The history of Imation traces back to 3M, specifically its work in magnetic recording and information storage. Long before Imation existed as a separate entity, 3M developed significant storage technologies, including early magnetic recording tape and later formats such as quarter-inch data cartridges and 3.5-inch floppy disks.[1]

During the 1990s, 3M decided to separate its data-storage and imaging operations from the parent company. On 1 July 1996, these businesses became the newly independent Imation Corporation. At launch, the new company was a substantial technology business with approximately $2.25 billion in revenue.[1]

The name Imation reflected the company’s focus on information, imaging, storage, and technology.

Upon being spun off, Imation’s portfolio was considerably broader than the storage products most consumers later associated with the brand. Its original businesses included:

• Data cartridges
• Magnetic tape
• Floppy disks
• Optical discs
• Data-storage media
• Imaging products
• Medical imaging products
• X-ray film
• Colour-proofing products

The company subsequently divested many non-storage businesses to concentrate increasingly on data-storage media.[1] This strategic shift meant Imation became closely identified with recordable storage media and removable storage rather than 3M’s broader imaging operations.

During the late 1990s and 2000s, Imation capitalised on the significant market for physical digital-storage media. Its product range included:

• Magnetic backup tapes
• Floppy disks
• CD-R and CD-RW discs
• DVD recordable media
• Flash-memory products
• External storage
• Solid-state storage
• Other removable media

The company sold products to both businesses and consumers, developing an international distribution network reaching more than 100 countries.[1] During this era, physical media were fundamental to computing; businesses relied on tape for backups and archiving, while consumers utilised floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, and USB storage.

A pivotal moment for the company was the acquisition of substantially all assets of Memorex International in 2006. Memorex was a well-established consumer electronics and recording-media brand, and the acquisition strengthened Imation’s position in the consumer storage and electronics sectors.[1] Consequently, Imation evolved beyond being solely an enterprise-storage and media company to operating a portfolio of recognisable consumer brands.

In 2007, Imation acquired the recording-media business of TDK. The transaction, valued at approximately $300 million, included optical media, magnetic tape, flash media, accessories, and consumer recording products. Imation also received rights associated with the TDK Life on Record brand.[2]

The combination of Imation, Memorex, and TDK’s recording-media businesses established the company as a significant player in the global CD and DVD media market.

As physical media markets matured, Imation sought to move beyond traditional removable media by emphasising enterprise storage, data security, and storage-management technologies.

A key acquisition in this transition was Nexsan, completed in 2012 for approximately $104.5 million in cash plus shares. Nexsan specialised in disk-based and hybrid storage systems for businesses.[1] Imation also acquired or invested in several secure storage technologies and companies, including IronKey, MXI Security, ENCRYPTX, ProStor, and Nine Technologies.[2]

The strategic objective was to transition from a company dependent on traditional physical media to a provider of enterprise storage and data-security solutions.

Imation’s primary long-term challenge was technological change. Products that had driven its success, particularly floppy disks and optical discs, were progressively replaced by hard drives, USB flash drives, cloud storage, network-attached storage, solid-state drives, online backup services, and streaming. Demand for traditional physical media declined dramatically as a result.

Although Imation attempted to adapt by pivoting towards enterprise storage and security, the transition proved difficult. Company filings describe a restructuring process in which traditional consumer-storage, audio/accessories, and commercial-storage-media businesses were wound down.[1]

By the mid-2010s, Imation was substantially smaller than during its peak. In 2016, it reported that restructuring had largely eliminated legacy businesses, leaving Nexsan as its principal remaining operating business.[1]

This transformation can be summarised as follows:

• 1996: 3M storage and imaging businesses become Imation.
• 2000s: Imation becomes a major removable-media and consumer-storage company.
• 2010s: Traditional media declines; shift towards enterprise storage and security.
• 2016–2017: Major restructuring leads to the disappearance of the original Imation business.

