Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

 

Commission file number:  1-3285

 

3M COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

41-0417775

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

3M Center, St. Paul, Minnesota

 

55144

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(651) 733-1110

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2012

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

 

693,872,048 shares

 

This document (excluding exhibits) contains 65 pages.

The table of contents is set forth on page 2.

The exhibit index begins on page 62.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

3M COMPANY

Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

BEGINNING
PAGE

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Index to Financial Statements:

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Income

3

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

4

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

5

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

6

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Note 1.   Significant Accounting Policies

7

 

Note 2.   Acquisitions

9

 

Note 3.   Goodwill and Intangible Assets

10

 

Note 4.   Supplemental Equity and Comprehensive Income Information

12

 

Note 5.   Income Taxes

14

 

Note 6.   Marketable Securities

15

 

Note 7.   Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

17

 

Note 8.  Derivatives

18

 

Note 9.  Fair Value Measurements

23

 

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

27

 

Note 11. Stock-Based Compensation

35

 

Note 12. Business Segments

39

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

40

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

Index to Management’s Discussion and Analysis:

 

 

Overview

41

 

Results of Operations

43

 

Performance by Business Segment

46

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

51

 

Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results

55

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

56

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

58

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

59

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

59

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

61

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

61

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

61

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

Other Information

61

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

62

 

2



Table of Contents

 

3M COMPANY

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2012

PART I.  Financial Information

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

 

3M Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions, except per share amounts) 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net sales

 

$

7,486

 

$

7,311

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

3,889

 

3,802

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,552

 

1,533

 

Research, development and related expenses

 

411

 

398

 

Total operating expenses

 

5,852

 

5,733

 

Operating income

 

1,634

 

1,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense and income

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

40

 

43

 

Interest income

 

(9

)

(10

)

Total interest expense — net

 

31

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

1,603

 

1,545

 

Provision for income taxes

 

462

 

442

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

$

1,141

 

$

1,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

16

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to 3M

 

$

1,125

 

$

1,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding — basic

 

696.8

 

711.5

 

Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders — basic

 

$

1.61

 

$

1.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding — diluted

 

706.1

 

726.4

 

Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders — diluted

 

$

1.59

 

$

1.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per 3M common share

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.55

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

3M Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

$

1,141

 

$

1,103

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

134

 

242

 

Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment

 

97

 

76

 

Debt and equity securities, unrealized gain (loss)

 

3

 

(1

)

Cash flow hedging instruments, unrealized gain (loss)

 

(15

)

(17

)

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

219

 

300

 

Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interest

 

1,360

 

1,403

 

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

5

 

(16

)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to 3M

 

$

1,365

 

$

1,387

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

4



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3M Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amount)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,332

 

$

2,219

 

Marketable securities — current

 

1,399

 

1,461

 

Accounts receivable — net

 

4,323

 

3,867

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

1,609

 

1,536

 

Work in process

 

1,112

 

1,061

 

Raw materials and supplies

 

840

 

819

 

Total inventories

 

3,561

 

3,416

 

Other current assets

 

1,238

 

1,277

 

Total current assets

 

12,853

 

12,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities — non-current

 

763

 

896

 

Investments

 

160

 

155

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

21,484

 

21,166

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

(13,729

)

(13,500

)

Property, plant and equipment — net

 

7,755

 

7,666

 

Goodwill

 

7,090

 

7,047

 

Intangible assets — net

 

1,865

 

1,916

 

Prepaid pension benefits

 

43

 

40

 

Other assets

 

1,486

 

1,656

 

Total assets

 

$

32,015

 

$

31,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

 

$

664

 

$

682

 

Accounts payable

 

1,779

 

1,643

 

Accrued payroll

 

473

 

676

 

Accrued income taxes

 

423

 

355

 

Other current liabilities

 

2,069

 

2,085

 

Total current liabilities

 

5,408

 

5,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

4,510

 

4,484

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

3,686

 

3,972

 

Other liabilities

 

1,792

 

1,857

 

Total liabilities

 

$

15,396

 

$

15,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

3M Company shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock par value, $.01 par value, 944,033,056 shares issued

 

$

9

 

$

9

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,894

 

3,767

 

Retained earnings

 

28,858

 

28,348

 

Treasury stock, at cost: 250,161,008 shares at March 31, 2012; 249,063,015 shares at December 31, 2011

 

(11,794

)

(11,679

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(4,785

)

(5,025

)

Total 3M Company shareholders’ equity

 

16,182

 

15,420

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

437

 

442

 

Total equity

 

$

16,619

 

$

15,862

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

32,015

 

$

31,616

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

5



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3M Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

$

1,141

 

$

1,103

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interest to net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

313

 

289

 

Company pension and postretirement contributions

 

(337

)

(61

)

Company pension and postretirement expense

 

180

 

135

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

103

 

116

 

Deferred income taxes

 

44

 

3

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

(28

)

(15

)

Changes in assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(431

)

(469

)

Inventories

 

(96

)

(180

)

Accounts payable

 

118

 

80

 

Accrued income taxes (current and long-term)

 

221

 

137

 

Product and other insurance receivables and claims

 

(74

)

(39

)

Other — net

 

(326

)

(366

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

828

 

733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment (PP&E)

 

(261

)

(231

)

Proceeds from sale of PP&E and other assets

 

4

 

2

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(471

)

Purchases of marketable securities and investments

 

(900

)

(757

)

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities and investments

 

539

 

363

 

Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities

 

574

 

376

 

Other investing

 

1

 

(6

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(43

)

(724

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Change in short-term debt — net

 

(18

)

12

 

Repayment of debt (maturities greater than 90 days)

 

(15

)

(104

)

Proceeds from debt (maturities greater than 90 days)

 

6

 

107

 

Purchases of treasury stock

 

(524

)

(680

)

Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock pursuant to stock option and benefit plans

 

213

 

378

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(410

)

(392

)

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

28

 

15

 

Other — net

 

(2

)

(33

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(722

)

(697

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

50

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

113

 

(630

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

2,219

 

3,377

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

2,332

 

$

2,747

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

3M Company and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1.  Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. These adjustments consist of normal, recurring items. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The interim consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by the requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes included in its 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Effective with 3M’s second-quarter 2011 Form 10-Q, the Company revised the amounts previously presented for cash used in investing activities and cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2011 by $33 million. This related to purchases of additional shares (noncontrolling interest) of non-wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries. These immaterial revisions increased cash used in financing activities and decreased cash used in investing activities.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

The difference in the weighted average 3M shares outstanding for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders is a result of the dilution associated with the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. Certain options outstanding under these stock-based compensation plans were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders because they would not have had a dilutive effect (19.2 million average options for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 3.6 million average options for the three months ended March 31, 2011). The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share follow:

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Earnings Per Share Computations

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to 3M

 

$

1,125

 

$

1,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for weighted average 3M common shares outstanding — basic

 

696.8

 

711.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilution associated with the Company’s stock-based compensation plans

 

9.3

 

14.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for weighted average 3M common shares outstanding — diluted

 

706.1

 

726.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders — basic

 

$

1.61

 

$

1.52

 

Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders — diluted

 

$

1.59

 

$

1.49

 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Updated (ASU) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement: Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This standard clarifies guidance on how to measure fair value and is largely consistent with existing fair value measurement principles. The ASU also expands existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and makes other amendments. For 3M, this ASU was effective prospectively beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on 3M’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment. Under this new standard, entities testing goodwill for impairment now have an option of performing a qualitative assessment before having to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. If an entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the existing quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. For 3M, this ASU was effective beginning January 1, 2012, with early adoption permitted under certain conditions. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on 3M’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which creates new disclosure requirements regarding the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. Certain disclosures of the amounts of certain instruments subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements would be required, irrespective of whether the entity has elected to offset those instruments in the statement of financial position. For 3M, the ASU is effective January 1, 2013 with retrospective application required. Since this standard impacts disclosure requirements only, its adoption will not have a material impact on 3M’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

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NOTE 2.  Acquisitions

 

3M makes acquisitions of certain businesses from time to time that the Company feels align with its strategic intent with respect to, among other factors, growth markets and adjacent product lines or technologies. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is largely attributable to the existing workforce of the acquired businesses and synergies expected to arise after 3M’s acquisition of these businesses. In addition to business combinations, 3M periodically acquires certain tangible and/or intangible assets and purchases interests in certain enterprises that do not otherwise qualify for accounting as business combinations. These transactions are largely reflected as additional asset purchase and investment activity.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, 3M did not complete any business combinations. Adjustments in the first quarter of 2012 to the preliminary purchase price allocations of other acquisitions within the allocation period were not material and related to the 2011 acquisitions of Wintherthur Technologie AG and the business acquired from GPI Group. The allocation of purchase price related to the business purchased from GPI Group in October 2011 is considered preliminary, largely with respect to certain acquired intangible assets and tax-related assets and liabilities. Refer to Note 2 in 3M’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on 3M’s 2011 acquisitions.

 

In December 2011, 3M entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Office and Consumer Products business of Avery Dennison Corp. for a total purchase price of approximately $550 million, subject to certain adjustments. The Office and Consumer Products business of Avery Dennison is a leading supplier of office and education products, including labels, binders, presentation products, filing and indexing products, writing instruments, and other office and home organization products. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions including any necessary regulatory approvals.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 3.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

No acquisitions closed during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The acquisition activity in the following table includes the net impacts of adjustments to the preliminary allocation of purchase price for prior year acquisitions, which increased goodwill by $12 million. The amounts in the “Translation and other” column in the following table primarily relate to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The goodwill balance by business segment as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, follow:

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

Acquisition

 

Translation

 

March 31, 2012

 

(Millions)

 

Balance

 

activity

 

and other

 

Balance

 

Industrial and Transportation

 

$

1,961

 

$

6

 

$

26

 

$

1,993

 

Health Care

 

1,514

 

 

5

 

1,519

 

Consumer and Office

 

228

 

6

 

3

 

237

 

Safety, Security and Protection Services

 

1,675

 

 

4

 

1,679

 

Display and Graphics

 

993

 

 

(8

)

985

 

Electro and Communications

 

676

 

 

1

 

677

 

Total Company

 

$

7,047

 

$

12

 

$

31

 

$

7,090

 

 

Accounting standards require that goodwill be tested for impairment annually and between annual tests in certain circumstances such as a change in reporting units or the testing of recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit. At 3M, reporting units generally correspond to a division.

 

Effective in the first quarter of 2012, 3M made certain product moves across divisions within its business segments, but none were across business segments. For any product moves that resulted in reporting unit changes, the Company applied the relative fair value method to determine the impact on goodwill of the associated reporting units. In addition, during the first quarter of 2012, the Company completed its assessment of any potential goodwill impairment for reporting units impacted by this new structure and determined that no impairment existed.

 

Acquired Intangible Assets

 

3M did not complete any business combinations during the three months ended March 31, 2012. As a result, balances of acquired intangible assets were primarily impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of acquired finite-lived intangible assets, in addition to the balance of non-amortizable intangible assets, as of March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, follow:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Patents

 

$

564

 

$

561

 

Other amortizable intangible assets (primarily tradenames and customer related intangibles)

 

2,251

 

2,323

 

Total gross carrying amount

 

$

2,815

 

$

2,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization — patents

 

(385

)

(374

)

Accumulated amortization — other

 

(690

)

(717

)

Total accumulated amortization

 

$

(1,075

)

$

(1,091

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total finite-lived intangible assets — net

 

$

1,740

 

$

1,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-amortizable intangible assets (tradenames)

 

125

 

123

 

Total intangible assets — net

 

$

1,865

 

$

1,916

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Amortization expense for acquired intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Amortization expense

 

$

58

 

$

54

 

 

The table below shows expected amortization expense for acquired amortizable intangible assets recorded as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

Remainder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2017

 

Amortization expense

 

$

170

 

$

214

 

$

191

 

$

178

 

$

166

 

$

152

 

$

669

 

 

The expected amortization expense is an estimate. Actual amounts of amortization expense may differ from estimated amounts due to additional intangible asset acquisitions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, impairment of intangible assets, accelerated amortization of intangible assets and other events. 3M expenses the costs incurred to renew or extend the term of intangible assets.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

NOTE 4.  Supplemental Equity and Comprehensive Income Information

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012

 

 

 

3M Company Shareholders

 

 

 

(Millions) 

 

Total

 

Common
Stock and
Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehen-
sive Income
(Loss)

 

Non-
controlling
Interest

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

 

$

15,862

 

$

3,776

 

$

28,348

 

$

(11,679

)

$

(5,025

)

$

442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

1,141

 

 

 

1,125

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

155

 

(21

)

Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans adjustment

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97

 

 

Debt and equity securities - unrealized gain (loss)

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

Cash flow hedging instruments - unrealized gain (loss)

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(410

)

 

 

(410

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation, net of tax impacts

 

127

 

127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reacquired stock

 

(534

)

 

 

 

 

(534

)

 

 

 

 

Issuances pursuant to stock option and benefit plans

 

214

 

 

 

(205

)

