3M was founded in 1902 in the Lake Superior town of Two Harbors, Minnesota, when five businessmen agreed to mine a mineral deposit for grinding-wheel abrasives. But the deposits proved to be of little value, and the new Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company moved to nearby Duluth in 1905 to focus on sandpaper products. Years of struggle ensued until the company could master quality production. New investors were attracted to 3M and the company moved to St. Paul in 1910. Early technical and marketing innovations began to produce successes and, in 1916, the company paid its first dividend of 6 cents a share. 3M chose the UK for its first expansion outside America in 1929 distributing abrasives through a partnership with Durex Abrasives Ltd.

3M Health Care is committed to providing the health care community with innovative solutions, based on 3M's diversified technologies, that help improve the quality of life.

Wound Care & Management
3MTegaderm Film Wound Dressings have been tried and tested by healthcare professionals for 20 years. Products within the Tegaderm dressings range include Tegaderm film, Tegaderm foam and Tegaderm hydrocolloid dressings. Both Tegaderm foam and Tegaderm hydrocolloid wound dressings benefit from a Tegaderm film backing providing protection from water, bacteria & viruses, thus reducing the risk of wound infection. Additionally, both wound dressing products also feature a frame delivery system providing a unique one-handed application technique ensuring a quicker and easier application to the wound.

3M^TM Surgical Drapes
3M Surgical Drapes help reduce the risk of a surgical site infection. Draping of the surgical site provides a sterile surface and helps minimise the transfer of micro-organisms between non-sterile areas and the surgical wound. Surgical drapes also help to protect healthcare professionals from exposure to pathogens in the patient's blood and other body fluids.

3M has made use of innovative technologies to create a highly advanced range of Single-use Surgical Drapes. We also supply a range of incise drapes including 3M^TM Ioban ^TM 2 Antimicrobial Drapes EZ. Ioban 2 antimicrobial drapes contain iodophor for sustained antimicrobial activity throughout a surgical procedure.

3M High Performance and Standard Surgical Disposable Gowns
The 3M range of surgical disposable gowns, offers both wearer and patient optimal protection during surgical procedures.

Surgical Masks and Respirators
All 3M Surgical Masks comply with EN14683:2005 as a Type II or Type IIR. The comprehensive range of masks and surgical respirators includes ear loop, tie on, face shield and splash resistant masks.

Medical Diagnostics
The battle against healthcare-associated infections is a critical challenge, and the medical community needs solutions. Early detection of dangerous microbes is the vital first step in controlling infection rates. 3M Medical Diagnostics provides fast, easy-to-use microbial diagnostics that may help to reduce cost, lessen the effect of resistant microbes, and improve patient outcomes.

3M ESPE Solutions for Dentistry
3M ESPE manufactures and markets more than 2,000 dentistry products used by dentists to improve oral health around the world, including cosmetic dentistry solutions, dentistry equipment and appliances.