When the world faced disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations across the globe pivoted their operations to fit critical needs. 3M was no different, responding early and rapidly to the pandemic by supplying critical products to frontline health care workers and first responders.

Now 3M is being recognized as “Supplier of the Year" by Supply Chain Dive, because of its leadership and supply chain risk management that allowed the company to produce and distribute supplies in a time of unprecedented demand.

Shifting its supply chain to help meet the demand for personal protective equipment, 3M ramped up production of N95 respirators and is currently on track to deliver 2 billion respirators globally by the end of 2020.

Accelerated production of respirators was made possible by measures taken by 3M well before the outbreak of COVID-19 to help 3M handle unexpected increases in demand, including the addition of assembly lines that would stay dormant until needed. During the pandemic, 3M has also worked with partners to get real-time data to provide a clearer picture of what supplies it had in stock for better alignment with customer demand. See how were making more respirators than ever before and getting them where they’re needed.

3M also expanded its manufacturing capacity in the U.S. in response to the pandemic. At 3M’s Aberdeen, South Dakota, plant, a new 120,000-square-foot expansion to the 330,000-square-foot facility has added more manufacturing lines and automated equipment. That will enable 3M to increase N95 production in the U.S. to 95 million per month by the end of the year.

Read more about the Supply Chain Dive Awards for 2020 and how 3M is helping to fight the COVID-19 pandemic from all angles.