3M Company is a $32 billion diversified manufacturer best known for Post-it Notes, Scotch Tape, and a catalog of more than 60,000 products spanning safety equipment, healthcare supplies, consumer goods, electronics, industrial abrasives, and adhesives. The company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, with manufacturing facilities across the United States and internationally.
3M operates a formal supplier diversity program with NMSDC and WBENC corporate membership. For diverse businesses in manufacturing, raw materials, professional services, and corporate services, 3M is a realistic opportunity.
3M's supplier diversity program
3M's supplier diversity program is managed through the company's procurement organization. The company is an NMSDC corporate member, WBENC corporate member, and participates in veteran business and LGBTBE programs.
3M reports supplier diversity spend in its annual Sustainability Report (available at 3m.com/sustainability). The company tracks diverse spend against annual goals and has set commitments in the context of its broader supplier inclusion efforts.
3M's domestic operations are concentrated in Minnesota, South Dakota (Brookings), Illinois (Cynthiana), Georgia (Athens), and other states with manufacturing facilities. Its corporate headquarters in Maplewood, MN (suburban Twin Cities) is a significant procurement center.
Certifications accepted
3M accepts:
MBE: NMSDC certification from a regional affiliate. Consistently tracked as an NMSDC corporate member.
WBE: WBENC certification.
SDVOSB/VOSB: Veteran-owned business certifications.
WOSB: SBA WOSB certification.
LGBTBE: NGLCC certification.
DOBE: Disability:IN certification.
SDB / 8(a): SBA certification.
HUBZone: SBA HUBZone certification.
NMSDC MBE and WBENC WBE are the most actively tracked at 3M. For services procurement, WBENC WBE and NGLCC LGBTBE certifications align with 3M's active corporate memberships.
How to register
3M uses SAP Ariba for procurement management. Supplier registration is managed through the Ariba Network.
Registration steps:
- Create or log in to the SAP Ariba Supplier Portal at ariba.com.
- Access 3M's supplier registration through the link at 3m.com/suppliers or through a specific Ariba invitation.
- Complete the supplier profile: company information, UEI, NAICS codes, certifications, and capabilities.
- Upload current diversity certification documents.
- Select commodity categories relevant to 3M's sourcing.
- Submit for review.
3M's procurement teams search Ariba by commodity code. Accurate NAICS and commodity codes increase discoverability.
Product and service categories
3M's diversified product base creates broad sourcing needs:
Raw materials: Specialty chemicals, polymers, films, and raw material inputs for 3M's manufacturing processes. Large-volume, recurring category but highly specialized.
Packaging: Corrugated boxes, labels, and protective packaging for 3M's finished goods distribution.
MRO and industrial supplies: Maintenance supplies, tooling, safety equipment, and operating supplies for 3M's manufacturing facilities.
Logistics and distribution: Freight, warehousing, and distribution for 3M's domestic supply chain.
Professional services: Legal, consulting, HR, training, and communications.
Marketing and creative services: Advertising, digital marketing, events, and branded content for 3M's consumer and commercial brands.
IT and technology: Software development, cloud services, analytics, and cybersecurity.
Facilities management: Building services, maintenance, and construction for 3M's Minnesota headquarters and U.S. manufacturing facilities.
Printing and business services: Document management, office supplies, and print production.
For diverse businesses without manufacturing or technical backgrounds, professional services, marketing, IT, and logistics are the most accessible categories. For manufacturers with the right capabilities, raw materials, packaging, and MRO represent larger spend categories.
Quality and compliance requirements
3M's manufacturing supplier qualification requires quality management systems. ISO 9001 certification is generally expected for component and raw material suppliers. Environmental certifications (ISO 14001) may be required for chemical and material suppliers given 3M's environmental compliance obligations.
3M has had significant environmental litigation and compliance requirements, which means its chemical and material supplier qualification is rigorous.
Spend data and public commitments
3M's Sustainability Report includes supplier diversity metrics. The company reports on diverse supplier spend as part of its responsible sourcing commitments. 3M does not publish a specific annual diverse spend dollar figure at the Billion Dollar Roundtable level. The Sustainability Report provides the most detail publicly available.
Realistic assessment
3M is a genuine diverse supplier opportunity, particularly in the Twin Cities market where its headquarters creates professional services and corporate services procurement. Its diversified product portfolio means diverse supplier opportunities exist in virtually every category.
For manufacturing suppliers, the qualification process requires quality certifications and demonstrated production capability. 3M's manufacturing supply chain is competitive and requires investment to enter.
For professional services, marketing, and IT suppliers, the barriers are lower and the Twin Cities geography (or remote capability) is the primary access point.
3M has been navigating PFAS chemical litigation and significant restructuring in recent years, which has affected procurement patterns. New supplier relationships are still established, but procurement teams are managing cost pressure alongside diversity goals.
Timeline: 6 to 18 months for professional services. 12 to 24 months for manufacturing and technical categories.
Next steps
- Register in the SAP Ariba Network and complete your 3M supplier profile at 3m.com/suppliers.
- Review 3M's Sustainability Report for current supplier diversity metrics and commitments.
- Obtain NMSDC MBE or WBENC WBE certification if applicable.
- Attend NMSDC Annual Conference where 3M procurement participates in matchmaking.
- If you are in the Twin Cities market, connect with the local NMSDC affiliate (Minority Supplier Development Council — Upper Midwest) for direct introductions to 3M's supplier diversity contacts.
- For manufacturing categories, prepare quality certification documentation and a manufacturing capability overview before approaching 3M.
3M's broad sourcing profile and genuine program commitments make it a worthwhile target. The geographic and technical specifics of your business determine which path makes the most sense.
