3M in the UK manufactures more than $1 billion worth of goods every year – 70% of which are sold overseas. We were amazed at just how many everyday products, such as the humble Post-It note, are the work of 3M. This, together with stories of scientific leaps in fields as diverse as dentistry and automation were told in its bright and breezy Information Centre. 3M has been voted the third most innovative company in the world and taking a look at all the product developments it has made over the years, it’s easy to see why.

The reason for our visit was for Marcus and Katie to give us a greater insight to the work of 3M in the field of Water Filtration. 3M provides filter technologies that produce consistent water quality for commercial applications, reducing scale and improving taste and odour. Its aim is to protect both its customers’ brands and the consumer, by treating water and preventing damage to equipment. Its impressive client list boasts names such as McDonalds; Pret A Manger; Ebac, Coffee Nation; Nestlé and Eden - an excellent indication of its high level of service and reliability.

It seemed a simple question, but we had to ask: “Why do we need to use water filtration?” if only to reiterate the point. Marcus explained: “Vended drinks are around 98% water. Poor water quality affects beverage quality, machine reliability, energy consumption and brand reputation. Quick and efficient filter replacement means that Cuno products (under the 3M umbrella since

August 2005) save you money. Our products utilise a unique valved VH3 filter head, enabling the quick and easy change of filters.”

A scale control solution is offered in the form of ScaleGard Pro, designed for all hot beverage applications, including vending. “Utilising ion exchange resin technology to deliver high quality water to maximise product quality, it protects our clients’ machines and reputation from poor water quality.

Housed in a convenient, disposable, quick change cartridge format that is easy to install and change, it saves time and increases profit margins,” said Marcus.

The ScaleGard Pro offers a low capital cost when compared to that of a new exchange system (up to a 50% saving); its sanitary quick change (SQC) design with a valved head, means filters can be changed in minutes by machine operators, which could save up to 25% on filter service costs; and its filters are disposable, which means no return freight, saving up to £10 per unit per change compared to a pod exchange system. ScaleGard Pro delivers quality  water by reducing scale, bad taste and odour. This improves product appearance and taste, reduces down time and increases sales and profit margins.

In terms of water quality solutions, the HF Series filters utilise carbon block technology to remove dissolved chemicals and provide consistent quality hot beverages. This reduces unscheduled service calls to deal with chlorine taste and odour, as well as scale build-up in commercial coffee and tea brewers. SQC allows fast and easy change-outs with a quarter turn, while minimising the possibility of leakage and contamination. It also removes water borne cysts that are a risk to human health. With membership to and approvals from the Beverage Service Association; Automatic Vending Association;

European Point-of-Use Drinking Water Association and more, 3M’s products and services have been widely endorsed.

3M has been looking after the environment for over 30 years with its 3P’s programme - Prevention Pollution Pays. Katie explained: “The program has prevented more than 2.9 billion pounds of pollutants and helps to prevent pollution at the source. The 3P's program is a key element of 3M's environmental strategy and in moving towards sustainability. Through use of this program and others, 3M has received recognitions and accreditations for its work such as 2008 - 2009 Dow Jones Sustainability Index; Energy Start Sustained Excellence Award 2005-2009; and The Carbon Trust Standard in 2009.”

Marcus continued: “Water cooler operators are looking to become carbon neutral (achieving net zero carbon emissions) in order to increase their competitiveness. End users are interested in cutting costs wherever possible. They are looking for filters that are easy to change so that they can control labour costs, whilst maintaining high quality water that is free of impurities.” The AP2-G system utilises the same head as the AP2 system, making it a cost effective and easy to change alternative. A 53% reduction in plastic content versus the current AP2 also goes a long way to helping to meet your environmental needs, plus it fits into your existing cooler park, saving time and money.

Customisation is key for businesses nowadays and with this in mind, 3M can offer vehicle wrapping films, building graphics, interior graphics, vending machine/water cooler branding, floor graphics and window manifestations.

A range of cleaning accessories for the vending market, including Scotch Brite Scouring Pads and Wipes; together with 3M cleaning chemicals and nomad Matting, add further value to the company's core offering.

Focused in the field of hygiene monitoring, the 3M Clean-Trace Surface ATP is a user friendly surface hygiene test - with just one swab it can tell you whether surfaces and equipment are sufficiently clean - vital for preventing the spread of germs. A more advanced version, the 3M Clean-Trace Surface Protein Plus, which accesses harder to reach areas, is also available.

Leaving the 3M offices, which also house a cafe, restaurant, shops and a gym it struck us that this is very much a creative hub, where employees work hard to develop products that we can rely on. It seems the vending industry will be seeing a lot more of this innovative company in the future ...watch this space.

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