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David Vrba was appointed the new Managing Director of 3M Česko

After ten years, a Czech executive is once again at the helm of the company. 3M Česko has a new Managing Director starting this January. The Frenchman Claude Richard, who took up the offer to lead 3M’s Polish office, was replaced by David Vrba on this position. After nearly ten years, a Czech executive is once again going to lead 3M Česko. David Vrba has been with 3M for more than 8 years. Before being promoted to the position of the Managing Director, he held the position of 3M Unitek General Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa. On his new post, he will be responsible for managing the entire Czech office including six business divisions focusing on increasing their share on the Czech market.

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After a long period, the leadership of 3M decided to appoint a Czech executive as the Managing Director and, in line with its strategy, has again chosen from its own rows. “It is indeed a great honor for me to be at the helm of the company that was voted the Best Employer in the Czech Republic last year and ranked highly in the same contest across the region as well. The Czech office has an excellent international reputation and I would like to continue in the outstanding work and sound achievements of my predecessor,” said David Vrba. “My goal will be to increase the overall awareness of 3M’s brands on the Czech market and make 3M even more a ‘Czech’ company,” stresses the new Managing Director.

David Vrba has spent his entire career in the healthcare industry. He joined 3M after six years in the German dental company ESPE that was acquired by 3M in 2001. In the beginning he had worked in 3M ESPE for the CEE region, later on also for Africa. Afterwards he moved to 3M Unitek as its Business Development Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa. This division is the leader of the regional orthodontic market. A key moment of his career in 3M was undoubtedly the taking over of responsibility for 3M Unitek operations across Europe. As part of 3M, this was the first time an executive from the Eastern Europe became responsible for European-wide business of a division.

David Vrba (38) graduated from Prague’s University of Economics. He speaks fluent English, German and Russian. He is married with two children. His hobbies include family, cottage, running and he’s very fond of traveling.

The former Czech Managing Director Claude Richard is now going to hold the 3M Managing Director position in Poland. He took the opportunity to lead the largest office in a country where 3M has its manufacturing facilities and where he will have a chance to apply and develop his experience acquired during his twenty years with 3M.

About 3M and 3M Česko

3M Česko was founded in 1991. The company currently offers commercial graphic supplies, industrial glues and abrasives, architecture supplies, office supplies, homecare products, library security products, healthcare and dental tools and materials as well as work protection equipment. 3M Česko ranked the first in the Best Employee of 2008 competition. More information can be found at: http://www.3m.cz. A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With over $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. More information can be found at: www.3M.com.