3M acquired
Original Wraps Inc., a Golden, Colo.-based
company
specializing in the creative business development,
technology and design of
personalization platforms for vehicles and vehicle
accessories. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.
This acquisition complements 3M’s Commercial Graphics
business and strengthens 3M’s personal graphics
platform. The trend and desire for graphics to
personalize everything, especially vehicles, is expected
to continue to grow exponentially. Original Wraps’
technology, design and business development provides
auto manufacturers, car dealers, automotive retailers
and wholesalers with a comprehensive selection of
front-end vehicle personalization resources in the
marketplace. 3M has worked with Original Wraps since
January 2010 to provide professional on-demand
Scotchprint® Personalized Vehicle Graphics.
“The addition of Original Wraps complements 3M’s service
offerings and allows us to enhance the customer
experience by establishing a front-end electronic
interface for vehicle personalization between dealership
customers and vehicle manufacturers, and providing 3M’s
graphics manufacturers with more business and
opportunity,” said Bob Doughty, vice president and
general manager, 3M Commercial Graphics. “Original Wraps
also serves as the foundation for a broader on-demand
ecosystem for personalization products across
3M.”
Original Wraps products are custom printed on 3M premium
films with one of thousands of unique or licensed
designs. The product is then coated with a durable
finish and custom cut to create a graphic that fits a
specific vehicle and results in a long lasting stylized
automotive makeover. With Original Wraps products,
consumers can personalize their vehicles through
thousands of vehicle dealers.
Original Wraps has developed a strong customer base in
the vehicle industry by creating web-based technology
and design, order management and installation
management. Original Wraps currently works with many of
3M’s channel partners. 3M has developed the
Scotchprint.com back-end infrastructure, which provides
a streamlined workflow, bringing together qualified
graphics manufacturers, installers, and designers with
automotive dealerships to meet customers’ desire to
personalize new consumer and commercial business
vehicles. Together, the companies will build global
scale for vehicle personalization.
"We are excited about the opportunity to come together
with 3M to build global scale into the business we’ve
developed," said Tom Stemple, president and CEO,
Original Wraps. “3M’s industry network, product
technology and global reach will help accelerate the
growth of this business." Stemple will remain with the
company.
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 make life better. 3M is the
innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27
billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people
worldwide and has operations in more than 65
countries.
For more information, visit www.3M.com.
