3M Forms E-commerce Partnership with UK Distributor
St. Paul, Minn.-based 3M has chosen Viking Industrial & Safety Supplies, a Keighley, West Yorkshire, U.K.-based distributor of industrial and safety products, to develop 3M's online e-commerce business across the United Kingdom. A main distributor for 3M since 1989, Viking has created a "landing" page on the home page of its own Web site, giving visitors immediate access to 3M's line of industrial products and making Viking the first U.K.-based tapes and adhesives distributor to offer this direct link.
"3M's aim was to allow potential online customers to buy their products via the Viking Web site in just two clicks. They chose us to pilot this flagship initiative because of the quality of our Web site, coupled with our in-depth knowledge of their products and technical online expertise," said Viking managing director Colin Bennett.
Jason Halliwell, UK trade marketing manager with 3M, said, "We see Web business becoming more and more important. We looked for key distribution partners with good Web sites that would make it easy for end-user customers to access our online products quickly and simply." The landing page can be accessed at www.vikingtapes.co.uk.