3M began providing short-term and long-term disability coverage and a pension plan for employees in the 1930s. The company institutes one of the nation's first company-paid unemployment insurance plans.
President and CEO William L. McKnight offers his management philosophy to guide the company. His belief in encouraging individual initiative, risk-taking, and the freedom to fail enables 3M to manage many diverse businesses and deliver steady growth.
1949
Stakeholders
First 3M stock purchase plan for employees is introduced.
3M Water and Sanitary Engineering Department is created.
1963
Environment
The 3M Carlton Society is created to honor outstanding technical employees. It is named for former 3M President Richard P. Carlton, who in 1921 became the company's first technical employee to hold a college degree.
1964
Stakeholders
First formally trained industrial hygienist and health physicist join 3M's Medical Department.
Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control (EE&PC) organization is formed.
1970
Environment
Industrial hygiene and health physics services expand to 3M operations outside the United States.
1971
Stakeholders
3M Employee/Retiree Matching Gift Program is established for charitable contributions.
1973
Stakeholders
Employee van pools are created.
1973
Environment
Energy Management Department is formed.
1974
Stakeholders
3M is among the first corporations to offer in-house Employee Assistance Program, providing personal education and consultation services for employees and their families.
1975
Environment
3M Environmental Policy is adopted by the 3M Board of Directors.
1975
Environment
Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) Program is formed. First-year results: 19 projects prevented 73,000 tons of air emissions, 2,800 tons of sludge.
1977
Environment
3M and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsor four conferences on pollution prevention.
World Environment Center presents 3M with the First Annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievements.
1984
Stakeholders
3M is the first corporation to offer sick child care services to employees. During the same year, 3M begins administering the 3M Poll to U.S. employees and the Standard Opinion Survey globally every two years to measure employee opinion.
1984
Stakeholders
3M CARES (Community Action Retired Employee Services) Program is created to bring together retiree volunteers under the 3M banner and match them to specific needs.
1986
Stakeholders
3M Community Volunteer Award is established.
1987
Vision
3M Corporate Safety, Health and Environmental Committee is formed.
1987
Environment
3M Air Emission Reduction Program is launched.
1988
Environment
3M Ozone Depleting Chemical phase out policy is adopted.
1989
Environment
3M Year 2000 Environmental goals are established.
1989
Stakeholders
3M Employee Safety, Health and Environmental Policy is adopted.
1989
Environment
National Wildlife Federation presents its Environmental Achievement Award to 3M.
Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award is received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
1993
Environment
3M goal of 70% reduction in worldwide air emissions is achieved.
1993
Environment
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Corporate Wildlife Award is received.
1994
Environment
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presents Achievement Award for 3M's successful participation in the 33/50 Voluntary Air Emission Reduction Program.
1995
Product Innovation
3M launches world's first CFC-free metered dose inhaler for the treatment of asthma.
1995
Stakeholders
3M initiates program to reduce injuries and illnesses by 50% in four years.
1995
Product Innovation
3M receives the National Medal of Technology Award, the highest award for technical achievement in the United States.
1996
Environment
President Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development selects 3M's 3P Program for the President's Sustainable Development Award.
1996
Environment
3M Environmental Management System is formalized.
1996
Stakeholders
3M Global Safety and Health Plan is developed.
1997
Product Innovation
3M formalizes Life Cycle Management System to ensure the consideration of Environmental, health and safety issues in new product development.
1997
Product Innovation
3M scientists receive Heroes of Chemistry Award from the American Chemical Society for the development of 3M Hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) as a CFC replacement.
1997
Stakeholders
3M initiates Lifescapes program to help employees protect their health, safety, and well-being at work and at home.
1997
Stakeholders
3M initiates Lifescapes program to help employees protect their health, safety, and well-being at work and at home.
1998
Stakeholders
3M sets safety and health goals to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses 25% a year for three years.
1999
Environment
Hamburger Umweltinstitut of Germany ranks 3M second in eco-performance among 50 largest chemical-using companies worldwide.
3M GIVES (Grants Initiated by Volunteer Service) is established.
2001
Stakeholders
3M Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Management System is adopted.
2001
Environment
Environmental Targets for 2005 are launched.
2001
Environment
Environmental dimension is added to the 3M Contributions Program.
2001
Stakeholders
3M receives the National Points of Light Foundation Award for Excellence in Corporate Community Service.
2002
Vision and History
3M is listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index as the leader in the Industrial Goods and Services category.
2002
Vision and History
3M is included on the FTSE Socially Responsible Investment Index.
2002
Vision and History
3M receives the "Vision for America" Award from Keep America Beautiful.
2003
Environment
3M is awarded the Clean Air Excellence Award in the Category of Regulatory/Policy Innovations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
2004
Environment
3M is awarded a 2004 Energy Star award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy for its leadership in energy management.
2005
Environment
3M is awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Protection Award.
2005
Environment
3M completes its 2000–2005 Corporate Environmental Goals program, exceeding each of its targets, and launches a new set of Corporate Environmental Goals for 2005–2010.
2005
Environment
3M is awarded the 2005 Most Valuable Pollution Prevention (MVP2) Award from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable.
2005
Environment
3M is selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the first ever corporate-level National Environmental Performance Track Outreach Award winner.
3M establishes new Strategic Sustainability Principles. More Information
2010
Stakeholders
In the fall of 2010, 3M teamed up with the U.S. EPA and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to bring the EPA's ENERGY STAR Exhibit House to the Minnesota State Fair. Check out this video.
3M is recognized for the eighth year in a row by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy by winning the Sustained Excellence Award for Energy Management in recognition of continuous improvement in energy management.
