As part of Manufacturing Month, 3M's plant in Clinton, Tennessee, is hosting Walmart and the Manufacturing Institute to celebrate our shared commitment to creating jobs and investing in the diverse, skilled workforce of tomorrow.

The plant’s 125 employees manufacture a range of products, including Filtrete™ Filters and 3M™Thinsulate™ Insulation for the automotive industry. The growing plant has added 100 employees in the past year alone – a figure noted by local elected officials, members of the Manufacturing Institute -- the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturing -- and Walmart executives during a visit Oct. 17.

The event highlighted how the two companies with a shared vision work together, innovating for their customers, pursuing sustainable practices and helping create job opportunities that command higher skills and help fuel economic growth.

“We are delighted to join together with 3M and Walmart in celebrating the job growth that these two companies have brought to Clinton,” said Clinton Mayor Tim Burton. “We’re proud we are making products that help deliver cleaner air to homes and for the automotive industry here in our community.”

3M is a longtime leader in sustainability and recently announced bold new goals for renewable energy use, advancing the circular economy, and embedding sustainability in all new products. Together with its employees, customers, partners, governments and communities, 3M is committed to a science-based, collaborative approach to solving shared global challenges and improving lives.

3M received Gold Level recognition as a responsible supplier by EcoVadis in their global corporate social responsibility rankings and has been recognized for six consecutive years as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies (Ethisphere Institute). 

“We’re pleased to be part of the Clinton community, to support the growth and sustainability of this vibrant area,” said Jolene Conard, vice president and general manager of 3M’s Construction & Home Improvement Markets division. “Today we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate local manufacturing and the creation of jobs with our retail partner Walmart along with our employees, local officials, educational partners and community leaders.”

During the visit, 3M announced donations to two local educational initiatives to highlight their shared commitment to encouraging careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The grants were made to NeXxus, a student-led organization at the University of Tennessee connecting women to supply chain careers, and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, a partner in training the manufacturing workforce of the future. 

“At Walmart, more than 80 percent of our customers have told us where our products come from matters to them because supporting job creation is important,” said Scott Gutche, senior director of U.S. Manufacturing. “We value what they tell us, and that’s why almost two-thirds of what we buy and sell is sourced, grown or manufactured here at home. Customer feedback was also a key reason why, six years ago, we committed to invest an additional $250 billion in goods that support the creation of American jobs.”

The tour of the 772,000-square-foot plant also served to highlight Manufacturing Month. Manufacturing Day (Oct. 4) was first established in 2012 by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International. Events have since grown to encompass the entire month and give manufacturers the opportunity to address the skills gap, connect with future generations, update the public perception of manufacturing and ensure the ongoing health of the industry as a whole.

“With more than half a million open jobs right now and 4.6 million that will need to be filled by 2028, manufacturers are looking for the best and brightest to join them,” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Throughout October, manufacturers across the country are opening their doors to open more minds about the possibility of a career in modern manufacturing. 3M and Walmart are leaders in this campaign to grow the workforce of tomorrow by connecting with the next generation and sharing manufacturers’ call: ‘Creators Wanted.’”