Consumables

3M: More production capacity for the global market – ceremonial opening in Hilden

Tuesday 19. October 2021 - A Virtual Reality Tour provided the visitors with information. On the concluding panel, Yolla Levitt, Silvia Perez, Heike Nietgen, Area Division Leader of the 3M Commercial Solutions Division and Plant Manager Christoph Beyer discussed how to shape the future of graphic solutions.

Around 80 million euros have been invested in recent years in the construction of a new factory hall and two new, state-of-the-art production lines for graphic films at the 3M plant in Hilden. On 14 October, the extension of the largest European production facility of the multi-technology company was ceremonially inaugurated together with customers from the region.
Silvia Perez, President of 3M’s Commercial Solutions Division, emphasised in her speech how important it is for 3M to invest in continuous growth. The multi-million investment also brings 3M closer to its long-term goals such as accelerated digitalisation, the implementation of more sustainable solutions and operations, expanded infrastructure and an even stronger focus on customer needs. “Through the expansion, we have also created around 50 new jobs in production and development in Hilden,” Perez said in her opening speech. At the same time, Yolla Levitt, Senior Vice President of the Transportation and Electronics Business Group, said 3M is committed to particularly sustainable development. “The entire 3M Group aims to halve its CO2 emissions by 2030, and in Hilden we will achieve this goal as early as 2022,” Levitt emphasised. “The investment in the Hilden site also underlines our intention to serve the global market from the heart of Europe,” said Yvonne Mitchell, Vice President Global Lean Value Stream of the 3M Commercial Solutions Division. Plant Manager Christoph Beyer added: “With the new manufacturing facilities and state-of-the-art energy management systems in Hilden, we are now ideally positioned to meet the high expectations of our customers worldwide in terms of delivery capability, product quality and sustainability.”
After the official “Ribbon Cut”, the guests present were then able to tour the new facilities in small groups. A “Virtual Reality Tour” provided the visitors with additional information. On the concluding panel, Yolla Levitt, Silvia Perez, Heike Nietgen, Area Division Leader of the 3M Commercial Solutions Division and Plant Manager Christoph Beyer discussed how to shape the future of graphic solutions.
Numbers, data, facts
Construction of the 105 by 25 metre hall began back in 2018. A few figures demonstrate the impressive size of the construction project: 37 kilometres of cables were laid, around 700 tonnes of steel were used, 3,000 square metres of concrete were poured and 8 kilometres of supply lines were laid. The new building is designed to be used for 60 to 70 years.
5 million square metres per year
The new hall houses two state-of-the-art production lines for film production and film coating. The films are used for individual, personal vehicle design as well as for advertising and promotional activities. The new facilities are designed for the highly automated production of five million square metres of film per year.
Customers who were unable to attend the live opening event can view highlights of the opening as well as videos about the construction project and the new facilities at two virtual events in November.