The year is 1951. The first subsidiary of 3M is established in Canada, with administrative offices located in London, Ontario. The same day the offices open, they receive their first order and just one day later, sales offices open across the country.

In 1952, a new 145,000 square foot manufacturing and packaging plant opens in London. By 1953, the plant is humming with workers filling the demand for tapes and adhesives and now abrasives. The list of imported products is expanded, stimulating diversification into new markets.

After three years in London, with net sales having doubled and the number of 3M staff increased by 70 percent, two new areas are built in 1957. A 52,000 square foot, two-story administration building is built to house up to 250 people. Manufacturing space is increased by 69,000 square feet.

By 1957, growth and increasing market diversification overtakes the administrative structure that has served 3M so well in simpler times. The resulting reorganization sets a pattern that is still familiar with 3Mers today. Divisions are formed, each headed by a manager responsible for the marketing, production, sales, quality and profits of a specific group of products. Each division operates like an individual company, with unification provided by a central management committee.

In 1960, 3M becomes Canada’s only producer of artificially coloured, ceramic coated roofing granules, opening a plant in Havelock, Ontario. 3M had invented the process some years earlier and already operates similar plants in the US.

3M Canada enters the export market in 1961 and throughout the decade expansion to office, warehouse, lab and manufacturing space, takes place.

In 1972, 3M Canada begins production of large volumes of specific products for both the Canadian and U.S. markets. It’s the beginning of a large increase in the export business and it more than doubles the number of employees in that area of the business.

In the 1970s, branch offices are opened in Toronto and Ottawa and head office in London is expanded, as is the lab. An announcement is made that two 3M Centres – one in Montreal and one in Calgary will be constructed and in the next decade, that another plant will be built – this one in Perth, Ontario.

In 1972, cardboard recycling begins at the 3M London plant and an energy conservation program is launched the next year. The London Chamber of Commerce presents 3M Canada with the Industrial Environmental.

Award and Ontario Hydro lauds the 3M commitment to the environment by honouring them with their Energy Award Another pollution reduction effort sees the introduction of 3M Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) in 1975. It leads to the reduction of over 590 million tones of pollution from manufacturing operations over the next few decades.

3M Canada receives its first French trademark with registration of Feuillets "Notocollant in the early eighties.

Construction is completed in September 1980 of the plant in Perth, Ontario. Over the next decade, expansion continues in Perth.

A new lab facility consolidates all 3M Canada research and development functions.

Morden, Manitoba is brought into the 3M family fold in 1982 as an announcement is made that a 34,000 square foot plant will be constructed on 40 acres in the community.

Encouraging excellence in education, 3M Canada introduces teaching fellowships. The fellowships recognize exceptional Canadian University professors.

3M is a major sponsor of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and the following year, 3M Canada establishes the Coaching Canada Awards aimed at honouring outstanding coaching efforts across the country. 3M Canada also announces sponsorship of the National Coaching Certification Program.

In 1990, Tartan Place, a five story glass and granite office building opens in London and an upgrade to the London Abrasive maker takes place. The factory building expands by 36,000 square feet.

In 1991, the physical size of the plant in Morden is doubled.

Then, 3M Canada purchases a 132,500 square foot building on 11 acres in Brockville, Ontario where it establishes a new pressure-sensitive tape plant.

3M Canada establishes the 3M Clinic, a partnership between 3M Canada, the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre. Located on the campus of the University of Western Ontario, the state of the art clinic provides orthopaedic care for London and surrounding communities.

3M Canada makes another extraordinary gift in September of 1999 to two new facilities in London, Ontario. The $1.5 million is to be shared between the 3M Women’s Wellness Centre of London Health Sciences Centre and the 3M Osteoporosis Centre at the Monsignor Roney Centre of the St. Joseph’s Health Sciences Centre.

Coaching remains a focus for the company and a joint venture is announced between 3M Canada and the Coaching Association in March 1990. Annual coaching awards are also established with the RCMP and the Coaching Association of Canada. Later, a partnership is announced between 3M Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation to develop an Ontario Community 3M Coach of the Year.

The company continues its philanthropic activity. A quarter of a million dollars is donated to the Parkwood Hospital Foundation in London. The donation allows members of the chronic wound and skin care team to increase and share research.

Sponsorship of the 2001 Canada Summer Games gives 3M Canada a high profile in London and surrounding communities and on nationally televised events. The focus of 3M’s commitment to the games is on the 6000 volunteers necessary to make the games a success. 3M Canada provides the stunning uniforms for the volunteers.

An announcement comes in September of 2001, telling employees that Havelock plant will close in 2002.

As the company celebrates its first 50 years, celebrations are held at branches across the country.