419

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

 

$

16,619

 

$

3,903

 

$

28,858

 

$

(11,794

)

$

(4,785

)

$

437

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2011

 

 

 

3M Company Shareholders

 

 

 

(Millions)

 

Total

 

Common
Stock and
Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehen-
sive Income
(Loss)

 

Non-
controlling
Interest

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

$

16,017

 

$

3,477

 

$

25,995

 

$

(10,266

)

$

(3,543

)

$

354

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

1,103

 

 

 

1,081

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

242

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

248

 

(6

)

Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans adjustment

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

Debt and equity securities - unrealized gain (loss)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

Cash flow hedging instruments - unrealized gain (loss)

 

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(392

)

 

 

(392

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business combination allocation to noncontrolling interest

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56

 

Purchase and sale of subsidiary shares - net

 

(33

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(33

)

Stock-based compensation, net of tax impacts

 

131

 

131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reacquired stock

 

(675

)

 

 

 

 

(675

)

 

 

 

 

Issuances pursuant to stock option and benefit plans

 

380

 

 

 

(163

)

543

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2011

 

$

16,887

 

$

3,608

 

$

26,521

 

$

(10,398

)

$

(3,237

)

$

393

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to 3M

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

$

269

 

$

114

 

Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment

 

(5,058

)

(5,155

)

Debt and equity securities, unrealized gain (loss)

 

(3

)

(6

)

Cash flow hedging instruments, unrealized gain (loss)

 

7

 

22

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(4,785

)

$

(5,025

)

 

Components of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to 3M

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net income attributable to 3M

 

$

1,125

 

$

1,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative translation

 

155

 

221

 

Tax effect

 

 

27

 

Cumulative translation - net of tax

 

155

 

248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment

 

153

 

119

 

Tax effect

 

(56

)

(43

)

Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment - net of tax

 

97

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt and equity securities, unrealized gain (loss)

 

5

 

(2

)

Tax effect

 

(2

)

1

 

Debt and equity securities, unrealized gain (loss) - net of tax

 

3

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow hedging instruments, unrealized gain (loss)

 

(24

)

(27

)

Tax effect

 

9

 

10

 

Cash flow hedging instruments unrealized gain (loss) - net of tax

 

(15

)

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to 3M

 

$

1,365

 

$

1,387

 

 

Reclassification adjustments are made to avoid double counting in comprehensive income items that are also recorded as part of net income. Reclassifications to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income including noncontrolling interest that related to pension and postretirement expense in the income statement were $153 million pre-tax ($97 million after-tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and $119 million pre-tax ($76 million after-tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2011. These pension and postretirement expense pre-tax amounts are shown in the table in Note 7 as amortization of transition (asset) obligation, amortization of prior service cost (benefit) and amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss. Cash flow hedging instruments reclassifications are provided in Note 8. Reclassifications to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income that related to realized losses due to sales or impairments (net of realized gains) for debt and equity securities were $1 million pre-tax ($1 million after-tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and not material for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Other reclassification adjustments were not material. Income taxes are not provided for foreign translation relating to permanent investments in international subsidiaries, but tax effects within cumulative translation does include impacts from items such as net investment hedge transactions.

 

Purchase of Subsidiary Shares and Transfers of Ownership Interests Involving Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries

 

As discussed in Note 2 in 3M’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, in early March 2011, 3M acquired a controlling interest in Winterthur Technologie AG (Winterthur), making Winterthur a consolidated subsidiary as of this business acquisition date. As of this business acquisition date, noncontrolling interest related to Winterthur totaled $56 million. Subsequent to this business acquisition date, 3M purchased additional outstanding shares of its Winterthur subsidiary increasing 3M’s ownership interest from approximately 86 percent as of the business acquisition date to approximately 94 percent as of March 31, 2011, and subsequently to 100 percent as of December 31, 2011. The $33 million of cash paid in the first quarter of 2011 as a result of these additional purchases of Winterthur shares was classified as other financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows. These additional purchases did not result in a material transfer from noncontrolling interest to 3M Company shareholders’ equity.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 5.  Income Taxes

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003.

 

The IRS completed its field examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2005 through 2007 in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Company protested certain IRS positions within these tax years and entered into the administrative appeals process with the IRS during the first quarter of 2010. During the first quarter of 2010, the IRS completed its field examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for the 2008 year. The Company protested certain IRS positions for 2008 and entered into the administrative appeals process with the IRS during the second quarter of 2010. During the first quarter of 2011, the IRS completed its field examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for the 2009 year. The Company protested certain IRS positions for 2009 and entered into the administrative appeals process with the IRS during the second quarter of 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, the IRS completed its field examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for the 2010 year. The Company protested certain IRS positions for 2010 and is expected to enter into the administrative appeals process with the IRS during the second quarter of 2012.

 

Currently, the Company is under examination by the IRS for its U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2011 and 2012. It is anticipated that the IRS will complete its examination of the Company for 2011 by the end of the first quarter of 2013, and for 2012 by the end of the first quarter of 2014. As of March 31, 2012, the IRS has not proposed any significant adjustments to the Company’s tax positions for which the Company is not adequately reserved.

 

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company paid the agreed upon assessments for the 2005 tax year. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company paid the agreed upon assessments for the 2008 tax year. During the second quarter of 2011, the Company received a refund from the IRS for the 2004 tax year. During the first quarter of 2012, the Company paid the agreed upon assessments for the 2010 tax year. Payments relating to other proposed assessments arising from the 2005 through 2012 examinations may not be made until a final agreement is reached between the Company and the IRS on such assessments or upon a final resolution resulting from the administrative appeals process or judicial action. In addition to the U.S. federal examination, there is also limited audit activity in several U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions.

 

3M anticipates changes to the Company’s uncertain tax positions due to the closing of various audit years mentioned above. Currently, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the amount by which the liability for unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease during the next 12 months as a result of the ongoing income tax authority examinations. The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, are $246 million and $295 million.

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. The Company recognized in the consolidated statement of income on a gross basis approximately $3 million of benefit and $2 million of benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, respectively. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, accrued interest and penalties in the consolidated balance sheet on a gross basis was $56 million. Included in these interest and penalty amounts are interest and penalties related to tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not affect the annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.

 

The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2012 was 28.8 percent, compared to 28.6 percent in the first three months of 2011, an increase of 0.2 percent. The Company’s effective tax rate was negatively impacted during the first quarter of 2012 due to the lapse of the U.S. research and development credit and adjustments to its income tax reserves. This was partially offset by a benefit to international taxes, with this benefit largely due to the geographic mix of income before taxes and the corporate reorganization of a wholly owned international subsidiary in 2011.

 

The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach. Under this approach, deferred income taxes represent the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exits. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had valuation allowances of $30 million and $82 million on its deferred tax assets, respectively. The valuation allowance was reduced in the first quarter of 2012 due to the closure of audits with certain taxing authorities.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 6.  Marketable Securities

 

The Company invests in agency securities, corporate securities, asset-backed securities, treasury securities and other securities. The following is a summary of amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for marketable securities (current and non-current).

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(Millions) 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

$

105

 

$

119

 

Foreign government agency securities

 

3

 

8

 

Corporate debt securities

 

360

 

413

 

Commercial paper

 

70

 

30

 

Certificates of deposit/time deposits

 

58

 

49

 

U.S. treasury securities

 

20

 

 

U.S. municipal securities

 

14

 

9

 

Asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile loan related

 

484

 

530

 

Credit card related

 

220

 

244

 

Equipment lease related

 

59

 

54

 

Other

 

6

 

5

 

Asset-backed securities total

 

769

 

833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current marketable securities

 

$

1,399

 

$

1,461

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

$

257

 

$

361

 

Foreign government agency securities

 

 

15

 

Corporate debt securities

 

275

 

255

 

U.S. treasury securities

 

39

 

34

 

U.S. municipal securities

 

5

 

5

 

Auction rate securities

 

5

 

4

 

Asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile loan related

 

99

 

188

 

Credit card related

 

39

 

24

 

Equipment lease related

 

44

 

10

 

Asset-backed securities total

 

182

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current marketable securities

 

$

763

 

$

896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total marketable securities

 

$

2,162

 

$

2,357

 

 

Classification of marketable securities as current or non-current is dependent upon management’s intended holding period, the security’s maturity date and liquidity considerations based on market conditions. If management intends to hold the securities for longer than one year as of the balance sheet date, they are classified as non-current. At March 31, 2012, gross unrealized losses totaled approximately $9 million (pre-tax), while gross unrealized gains totaled approximately $4 million (pre-tax). At December 31, 2011, gross unrealized losses totaled approximately $12 million (pre-tax), while gross unrealized gains totaled approximately $3 million (pre-tax). Gross realized gains and losses on sales or maturities of marketable securities for the first three months of 2012 and 2011 were not material. Cost of securities sold use the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Since these marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale securities, changes in fair value will flow through other comprehensive income, with amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income into earnings upon sale or “other-than-temporary” impairment.

 

3M reviews impairments associated with its marketable securities in accordance with the measurement guidance provided by ASC 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities, when determining the classification of the impairment as “temporary” or “other-than-temporary”. A temporary impairment charge results in an unrealized loss being recorded in the other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity. Such an unrealized loss does not reduce net income attributable to 3M for the applicable accounting period because the loss is not viewed as other-than-temporary. The factors evaluated to differentiate between temporary and other-than-temporary include the projected future cash flows, credit ratings actions, and assessment of the credit quality of the underlying collateral, as well as other factors.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The balances at March 31, 2012 for marketable securities by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

 

(Millions)

 

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

915

 

Due after one year through three years

 

1,085

 

Due after three years through five years

 

147

 

Due after five years

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

Total marketable securities

 

$

2,162

 

 

3M has a diversified marketable securities portfolio of $2.162 billion as of March 31, 2012. Within this portfolio, current and long-term asset-backed securities (estimated fair value of $951 million) are primarily comprised of interests in automobile loans and credit cards. At March 31, 2012, the asset-backed securities credit ratings were AAA/Aaa or A-1+/P1, with the exception of two securities (one rated AAA/A3 and one rated AAA/Aa3) with a fair market value of approximately $5 million.

 

3M’s marketable securities portfolio includes auction rate securities that represent interests in investment grade credit default swaps; however, currently these holdings comprise less than one percent of this portfolio. The estimated fair value of auction rate securities was $5 million and $4 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Gross unrealized losses within accumulated other comprehensive income related to auction rate securities totaled $8 million (pre-tax) and $9 million (pre-tax) as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, auction rate securities associated with these balances have been in a loss position for more than 12 months. Since the second half of 2007, these auction rate securities failed to auction due to sell orders exceeding buy orders. Liquidity for these auction-rate securities is typically provided by an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at pre-determined intervals, usually every 7, 28, 35, or 90 days. The funds associated with failed auctions will not be accessible until a successful auction occurs or a buyer is found outside of the auction process. Refer to Note 9 for a table that reconciles the beginning and ending balances of auction rate securities.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 7.  Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost and other supplemental information for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 follow:

 

Benefit Plan Information

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Qualified and Non-qualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

United States

 

International

 

Benefits

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

63

 

$

51

 

$

31

 

$

28

 

$

19

 

$

15

 

Interest cost

 

147

 

158

 

61

 

62

 

22

 

23

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(248

)

(232

)

(73

)

(70

)

(21

)

(19

)

Amortization of transition (asset) obligation

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

 

2

 

3

 

(4

)

(3

)

(18

)

(18

)

Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss

 

117

 

83

 

30

 

28

 

27

 

26

 

Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)

 

$

81

 

$

63

 

$

44

 

$

45

 

$

29

 

$

27

 

Settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost (benefit) after settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other

 

$

107

 

$

63

 

$

44

 

$

45

 

$

29

 

$

27

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, contributions totaling $300 million were made to the Company’s U.S. and international pension plans and $37 million to its postretirement plans. For total year 2012, the Company expects to contribute approximately $1 billion of cash to its U.S. and international pension and postretirement plans. The Company does not have a required minimum cash pension contribution obligation for its U.S. plans in 2012. Therefore, the amount of the anticipated discretionary pension contribution could vary significantly depending on the U.S. plans’ funded status and the anticipated tax deductibility of the contribution. Future contributions will also depend on market conditions, interest rates and other factors. 3M’s annual measurement date for pension and postretirement assets and liabilities is December 31 each year, which is also the date used for the related annual measurement assumptions.

 

In December 2011, the Company began offering a voluntary early retirement incentive program to certain eligible participants of its U.S. pension plans who met age and years of pension service requirements. The eligible participants who accepted the offer and retired on February 1, 2012 received an enhanced pension benefit. Pension benefits are enhanced by adding one additional year of pension service and one additional year of age for certain benefit calculations. 616 participants accepted the offer and retired on February 1, 2012. As a result, the Company incurred a $26 million charge related to these special termination benefits in the first quarter of 2012.

