Starting out his career, Inge G. Thulin was drawn to 3M because, as he recalled in an interview, he “had this perception that an American company was a good place to be — something to do with the American dream and opportunities … where everything was possible. I liked the company because it was based on innovation, which is the big differentiator in anything you do.” Born in Sweden, Thulin harvested potatoes by hand on his uncle’s farm as a teenager. He would go on to study economics and marketing at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, working briefly at a bank before joining 3M Europe in 1979. He assumed key roles in marketing, sales, and management until 2003, when he was named 3M’s executive vice president for international operations. Thanks to his intercontinental experience and focus on growth, Thulin rose steadily through the ranks, eventually serving as chairman, president, and CEO of 3M until July 2018, when he was named executive chairman of the board until his retirement in June 2019.
With Thulin at the helm, 3M’s market cap increased from $61b to $117b. Under his leadership, the company streamlined operations, including realigning from 40 businesses to 22. Furthermore, 3M invested in research and development, which allowed it to weather global economic downturns and emerge even stronger. Reflecting on his management style, Thulin observes, “When people are engaged … then you know you have accomplished something. Then that’s a legacy with many pieces. Almost like a mosaic that is coming into place. You built something, but you didn’t do it alone. You sent a direction and you got people involved. I got people involved in what I was trying to accomplish.” During his tenure, 3M was widely admired for its commitment to diversity in the workplace and as a champion of promoting women to leadership positions. According to Thulin, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of the company’s success. As he told TheStreet, “I’m absolutely sure that when you look into an organization in terms of the diversity of ideas and understanding of the world, both in terms of demographics, geopolitical and technology, you are much better off for the future with a diverse group.”
