3M 2009 Annual Report Download - page 15

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9
* Acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other unusual events resulting from portfolio management actions
and other evolving business strategies, and possible organizational restructuring could affect future results. The
Company monitors its business portfolio and organizational structure and has made and may continue to make
acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures and changes to its organizational structure. With respect to acquisitions,
future results will be affected by the Company’s ability to integrate acquired businesses quickly and obtain the
anticipated synergies.
* The Company’s future results may be affected if the Company generates fewer productivity improvements than
estimated. The Company utilizes various tools, such as Lean Six Sigma, to improve operational efficiency and
productivity. There can be no assurance that all of the projected productivity improvements will be realized.
* The Company’s future results may be affected by various legal and regulatory proceedings, including those
involving product liability, antitrust, environmental or other matters. The outcome of these legal proceedings may
differ from the Company’s expectations because the outcomes of litigation, including regulatory matters, are often
difficult to reliably predict. Various factors or developments can lead the Company to change current estimates of
liabilities and related insurance receivables where applicable, or make such estimates for matters previously not
susceptible of reasonable estimates, such as a significant judicial ruling or judgment, a significant settlement,
significant regulatory developments or changes in applicable law. A future adverse ruling, settlement or unfavorable
development could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of
operations or cash flows in any particular period. For a more detailed discussion of the legal proceedings involving
the Company and the associated accounting estimates, see the discussion in Note 14.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
3M’s general offices, corporate research laboratories, and certain division laboratories are located in St. Paul,
Minnesota. The Company operates 72 manufacturing facilities in 28 states. The Company operates 105
manufacturing and converting facilities in 35 countries outside the United States.
3M owns substantially all of its physical properties. 3M’s physical facilities are highly suitable for the purposes for
which they were designed. Because 3M is a global enterprise characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation,
properties are often used by multiple business segments.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Discussion of legal matters is incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 8, Note 14, “Commitments and
Contingencies,” of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings.”
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None in the quarter ended December 31, 2009.