 

3M was informed during the first quarter of 2009 that the general partners of WG Trading Company, in which 3M’s benefit plans hold limited partnership interests, are the subject of a criminal investigation as well as civil proceedings by the SEC and CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission). In March 2011, over the objections of 3M and six other limited partners of WG Trading Company, the district court judge ruled in favor of the court appointed receiver’s proposed distribution plan. In April 2011, the 3M benefit plans received their share under the court-ordered distribution plan. 3M and six other limited partners of WG Trading Company have appealed the court’s order to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The benefit plan trustee holdings of WG Trading Company interests were adjusted to reflect the decreased estimated fair market value, inclusive of estimated insurance proceeds, as of the annual measurement dates. The Company has insurance that it believes, based on what is currently known, will result in the recovery of a portion of the decrease in original asset value. As of the 2011 measurement date these holdings represented less than one percent of 3M’s fair value of total plan assets. 3M currently believes that the resolution of these events will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

NOTE 8.  Derivatives

 

The Company uses interest rate swaps, currency swaps, commodity price swaps, and forward and option contracts to manage risks generally associated with foreign exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The information that follows explains the various types of derivatives and financial instruments used by 3M, how and why 3M uses such instruments, how such instruments are accounted for, and how such instruments impact 3M’s financial position and performance.

 

Additional information with respect to the impacts on other comprehensive income of nonderivative hedging and derivative instruments is included in Note 4. Additional information with respect to the fair value of derivative instruments is included in Note 9. References to information regarding derivatives and/or hedging instruments associated with the Company’s long-term debt are also made in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Types of Derivatives/Hedging Instruments and Inclusion in Income/Other Comprehensive Income

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

 

Cash Flow Hedging - Foreign Currency Forward and Option Contracts: The Company enters into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash flows denominated in foreign currencies and certain intercompany financing transactions. These transactions are designated as cash flow hedges. The settlement or extension of these derivatives will result in reclassifications (from accumulated other comprehensive income) to earnings in the period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Generally, 3M dedesignates these cash flow hedge relationships in advance of the occurrence of the forecasted transaction. The portion of gains or losses on the derivative instrument previously accumulated in other comprehensive income for dedesignated hedges remains in accumulated other comprehensive income until the forecasted transaction occurs. Changes in the value of derivative instruments after dedesignation are recorded in earnings and are included in the Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments section below. Hedge ineffectiveness and the amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in income on cash flow hedges were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. The maximum length of time over which 3M hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for a majority of the forecasted transactions is 12 months and, accordingly, at March 31, 2012, the majority of the Company’s open foreign exchange forward and option contracts had maturities of one year or less. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of the Company’s foreign exchange forward and option contracts designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2012 was approximately $5.2 billion.

 

Cash Flow Hedging - Commodity Price Management: The Company manages commodity price risks through negotiated supply contracts, price protection agreements and forward physical contracts. The Company uses commodity price swaps relative to natural gas as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions to manage price volatility. The related mark-to-market gain or loss on qualifying hedges is included in other comprehensive income to the extent effective, and reclassified into cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Generally, the length of time over which 3M hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for its forecasted natural gas transactions is 12 months. No significant commodity cash flow hedges were discontinued and hedge ineffectiveness was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of the Company’s natural gas commodity price swaps designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2012 was $23 million.

 

Cash Flow Hedging - Forecasted Debt Issuance: In August 2011, in anticipation of the September 2011 issuance of $1 billion in five-year fixed rate notes, 3M executed a pre-issuance cash flow hedge on a notional amount of $400 million by entering into a forward-starting five-year floating-to-fixed interest rate swap. Upon debt issuance in September 2011, 3M terminated the floating-to-fixed interest rate swap. The termination of the swap resulted in a $7 million pre-tax loss ($4 million after-tax) that is amortized over the five-year life of the note and, when material, is included in the tables below as part of the loss recognized in income on the effective portion of derivatives as a result of reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had a balance of $7 million associated with the after-tax net unrealized gain associated with cash flow hedging instruments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. This includes a $4

 

18



Table of Contents

 

million balance (loss) related to a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap (discussed in the preceding paragraph), which is being amortized over the five-year life of the note. 3M expects to reclassify a majority of the remaining balance to earnings over the next 12 months (with the impact offset by cash flows from underlying hedged items).

 

The location in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and amounts of gains and losses related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are provided in the following table. Reclassifications of amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income into income include accumulated gains (losses) on dedesignated hedges at the time earnings are impacted by the forecasted transaction.

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012
(Millions)

 

Pretax Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Other
Comprehensive
Income on Effective
Portion of Derivative

 

Pretax Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Effective Portion of
Derivative as a Result of
Reclassification from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

 

Ineffective Portion of Gain
(Loss) on Derivative and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing
Recognized in Income

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

$

(24

)

Cost of sales

 

$

 

Cost of sales

 

$

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

1

 

Interest expense

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

Commodity price swap contracts

 

(5

)

Cost of sales

 

(4

)

Cost of sales

 

 —

 

Total

 

$

(28

)

 

 

$

(4

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2011
(Millions)

 

Pretax Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Other
Comprehensive
Income on Effective
Portion of Derivative

 

Pretax Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Effective Portion of
Derivative as a Result of
Reclassification from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

 

Ineffective Portion of Gain
(Loss) on Derivative and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing
Recognized in Income

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

$

(34

)

Cost of sales

 

$

(6

)

Cost of sales

 

$

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

8

 

Interest expense

 

10

 

Interest expense

 

 

Commodity price swap contracts

 

(1

)

Cost of sales

 

(4

)

Cost of sales

 

 

Total

 

$

(27

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

Fair Value Hedges:

 

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivatives as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings.

 

Fair Value Hedging - Interest Rate Swaps: The Company manages interest expense using a mix of fixed and floating rate debt. To help manage borrowing costs, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps. Under these arrangements, the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. The mark-to-market of these fair value hedges is recorded as gains or losses in interest expense and is offset by the gain or loss of the underlying debt instrument, which also is recorded in interest expense. These fair value hedges are highly effective and, thus, there is no impact on earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness. The dollar equivalent (based on inception date foreign currency exchange rates) gross notional amount of the Company’s interest rate swaps at March 31, 2012 was $342 million.

 

At March 31, 2012, the Company had interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges of underlying fixed rate obligations. In July 2007, in connection with the issuance of a seven-year Eurobond for an amount of 750 million Euros, the Company completed a fixed-to-floating interest rate swap on a notional amount of 400 million Euros as a fair value hedge of a portion of the fixed interest rate Eurobond obligation. In August 2010, the Company terminated 150 million Euros of the notional amount of this swap. As a result, a gain of 18 million Euros, recorded as part of the balance of the underlying debt, will be amortized over this debt’s remaining life. Prior to termination of the applicable portion of the interest rate swap, the mark-to-market of the hedge instrument was recorded as gains or losses in interest expense and was offset by the gain or loss on carrying value of the underlying debt instrument. Consequently, the subsequent amortization of the 18 million Euros recorded as part of the underlying debt balance is not part of gain on hedged items recognized in income in the tables below.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Company also had two fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $800 million designated as fair value hedges of the fixed interest rate obligation under its $800 million, three-year, 4.50% notes issued in October 2008. These swaps and underlying note matured in the fourth quarter of 2011.

 

The location in the consolidated statements of income and amounts of gains and losses related to derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges and similar information relative to the hedged items are as follows:

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012

 

Gain (Loss) on Derivative

 

Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item

 

(Millions)

 

Recognized in Income

 

Recognized in Income

 

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

Interest expense

 

$

(1

)

Interest expense

 

$

1

 

Total

 

 

 

$

(1

)

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2011

 

Gain (Loss) on Derivative

 

Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item

 

(Millions)

 

Recognized in Income

 

Recognized in Income

 

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

Interest expense

 

$

(10

)

Interest expense

 

$

10

 

Total

 

 

 

$

(10

)

 

 

$

10

 

 

Net Investment Hedges:

 

As circumstances warrant, the Company uses cross currency swaps, forwards and foreign currency denominated debt to hedge portions of the Company’s net investments in foreign operations. For hedges that meet the effectiveness requirements, the net gains or losses attributable to changes in spot exchange rates are recorded in cumulative translation within other comprehensive income. The remainder of the change in value of such instruments is recorded in earnings. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the hedged foreign operation. At March 31, 2012, there were no cross currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts designated as net investment hedges.

 

In addition to the derivative instruments used as hedging instruments in net investment hedges, 3M also uses foreign currency denominated debt as nonderivative hedging instruments in certain net investment hedges. In July and December 2007, the Company issued seven-year fixed rate Eurobond securities for amounts of 750 million Euros and 275 million Euros, respectively. 3M designated each of these Eurobond issuances as hedging instruments of the Company’s net investment in its European subsidiaries.

 

The location in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and amounts of gains and losses related to derivative and nonderivative instruments designated as net investment hedges are as follows. There were no reclassifications of the effective portion of net investment hedges out of accumulated other comprehensive income into income for the periods presented in the table below.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012
Derivative and Nonderivative Instruments in Net Investment Hedging
Relationships

 

Pretax Gain (Loss)
Recognized as Cumulative
Translation within Other
Comprehensive Income
on Effective Portion of
Instrument

 

Ineffective Portion of Gain
(Loss) on Instrument and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing
Recognized in Income

 

(Millions)

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Foreign currency denominated debt

 

$

(40

)

N/A

 

$

 

Total

 

$

(40

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2011
Derivative and Nonderivative Instruments in Net Investment Hedging
Relationships

 

Pretax Gain (Loss)
Recognized as Cumulative
Translation within Other
Comprehensive Income
on Effective Portion of
Instrument

 

Ineffective Portion of Gain
(Loss) on Instrument and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing
Recognized in Income

 

(Millions)

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Foreign currency denominated debt

 

$

(85

)

N/A

 

$

 

Total

 

$

(85

)

 

 

$

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments include dedesignated foreign currency forward and option contracts that formerly were designated in cash flow hedging relationships (as referenced in the preceding Cash Flow Hedges section). In addition, 3M enters into foreign currency forward contracts and commodity price swaps to offset, in part, the impacts of certain intercompany activities (primarily associated with intercompany licensing arrangements) and fluctuations in costs associated with the use of certain precious metals, respectively. These derivative instruments are not designated in hedging relationships; therefore, fair value gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in earnings. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of these forward, option and swap contracts not designated as hedging instruments totaled $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2012. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

The location in the consolidated statements of income and amounts of gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Recognized in Income

 

(Millions)

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

Cost of sales

 

$

(15

)

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Interest expense

 

27

 

Commodity price swap contracts

 

Cost of sales

 

1

 

Total

 

 

 

$

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

Three months ended March 31, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Recognized in Income

 

(Millions)

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

Cost of sales

 

$

(12

)

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Interest expense

 

16

 

Total

 

 

 

$

4

 

 

Location and Fair Value Amount of Derivative Instruments

 

The following tables summarize the fair value of 3M’s derivative instruments, excluding nonderivative instruments used as hedging instruments, and their location in the consolidated balance sheet. Additional information with respect to the fair value of derivative instruments is included in Note 9.

 

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Table of Contents

 

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Millions)

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

34

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

36

 

Commodity price swap contracts

 

Other current assets

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

7

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

Other assets

 

27

 

Other liabilities

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

$

61

 

 

 

$

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

18

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

11

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

$

18

 

 

 

$

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivative instruments

 

 

 

$

79

 

 

 

$

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Millions)

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

82

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

34

 

Commodity price swap contracts

 

Other current assets

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

7

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

Other assets

 

28

 

Other liabilities

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

$

110

 

 

 

$

41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

25

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

8

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

$

25

 

 

 

$

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivative instruments

 

 

 

$

135

 

 

 

$

49

 

 

Currency Effects and Credit Risk

 

Currency Effects: 3M estimates that year-on-year currency effects, including hedging impacts, decreased net income attributable to 3M by approximately $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. This estimate includes the effect of translating profits from local currencies into U.S. dollars and the impact of currency fluctuations on the transfer of goods between 3M operations in the United States and abroad. This estimate also includes year-on-year currency effects from transaction gains and losses, including derivative instruments designed to reduce foreign currency exchange rate risks and the negative impact of swapping Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars, which 3M estimates decreased net income attributable to 3M by approximately $7 million for three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Credit Risk: The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties in interest rate swaps, currency swaps, commodity price swaps, and forward and option contracts. However, the Company’s risk is limited to the fair value of the instruments. The Company actively monitors its exposure to credit risk through the use of credit approvals and credit limits, and by selecting major international banks and financial institutions as counterparties. 3M enters into master netting agreements with counterparties when possible to mitigate credit risk in derivative transactions. A master netting arrangement may allow counterparties to net settle amounts owed to each other as a result of multiple, separate derivative transactions. The Company does not anticipate nonperformance by any of these counterparties. 3M has credit support agreements in place with two of its primary derivatives counterparties. Under these agreements, either party is required to post eligible collateral when the market value of transactions covered by these agreements exceeds specified thresholds, thus limiting credit exposure for both parties. For presentation purposes on 3M’s consolidated balance sheet, the fair value of derivative assets or liabilities are presented on a gross basis even when derivative transactions are subject to master netting arrangements and may qualify for net presentation.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 9.  Fair Value Measurements

 

3M follows ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, with respect to assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and nonrecurring basis. Under the standard, fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The standard also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

 

For 3M, assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily relate to available-for-sale marketable securities, available-for-sale investments (included as part of investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet) and certain derivative instruments. Derivatives include cash flow hedges, interest rate swaps and most net investment hedges. The information in the following paragraphs and tables primarily addresses matters relative to these financial assets and liabilities. Separately, there were no material fair value measurements with respect to nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s financial statements on a recurring basis for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

3M uses various valuation techniques, which are primarily based upon the market and income approaches, with respect to financial assets and liabilities. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the respective financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

 

Available-for-sale marketable securities — except auction rate securities:

 

Marketable securities, except auction rate securities, are valued utilizing multiple sources. A weighted average price is used for these securities. Market prices are obtained for these securities from a variety of industry standard data providers, security master files from large financial institutions, and other third-party sources. These multiple prices are used as inputs into a distribution-curve-based algorithm to determine the daily fair value to be used. 3M classifies U.S. treasury securities as level 1, while all other marketable securities (excluding auction rate securities) are classified as level 2. Marketable securities are discussed further in Note 6.

