It’s always been core to the way 3M does business: We stay close to our customers. We work hand in hand with them to solve challenges, and so it just makes sense to be where they are in the world. We’re putting that philosophy into practice in Western Australia, where we just opened new offices and a Customer Experience Center.

It’s just what it sounds like: an opportunity for customers to come in and experience 3M science firsthand. In this picture, I’m showing Belmont Mayor Phil Marks some of our aluminum conductor composite reinforced overhead conductor. The science behind it (not to mention the name) is complicated, but the idea is simple. It’s often used for upgrading transmission lines in sensitive areas, such as those that are heavily populated, because it allows for reduced weight and sag – which means more power, less impact.

A unique feature of our Customer Experience Center is the dedicated application labs that house 3M’s specialist engineers, who will work side by side with local businesses tailoring technologies to meet their needs. One major industry in the area is oil, gas and mining, and with these labs, we can focus on developing solutions that help protect the health and safety of workers.