3M has unveiled a state-of-the-art testing facility for its expanding portfolio of fall protection solutions, complete with a research and development tower. The testing facility is located within 3M’s Fall Protection campus in Cottage Grove, Minn. and will be fully functional by the end of 2013.

The new facility, which was designed to test according to global fall protection regulatory standards, gives the 3M Research and Development team an innovative environment to collaborate, and design safe, secure solutions for those who work at height.  3M will test harnesses, connecting and anchorage devices, lifeline systems, confined space equipment, and escape and rescue products at this facility.

“We are proud of our testing facility and consider it technologically advanced within the industry,” said Stephanie Mathers, 3M Global Fall Protection Business Leader. “Not only is it developed to test products to global fall protection standards, it is built as an investment for the future as standards change and new technologies emerge.”

The new facility is part of 3M’s company-wide commitment to exploring new technological possibilities. Earlier this year, 3M also announced plans to build a $150 million research and development lab building at its headquarters campus in Maplewood, Minn.

About 3M

3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that makes life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs 88,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

About 3M Personal Safety Division

3M offers a comprehensive, diverse portfolio of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) solutions providing respiratory protection, hearing protection, fall protection, reflective materials for high-visibility apparel, protective clothing, protective eyewear, head and face protection, welding helmets, and other adjacent products and solutions such as tactical safety equipment, detection, monitoring equipment, protective communications equipment and compliance management. In 2012, 3M celebrated 40 years of occupational health and safety leadership – recognizing the company’s respiratory and hearing protection solutions introduced in 1972. Visit www.3M.com/PPESafety or http://m.3m.com/PPESafety. You can also follow 3M’s Personal Safety Division on Twitter at https://twitter.com/3MSafetyUS.