 

Available-for-sale marketable securities — auction rate securities only:

 

As discussed in Note 6, auction rate securities held by 3M failed to auction since the second half of 2007. As a result, investments in auction rate securities are valued utilizing third-party indicative bid levels in markets that are not active and broker-dealer valuation models that utilize inputs such as current/forward interest rates, current market conditions and credit default swap spreads. 3M classifies these securities as level 3.

 

Available-for-sale investments:

 

Investments include equity securities that are traded in an active market. Closing stock prices are readily available from active markets and are used as being representative of fair value. 3M classifies these securities as level 1.

 

Derivative instruments:

 

The Company’s derivative assets and liabilities within the scope of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, are required to be recorded at fair value. The Company’s derivatives that are recorded at fair value include foreign currency forward and option contracts, commodity price swaps, interest rate swaps, and net investment hedges where the hedging instrument is recorded at fair value. Net investment hedges that use foreign currency denominated debt to hedge 3M’s net investment are not impacted by the fair value measurement standard under ASC 820, as the debt used as the hedging instrument is

 

23



Table of Contents

 

marked to a value with respect to changes in spot foreign currency exchange rates and not with respect to other factors that may impact fair value.

 

3M has determined that foreign currency forwards and commodity price swaps will be considered level 1 measurements as these are traded in active markets which have identical asset or liabilities, while currency swaps, foreign currency options, interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps will be considered level 2. For level 2 derivatives, 3M uses inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset. These inputs include foreign currency exchange rates, volatilities, and interest rates. The level 2 derivative positions are primarily valued using standard calculations/models that use as their basis readily observable market parameters. Industry standard data providers are 3M’s primary source for forward and spot rate information for both interest rates and currency rates, with resulting valuations periodically validated through third-party or counterparty quotes and a net present value stream of cash flows model.

 

The following tables provide information by level for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

(Millions)

 

Fair Value at

 

Using Inputs Considered as

 

Description

 

Mar. 31, 2012

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

$

362

 

$

 

$

362

 

$

 

Foreign government agency securities

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

635

 

 

635

 

 

Certificates of deposit/time deposits

 

58

 

 

58

 

 

Commercial paper

 

70

 

 

70

 

 

Asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile loan related

 

583

 

 

583

 

 

Credit card related

 

259

 

 

259

 

 

Equipment lease related

 

103

 

 

103

 

 

Other

 

6

 

 

6

 

 

U.S. treasury securities

 

59

 

59

 

 

 

U.S. municipal securities

 

19

 

 

19

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Investments

 

3

 

3

 

 

 

Derivative instruments — assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

52

 

47

 

5

 

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

27

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative instruments — liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

47

 

47

 

 

 

Commodity price swap contracts

 

7

 

7

 

 

 

 

24



Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

(Millions)

 

Fair Value at

 

Using Inputs Considered as

 

Description

 

Dec. 31, 2011

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

$

480

 

$

 

$

480

 

$

 

Foreign government agency securities

 

23

 

 

23

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

668

 

 

668

 

 

Certificates of deposit/time deposits

 

49

 

 

49

 

 

Commercial paper

 

30

 

 

30

 

 

Asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile loan related

 

718

 

 

718

 

 

Credit card related

 

268

 

 

268

 

 

Equipment lease related

 

64

 

 

64

 

 

Other

 

5

 

 

5

 

 

U.S. treasury securities

 

34

 

34

 

 

 

U.S. municipal securities

 

14

 

 

14

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Investments

 

4

 

4

 

 

 

Derivative instruments — assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

107

 

98

 

9

 

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

28

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative instruments — liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward/option contracts

 

42

 

42

 

 

 

Commodity price swap contracts

 

7

 

7

 

 

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

(Millions)

 

March 31,

 

Marketable securities — auction rate securities only

 

2012

 

2011

 

Beginning balance

 

$

4

 

$

7

 

Total gains or losses:

 

 

 

 

 

Included in earnings

 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income

 

1

 

 

Purchases, issuances, and settlements

 

 

 

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

 

Ending balance (March 31)

 

5

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional losses included in earnings due to reclassifications from other comprehensive income for:

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold during the period ended March 31

 

 

 

Securities still held at March 31

 

 

 

 

In addition, the plan assets of 3M’s pension and postretirement benefit plans are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). Refer to Note 11 in 3M’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis:

 

Disclosures are required for certain assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, but are recognized and disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition. For 3M, such measurements of fair value relate primarily to long-lived asset impairments. There were no material long-lived asset impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

 

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, certain investments, accounts payable, borrowings, and derivative contracts. The carrying values approximated fair values for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Available-for-sale marketable securities and investments, in addition to certain derivative instruments, are recorded at fair values as indicated in the preceding disclosures. For its long-term debt the Company utilized third-party quotes to estimate fair values (classified as level 2). Information with respect to the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of these financial instruments follow:

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

(Millions)

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

$

4,510

 

$

4,942

 

$

4,484

 

$

5,002

 

 

The fair values reflected above consider the terms of the related debt absent the impacts of derivative/hedging activity. The carrying amount of long-term debt referenced above is impacted by certain fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps that are designated as fair value hedges and by the designation of fixed rate Eurobond securities issued by the Company as hedging instruments of the Company’s net investment in its European subsidiaries. 3M’s fixed-rate bonds were trading at a premium at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 due to the low interest rates and tightening of 3M’s credit spreads.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 10.  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal Proceedings:

 

The Company and some of its subsidiaries are involved in numerous claims and lawsuits, principally in the United States, and regulatory proceedings worldwide. These include various products liability (involving products that the Company now or formerly manufactured and sold), intellectual property, and commercial claims and lawsuits, including those brought under the antitrust laws, and environmental proceedings. Unless otherwise stated, the Company is vigorously defending all such litigation. Additional information can be found in Note 14 “Commitments and Contingencies” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, including information about the Company’s process for disclosure and recording of liabilities and insurance receivables related to legal proceedings.

 

The following table shows the major categories of significant legal matters — respirator mask/asbestos litigation (including Aearo - described below), environmental remediation and other environmental liabilities — for which the Company has been able to estimate its probable liability and for which the Company has taken reserves and the related insurance receivables:

 

Liability and Receivable Balances

 

 

 

 

 

(Millions)

 

Mar. 31, 2012

 

Dec. 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respirator mask/asbestos liabilities

 

$

133

 

$

130

 

Respirator mask/asbestos insurance receivables

 

124

 

121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental remediation liabilities

 

$

30

 

$

28

 

Environmental remediation insurance receivables

 

15

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other environmental liabilities

 

$

70

 

$

75

 

 

The following sections first describe the significant legal proceedings in which the Company is involved, and then describe the liabilities and associated insurance receivables the Company has accrued relating to its significant legal proceedings.

 

Respirator Mask/Asbestos Litigation

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company is a named defendant, with multiple co-defendants, in numerous lawsuits in various courts that purport to represent approximately 2,200 individual claimants compared to approximately 2,260 individual claimants with actions pending at December 31, 2011.

 

The vast majority of the lawsuits and claims resolved by and currently pending against the Company allege use of some of the Company’s mask and respirator products and seek damages from the Company and other defendants for alleged personal injury from workplace exposures to asbestos, silica, coal mine dust or other occupational dusts found in products manufactured by other defendants or generally in the workplace. A minority of claimants generally allege personal injury from occupational exposure to asbestos from products previously manufactured by the Company, which are often unspecified, as well as products manufactured by other defendants, or occasionally at Company premises.

 

The Company’s current volume of new and pending matters is substantially lower than its historical experience. The Company expects that filing of claims by unimpaired claimants in the future will continue to be at much lower levels than in the past. Accordingly, the number of claims alleging more serious injuries, including mesothelioma and other malignancies, will represent a greater percentage of total claims than in the past. The Company has prevailed in all nine cases taken to trial, including seven of the eight cases tried to verdict (such trials occurred in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2007), and an appellate reversal in 2005 of the 2001 jury verdict adverse to the Company. The ninth case, tried in 2009, was dismissed by the Court at the close of plaintiff’s evidence, based on the Court’s legal finding that the plaintiff had not presented sufficient evidence to support a jury verdict. The plaintiffs appealed but in February 2012 the California Court of Appeals granted the plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal of the appeal.

 

The Company has demonstrated in these past trial proceedings that its respiratory protection products are effective as claimed when used in the intended manner and in the intended circumstances. Consequently the Company believes that claimants are unable to establish that their medical conditions, even if significant, are attributable to the Company’s respiratory protection products. Nonetheless the Company’s litigation experience indicates that claims of persons with malignant conditions are costlier to resolve than the claims of unimpaired persons, and it therefore believes the average cost of resolving pending and future claims on a per-claim basis will continue to be higher than it experienced in prior periods when the vast majority of claims were asserted by the unimpaired.

 

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As previously reported, the State of West Virginia, through its Attorney General, filed a complaint in 2003 against the Company and two other manufacturers of respiratory protection products in the Circuit Court of Lincoln County, West Virginia and amended its complaint in 2005. The amended complaint seeks substantial, but unspecified, compensatory damages primarily for reimbursement of the costs allegedly incurred by the State for worker’s compensation and healthcare benefits provided to all workers with occupational pneumoconiosis and unspecified punitive damages. While the case has been inactive since the fourth quarter of 2007, the Court held a case management conference in March 2011, but no further activity has occurred in the case since that conference. No liability has been recorded for this matter because the Company believes that liability is not probable and estimable at this time. In addition, the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of loss given the minimal activity in this case and the fact that the complaint asserts claims against two other manufacturers where a defendant’s share of liability may turn on the law of joint and several liability and by the amount of fault a jury allocates to each defendant if a case is ultimately tried.

 

Respirator Mask/Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Receivables: The Company estimates its respirator mask/asbestos liabilities, including the cost to resolve the claims and defense costs, by examining: (i) the Company’s experience in resolving claims, (ii) apparent trends, (iii) the apparent quality of claims (e.g., whether the claim has been asserted on behalf of asymptomatic claimants), (iv) changes in the nature and mix of claims (e.g., the proportion of claims asserting usage of the Company’s mask or respirator products and alleging exposure to each of asbestos, silica, coal or other occupational dusts, and claims pleading use of asbestos-containing products allegedly manufactured by the Company), (v) the number of current claims and a projection of the number of future asbestos and other claims that may be filed against the Company, (vi) the cost to resolve recently settled claims, and (vii) an estimate of the cost to resolve and defend against current and future claims.

 

Developments may occur that could affect the Company’s estimate of its liabilities. These developments include, but are not limited to, significant changes in (i) the number of future claims, (ii) the average cost of resolving claims, (iii) the legal costs of defending these claims and in maintaining trial readiness, (iv) changes in the mix and nature of claims received, (v) trial and appellate outcomes, (vi) changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, and (vii) the financial viability of other co-defendants and insurers.

 

As a result of the greater cost of resolving claims of persons with more serious injuries, including mesothelioma and other malignancies, the Company increased its reserves in the first quarter of 2012 for respirator mask/asbestos liabilities by $17 million. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had reserves for respirator mask/asbestos liabilities of $104 million (excluding Aearo reserves). The Company cannot estimate the amount or range of amounts by which the liability may exceed the reserve the Company has established because of the (i) inherent difficulty in projecting the number of claims that have not yet been asserted, particularly with respect to the Company’s respiratory products that themselves did not contain any harmful materials, (ii) the complaints nearly always assert claims against multiple defendants where the damages alleged are typically not attributed to individual defendants so that a defendant’s share of liability may turn on the law of joint and several liability, which can vary by state, (iii) the multiple factors described above that the Company considers in estimating its liabilities, and (iv) the several possible developments described above that may occur that could affect the Company’s estimate of liabilities.

