3M to boost graphic film production

With a global investment of £70m, 3M has set to boost production capacity. The company, which helps customers build brands and transform spaces with total graphics and signage solutions, will now be able to meet growing demand by tapping into additional capacity at the state-of-the-art facility in Hilden, Germany. Two new graphic film production lines will be capable of delivering an additional five million square metres of film every year, ensuring lead times are maintained and growth expectations can be met.

The site is being celebrated as an Industry 4.0 lighthouse plant, incorporating state-of-the-art graphic film manufacturing, leading-edge energy management systems and world class quality performance, including web inspection, defect identification and automatic converting connections. Engaging Six Sigma Black Belts to implement LEAN initiatives has allowed the plant to reach optimum efficiencies and deliver on its productivity targets, including automation and a focus on clean energy that will help the facility reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2022.