(Business Wire)  3M has set its sights on expanding in the West Region of China. Inge Thulin, 3M’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, debuted plans last week for the new West Region Technical Center in Chengdu, one of the largest growing cities for technology and innovation in western China.

“We will double down on our investment in Chengdu. Our new technical center will strengthen our relationship with local customers and allow 3M science to continue solving problems and improving lives across China,” said Thulin.

The science-based company has opened approximately 50 customer technical centers around the world, allowing customers to experience how the company’s science-based solutions can work for them. The West Region Technical Center will be strategically placed in a technology park in Chengdu, giving 3M access to the city’s geographical advantages and enormous market potential.

“As a part of our strategic deployment, the regional headquarters and a technical center will solidify our investment in Chengdu and drive strong regional growth,” said Jim McSheffrey, 3M’s vice president of the Greater China Area. “‘China for China’ further drives successful localization and represents the long-lasting commitment of 3M to the China market.”

Thulin joined McSheffrey, along with local dignitaries and business partners for the unveiling of the plan in Chengdu. Following the announcement, 3M demonstrated the power of its innovation with a technology summit titled Innovation Energizing Chengdu, Technology Sparking the Future. The summit showcased 3M’s cutting-edge technologies across multiple business platforms such as healthcare, electronics, transportation and local megatrends.

3M became the first wholly-owned foreign-invested enterprise in China in 1984 and has since invested more than $1 billion in the country. 3M China has now grown to more than 11 sites and 8,000 employees.

The customer technical center is set to open in November of this year. For more information about the investment see "Inspiring Innovation in China" at 3M.com/newsroom.

About 3M
At 3M, we collaborate and apply science in powerful ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with and serve customers all around the world. Learn about 3M's creative solutions to the world's problems at www.3M.com or follow @3MNewsroom on Twitter.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150320005779/en/