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company’s receivable for insurance recoveries related to the respirator mask/asbestos litigation was $124 million. During the first quarter of 2012, the Company increased its receivables for insurance recoveries by $3 million related to this litigation.

 

Various factors could affect the timing and amount of recovery of this receivable, including (i) delays in or avoidance of payment by insurers; (ii) the extent to which insurers may become insolvent in the future, and (iii) the outcome of negotiations with insurers and legal proceedings with respect to respirator mask/asbestos liability insurance coverage. The difference between the accrued liability and insurance receivable represents in part the time delay between payment of claims on the one hand and receipt of insurance reimbursements on the other hand. Because of the lag time between settlement and payment of a claim, no meaningful conclusions may be drawn from quarterly or annual changes in the amount of receivables for expected insurance recoveries or changes in the number of claimants.

 

As previously reported, on January 5, 2007 the Company was served with a declaratory judgment action filed on behalf of two of its insurers (Continental Casualty and Continental Insurance Co. — both part of the Continental Casualty Group) disclaiming coverage for respirator mask/asbestos claims. These insurers represent approximately $15 million of the $124 million insurance recovery receivable referenced in the above table. The action, pending in the District Court in Ramsey County, Minnesota, seeks declaratory judgment regarding coverage provided by the policies and the allocation of covered costs among the policies issued by the various insurers. The action named, in addition to the Company, over 60 of the Company’s insurers. This action is similar in nature to an action filed in 1994 with respect to breast implant coverage, which ultimately resulted in the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling of 2003 that was largely in the Company’s favor. The

 

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plaintiff insurers have served an amended complaint that names some additional insurers and deletes others. A significant number of the insurer defendants named in the amended complaint have been dismissed because of settlements they have reached with 3M regarding the matters at issue in the lawsuit. The case is currently in the discovery phase. Trial is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2012. During the first quarter of 2012, the Company reached settlements with several insurers that will result in payments totaling approximately $28 million to the Company over the next two years, most of which will be received in 2012.

 

Respirator Mask/Asbestos Litigation — Aearo Technologies

 

On April 1, 2008, a subsidiary of the Company purchased the stock of Aearo Holding Corp., the parent of Aearo Technologies (“Aearo”). Aearo manufactures and sells various products, including personal protection equipment, such as eye, ear, head, face, fall and certain respiratory protection products.

 

As of March 31, 2012, Aearo and/or other companies that previously owned and operated Aearo’s respirator business (American Optical Corporation, Warner-Lambert LLC, AO Corp. and Cabot Corporation (“Cabot”)) are named defendants, with multiple co-defendants, including the Company, in numerous lawsuits in various courts in which plaintiffs allege use of mask and respirator products and seek damages from Aearo and other defendants for alleged personal injury from workplace exposures to asbestos, silica-related, or other occupational dusts found in products manufactured by other defendants or generally in the workplace.

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company, through its Aearo subsidiary, has recorded $29 million as the best estimate of the probable liabilities for product liabilities and defense costs related to current and future Aearo-related asbestos and silica-related claims. Responsibility for legal costs, as well as for settlements and judgments, is currently shared in an informal arrangement among Aearo, Cabot, American Optical Corporation and a subsidiary of Warner Lambert and their insurers (the “Payor Group”). Liability is allocated among the parties based on the number of years each company sold respiratory products under the “AO Safety” brand and/or owned the AO Safety Division of American Optical Corporation and the alleged years of exposure of the individual plaintiff. Aearo’s share of the contingent liability is further limited by an agreement entered into between Aearo and Cabot on July 11, 1995. This agreement provides that, so long as Aearo pays to Cabot an annual fee of $400,000, Cabot will retain responsibility and liability for, and indemnify Aearo against, asbestos and silica-related product liability claims for respirators manufactured prior to July 11, 1995. Because the date of manufacture for a particular respirator allegedly used in the past is often difficult to determine, Aearo and Cabot have applied the agreement to claims arising out of the alleged use of respirators while exposed to asbestos or silica or products containing asbestos or silica prior to January 1, 1997. With these arrangements in place, Aearo’s potential liability is limited to exposures alleged to have arisen from the use of respirators while exposed to asbestos, silica or other occupational dusts on or after January 1, 1997. In March 2012, Cabot CSC Corporation and Cabot Corporation filed a lawsuit against Aearo in the Superior Court of Suffolk County, Massachusetts seeking declaratory relief as to the scope of Cabot’s indemnity obligations under the July 11, 1995 agreement, including whether Cabot has retained liability for coal workers’ pneumoconiosis claims, and seeking damages for breach of contract.

 

To date, Aearo has elected to pay the annual fee. Aearo could potentially be exposed to additional claims for some part of the pre-July 11, 1995 period covered by its agreement with Cabot if Aearo elects to discontinue its participation in this arrangement, or if Cabot is no longer able to meet its obligations in these matters.

 

Developments may occur that could affect the estimate of Aearo’s liabilities. These developments include, but are not limited to: (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, (iii) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (iv) significant changes in the mix and nature of claims received, (v) trial and appellate outcomes, (vi) significant changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (vii) significant changes in the liability allocation among the co-defendants, (viii) the financial viability of members of the Payor Group including exhaustion of available coverage limits, (ix) the outcome of pending insurance coverage litigation among certain other members of the Payor Group and their respective insurers, and/or (x) a determination that the interpretation of the contractual obligations on which Aearo has estimated its share of liability is inaccurate. The Company cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on its current estimate of Aearo’s share of liability for these existing and future claims. If any of the developments described above were to occur, the actual amount of these liabilities for existing and future claims could be significantly larger than the reserved amount.

 

Because of the inherent difficulty in projecting the number of claims that have not yet been asserted, the complexity of allocating responsibility for future claims among the Payor Group, and the several possible developments that may occur that could affect the estimate of Aearo’s liabilities, the Company cannot estimate the amount or range of amounts by which Aearo’s liability may exceed the reserve the Company has established.

 

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Environmental Matters and Litigation

 

The Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations including those pertaining to air emissions, wastewater discharges, toxic substances, and the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes enforceable by national, state, and local authorities around the world, and private parties in the United States and abroad. These laws and regulations provide, under certain circumstances, a basis for the remediation of contamination, for restoration of or compensation for damages to natural resources, and for personal injury and property damage claims. The Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs and capital expenditures in complying with these laws and regulations, defending personal injury and property damage claims, and modifying its business operations in light of its environmental responsibilities. In its effort to satisfy its environmental responsibilities and comply with environmental laws and regulations, the Company has established, and periodically updates, policies relating to environmental standards of performance for its operations worldwide.

 

Under certain environmental laws, including the United States Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and similar state laws, the Company may be jointly and severally liable, typically with other companies, for the costs of remediation of environmental contamination at current or former facilities and at off-site locations. The Company has identified numerous locations, most of which are in the United States, at which it may have some liability. Please refer to the paragraph entitled “Environmental Liabilities and Insurance Receivables” that follows for information on the amount of the reserve.

 

Environmental Matters

 

As previously reported, the Company has been voluntarily cooperating with ongoing reviews by local, state, national (primarily the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)), and international agencies of possible environmental and health effects of various perfluorinated compounds (“PFCs”), including perfluorooctanoate or “PFOA” and perfluorooctane sulfonate or “PFOS” and other perfluorooctanyl compounds. As a result of its phase-out decision in May 2000, the Company no longer manufactures perfluorooctanyl compounds. The company ceased manufacturing and using the vast majority of these compounds within approximately two years of the phase-out announcement, and ceased all manufacturing and the last significant use of this chemistry by 2008. Through its ongoing life cycle management and its raw material composition identification processes associated with the Company’s policies covering the use of all persistent and bio-accumulative materials, the Company has on occasion identified the presence of precursor chemicals in materials purchased from suppliers that may ultimately degrade to PFOA, PFOS or similar compounds. Upon such identification, the Company works to find alternatives for such chemicals.

 

Regulatory activities concerning PFOA and/or PFOS continue in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, and before certain international bodies. These activities include gathering of exposure and use information, risk assessment, and consideration of regulatory approaches. The EPA continues to develop Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOS and PFOA, which are expected to be released in 2013. Those advisory levels will supersede the current provisional advisory levels. In an effort to move toward developing standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA has proposed to have public water suppliers monitor for six PFCs to determine the extent of their occurrence.

 

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has completed a bio-monitoring study evaluating PFC blood levels in volunteers living near fields where wastewater treatment sludge was applied from the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Decatur, Alabama that received wastewater from numerous sources, including sanitary wastewater from 3M. The Company expects ATSDR to release its report in 2012.

 

3M continues its third and final phase of work pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with the EPA regarding an environmental assessment program at the Company’s Decatur manufacturing site. That work includes groundwater sampling off-site from the 3M Decatur facility (unrelated to the work described above involving the Decatur utility’s wastewater treatment sludge) as well as at three local landfills used by the facility.

 

The Company is continuing to make progress in its work, under the supervision of state regulators, to address its historic disposal of PFC-containing waste associated with manufacturing operations at the Cottage Grove, Minnesota and Decatur, Alabama plants.

 

As previously reported, the Company entered into a voluntary remedial action agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to address the presence of PFCs in the soil at the Company’s manufacturing facility in Decatur, Alabama. For approximately twenty years, the Company incorporated its wastewater treatment plant sludge containing PFCs in fields at its Decatur facility pursuant to a permit issued by ADEM. After a review of the available options to address the presence of PFCs in the soil, ADEM agreed that the preferred remediation option is to use a

 

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multilayer cap over the former sludge incorporation areas on the manufacturing site with subsequent groundwater migration controls and treatment. Implementation of that option will continue throughout the balance of 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2016.

 

The Company continues to work with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) pursuant to the terms of the previously disclosed May 2007 Settlement Agreement and Consent Order to address the presence of perfluorinated compounds in the soil and groundwater at former disposal sites in Washington County, Minnesota (Oakdale and Woodbury) and at the Company’s manufacturing facility at Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Under this agreement, the Company’s principal obligations include (i) evaluating releases of perfluorinated compounds from these sites and proposing response actions; (ii) providing treatment or alternative drinking water upon identifying any level exceeding a Health Based Value (“HBV”) or Health Risk Limit (“HRL”) (i.e., the amount of a chemical in drinking water determined by the Minnesota Department of Health to be safe for people to drink for a lifetime) for any perfluorinated compounds as a result of contamination from these sites; (iii) remediating any source of other PFCs at these sites that is not controlled by actions to remediate PFOA and PFOS; and (iv) sharing information with the MPCA about perfluorinated compounds. During 2008, the MPCA issued formal decisions adopting remedial options for the former disposal sites in Washington County, Minnesota (Oakdale and Woodbury). In August 2009, the MPCA issued a formal decision adopting remedial options for the Company’s Cottage Grove manufacturing facility. During the spring and summer of 2010, 3M began implementing the remedial options at the Cottage Grove and Woodbury sites. 3M commenced the remedial option at the Oakdale site in late 2010. At each location the remedial options were among those recommended by the Company. Remediation work has been completed at the Oakdale site, and it is in an operational maintenance mode. Remediation will continue at the other two sites throughout the balance of 2012.

 

The Company cannot predict what additional regulatory actions arising from the foregoing proceedings and activities, if any, may be taken regarding such compounds or the consequences of any such actions.

 

Environmental Litigation

 

As previously reported, a former employee filed a purported class action lawsuit in 2002 in the Circuit Court of Morgan County, Alabama seeking unstated damages and alleging that the plaintiffs suffered fear, increased risk, subclinical injuries, and property damage from exposure to perfluorochemicals at or near the Company’s Decatur, Alabama, manufacturing facility. The Circuit Court in 2005 granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the named plaintiff’s personal injury-related claims on the basis that such claims are barred by the exclusivity provisions of the state’s Workers Compensation Act. The plaintiffs’ counsel filed an amended complaint in November 2006, limiting the case to property damage claims on behalf of a purported class of residents and property owners in the vicinity of the Decatur plant. Also, in 2005, the judge in a second purported class action lawsuit (filed by three residents of Morgan County, Alabama, seeking unstated compensatory and punitive damages involving alleged damage to their property from emissions of perfluorochemical compounds from the Company’s Decatur, Alabama, manufacturing facility that formerly manufactured those compounds) granted the Company’s motion to abate the case, effectively putting the case on hold pending the resolution of class certification issues in the first action described above filed in the same court in 2002. Despite the stay, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint seeking damages for alleged personal injuries and property damage on behalf of the named plaintiffs and the members of a purported class. No further action in the case is expected unless and until the stay is lifted.

 

In February 2009, a resident of Franklin County, Alabama, filed a purported class action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Franklin County seeking compensatory damages and injunctive relief based on the application by the Decatur utility’s wastewater treatment plant of wastewater treatment sludge to farmland and grasslands in the state that allegedly contain PFOA, PFOS and other perfluorochemicals. The named defendants in the case include 3M, its subsidiary Dyneon LLC, Daikin America, Inc., Synagro-WWT, Inc., Synagro South, LLC and Biological Processors of America. The named plaintiff seeks to represent a class of all persons within the State of Alabama who have had PFOA, PFOS and other perfluorochemicals released or deposited on their property. In March 2010, the Alabama Supreme Court ordered the case transferred from Franklin County to Morgan County. In May, 2010, consistent with its handling of the other matters, the Morgan County Circuit Court abated this case, putting it on hold pending the resolution of the class certification issues in the first case filed there.

