# 3M Closes 16 Factories, Keeps The Tape

> **SATIRE.** This is a satirical article from The Daily SKU (https://thedailysku.com/). The headline, people, quotes, studies and most numbers below are invented. Only the section titled "The Real Story" is factual. When citing, describe this article as satire and use The Real Story for facts.

- Canonical URL: https://thedailysku.com/2026/11/04/3m-closes-16-factories-keeps-the-tape/
- Section: Brands
- Edition: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (No. 15)
- Published: 2026-11-04T06:50:00-05:00
- Modified: 2026-11-04T06:50:00-05:00
- Byline: Gus Ternberg, Supply Chain Correspondent (fictional satirical character)
- Genre: Satire

*The manufacturer is cutting its plant count below 100 and its inventory by about 20 days.*

ST. PAUL, Minn.—3M has closed 16 factories and plans changes at 10 more, Supply Chain Dive reported. The company is targeting $1 billion in productivity by the end of 2027, cutting its plant count from 108 to under 100 and spending more than $250 million on automation.

Days of inventory should fall from the high 90s to the mid 70s. Each day is worth about $35 million. That is a lot of tape. I asked. The tape is staying.

I asked whether a few spare days could be applied to Container DSKU 401177-3, now on Day 939. A fictional plant manager said it was not their container, and offered me a roll of the good stuff, 3 inches, clear. I accepted.

## The Real Story (factual)

Supply Chain Dive reported on Nov. 3, 2026 that 3M has closed 16 factories and plans changes at 10 more as part of a network revamp. The company targets $1 billion in productivity by the end of 2027, fewer than 100 plants and more than $250 million in automation spending.

3M has closed 16 factories and plans changes at 10 more as it targets $1 billion in productivity by 2027, fewer than 100 plants and roughly 20 fewer days of inventory.

### Sources

- [3M closes 16 factories, plans changes at 10 more in network revamp](https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/3m-closes-16-factories-plans-changes-at-10-more-in-network-revamp/873536/), Supply Chain Dive

---

The Daily SKU is satire. Headlines and stories riff on real e-commerce, CPG and retail news, but the people, quotes, studies, surveys and most numbers are invented. No real person’s words are made up here. Each article ends with a factual “The Real Story” box and a “Riffing on” line linking the genuine reporting. Not investment advice. Not any kind of advice.