3M Completes Acquisition of Aearo Technologies Inc.

3M announced today it has completed its acquisition of Aearo
Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of personal protection and energy
absorbing products.

Aearo provides a broad platform for accelerated growth. It will
significantly expand 3M´s occupational health and environmental safety
platform by adding hearing protection as well as eyewear and fall
protection product lines to 3M´s existing full-line of respiratory
products. This acquisition enables 3M to provide industrial, military
and construction customers as well as consumers with a more complete
personal protection product offering.

Aearo has achieved global recognition for its hearing and eye
protection with brand names such as E-A-R, Peltor, and SafeWaze, and
its reputation for developing high-quality, innovative products and
strong market competitiveness. 3M´s personal protective equipment
provides customers with innovative technologies and solutions that
help increase personal safety and can help enhance productivity in
markets such as first responder, industrial manufacturing, automotive,
shipbuilding, military, home improvement contractors and consumer.

Aearo was owned by funds advised by Permira, a leading global
private equity firm, and Aearo management.

About Aearo Technologies

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Aearo Technologies is a
global leader in the personal protection equipment industry. The
company manufactures and sells technologically advanced hearing
protection devices, communication headsets, non-prescription and
prescription safety eyewear, face shields, reusable and disposable
respirators, fall protection equipment and hard hats. Through its
Specialty Composites business, the company provides engineered system
solutions using a wide array of proprietary materials to control
excess noise, vibration, shock, and thermal energy. Aearo´s products
are sold in more than 70 countries.

About 3M

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 $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has
operations in more than 60 countries. For more information, visit
www.3M.com.