Plant Manager Dean McDowell says 3M’s Springfield operation makes adhesives,
primers, sealants and adhesive-coated films. Local 2008 revenues were more than $300 million.
Dean McDowell knows that when people think of 3M, they think of Post-it notes. But those handy reminders that end up all over computer monitors aren't made at 3M's Springfield plant.
"We make products that are adhesive, primers, sealants and adhesive-coated films," McDowell says.
Those products are used in the aerospace, automotive and construction industries, and 3M adhesives are used to glue boxes together.
The facility on East Chestnut Expressway next to U.S. Highway 65 is considered a growth plant for 3M.
"It's an investment plant that plays a strategic role in 3M," says McDowell, plant manager for the past two and a half years. 3M Springfield is his fourth plant in 20 years with the St. Paul, Minn.-based publicly traded (NYSE: MMM) company.
He considers himself lucky to have landed at a one-of-a-kind 3M facility with adhesive manufacturing
capabilities.
A new product line is a foam tape coating, and 3M Springfield makes what every student, parent and crafty type would immediately recognize: glue sticks. The plant, which is the only one in the company that produces that popular item, also makes industrial glue sticks.
David Bates, jet melt operator, has worked the glue stick line since 1983. His history with the company stretches back 40 years.
"You have to use your mind all the time," Bates says. "It's like baking a cake, if you will. You have to decide what goes where, when, how."
Bates credits 3M's approach to both employees and products as one of the biggest reasons he's stayed four decades with the same company.
"It's all about change: What can we do to make things better? The quality is No. 1 on the list," Bates says. "There's a lot of pride that goes into (the work), and they give us a lot of freedom."
3M Springfield has a long presence in the Ozarks, having opened in 1967. The local plant generated more than $300 million of 3M's 2008 worldwide sales of $25 billion. Springfield plant revenues gained 15 percent on the year.
In 2008, 3M invested more than $15 million in local capital expenditures, employing many area contractors and consultants, McDowell says.
"It's pretty positive we're continuing our capital investments in the plant," he adds. "3M has reduced capital expenditures, (but) ours were already approved, and they did not stop them."
Despite a lower volume during the economic downturn, 3M Springfield avoided layoffs by taking some down time, modifying schedules, restricting travel and reducing discretionary spending, according to McDowell.
"I was surprised they didn't lay anybody off this year - a lot of (companies) were, but they went out of their way to keep jobs," Bates says. "Everybody was willing to do anything, and they put 300 percent into everything. ... 3M management went out of its way to keep us, and we're going out of our way."
Business is picking up, McDowell says. There were some pockets of increased activity a few months ago, and May showed definite improvement.
"We're seeing signs of life," he says.
3M Springfield's impact extends to charitable endeavors, too. In 2008, the company contributed $200,000 to various local groups, a figure that's been consistent for the last three years, McDowell says.
Previous community efforts have included $20,000 in emergency funds following the January 2007 ice storm; donation of insect repellent during flooding; a blood drive every three months; participation in United Way's Day of Caring; and, for the first time this year, a team in American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.[[In-content Ad]]
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