Global industrial and technology company 3M has launched a Customer Technical Centre (CTC) at its Woodmead offices, to provide practical and ingenious solutions to its customers.
The world-class facility covers all the major industrial business areas in which 3M is active. The centre is designed for testing new and existing 3M products. Customers will be introduced to the full range of technologies and products, and will also be able to participate in co-operative testing.
Opening the centre, Herman Nauwelaerts, 3M Executive Vice-President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "This centre will allow 3M South Africa to further develop their successful and lasting relationships with customers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Enriching these relationships will help our customers and ourselves to grow."
Plans for the centre include training workshops, conducted by 3M professionals, for distributors as well as theoretical and practical training for customers. Workshops, featuring industry experts, will also be scheduled for 3M`s various partners. Visitors to the CTC will also discover interesting material on special educational programmes, product innovations and core technologies.
Nauwelaerts added: "South Africa is among the regions in which 3M will devote special attention to business development. The opening of the CTC in Johannesburg is a significant step in that direction and also a milestone of 3M activity in Africa."
South Africa is currently enjoying a rapid phase of development and has subsequently become one of the key priority markets for 3M. Globally 3M has not lost sight of the impact the World Cup in 2010 will have on the local economy.
The Automotive Aftermarket Division is well represented at the centre and continues to set the pace in the domestic vehicle-repair industry. The facility has a fully operational spray-painting booth. It can be used to replicate "live" situations, ensuring that the tests and development have real-world relevance.
In addition, equipment for measuring adhesives tensile strength and quality is also available, as well as climatic test chambers for the preparation of paints and vehicle panels.
Occupational health issues are also catered for at the centre. Products on display that ensure the safety of workers include personal protection equipment, welding masks and 3M Speedglas filters and helmets.
Patrick Rogiers, Managing Director, 3M said: "We now have a customer-centric technical centre to conduct theoretical and practical product training for customers. By strengthening our relationships with customers we will be able to better understand their needs and develop solutions to their problems. We will tap into 3M`s global resources to do so."
The centre is open during office hours and appointments to visit can be made through Shaun Kirchmann, Technical Manager, 3M on (011) 806-2000.
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3M is a multinational corporation with over a century of innovation to its name. Established in St Paul, Minnesota in the United States, 3M entered the South African market in 1953, and remains committed to the local market. The ethos of 3M is reflected by its brand promise: "Practical and ingenious solutions that help our customers succeed."
Marketing over 52 000 products globally and 7 200 within South and Sub-Saharan Africa, 3M remains one of the world`s most diverse companies. In South Africa, these products range from healthcare, pharmaceutical and telecommunications to industrial, consumer and office items.
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