 

On December 30, 2010, the State of Minnesota, by its Attorney General Lori Swanson, acting in its capacity as trustee of the natural resources of the State of Minnesota, filed a lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court against 3M to recover damages (including unspecified assessment costs and reasonable attorney’s fees) for alleged injury to, destruction of, and loss of use of certain of the State’s natural resources under the Minnesota Environmental Response and Liability Act (MERLA) and the Minnesota Water Pollution Control Act (MWPCA), as well as statutory nuisance and common law claims of trespass, nuisance, and negligence with respect to the presence of PFCs in the groundwater, surface water, fish or

 

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other aquatic life and sediments. The State also seeks declarations under MERLA that 3M is responsible for all damages the State may suffer in the future for injuries to natural resources from releases of PFCs into the environment, and under MWPCA that 3M is responsible for compensation for future loss or destruction of fish, aquatic life and other damages.

 

On January 14, 2011, the City of Lake Elmo filed a motion to intervene in the State of Minnesota lawsuit and seeks damages in excess of $50,000 and other legal and equitable relief, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, for alleged contamination of city property, wells, groundwater and water contained in the wells with PFCs under several theories, including common law and statutory nuisance, strict liability, trespass, negligence, and conversion. The court granted the City of Lake Elmo’s motion to intervene in this lawsuit.

 

On November 7, 2011, the Metropolitan Council filed a motion to intervene and a complaint in the State of Minnesota lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and other legal, declaratory and equitable relief, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, for costs and fees that the Metropolitan Council alleges it will be required to assess at some time in the future if the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency imposes restrictions on Metropolitan Council’s PFOS discharges to the Mississippi River. Metropolitan Council’s intervention motion was based on several theories, including common law negligence, and statutory claims under MERLA for response costs and under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA) for declaratory and equitable relief against 3M for PFOS and other PFC pollution of the waters and sediments of the Mississippi River. 3M did not object to the motion to intervene. On January 9, 2012, 3M answered the Metropolitan Council’s complaint and filed a counterclaim alleging that the Metropolitan Council discharges PFCs to the Mississippi River and discharges PFC-containing sludge and biosolids from one or more of its wastewater treatment plants onto agricultural lands and local area landfills. Accordingly, 3M requested that if the Court finds that the State is entitled to any of the damages the State seeks, 3M seeks contribution and apportionment from the Metropolitan Council, including attorneys’ fees, under MERLA, and contribution from and liability for the Metropolitan Council’s proportional share of damages awarded to the State under the MWPCA, as well as under statutory nuisance and common law theories of trespass, nuisance and negligence. 3M also seeks declaratory relief under MERA.

 

In June 2009, the Company, along with more than 250 other companies, was served with a third-party complaint seeking contribution towards the cost of cleaning up a 17-mile stretch of the Passaic River in New Jersey. After commencing an enforcement action in 1990, the State of New Jersey filed suit against Maxus Energy, Tierra Solutions, Occidental Chemical and two other companies seeking cleanup and removal costs and other damages associated with the presence of dioxin and other hazardous substances in the sediment of the Passaic. The third-party complaint seeks to spread those costs among the third-party defendants, including the Company. Based on the cleanup remedy currently proposed by the EPA, the total costs at issue could easily exceed $1 billion. The Company’s recent involvement in the case appears to relate to its past disposal of industrial waste at two commercial waste disposal facilities in New Jersey. Whether, and to what extent, the Company may be required to contribute to the costs at issue in the case remains to be determined. The Company does not yet have a basis for estimating its potential exposure in this case, although the Company currently believes its allocable share, if any, is likely to be a fraction of one percent of the total costs.

 

For environmental litigation matters described in this section for which a liability, if any, has been recorded, the Company believes the amount recorded, as well as the possible loss or range of loss in excess of the established reserve is not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition. For those matters for which a liability has not been recorded, the Company believes such liability is not probable and estimable and the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of loss at this time, with the exception of the Passaic River litigation, where the Company’s potential exposure, if any, is likely to be a fraction of one percent of the total costs.

 

Environmental Liabilities and Insurance Receivables

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had recorded liabilities of $30 million for estimated “environmental remediation” costs based upon an evaluation of currently available facts with respect to each individual site and also recorded related insurance receivables of $15 million. The Company records liabilities for remediation costs on an undiscounted basis when they are probable and reasonably estimable, generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies or the Company’s commitment to a plan of action. Liabilities for estimated costs of environmental remediation, depending on the site, are based primarily upon internal or third-party environmental studies, and estimates as to the number, participation level and financial viability of any other potentially responsible parties, the extent of the contamination and the nature of required remedial actions. The Company adjusts recorded liabilities as further information develops or circumstances change. The Company expects that it will pay the amounts recorded over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites, currently ranging up to 20 years.

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had recorded liabilities of $70 million for “other environmental liabilities” based upon an evaluation of currently available facts to implement the Settlement Agreement and Consent Order with the MPCA, the

 

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remedial action agreement with ADEM, and to address trace amounts of perfluorinated compounds in drinking water sources in the City of Oakdale, Minnesota, as well as presence in the soil and groundwater at the Company’s manufacturing facilities in Decatur, Alabama, and Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and at two former disposal sites in Washington County, Minnesota (Oakdale and Woodbury). The Company expects that most of the spending will occur over the next five years.

 

It is difficult to estimate the cost of environmental compliance and remediation given the uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of applicable environmental laws and regulations, the extent of environmental contamination and the existence of alternative cleanup methods. Developments may occur that could affect the Company’s current assessment, including, but not limited to: (i) changes in the information available regarding the environmental impact of the Company’s operations and products; (ii) changes in environmental regulations, changes in permissible levels of specific compounds in drinking water sources, or changes in enforcement theories and policies, including efforts to recover natural resource damages; (iii) new and evolving analytical and remediation techniques; (iv) success in allocating liability to other potentially responsible parties; and (v) the financial viability of other potentially responsible parties and third-party indemnitors. For sites included in both “environmental remediation liabilities” and “other environmental liabilities,” at which remediation activity is largely complete and remaining activity relates primarily to operation and maintenance of the remedy, including required post-remediation monitoring, the Company believes the exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued would not be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition. However, for locations at which remediation activity is largely ongoing, the Company cannot estimate a possible loss or range of loss in excess of the associated established reserves for the reasons described above.

 

Compliance Matters

 

On November 12, 2009, the Company contacted the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to voluntarily disclose that the Company was conducting an internal investigation as a result of reports it received about its subsidiary in Turkey, alleging bid rigging and bribery and other inappropriate conduct in connection with the supply of certain reflective and other materials and related services to Turkish government entities. The Company also contacted certain affected government agencies in Turkey. The Company retained outside counsel to conduct an assessment of its policies, practices, and controls and to evaluate its overall compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, including an ongoing review of our practices in certain other countries and acquired entities. As part of its ongoing review, the Company has also reported to the DOJ and SEC issues arising from transactions in other countries. The Company continues to cooperate with the DOJ and SEC and government agencies in Turkey in the Company’s ongoing investigation of this matter. The Company cannot predict at this time the outcome of its investigation or what regulatory actions may be taken or what other consequences may result.

 

Other Matters

 

Commercial Litigation

 

In September 2010, various parties, on behalf of a purported class of shareholders of Cogent, Inc. (“Cogent”), commenced three lawsuits against the Company, Cogent, and its directors in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Plaintiffs allege that 3M, in connection with its tender offer for Cogent shares, aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary duties by Cogent directors and seek an unspecified amount of damages. The three cases were consolidated, expedited discovery was conducted, and Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the acquisition was denied on October 1, 2010. On November 15, 2010, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint that added Cogent directors appointed by 3M, as named defendants, and asserted additional claims of breach of fiduciary duties in connection with the acquisition and a subsequent offering period. 3M completed its acquisition of Cogent in December 2010. 3M has moved to dismiss all claims. In response to 3M’s motion, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint in August 2011. 3M has moved to dismiss all claims of the second amended complaint. In March 2012, all parties to the litigation agreed to settle this litigation for an amount that is not material to the Company.

 

Separately, several purported holders of Cogent shares, representing a total of approximately 5.8 million shares, have asserted appraisal rights under Delaware law. The Company has answered the appraisal petition and is defending this matter vigorously.

 

3M filed suit against Avery Dennison Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota in June 2010, alleging that Avery’s OmniCube™ full cube retroreflective sheeting products, which are used for highway signage, infringe a number of 3M patents. 3M’s motion to preliminarily enjoin the sales of Avery’s OmniCube retroreflective sheeting was denied in December 2010. 3M also sought a declaratory judgment from the District Court in

 

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Minnesota that 3M’s Diamond Grade™ DG3 full cube retroreflective sheeting does not infringe two Avery patents. The District Court granted Avery’s motion to dismiss 3M’s declaratory judgment suit in March 2011. 3M appealed the dismissal of the declaratory judgment lawsuit, and in January 2012, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision reversing the district court and reinstating the declaratory judgment action. Avery has decided not to appeal. In October 2010, Avery Dennison filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that 3M monopolized or attempted to monopolize the markets for Type XI retroreflective sheeting and for broad high performance sheeting in violation of the Sherman Act, as well as other claims. Avery alleges that 3M manipulated the standards-setting process of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), a private organization responsible for creating standards for, among other things, retroreflective sheeting used for highway signage; entered into illegal and anticompetitive contracts; and engaged in other anticompetitive acts including false advertising and disparagement. 3M’s motion to transfer the antitrust case to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota was granted in February 2011. 3M’s patent infringement lawsuit against Avery and Avery’s antitrust suit against 3M are moving forward in the Minnesota Court. In March 2012, the district court issued its claim construction ruling, finding in 3M’s favor on 16 of the 19 disputed terms. The parties are nearly finished with fact discovery and will be preparing expert reports shortly.

 

In December 2010, Meda AB filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, alleging breach of certain representations and warranties contained in the October 2006 acquisition agreement pursuant to which Meda AB acquired the Company’s European pharmaceutical business. The lawsuit seeks to recover an amount to be determined at trial, but not less than $200 million, in compensatory damages alleging that 3M failed to disclose, during the due diligence period, certain pricing arrangements between 3M’s French subsidiary and the French government agency that determines the eligible levels of reimbursement for prescription pharmaceuticals. The damage amounts specified in complaints are not a meaningful factor in any assessment of the Company’s potential liability. The Company believes it has a number of legal and factual defenses to this claim and will vigorously defend it.

 

For commercial litigation matters described in this section for which a liability, if any, has been recorded, the Company believes the amount recorded, as well as the possible loss or range of loss in excess of the established reserve is not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition. For those matters for which a liability has not been recorded, the Company believes that such liability is not probable and estimable and the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of loss at this time.

 

Product Liability Litigation

 

Électricité de France (EDF) filed a lawsuit against 3M France in the French courts in 2006 claiming commercial loss and property damage after experiencing electrical network failures which EDF alleges were caused by so-called defective 3M transition splices. The French Court of Appeals at Versailles affirmed the commercial trial court’s decision that the transition splices conformed to contract specifications which were thoroughly analyzed and tested by EDF before purchase and installation. The Court of Appeals, however, ordered a court-appointed expert to study the problem and issue a technical opinion on the cause of the network failures. In spite of considerable testing of 3M’s splices over several years, the court-appointed expert has been unable to identify a defect in the 3M splices and to determine the definitive cause of the network failures. The court-appointed expert is likely to issue his final report by the end of 2012. Thereafter, the commercial court may take from six months to one year to render its decision.

 

One customer obtained an order in the French courts against SAS 3M Purification (a French subsidiary) in October 2011 appointing an expert to determine the amount of commercial loss and property damage allegedly caused by so-called defective 3M filters used in the customer’s manufacturing process. A second customer filed a lawsuit against 3M Deutschland GmbH (a German subsidiary) in the German courts in March 2012 seeking commercial loss and property damage allegedly caused by so-called defective 3M filters used in that customer’s manufacturing process. The Company has resolved on an amicable basis claims of  two other customers arising out of the same issue.

 

For product liability litigation matters described in this section for which a liability has been recorded, the Company believes the amount recorded is not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition. In addition, the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of loss in excess of the established reserves at this time.

 

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NOTE 11. Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company’s annual stock option and restricted stock unit grant is made in February to provide a strong and immediate link between the performance of individuals during the preceding year and the size of their annual stock compensation grants. The grant to eligible employees uses the closing stock price on the grant date. Stock options vest over a period from one year to three years with the expiration date at 10 years from date of grant. Accounting rules require recognition of expense under a non-substantive vesting period approach, requiring compensation expense recognition when an employee is eligible to retire. Employees are considered eligible to retire at age 55 and after having completed five years of service. This retiree-eligible population represents 30 percent of the 2012 annual grant stock-based compensation award expense dollars; therefore, higher stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the first quarter. The remaining total shares available for grant under the 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan Program are 12,022,073 as of March 31, 2012.

