy.com