In January 2017, the company announced it would change its corporate name from Imation to GlassBridge Enterprises, moving away from historical data storage towards asset management and strategic investment. The name change became effective on 21 February 2017.[1]

GlassBridge was the corporate successor to Imation Corporation but did not continue the Imation consumer brand. Effectively, the corporate entity and the brand diverged.

Later in 2017, GlassBridge sold the Imation trademark to O-Jin Corporation, a South Korean company.[2] This created the modern situation where the Imation name appears on technology products despite the original American corporation no longer existing behind them. O-Jin subsequently entered into licensing arrangements allowing other companies to use the Imation name for various technology products.[2]

The modern Imation brand positions itself as a global IT-lifestyle brand, extending beyond traditional tape, CD, and DVD products into storage devices, smart devices, and PC accessories. Current branding materials emphasise products such as SSDs, storage devices, mobile peripherals, PC accessories, and smart IT lifestyle products.[3] The brand explicitly connects the name with “Information”, “Innovation”, and “Imagination”.[3]

Historical Imation vs modern Imation

Magnetic tape

Magnetic tape was a cornerstone of Imation’s historical business. Tape remains valuable for backup and archival storage due to its capacity and cost-effectiveness. Imation inherited decades of 3M expertise in magnetic recording technology.[1]

Floppy disks

Imation was one of the most recognisable names associated with floppy disks during the final decades of their widespread use, inheriting 3M’s extensive history in floppy-disk manufacturing.

CDs and DVDs

During the 2000s, Imation was a major participant in the recordable optical-media market. Its portfolio included CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, and rewritable DVD formats. The combination of Imation, Memorex, and TDK businesses provided considerable scale in this sector.[2]

Flash storage

As optical media declined, Imation expanded into flash-based products and newer removable-storage technologies. Historical filings identify flash and solid-state storage as key areas of expansion.[1]

Enterprise storage

Through Nexsan and related businesses, Imation competed in professional storage systems rather than relying exclusively on removable media.

Data security

The company moved into secure-storage products, including technologies associated with IronKey and other data-security businesses.[2]

Imation represents the transition from physical information storage to digital and cloud-era storage. Its history spans several generations of technology: magnetic tape, floppy disks, CDs/DVDs, flash drives, HDDs/SSDs, enterprise storage, and cloud-connected computing.

While successful during the era of physical information transport, many of these products eventually became obsolete or niche. This technological shift explains why a former major storage-media manufacturer eventually abandoned most of its original businesses.

Imation is accurately described as a 3M spin-off rather than a mere acquisition. 3M deliberately separated its data-storage and imaging operations into an independent publicly traded company. Shareholders received Imation shares as part of the spin-off, and Imation began trading publicly under the ticker IMN.[1]

The corporate lineage is summarised as 3M → Imation Corporation → GlassBridge Enterprises, while the trademark lineage is 3M-originated Imation brand → sold to O-Jin Corporation → licensed to subsequent technology companies.

Historically, Imation was involved with technologies that shaped everyday computing and enterprise IT, particularly magnetic recording, removable storage, and optical media. Its roots in 3M provide a direct connection to early commercial developments in magnetic data storage.[1]

The original company owned or operated several well-known brands, including Memorex, TDK Life on Record, XtremeMac, IronKey, and Nexsan.[1]

Readers should note that because the name has changed ownership and licensing arrangements, information about a current Imation product should not automatically be treated as information about the original 1996–2017 Imation Corporation. If one recalls Imation as the company selling floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, tapes, or USB storage, they are recalling the original American Imation Corporation. That entity was born from 3M in 1996, became a major storage-media company, acquired brands like Memorex and TDK’s recording-media business, attempted a transition to enterprise storage, and ultimately dismantled its traditional businesses. In 2017, the corporate entity became GlassBridge Enterprises, while the Imation name was sold separately and continues under new ownership and licensing arrangements, particularly in the Asian IT-products market.[1]

1. https://www.sec.gov
2. Imation
3. imation