3M lends expertise for London 2012 Olympics

Amidst the buzz and excitement of the London Olympics, 3M has tapped into a whole host of opportunities in preparation for the Games.

3M came onboard for the London Olympics to provide solutions in the spheres of large format graphics, vehicle wraps and digital media. Sponsors approached the global innovations giant in a bid to creatively promote brands and enhance transport and pedestrian signage to guide people to the events and mark out the Olympic Route Network that will be used by competitors and officials.

All of these areas have provided major opportunities for 3M, allowing sponsors to leverage on a whole host of the  solutions such as Controltac film for wrapping vehicles and buildings; Stamark road marking tapes; high performance reflective sheeting and bonding solutions for street and station signs and 3MGTG interactive digital display solutions.

Global sponsor Visa chose 3M to supply graphic film to both brand its point of sale areas around the Olympic venues and assemble kits of branded merchandise for sale.

Business Development Manager Gary Copperthwaite said: “We have been selected as a full service provider which is a great opportunity for us to work closely with a major brand. The contract has involved us organising the printing and delivery of the wall graphics and banners and the coordination of merchandise kits at the Bedford site.”

The Commercial Graphics team also worked closely with a number of other major sponsors on their brand activation programmes to deliver wraps for vehicles, buildings and advertising sites.

General Sales and Marketing Manager for Commercial Graphics, Dave West, said: “We have a number of significant opportunities for our graphic solutions and have had our film specified for many applications, including wraps for floors, walls and advertising sites as well as vehicles to transport officials and competitors.”

The Olympic organisers aim to get 100 per cent of spectators to the Games by public transport, walking or cycling, with a major investment generated towards rail and station refurbishment.

Dave added: “Upgraded infrastructure provided another major opportunity for us and we have had a number of successes with London Underground supporting its programme to upgrade tube lines and stations linked to Olympic venues. Our film has been chosen to upgrade internal and external train livery and station graphics as well as for a ground-breaking advertising campaign involving a wrap covering an entire train.”

A multi-million pound investment has also been made in the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network, which provides links to several venues including the Olympic Park.

David Flint, Sales Executive for the Infrastructure Protection Division, said: “3M supplied the paint to refurbish the carriage doors on the DLR line as well as products such as graffiti control paint. In preparation for the Games, we are also providing anti-corrosion paint solutions to refresh the interior and exterior of the carriages for the whole fleet.”

Stamark road marking tapes are also being utilised for use on the Olympic Route Network as an alternative to traditional thermoplastic white lines.

Claire Fletcher, Marketing Manager for 3M Traffic Safety Systems, said: “Stamark tapes are highly reflective, even under water, and can be easily applied and removed as they are self-sticking. This makes them ideal for creating temporary routes as they won’t damage the road surface when they are removed.”

3M Sri Lanka began its operations in 1994 and has established itself a firm footing in diverse industries such as healthcare, electro communication, infrastructure, construction, automotive aftermarkets, occupational health, safety and security and consumer and office.

Reputed in the respective industries for its long-term, durable products, the company currently provides corporate and premium signage materials and 3M film to leading corporates and their branch networks in Sri Lanka.