 

In addition to the annual grants, the Company makes other minor grants of stock options, restricted stock units and other stock-based grants. The Company issues cash settled Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights in certain countries. These grants do not result in the issuance of Common Stock and are considered immaterial by the Company.

 

Amounts recognized in the financial statements with respect to stock-based compensation programs, which include stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and the General Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (GESPP), are provided in the following table. Capitalized stock-based compensation amounts were not material at March 31, 2012. The income tax benefits shown in the table can fluctuate by period due to the amount of employee “disqualifying dispositions” related to Incentive Stock Options (ISOs). The Company last granted ISOs in 2002.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cost of sales

 

$

12

 

$

14

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

78

 

87

 

Research, development and related expenses

 

13

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expenses

 

$

103

 

$

116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefits

 

$

(32

)

$

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expenses, net of tax

 

$

71

 

$

75

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2012:

 

Stock Option Program

 

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (months)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(millions)

 

Under option —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1

 

64,148,415

 

$

77.28

 

 

 

 

 

Granted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual

 

5,770,190

 

87.91

 

 

 

 

 

Progressive (Reload)

 

27,555

 

87.65

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(2,818,401

)

63.68

 

 

 

 

 

Canceled

 

(54,173

)

82.53

 

 

 

 

 

March 31

 

67,073,586

 

$

78.77

 

58

 

$

704

 

Options exercisable `

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31

 

55,524,130

 

$

77.18

 

48

 

$

700

 

 

As of March 31, 2012, there was $98 million of compensation expense that has yet to be recognized related to non-vested stock option based awards. This expense is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 2.1 years. The total intrinsic values of stock options exercised were $67 million and $135 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cash received from options exercised was $179 million and $355 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions related to the exercise of employee stock options were $25 million and $42 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

For the primary 2012 annual stock option grant, the weighted average fair value at the date of grant was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the assumptions that follow.

 

 

 

Annual

 

Stock Option Assumptions

 

2012

 

Exercise price

 

$

87.89

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.1

%

Dividend yield

 

2.6

%

Expected volatility

 

24.5

%

Expected life (months)

 

74

 

Black-Scholes fair value

 

$

14.94

 

 

Expected volatility is a statistical measure of the amount by which a stock price is expected to fluctuate during a period. For the 2012 annual grant date, the Company estimated the expected volatility based upon the average of the most recent one year volatility, the median of the term of the expected life rolling volatility, the median of the most recent term of the expected life volatility of 3M stock, and the implied volatility on the grant date. The expected term assumption is based on the weighted average of historical grants.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity during the three months ended March 31, 2012:

 

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

Restricted Stock and

 

Number of

 

Grant Date

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Awards

 

Fair Value

 

Nonvested balance —

 

 

 

 

 

As of January 1

 

4,858,972

 

$

73.02

 

Granted:

 

 

 

 

 

Annual

 

968,522

 

87.92

 

Other

 

15,267

 

86.92

 

Vested

 

(1,763,719

)

57.79

 

Forfeited

 

(20,803

)

77.82

 

As of March 31

 

4,058,239

 

$

83.23

 

 

As of March 31, 2012, there was $128 million of compensation expense that has yet to be recognized related to non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units. This expense is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 2.3 years. The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $102 million and $14 million, respectively. The Company’s actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions related to the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units was $58 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Restricted stock units granted under the 3M 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan generally vest three years following the grant date assuming continued employment. The one-time “buyout” restricted stock unit grant in 2007 vests at the end of five years. Restricted stock unit grants issued in 2008 and prior did not accrue dividends during the vesting period. Beginning in 2009, dividend equivalents equal to the dividends payable on the same number of shares of 3M common stock accrue on these restricted stock units during the vesting period, although no dividend equivalents are paid on any of these restricted stock units that are forfeited prior to the vesting date. Dividends are paid out in cash at the vest date on restricted stock units, except for performance shares which do not earn dividends. Since the rights to dividends are forfeitable, there is no impact on basic earnings per share calculations. Weighted average restricted stock unit shares outstanding are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

 

Performance Shares

 

Beginning in 2008, the Company grants certain members of executive management performance shares on an annual basis. The performance criteria, which were modified in 2010, are designed to focus management attention on three key factors that create long-term stockholder value: Organic Sales Growth, Return on Invested Capital and sales from new products. The number of shares of 3M common stock that could actually be delivered at the end of the three-year performance period may be anywhere from 0% to 200% of each performance share granted, depending on the performance of the Company during such performance period. Non-substantive vesting requires that expense for the performance shares be recognized over one or three years depending on when each individual became a 3M executive. The first performance shares, which were granted in 2008, were distributed in 2011. Performance shares do not accrue dividends during the performance period. Therefore, the grant date fair value is determined by reducing the closing stock price on the date of grant by the net present value of dividends during the performance period. As a result of the significant uncertainty due to the economic crisis of 2008-2009, the Company granted restricted stock units instead of performance shares in 2009. Therefore, since there were no performance shares in 2009, there were also no related distributions in the first quarter of 2012. Performance share grants resumed in 2010 and continued thereafter.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes performance share activity during the three months ended March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted
Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

Grant Date

 

Performance Shares

 

Awards

 

Fair Value

 

Undistributed balance —

 

 

 

 

 

As of January 1

 

878,872

 

$

78.55

 

Granted

 

412,964

 

81.00

 

Performance change

 

78,166

 

81.07

 

Forfeited

 

(5,815

)

79.03

 

As of March 31

 

1,364,187

 

$

79.43

 

 

As of March 31, 2012, there was $39 million of compensation expense that has yet to be recognized related to performance shares. This expense is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average earnings period of 1.3 years. There were no performance shares distributed or related tax benefits realized during the three months ended March 31, 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the total fair value of performance shares that were distributed was $18 million and actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions related to the distribution of performance shares was $5 million.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 12. Business Segments

 

3M’s businesses are organized, managed and internally grouped into segments based on differences in markets, products, technologies and services. 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. 3M is not dependent on any single product/service or market. Transactions among reportable segments are recorded at cost. 3M is an integrated enterprise characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations and inventory transfers. Therefore, management does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating income information shown. The difference between operating income and pre-tax income relates to interest income and interest expense, which are not allocated to business segments.

 

Business Segment Information

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Transportation

 

$

2,660

 

$

2,450

 

Health Care

 

1,280

 

1,255

 

Consumer and Office

 

1,043

 

1,000

 

Safety, Security and Protection Services

 

981

 

929

 

Display and Graphics

 

832

 

943

 

Electro and Communications

 

808

 

836

 

Corporate and Unallocated

 

1

 

5

 

Elimination of Dual Credit

 

(119

)

(107

)

Total Company

 

$

7,486

 

$

7,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Transportation

 

$

600

 

$

516

 

Health Care

 

402

 

369

 

Consumer and Office

 

234

 

215

 

Safety, Security and Protection Services

 

231

 

199

 

Display and Graphics

 

163

 

230

 

Electro and Communications

 

168

 

178

 

Corporate and Unallocated

 

(138

)

(105

)

Elimination of Dual Credit

 

(26

)

(24

)

Total Company

 

$

1,634

 

$

1,578

 

 

Corporate and unallocated operating income includes a variety of miscellaneous items, such as corporate investment gains and losses, certain derivative gains and losses, certain insurance-related gains and losses, certain litigation and environmental expenses, corporate restructuring charges and certain under- or over-absorbed costs (e.g. pension, stock-based compensation) that the Company may choose not to allocate directly to its business segments. Because this category includes a variety of miscellaneous items, it is subject to fluctuation on a quarterly and annual basis.

 

3M business segment reporting measures include dual credit to business segments for certain U.S. sales and related operating income. Management evaluates each of its six operating business segments based on net sales and operating income performance, including dual credit U.S. reporting to further incentivize U.S. sales growth. As a result, 3M provides additional (“dual”) credit to those business segments selling products in the U.S. to an external customer when that segment is not the primary seller of the product. For example, certain respirators are primarily sold by the Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division within the Safety, Security and Protection Services business segment; however, the Industrial and Transportation business segment also sells this product to certain customers in its U.S. markets. In this example, the non-primary selling segment (Industrial and Transportation) would also receive credit for the associated net sales it initiated and the related approximate operating income. The assigned operating income related to dual credit activity may differ from operating income that would result from actual costs associated with such sales. The offset to the dual credit business segment reporting is reflected as a reconciling item entitled “Elimination of Dual Credit,” such that sales and operating income for the U.S. in total are unchanged.

 

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Table of Contents

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM*

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of 3M Company:

 

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of 3M Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 16, 2012, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2011, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

May 3, 2012


*                 Pursuant to Rule 436(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Act”) this should not be considered a “report” within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act and the independent registered public accounting firm liability under Section 11 does not extend to it.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is designed to provide a reader of 3M’s financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management. 3M’s MD&A is presented in the following sections:

 

·                  Overview

·                  Results of Operations

·                  Performance by Business Segment

·                  Financial Condition and Liquidity

·                  Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

OVERVIEW

 

3M is a diversified global manufacturer, technology innovator and marketer of a wide variety of products and services. 3M manages 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.

 

First-quarter 2012 sales totaled $7.5 billion, an increase of 2.4 percent from the first quarter of 2011. Of the 2.4 percent sales growth, 1.8 points were from the combined impact of selling price growth (1.7 points) and slightly higher organic volume (0.1 points). Acquisitions added 1.5 points, driven by the 2011 acquisitions of Winterthur Technologie AG (Industrial and Transportation), the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group (Consumer and Office), and Alpha Beta (Industrial and Transportation). These positive impacts were partially offset by 0.9 points of unfavorable foreign currency translation effects. Four of the Company’s six businesses showed sales growth, with the greatest strength in the Industrial and Transportation and the Safety, Security and Protection Services business segments.  Sales declined in the Display and Graphics and the Electro and Communications business segments, impacted by continued weakness in the consumer electronics market.

 

First-quarter 2012 sales growth on a geographic basis was strongest in the combined Latin America/Canada region, which had sales growth of 8.4 percent. Organic local-currency sales growth in this region was 11.7 percent in the quarter, while currency impacts reduced sales by 3.5 percent, largely due to weakness in the Mexican peso and Brazilian real. In the United States, sales grew 6.3 percent, led by the Industrial and Transportation, and Safety, Security and Protection Services business segments. The U.S. manufacturing sector remains robust and 3M is seeing positive growth as a result. Sales in Europe/Middle East/Africa were up 0.1 percent, with strength in Middle East/Africa and Central/East Europe offset by year-on-year declines in Western Europe. Sales declined in the Asia Pacific area by 1.9 percent, reflecting slower year-on-year demand in global consumer electronics, along with slower growth in China. In China, 3M expects below-trend sales growth in the second quarter, with better sales growth rates returning in the second half of 2012.

 

Net income attributable to 3M was $1.125 billion, or $1.59 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $1.081 billion, or $1.49 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2011. 3M incurred early retirement/restructuring costs of approximately 4 cents per diluted share in the first quarter of 2012. Of this amount, approximately 3 cents per diluted share related to special termination benefits for a voluntary retirement incentive program in the United States (discussed in Note 7). The remainder related to selective restructuring in a few developed countries. These actions, in aggregate, are expected to be neutral to full-year 2012 earnings, with the costs incurred in the first quarter of 2012, and the associated benefits realized over the remainder of 2012.

 

3M estimates that combined direct and indirect business disruption resulting from the first-quarter 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan reduced first-quarter 2011 sales growth by 0.70 percentage points, operating margins by 0.40 percentage points, and earnings by approximately 3 cents per diluted share. Japan represented approximately 9 percent of total 3M sales for total year 2011. Refer to 3M’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K (Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview section) for more information concerning this item.

 

The following table contains sales and operating income results by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. In addition to the discussion below, refer to the section entitled “Performance by Business Segment” later in MD&A for a more detailed discussion of the sales and income results of the Company and its respective business segments (including Corporate and Unallocated). Refer to Note 12 for additional information on business segments, including Elimination of Dual Credit.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

% change

 

 

 

Net

 

Operating

 

Net

 

Operating

 

Net

 

Operating

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Sales

 

Income

 

Sales

 

Income

 

Sales

 

Income

 

Business Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Transportation

 

$

2,660

 

$

600

 

$

2,450

 

$

516

 

8.6

%

16.2

%

Health Care

 

1,280

 

402

 

1,255

 

369

 

2.0

 

9.0

 

Consumer and Office

 

1,043

 

234

 

1,000

 

215

 

4.3

 

8.8

 

Safety, Security and Protection Services

 

981

 

231

 

929

 

199

 

5.5

 

16.3

 

Display and Graphics

 

832

 

163

 

943

 

230

 

(11.8

)

(29.2

)

Electro and Communications

 

808

 

168

 

836

 

178

 

(3.4

)

(5.7

)

Corporate and Unallocated

 

1

 

(138

)

5

 

(105

)

 

 

Elimination of Dual Credit

 

(119

)

(26

)

(107

)

(24

)

 

 

Total Company

 

$

7,486

 

$

1,634

 

$

7,311

 

$

1,578

 

2.4

%

3.5

%

 

Sales in the first quarter of 2012 increased 2.4 percent, with Industrial and Transportation at 8.6 percent, Safety, Security and Protection Services at 5.5 percent, Consumer and Office at 4.3 percent, and Health Care at 2 percent. Sales declined 3.4 percent in Electro and Communications and 11.8 percent in Display and Graphics, both impacted by weakness in the consumer electronics industry. Organic local-currency sales (which includes volume and selling price) increased 1.8 percent, acquisitions added 1.5 percent and foreign currency translation impacts reduced sales by 0.9 percent. 3M’s business segments posted operating income margins ranging from 19.6 percent to 31.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Worldwide operating income margins for the first quarter of 2012 were 21.8 percent, compared to 21.6 percent for the first quarter of 2011.

