18 October 2008
The Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure Center (BIEL) hosted the 4th Annual Trade Fair for U.S. products and services. The yearly business conference - entitled 'Made in America' - took place between October 9 and 11 and was organized by the U.S. Commercial Service and American-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce. As a loyal and reputed participant in the exhibition, Soci?t? Nada N. Nehme (NNN) was proud to be one of the first exhibitors visited by the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele Sison directly following her speech delivered to commemorate the opening of the event. Since 1982, NNN has been the exclusive distributor of 3M Company (formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company) products in the country. With over 75,000 employees worldwide and operations in more than 60 countries, 3M supplies premium quality laminates, adhesives, abrasives, dental products, electrical materials and circuits, passive fire protection and optical films. Household brand names such as 'Scotch Tape' and 'Post-it Notes' are two such products. Soci?t? Nada N. Nehme began its ascent in war-torn Lebanon as early as 1982. Built on the tireless efforts of its CEO, Ms. Nada Nehme, the company worked its way up to an esteemed position in the market and is recognized today as one of the country's most important and trustworthy business establishments. Perhaps the most illustrious of the 3M products sold by NNN is the 'Scotchshield Ultra High Performance Safety and Security Film'. With the emergence of a global threat posed by international terrorism in recent years, in addition to violent and unpredictable weather patterns, the significance of applying protective film on glass surfaces has become an absolute necessity. Moreover, the security film is tear- and penetration- resistant, so it provides an invaluable last line of protection against injuries caused by flying glass, and acts as a deterrent and guard against damage to property as a result of smash-and-grab crimes. In addition, the famed 3M product can also serve as an insulator, providing protection against the sun's harmful UV rays and reducing air conditioning costs due to summer heat when applied to glass building windows, doors and other related fixtures. Organizations and business establishments across the world are fully aware of the importance of a product like 'Scotchshield,' which has become a standardized feature of any structure or vehicle, especially in areas of the world exposed to a high risk of extreme weather, crime or terrorist attacks. In fact, NNN's stand at the 'Made in America' symposium featured an elaborate setup, displaying the striking difference between shattered car glass that is unprotected by security and safety film and a glass surface that has been protected by the 3M product. In case of an accident, shattered flying glass from a broken unpadded window can result in unnecessary cuts and bruises for the otherwise unharmed vehicle occupant. Conversely, the window protected by 'Scotchshield' leaves the glass shards firmly intact and the driver/passenger escapes unscathed. Furthermore, the vast array of manufactured goods that Soci?t? Nada N. Nehme offers includes dirt- and moisture-stopping floor matting for both indoor and outdoor use. These mats are specially designed with flexible vinyl loops that trap mud, dirt and moisture and safely keep them out of sight. Three different mat types are available: 'Nomad' and 'Enhance 6500' are intended for medium traffic, while the 'Enhance 8850' can support heavy use (by over 400,000 people per year). The door rugs are visually attractive, exceptionally durable and can be cleaned simply by being turned over and shaken or vacuumed. They can be put to use in homes, elevators and building entrances, as well as in restaurants, hotels and hospitals.
Overall, the sheer volume of products and services that NNN exhibited at their 'Made in America' stand demonstrates exactly how intertwined and important 3M items are in our everyday lives. From 'Scotchtape' and 'Post-it Notes' to 'Scotchshield' and other essential creations, NNN has made quality and reliability synonymous with the 3M name for every Lebanese.
Copyright The Daily Star 2008.
