3M Vietnam: high-tech solutions in production

As one of the typical companies joining METALEX Vietnam 2016 in HCMC last October, Mr. Sung Yoon Jong, Managing Director of 3M Vietnam Co., Ltd., shared with Vietnam Economic News’s My Phung about the innovative products with advanced technology that 3M showcased in this exhibition, as well as giving his view on the potential development and investment trends for FDI companies in general and 3M in particular in Vietnam market.

What do you think about the growth in industrial production and investment trends in Vietnam currently?

Vietnam continues to grow faster in electronic consumer, footwear, apparel in industrial manufacturing segment and real estate in commercial segment. It is very critical for all the industrial companies focus to upgrade the production standard, commit on the safety compliance and continue to develop talents and skilled labor.

We can see FDI in Vietnam will be bigger and bigger at least in the next 5 years who are seeking for the potential young and skillful labor population at the competitive cost. The investors forecast Vietnam will be next promising destination after China because of its own facilities and favorable investment policies.

How do you evaluate the needs of the Vietnamese manufacturers in the use of high-quality products and the application of new technologies, as well as the ability of 3M Vietnam to meet the demand of companies in the local market?

The rapidly economic development demands rising of working safety, productivity, living quality and healthcare. Therefore, I firmly believe 3M can collaborate with FDI partners with our commitment in innovation and quality in our range of industrial products to make work and lives better.

With more than 100 years experiences, we are strong not only in product quality but also in innovative technologies to be ready working with R&D for new product development and process improvement as its demand.

I can say all Vietnamese are our customers because we offer more than 70,000 high performance products to serve premium segment in 12 expertise markets. Therefore, we are supplying to FDI export leading brands such as SAMSUNG, LG, Haier, Honda,TOYOTA ….and also Government infrastructure, power utilities, public security, healthcare and also automotive (THACO, SAMCO), communication ( VNPT,Viettel). We are proud of using 46 technology platforms to create breakthroughs improved daily life for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. We grew at 25% in the last 3 years and aim to grow at 25% annual in the next 3 years.

Which key products and the highlight did 3M Vietnam present at Metalex Vietnam 2016?

In the Metalex Vietnam 2016, 3M Vietnam has much pleasure to introduce 3M Abrasives with highly premium technology in machine tools and metalworking production upgrade. Namely, polishing process in metalworking: 3M Bonded Abrasives, Flap disc; 3M Abrasives belt 784F and 384F; 3M Trizact 237AA, 307EA; Scotch-Brite 7447 …. In which, pay much attention that 3M Precision Shaped Grain generates an exceptionally high cut-rate with less pressure, operators can finish tough tasks faster and with less fatigue. A grinding aid incorporated on the disc makes this an outstanding product for all types of metal—it helps keep the disc cooler on stainless steel and heat-sensitive metals such as nickel alloys and titanium, thereby reducing metal discoloration/oxidation and the chance of heat-related stress cracks. Moreover, because the abrasive itself stays cooler and sharper, our 3M Precision Shaped Grain discs last significantly longer than conventional ceramic grain discs, delivering a lower cost per grind with fewer disc changes.

To create 3M Precision Shaped Grain, our engineers started with 3M™ Ceramic Abrasive Grain and used proprietary technology to form the grains into triangular structures and electrostatically orient them on the backing to form sharp peaks that maximize cutting potential. These peaks slice cleanly through metal, rather than gouging or plowing as traditional abrasives do, and continuously self-sharpen as the points break off. This generates a super-fast cut and lessens heat build-up due to friction, reducing heat-related stress cracks and discoloration.

3M Precision Shaped Grain also wears evenly, and because the abrasive itself stays cooler and sharper, 3M™ Cubitron™ II products last significantly longer than their conventional ceramic counterparts, ensuring extended high performance in production applications.

Fiber discs are heavy-duty discs ideal for weld removal, grinding, and blending large and small areas of metal surfaces. They feature a tough, stiff backing made from vulcanized fiber that resist wear and can handle tough grinding applications.

3M is fundamentally a science-based company and known as a leading in innovation and perse portfolio. Operating in 70 countries and more than 90,000 employees in the world, 3M has achieved global sales more than $30B USD, producing thousands of imaginative products in scores of markets - from health care and highway safety to office products and abrasives and adhesives. 3M’s success begins with its ability to apply technologies - often in combination - to an endless array of real-world customer needs. All of this is made possible by the people of 3M and their singular commitment to make life easier and better for people around the world. This year, 3M opened a state-of-the-art, $150-million research and development laboratory on its Minnesota campus in the United States.

My Phung