Allen Jacobson, former 3M Co. CEO, dies at 86 

Allen Jacobson, former 3M Co. CEO, dies at 86

Nov 03, 2012 (Menafn - Pioneer Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Allen Jacobson, a former CEO of the 3M Co. who championed research and development at the Maplewood-based manufacturing company, died Thursday, Nov. 1.

He was 86.

"Allen Jacobson's leadership of 3M was marked by strong innovation, international expansion and productivity improvement," Inge Thulin, 3M's current CEO, said in a statement Friday. Jacobson "in many ways built the foundation for the modern 3M," Thulin said.

After graduating from Iowa State University with a chemical engineering degree in 1947, Jacobson became a product engineer in 3M's tape laboratory. He moved up quickly through the company, managing 3M plants in St. Paul and Bristol, Pa. He became general manager of the industrial tape division and later oversaw 3M operations in Canada and in Europe.

From 1986 to 1991, he served as 3M's CEO.

During his time as CEO, spending on research and development at 3M increased by more than 40 percent, representing 6.5 percent of the company's sales, according to a biography from Iowa State University. In 1988 he appeared on the cover of Fortune magazine, part of a story titled "What America Makes Best," which featured several 3M products.

Jacobson lived in Naples, Fla., in his later years. A service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church located at 797 Summit Ave. in St. Paul.

John Welbes can be reached at 651-228-2175.

___ (c)2012 the Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.) Visit the Pioneer Press (St.
Paul, Minn.) at www.twincities.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

Copyright (C) 2012, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.