Historical Timeline

1990-1999
Awards and a New Century

In 1991, the U.S. District Court of Minnesota entered a judgment in favor of 3M for $129 million against Johnson & Johnson for patent infringement of 3M™ Scotchcast™ Casting Tape. Sales in Japan topped $1 billion that year, and L.D. DeSimone succeeded Allen Jacobson as chairman of the board and CEO upon his retirement. For the first time, 50 percent of 3M sales came from outside the United States, reaching $7 billion in 1992. 1993 saw the introduction of 1-800-3M HELPS, a toll-free number established to answer product inquiries from customers and 3Mers in the United States. The following year, 3M announced a 2-for-1 stock split.

1995 was an important year for the company. Imation was launched as an independent, publicly owned company with Bill Monahan serving as CEO. Junior Achievement posthumously inducted William L. McKnight into its National Business Hall of Fame. In 1997, the Dental Products Division received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the most coveted quality award in American business. National Advertising Co., now known as 3M Media, was sold. The century ended with two notable changes. 3M reorganized into six business segments: Industrial; Transportation, Graphics and Safety; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Electro and Communications; and Specialty Material. 3M also acquired the outstanding minority interest in Dyneon.