August 15, 2007
For Immediate Release

New President of 3M Canada Emphasizes Importance of Localized Growth

Homegrown executive Jim McSheffrey leads business in Canada

London, ON – Early in 2007, 3M Canada announced the appointment of Jim McSheffrey to lead its business and operations in Canada. As the first homegrown Canadian to lead 3M’s Canadian operations in more than 50 years, Jim McSheffrey considers himself a living example of 3M’s global emphasis on “localization”.

“A key element in 3M’s overall growth strategy is to maximize ‘local’ 3M resources. Localization provides a strategic advantage to accelerating growth, whether it’s research and development, manufacturing or supply chain management,” says McSheffrey. “That strategy is supported by appointing a number of people, like myself, to leadership positions in their home country.”

McSheffrey’s appointment represents a departure from 3M’s long established practice of using its more than 60 subsidiaries as an international finishing school for promising management talent, a practice that made it more likely for a Canadian to head up operations in Chile or Singapore, rather than Canada. Local managers now have first hand knowledge of the markets and customers they are serving, and the organization and people they are leading.

McSheffrey, 51, is an Ottawa native and a graduate of both Carleton University, BSc. 1979, and the University of Ottawa, MBA, 1983. He joined 3M Canada in 1983 as a quality engineer in the company’s Perth tape manufacturing plant. He was the Canadian organization’s Vice President of Human Resources from 1999-2003, when he was appointed the company’s Six Sigma Master Black Belt. His 24 year 3M career also includes two assignments in the U.S., first as manager of the 3M plant in Hutcheson, Minnesota, and most recently as Manufacturing Director, Energy and Advanced Materials Division in St. Paul.

McSheffrey assumes leadership of 3M Canada at a time when the global company is aiming to accelerate growth by refocusing on its core businesses, stepping up the pace of acquisitions and expanding international business.

“3M’s history is rooted in innovation and the invention of new products. To remain successful, we need to view the world through the eyes of our customers and focus on their needs,” says McSheffrey.

Contact 3M Canada PR Department.

3M is a trademark of 3M. Used under license in Canada.