The Brownwood City Council ratified the issuance of incentive grants from the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation supporting two new projects at 3M Brownwood.

The projects, Crystal Silk Surface Shield and MicroPrismatic Reflective Sheeting production, are high tech advances developed by 3M and produced at the local plant.  Both grants offer $3500 in funding per employee hired, for five years, capped at $50,000 for the Crystal Silk Surface Shield Project and $60,000 for the MicroPrismatic Reflective Sheeting Project each year.  This amounts to a possible grant funding of $350,000 from the BEDC.

A briefing sheet of the Brownwood City Council presented by BEDC director Guy Andrews gave the following information.

3M has developed the Crystal Silk Surface Shield with glass micro-spheres that are precision coated in a polymer sheet.  This new to the world of technology provides a surface that is both irresistibly smooth while being extremely tough at the same time.  Crystal Silk resists scratches, abrasions, fingerprints, even stains and chemicals.  It has the ability to replace metals, glass or ceramics, soft touch paints, hard coat laminates and films used in any product that is touched or handled such as handled devices, appliances, architectural surfaces, sporting apparel, electronics, etc.

3M Crystal Silk Surface Shield is a new to the world technology that has the full support of high level 3M Management and is being highlighted in multiple investor relations, communications and publications as the next growth platform for 3M. This investment is required to penetrate the market and build customer loyalty for this exciting new product.

The MicroPrismatic Reflective Sheeting has been developed by 3M using a unique micro-sealing technology.  It has significant advantages with a more uniform visual appearance compared to other prismatic products and whiter base color compared to beaded sheeting.  Several new products are being developed including Advanced Engineer Grade Prismatic Sheeting and High Definition License Plate Sheeting.  The product/technology was developed in response to increasing global competitive pressures.

3M will invest over $4.5 million in 3M Crystal Silk Surface Shield and $6 million for the MicroPrismatic Reflective Sheeting on existing lines.  By 2016, 3M Brownwood will be using at least 12 employees to support the Crystal Silk product and 15 employees to support the MicroPrismatic Reflective Sheeting project with average salary and benefits costs at more than $70,000 per employee.

The ongoing investment related to these projects at 3M Brownwood will provide necessary equipment to meet full scale production operations at the plant and will allow the company to preserve current jobs and add new jobs in multiple departments and support positions.  The jobs include production operators, production supervisors, engineers, maintenance and support staff.

3M Brownwood is a global supplier of reflective sheeting and fabric, conductive material, printable inks and the new Crystal Silk Surface Shield which is in a class of its own.  These products are used in a wide variety of businesses including highway signage, license plates, consumer products and personal safety products.

Plant Manager Paul Aufenkamp expressed his appreciation for the support from the City of Brownwood and BEDC.

“Thank you very much.  One reason we recently celebrated 50 years here in Brownwood is because we receive so much support from the community,” said Aufenkamp.