Way beyond post-its

3M provides antidotes to fake degrees, power outages and more.

KARACHI: Tucked away in the Islamic Chamber of Commerce building in Karachi’s Clifton locale, Minnesota Minerals and Mining – Pakistan, more popularly known as ‘3M’, can easily be mistaken for just another small enterprise in the metropolis.

The company’s managing director, Adnan Khan, however, likes to think of 3M as a major force in the local market.

From floor cleaners to office supplies; Panaflex signs to number plates, medical and dental equipment to industrial strength adhesives, the company has been serving a diverse range of retail and industrial clients since 1994.

“At least half the population of the country is touched by 3M products,” boasted Khan in an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune. He explained that the company entered Pakistan with its flagship product ‘Scotch Brite’ in the mid-90s and soon afterwards set up a factory in Karachi.

Following the company’s global doctrine of innovation, it has continued to generate 25 per cent of total sales from products that are less than four years old.

No more fake degrees?

“We have the final solution to the fake degrees problem,” jibed Adnan Khan. He said that the company is aggressively marketing its watermark technology for identity cards and other official documents.

3M has been working with the office of the Inspector General Passports, National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and other licensing authorities in Pakistan to introduce anti-counterfeiting watermarks, among other options, to improve validation technology.

“Localisation is the key word,” stressed Adnan Khan. He explained that the focus of business in Pakistan has remained on tailor-made products designed to match the requirements of domestic consumers.

The company has introduced solar films for windows that help reduce heat load and improve efficiency of cooling systems. They are pursuing the government to pitch this product in the same way energy-saving bulbs are being pushed.

Bomb-proof window films are also being marketed to major business centres.

“We have made significant advances in nanotechnology for medical and dental products,” contended Khan. However, he added that 3M has been selective to only bring those products to Pakistan which can be afforded by consumers in the local market.

Sticking by Pakistan

“We are working with United States Agency for International Development and the American Business Council to channel funds for flood relief,” disclosed Adnan Khan.

The company’s employees  have not waited for foreign help to start contributing to the national tragedy. “Every organisation donates money to charities but we are more focused on personally helping people out,” shared Adnan.

He proudly named employees who regularly visit SOS Children’s Village and other family education services. “Above all we are Pakistanis and have to contribute to society collectively and as individuals.”

3M plans to expand its market presence. The factory at Korangi is being expanded and a new range of floor cleaners is also on the cards.

“By adding value we are building our market share and contributing to the local economy,” concluded Adnan Khan, convinced that innovation is the only way forward for the company.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2010.