John Haglund is a highly accomplished executive with over 40 years of experience leading global manufacturing and supply chain operations. His distinguished career at 3M, where he held multiple leadership roles including Vice President of Manufacturing, reflects a deep commitment to operational excellence, vendor partnerships, and strategic transformation. John brings unmatched expertise in managing complex, global businesses across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., with a focus on consumer electronics, technology hardware, renewable energy, and film-based product manufacturing.

Throughout his tenure at 3M, John led large-scale manufacturing divisions with revenues exceeding $2 billion. His leadership style is grounded in data-driven decision-making, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and a collaborative approach to driving continuous improvement. John successfully guided multi-national teams in navigating intricate supply chains, optimizing production efficiency, and launching innovative products across geographies. His deep knowledge of end-to-end manufacturing—spanning from lab development to pilot scale-up and plant production—makes him a valuable asset to any board or executive team.

John’s career has been shaped by extensive international exposure, especially across Southeast Asia. He has worked in and traveled to Southeast Asia nearly 200 times, and maintains robust business ties in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. These decades of global engagement have refined his cross-cultural fluency and reinforced his reputation as a reliable and strategic partner in navigating regional markets. John’s success in building vendor alliances and managing co-manufacturing and joint development agreements is a testament to his deep understanding of global business ecosystems.

In addition to his operational expertise, John played a pivotal role in 3M’s corporate M&A strategy. As Strategy & Integration Manager, he was responsible for supply chain integration during mergers and acquisitions, identifying synergies, managing execution risk, and delivering long-term value. His ability to align strategic intent with operational realities is particularly valuable to organizations facing transformation, expansion, or divestiture.

Currently serving as President of Haglund Consulting, LLC, John advises mid- to large-scale manufacturing companies on corporate strategy, supply chain design, and product commercialization—particularly in the emerging electric vehicle (EV) market. His consulting work emphasizes practical innovation, resilience in global operations, and the implementation of advanced manufacturing techniques.

John’s professional training includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Chemistry from Augustana College. He also holds certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC, which complement his strong technical and business foundation. These academic and professional experiences have empowered John to operate seamlessly at the intersection of engineering, business strategy, and organizational leadership.

John’s unique ability to balance technical depth with executive foresight has helped organizations unlock operational efficiencies, achieve quality improvements, and navigate complex regulatory environments. Whether integrating newly acquired operations or leading global product launches, his consistent focus on measurable outcomes and stakeholder alignment ensures success at scale.

Despite his many accomplishments, John remains grounded and committed to making a meaningful impact. He enjoys the advisory nature of board roles, where he can help shape organizational strategy, share lessons from his career, and support leadership teams with integrity and insight. His approachable nature, combined with his wealth of experience, makes him a valued mentor, collaborator, and contributor.

As he continues to expand his advisory and board portfolio, John is particularly interested in companies focused on manufacturing, technology hardware, industrial products, and clean energy. His vision is to support organizations that are evolving their operational models or entering new markets—and to do so with the same rigor, thoughtfulness, and excellence that defined his four-decade career.

Character: 
John is a principled and purpose-driven leader known for his integrity, reliability, and strong work ethic. He leads by example, empowering teams and fostering trust through consistent, respectful communication and action.

Knowledge: 
With 40 years of operational and technical expertise, John possesses deep industry knowledge across manufacturing, supply chain, and global strategy. His hands-on experience and sharp analytical skills enable him to solve complex challenges with clarity and confidence.

Strategic: 
John is a forward-thinking executive with a strong ability to connect strategy with execution. His M&A, market expansion, and operational transformation experience make him a valuable contributor to any board seeking sustainable growth.

Communication: 
John is an effective communicator, skilled at bridging technical teams and executive leadership. His collaborative approach fosters alignment, accelerates decision-making, and ensures transparent stakeholder engagement.