June 16, 2025 – 3M has announced a new lease agreement for a 15,250 square-foot Training and Skills Development Centre at MIRA Tech Park (MTP) in Warwickshire. The site will house advanced training facilities dedicated to 3M’s continued growth and leadership in upskilling technicians in the automotive refinish and industrial sectors.
Serving 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket and Abrasive System Divisions, this new state-of-the-art facility, which is set to open in Q1 2026, will be designed to provide attendees with development opportunities and advanced skills training. Students will enjoy an immersive experience of 3M’s standard operating procedure (SOP) focused solutions and hands-on training sessions designed to further enhance their skillsets.
This facility marks another significant milestone towards 3M’s ongoing commitment to educating and training customers across multiple industries. Collision students will have the opportunity to attend courses that cover core skills across the vehicle repair process including body repair, paint preparation and application and refinishing. The facility’s training and education opportunities will also include a wide range of industrial abrasives processes, from metal fabrication and fine surface finishing to automation.
A rapidly evolving collision repair industry has resulted in a need for qualified technicians who can tackle increasingly complex repairs. Bodyshops with properly trained staff can see greater productivity and realise increased profit margins since highly knowledgeable technicians can complete jobs faster, more efficiently and with fewer errors.
"Securing this new facility at MIRA Tech Park is a significant milestone for 3M, as it will enable us to demonstrate our skills training capabilities, address skills shortages across markets and foster innovation in a state-of-the-art environment," said Lee Roan, 3M Regional Division Sales Manager for the Automotive Aftermarket Division.
"We are excited about the opportunities this new facility will bring. It will not only support our training initiatives but also strengthen our collaboration with customers in the automotive, aerospace and general manufacturing sectors," adds Dave West, 3M Senior Manager, Abrasives Systems Division.
MIRA Tech Park is one of Europe’s leading automotive and mobility innovation hubs. Covering 850 acres, it is home to brands including Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota and ClearMotion.
“By establishing its newest UK facility at MIRA Tech Park, 3M joins a thriving network of forward-thinking organisations that are shaping the future of mobility,” said Tim Nathan, Managing Director for MIRA Tech Park. “This agreement speaks to the Tech Park’s strategic value as an industry hub where companies can not only innovate but also focus on developing the industry’s workforce and bridging critical skills gaps. We’re thrilled to support 3M as it amplifies its influence in thought leadership within this transformative sector.”
About 3M
At 3M, we aim to make what is indispensable to empower modern life, advance human progress and deliver a brighter future through 3M Science.
The UK is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, with 1,270 people across seven locations, including three manufacturing sites. Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, personal safety equipment and adhesive tapes.
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About MIRA Tech Park
Located in Nuneaton in the Midlands, MIRA Tech Park is Europe’s leading mobility R&D location for developing the latest automotive technology. It is a national centre of excellence and located in the middle of the UK automotive sector, providing access to over 40 major test facilities and the UK’s most comprehensive proving ground. MIRA Tech Park is home to over 40 global OEMs, Tier 1 and specialist automotive technology companies. The purpose-designed campus creates a unique collaborative ecosystem, bringing together world-class facilities and skilled engineers, to provide a location for innovation and technological development.
Media Contacts
Rachel OWEN, UK Brand & Communications Lead – rowen@mmm.com
