3M sticks to commmunity service in Springfield

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Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.better known as 3Mis a $16-billion global corporation. It operates in over 60 countries with customers in nearly 200 countries, according to local company officials. |ret||ret||tab|

3M is one of 30 companies making up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and also a component of the Standard and Poor's 500 Index.|ret||ret||tab|

Worldwide, the company produces some 62,000 products. It is the world leader in tapes and coated abrasives for industry; fluorochemicals for the automobile, textile and other industries; supplies for health care markets; and many consumer products, according to company statistics. |ret||ret||tab|

The 3M mission statement is succinct: To be the most innovative enterprise and the preferred supplier of the products it produces.|ret||ret||tab|

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Springfield plant|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield 3M plant, situated on 33 acres off highway 65 bypass, employs 250 people and keeps its manufacturing operations active 24 hours a day. About 20 percent of the employees work in supportive and administrative positions, according to Plant Manager Charles "Chuck" Dehler. The 320,000-square-foot facility produces over 2000 finished adhesive and sealant products for industrial users, service-related businesses and consumers.|ret||ret||tab|

Dehler, who has been with 3M for 17 years, began his career with the company as a process engineer and moved up through the ranks to plant manager. He was transferred to the local plant in October 1999. "This is a great plant and a great town with great people," he said. "I'm happy with the move."|ret||ret||tab|

Dehler said that the multiple technologies of a large corporation offer a variety of things to do and that there is no limit to the challenges and opportunities for advancement with 3M. |ret||ret||tab|

Martin Ingels, human resource manager, concurred. Ingels, who began with the company 12 years ago, came to Springfield in December 1999.|ret||ret||tab|

Dehler said the company maintains its position among the top worldwide industries through three key factors: excellent quality, fair pricing and customer service. He said that 3M also adheres strictly to human values and environmental concerns. "We respect the environment and provide a safe atmosphere for employees," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

George Longley, environmental administrator for the company, said the Springfield plant has reduced emissions by 90 percent since 1990. Through recycling and other efforts it has also reduced the waste ratio by 50 percent in that same period, he added. He said that these initiatives are over and above government requirements and that the effort is company-wide throughout the world.|ret||ret||tab|

Dehler added that 3M has spent millions in research and products to achieve this goal,|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield plant manufactures adhesives and sealants for all types of industries. Batch processing is used to make both bulk products and individual size packaging for consumer use, according to Robert Stephens, training and organizational effectiveness analyst.|ret||ret||tab|

Stephens likened the process to baking cake. Dry ingredients are mixed with liquids to achieve the consistency needed for the finished product.|ret||ret||tab|

Locally, the turnover rate is about 6 percent, Dehler estimated. Ingels added that most attrition is due to retirement or people leaving the area. Besides the Springfield site, Missouri has two other 3M plant sites, in Nevada and in Columbia.|ret||ret||tab|

Innovation is another factor that keeps 3M at the top of the business world. According to company statistics, at least 30 percent of recent sales come from products introduced in the last four years. Net sales in 2000 were $16,724,000, up from $14,295, 000 in 1996.|ret||ret||tab|

Along with high production standards, 3M is dedicated to supporting and inspiring people in the communities where its plants are located, according to Stephens.|ret||ret||tab|

In Springfield the company and its employees have donated time and money to numerous charities and community activities. Stephens said that the company has initiated programs to address education, family and community issues. Administrators at the Springfield plant have placed strong emphasis on science and math education and youth development.|ret||ret||tab|

"3M really cares about education in the community," Stephens said.|ret||ret||tab|

Other charities, schools and civic organizations to which 3M has donated include the Springfield Public Schools, Drury University, Discovery Center, United Way of the Ozarks, Junior Achievement of the Ozarks, KOZK, Springfield Family Y, Boys and Girls Club, Boy and Girl Scouts and Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA. 3M is also a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.|ret||ret||tab|

The company Web site is |bold_on|www.3M.com.|ret||ret||tab|

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