3M announced on Friday that it was reorganising its businesses into seven units from six and shuffling its management team, in order to sharpen its focus on markets and customers. It has organised itself into business segments since the 1980s, with the number of segments varying between two and six. The most recent structure has been in place for around three years. The new structure and leadership will become effective on 1 October, but there will be a three-month transition period with the segment reporting for the new organisation effective January 2003.
The company is to split its largest unit - transportation, safety and graphics - into three new businesses, with the retirement of manager Ronald Weber. Safety, security and protection services will be managed by Fred Palensky, display and graphics by Jim Stake, and transportation by Steve Landwehr.
In addition, 3M said that Chuck Reich, formerly executive vice president of electro and communications, would take over from John Benson who is retiring as head of the health care business, and Brad Sauer who has been leading the Six-Sigma quality effort would take over Reich’s position at electro and communications.
Paul Guehler, vice president of research and development is also retiring and will be replaced by Jay Ihlenfeld, currently executive vice president of Sumitomo 3M. The consumer and office business will continue to be led by Moe Nozari and the industrial unit by Harold Weins.
30-Sep-2002
