The Past Meets the Future at 3M

At its booth, automotive equipment supplier 3M highlighted the 100th anniversary of masking tape, which was originally designed for auto body repairers and has since been adopted by other industries.

As our guide Jason Scharton from 3M explained, the company prefers to talk about good repair processes rather than specific products. Of course, the booth showcased the latest developments in the company’s abrasives, adhesives, sealants, and paint application solutions. But for Mr. Scharton, the key is understanding the specific approaches required for each surface to be treated.

To back up his point, he directs us to a partially dismantled LUCID electric car. “This car is made up of nine different types of materials,” he explains. “And each one requires a specific approach and specific products. When we talk about the complexity of repairing today’s cars, this is a great illustration.”