3M India shifts from factory hub to global GCC with 400 staff

The Story in Brief

3M India is transforming from a local manufacturing base into a global innovation and capability centre, with its Bengaluru Global Capability Centre (GCC) now employing over 400 people, up from fewer than 100 two to three years ago. Managing director Aseem Joshi said the focus is shifting from headcount growth to differentiated work on the US industrial major’s global priorities. The GCC already handles most of the company’s global analytics, data science and AI work. 3M is also evaluating bringing marketing and communications functions to India.

The company reported revenue of Rs 5,090 crore for the last financial year, a 14.5% increase, with profitable growth. Transportation and electronics contribute about 35% of India business, safety and industrial 32%, healthcare under 20%, and consumer products the rest. Products developed in India for local conditions, such as automotive insulation and road-safety materials, are now being refined and exported. India is also acting as a test bed for global launches. 3M runs three factories, an R&D centre and customer experience centres in India, and expects continued expansion over three to five years.