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Recent Developments
3M’s diversified technologies easily adapt to the digital age. As laptop computers, flat-panel displays, cell phones, and PDAs develop into a standard means of global communications, consumers have a growing need to enhance the performance of their electronic displays by improving their brightness and clarity. Today, Vikuiti™ Display Enhancement Films are widely used to increase screen brightness, reduce glare, and secure viewing privacy. In addition, car navigation systems, rear projection televisions, and the rapidly growing touch-screen market are among the film’s newer applications.
Another 3M breakthrough is its immune response modifiers (IRMs) — a new class of pharmaceuticals that stimulate the body’s immune system to fight virus-infected cells. 3M’s first IRM — Aldara™ (imiquimod) cream, 5% — was launched in 2001 as the only patient-applied treatment that combats the virus that causes genital warts. Aldara cream is the leading prescription treatment in its category. Aldara cream has been approved as a treatment option for certain patients with actinic keratosis (AK), a pre-cancerous skin disease caused by cumulative sun exposure. 3M continues to research several other promising IRMs.
To capitalize on its culture of ingenuity and discovery and to develop its operational excellence, 3M uses Six Sigma in its operations. By creating a common language and measurement tools to reduce variation and deliver consistent results, the Six Sigma methodology has taken hold throughout 3M’s global operations. From product development and manufacturing to sales and marketing, many projects already have achieved targeted improvements. Employees and customers alike are seeing even higher-quality products and faster response times, and shareholders are seeing 3M’s renewed focus on growth. |
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