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Behind the Curtain at 3M Headquarters By Michael Raine
During a recession more people are inclined to do their own repairs, but also more likely to bring their vehicles to a professional for serious repairs rather than buy a new one. That was one of the messages delivered by 3M at its Auto Boot Camp for automotive media. The event was a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the 3M headquarters, with Collision Repair magazine providing exclusive Canadian coverage. The first day began with a tour of the state-of-the-art 3M Innovation Center that offered a brief history of the 109-year-old company, and a look at some of the 45 technology platforms that the company specializes in. A follow-up presentation by representatives of 3M emphasized the company’s belief that there is a lot of untapped potential in the DIY automotive market. The sales reps explained that, according to 3M’s own surveys and research, heavy DIY work among consumers is becoming less common, but light DIY work, such as changing a headlight, is becoming more common. According to 3M’s 2010 survey, 42 percent of respondents said they would try to do some or all of their required vehicle repairs themselves and cited the weak economy and high unemployment as the reason. However, the number of people who said they would have a professional do all of their repairs was up five percent. On the professional side, 3M demonstrated a number of products including the Dirt Trap Protection System, which protects paint booths from dirt, dust and overspray and cuts down maintenance time. The Dirt Trap Adam Spah of 3M discusses the Protection System is a non-woven Perfect DeNibbing System, which the company says removes nibs faster and adhesive that sticks to the walls easier than the traditional process. and floor of the paint booth, trapping dirt, dust and overspray and preventing it from contaminating a fresh coat of paint. It is easy to install and remove and lasts for about three months, according to 3M. As well, attendees got to test the AccuSpray System primer gun. According to the 3M team demonstrating the product, the AccuSpray
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Wayne Banks of 3M discusses small dent repair.
system allows repairers to increase productivity by decreasing primer standing time and cleanup time and also reduces material waste. According to 3M, this system combines a HVLP spray gun with a replaceable atomizing head to perform at a fraction of the cost and effort. The primer gun also reduces overspray and can be used on large surfaces or for spot-hits the size of a dime. Another professional product demonstrated was the Perfect DeNibbing System. According to 3M, the product removes nibs from a paint job faster and easier than the traditional process, which helps paint professionals do more in less time. The micro-sanding technology reduces the paint finishing area down to less than a size of a quarter and saves time by allowing repairers to sand dirt nibs away while minimizing flat spots. The micro-polishing technology delivers a high-gloss finish while reducing clean-up time. Of course, there is a lengthy process that goes into the unveiling of new products. Steve Widen, U.S. Marketing Manager of fillers, adhesives, sealers and coatings for 3M, told Collision Repair magazine that it can be anywhere from one to five years between when 3M identifies a need in the market to when they unveil a new product. “We have a team called the Sue Endle of 3M explains the Paint Restoration System, one of a number Hot Team, which is our hot opof 3M products demonstrated at the portunity team,” explains Widen. company’s recent Auto Boot Camp at its headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. “They go out and work in the industry and … come in five or six days a week for a month at a time. They just watch the process of the body men, the painters, the preppers, the owners and sometimes the estimators and see where we can fit our products into where they can improve the process. Reduce waste, cost, take out steps in the process and actually get the car done faster.”