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3
3M COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
PART I
Item 1. Business.
3M Company was incorporated in 1929 under the laws of the State of Delaware to continue operations begun in
1902. The Company’s ticker symbol is MMM. As used herein, the term “3M” or “Company” includes 3M Company
and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise. In this document, for any references to Note 1 through
Note 19, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
Available Information
The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information
regarding issuers, including the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents
that the Company files with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. The Company files annual reports, quarterly reports,
proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The public may read and copy any materials that the Company files with the
SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
3M also makes available free of charge through its website (http://investor.3M.com) the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, amendments to those
reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company
electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.
General
3M is a diversified technology company with a global presence in the following businesses: Industrial and
Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics;
and Electro and Communications. 3M is among the leading manufacturers of products for many of the markets it
serves. Most 3M products involve expertise in product development, manufacturing and marketing, and are subject
to competition from products manufactured and sold by other technologically oriented companies.
At December 31, 2011, the Company employed 84,198 people (full-time equivalents), with 33,128 employed in the
United States and 51,070 employed internationally.
Business Segments
As discussed in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, effective in the first quarter of 2011, 3M made
certain product moves between its business segments in its continuing effort to drive growth by aligning businesses
around markets and customers. Segment information presented herein reflects the impact of these changes for all
periods presented.
3M continues to manage its operations in six operating business segments: Industrial and Transportation; Health
Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics; and Electro and
Communications. 3M’s six business segments bring together common or related 3M technologies, enhancing the
development of innovative products and services and providing for efficient sharing of business resources. These
segments have worldwide responsibility for virtually all 3M product lines. Certain small businesses and lab-sponsored
products, as well as various corporate assets and expenses, are not attributed to the business segments. Financial
information and other disclosures relating to 3M’s business segments and operations in major geographic areas are
provided in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Industrial and Transportation Business: The Industrial and Transportation segment serves a broad range of markets,
such as automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and automotive aftermarket (auto body shops and
retail), renewable energy, electronics, paper and packaging, food and beverage, and appliance. Industrial and
Transportation products include tapes, a wide variety of coated and non-woven abrasives, adhesives, specialty
materials, filtration products, energy control products, closure systems for personal hygiene products, acoustic
systems products, and components and products that are used in the manufacture, repair and maintenance of
automotive, marine, aircraft and specialty vehicles. In 2011, 3M acquired Winterthur Technologie AG, a leading