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.

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