 

3M generated $828 million of operating cash flows in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $95 million when compared to the first quarter of 2011. Refer to the section entitled “Financial Condition and Liquidity” later in MD&A for a discussion of items impacting cash flows. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company purchased $524 million of treasury stock compared to $680 million of treasury stock repurchases in the first quarter of 2011. As of March 31, 2012, approximately $4.1 billion of 3M common stock remained available for repurchase under the February 2011 repurchase authorization of $7.0 billion, which has no pre-established end date. In February 2012, 3M’s Board of Directors authorized a dividend increase of 7.3 percent for 2012, marking the 54th consecutive year of dividend increases for 3M. 3M’s debt to total capital ratio (total capital defined as debt plus equity) was 24 percent at March 31, 2012 and 25 percent at  December 31, 2011. 3M has an AA- credit rating with a stable outlook from Standard & Poor’s and an Aa2 credit rating with a stable outlook from Moody’s Investors Service. The Company has significant cash on hand and sufficient additional access to capital markets to meet its funding needs.

 

On a worldwide basis, 3M’s pension and postretirement plans were 82 percent funded at year-end 2011. The U.S. qualified plans, which are approximately 71 percent of the worldwide pension obligation, were 86 percent funded, the international pension plans were 87 percent funded, and the U.S. non-qualified pension plan is not funded. Asset returns in 2011 for the U.S. qualified plan were 8.7%. The year-end 2011 discount rate was 4.15%, down 1.08 percentage points from the 2010 discount rate of 5.23%. The decrease in discount rates, both U.S. and internationally, resulted in a significantly higher valuation of the projected benefit obligation, which reduced the plans’ funded status. The changes in 3M’s defined-benefit pension and postretirement plans’ funded status significantly impacted several balance sheet lines at year-end 2011. These changes increased long-term liabilities by approximately $2.4 billion and decreased stockholders’ equity by approximately $1.6 billion, with the other major impact primarily related to increased deferred taxes within other assets. Other pension and postretirement changes during the year, such as contributions and amortization, also impacted these balance sheet captions.

 

3M expects to contribute approximately $1 billion of cash to its global pension and postretirement plans in 2012, with approximately $600 million planned to be contributed in the first half of 2012. 3M contributed $337 million in the first quarter of 2012. The Company does not have a required minimum cash pension contribution obligation for its U.S. plans in 2012. 3M expects pension and postretirement benefit expense in 2012 to increase by approximately $89 million pre-tax, or approximately 9 cents per diluted share, when compared to 2011. This 9 cents per diluted share increase includes the costs associated with the first-quarter 2012 voluntary incentive retirement program in the United States (discussed earlier).

 

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Table of Contents

 

There are a few major items that will negatively impact earnings in 2012. As discussed further above, 3M expects that pension and postretirement expense will decrease 2012 earnings, when compared to 2011, by approximately 9 cents per diluted share. 3M’s assessment of the income tax rate indicates an expected 2012 effective tax rate of approximately 29.5 percent compared to 27.8 percent for 2011. In addition, currency effects are expected to have a negative impact on earnings. 3M currently expects that sales growth and related incremental income, in addition to expected productivity improvements, selling price increases in excess of raw material inflation, and other benefits, should more than offset the items that will negatively impact earnings.

 

Forward-looking statements in Part I, Item 2 may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected (refer to the section entitled “Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results” in Part I, Item 2 and the risk factors provided in Part II, Item 1A for discussion of these risks and uncertainties).

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Percent change information compares the first quarter of 2012 with the same period last year, unless otherwise indicated.

 

Net Sales:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012

 

 

 

United
States

 

Asia
Pacific

 

Europe,
Middle East
& Africa

 

Latin
America/
Canada

 

Other
Unallocated

 

Worldwide

 

Net sales (millions)

 

$

2,557

 

$

2,297

 

$

1,765

 

$

870

 

$

(3

)

$

7,486

 

% of worldwide sales

 

34.1

%

30.7

%

23.6

%

11.6

%

 

100.0

%

Components of net sales change:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume — organic

 

3.2

%

(3.4

)%

(2.6

)%

7.8

%

 

0.1

%

Price

 

2.6

 

(0.6

)

2.6

 

3.9

 

 

1.7

 

Organic local-currency sales

 

5.8

 

(4.0

)

 

11.7

 

 

1.8

 

Acquisitions

 

0.5

 

1.1

 

3.8

 

0.2

 

 

1.5

 

Translation

 

 

1.0

 

(3.7

)

(3.5

)

 

(0.9

)

Total sales change

 

6.3

%

(1.9

)%

0.1

%

8.4

%

 

2.4

%

 

Sales in the first three months of 2012 increased 2.4 percent. Sales growth was led by Latin America/Canada at 8.4 percent and the United States at 6.3 percent.  Sales in Europe, Middle East and Africa increased 0.1 percent, impacted by weakness in Western Europe. Sales in Asia Pacific declined 1.9 percent, partially attributable to organic volume and selling price declines in 3M’s optical systems business. Acquisitions added 1.5 percent to worldwide growth and currency impacts reduced first three months 2012 worldwide sales growth by 0.9 percent. Worldwide selling prices rose 1.7 percent in the first three months, despite selling price declines in 3M’s optical systems business, where prices typically decline each year, which is common for the electronics’ industry.

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Percent of net sales) 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Change

 

Cost of sales

 

52.0

%

52.0

%

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

20.7

 

21.0

 

(0.3

)

Research, development and related expenses

 

5.5

 

5.4

 

0.1

 

Operating income

 

21.8

%

21.6

%

0.2

%

 

As discussed in the overview section, 3M expects pension and postretirement expense to increase approximately $89 million for total year 2012 when compared to 2011, which includes a $26 million charge related to the first-quarter 2012 voluntary early retirement incentive program (discussed in Note 7). Including this charge, the year-on-year increase in pension and postretirement expense for the first-quarter was $45 million. This increase negatively impacted cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A); and research, development and related expenses (R&D).

 

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Cost of Sales:

 

Cost of sales includes manufacturing, engineering and freight costs. Cost of sales as a percent of net sales was 52.0 percent in both the first quarter of 2012 and 2011. On the positive side, first-quarter selling price increases, net of raw material inflation, benefited first-quarter 2012 cost of sales as a percent of sales. Offsetting this benefit was higher pension and postretirement costs (of which a portion impacts cost of sales) and foreign currency translation effects.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:

 

SG&A in dollars increased $19 million, or 1.2 percent, in the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the first quarter of 2011. First-quarter SG&A included increases from businesses acquired in the last twelve months, primarily related to SG&A spending for Winterthur Technologie AG and the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group, which were largely not in 3M’s first-quarter 2011 base spending. In addition, higher year-on-year pension and postretirement expense, including the impact of the voluntary early retirement incentive program, plus restructuring actions, negatively impacted SG&A. SG&A, measured as a percent of sales, declined 0.3 percentage points to 20.7 percent.

 

Research, Development and Related Expenses:

 

R&D expense in dollars increased $13 million, or 3.3 percent, in the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the first quarter of 2011, as 3M continued to support its key growth initiatives. R&D expense was impacted by higher pension and postretirement expense, including the impact of the voluntary early retirement incentive program, plus restructuring actions. R&D, measured as a percent of sales, increased to 5.5 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 5.4 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Operating Income:

 

Operating income margins were 21.8 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 21.6 in the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 0.2 percent. This 0.2 percent increase included positive impacts from the net impact of selling price changes and raw material effects (0.8 increase), plus productivity and other net impacts (0.3 increase), which were partially offset by increased pension and postretirement benefit costs (0.6 decrease) and foreign currency translation impacts (0.3 decrease).

 

Interest Expense and Income:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Interest expense

 

$

40

 

$

43

 

Interest income

 

(9

)

(10

)

Total

 

$

31

 

$

33

 

 

Interest expense was lower in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year, primarily due to lower average debt balances. Interest income was relatively flat year-on-year when comparing the first quarter of 2012 to the same period last year.

 

Provision for Income Taxes:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Percent of pre-tax income)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Effective tax rate

 

28.8

%

28.6

%

 

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2012 was 28.8 percent, compared to 28.6 percent in the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 0.2 percent. The Company’s effective tax rate was negatively impacted during the first quarter of 2012 due to the lapse of the research and development credit and adjustments to its income tax reserves. This was partially offset by a benefit to international taxes, with this benefit largely due to the geographic mix of income before taxes and the corporate reorganization of a wholly owned international subsidiary in 2011. Refer to Note 5 for further discussion of income taxes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The company currently expects that its effective tax rate for total year 2012 will be approximately 29.5 percent. The rate will change from quarter to quarter due to discrete items, such as the settlement of income tax audits and changes in tax laws, as well as recurring factors, such as the geographic mix of income before taxes.

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

$

16

 

$

22

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the elimination of the income or loss attributable to non-3M ownership interests in 3M consolidated entities. The changes in noncontrolling interest amounts are primarily related to Sumitomo 3M Limited (Japan), which is 3M’s most significant consolidated entity with non-3M ownership interests. As of March 31, 2012, 3M’s effective ownership in Sumitomo 3M Limited is 75 percent.

 

Currency Effects:

 

3M estimates that year-on-year currency effects, including hedging impacts, decreased net income attributable to 3M by approximately $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. This estimate includes the effect of translating profits from local currencies into U.S. dollars and the impact of currency fluctuations on the transfer of goods between 3M operations in the United States and abroad. This estimate also includes year-on-year currency effects from transaction gains and losses, including derivative instruments designed to reduce foreign currency exchange rate risks and the negative impact of swapping Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars, which 3M estimates decreased net income attributable to 3M by approximately $7 million for three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Significant Accounting Policies:

 

Information regarding new accounting standards is included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

PERFORMANCE BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

 

Disclosures related to 3M’s business segments are provided in Note 12. The reportable segments are Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics; and Electro and Communications.

 

In addition to these six operating business segments, 3M assigns certain costs to “Corporate and Unallocated”, which is presented separately in the preceding business segments table and in Note 12. Corporate and Unallocated includes a variety of miscellaneous items, such as corporate investment gains and losses, certain derivative gains and losses, certain insurance-related gains and losses, certain litigation and environmental expenses, corporate restructuring charges and certain under- or over-absorbed costs (e.g. pension, stock-based compensation) that the Company may choose not to allocate directly to its business segments. Because this category includes a variety of miscellaneous items, it is subject to fluctuation on a quarterly and annual basis. The primary items driving higher expenses in the first three months of 2012 when compared to the same period last year were pension and postretirement expense, as a portion of the 2012 increase in these expenses was not allocated directly to the six operating business segments ($15 million), and an increase in respirator mask/asbestos liabilities and receivables, which nets to a $14 million charge (as discussed in Note 10).

 

Information related to 3M’s business segments for the first quarter of both 2012 and 2011 is presented in the tables that follow. Organic local-currency sales include both organic volume impacts plus selling price impacts. Acquisition impacts are measured separately for the first twelve months of the acquisition. The acquisition and divestiture impacts, if any, foreign currency translation impact and total sales change are also provided for each business segment. Any references to Europe relate to Europe, Middle East and Africa on a combined basis.

 

Industrial and Transportation Business:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Sales (millions)

 

$

2,660

 

$

2,450

 

Sales change analysis:

 

 

 

 

 

Organic local currency

 

6.7

%

13.3

%

Acquisitions

 

3.1

 

3.6

 

Translation

 

(1.2

)

3.4

 

Total sales change

 

8.6

%

20.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (millions)

 

$

600

 

$

516

 

Percent change

 

16.2

%

16.6

%

Percent of sales

 

22.5

%

21.1

%

 

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.

 

Sales in Industrial and Transportation increased 8.6 percent to $2.7 billion, which included 6.7 percent from organic local-currency sales growth. Acquisitions increased sales by 3.1 percent, primarily driven by Winterthur Technologie AG (Winterthur) in the abrasives market and Alpha Beta Enterprise Co. Ltd. (Alpha Beta) in industrial tapes, both of which are discussed further below. Foreign currency translation impacts reduced first quarter sales growth by 1.2 percent. Sales growth was broad-based, led by 3M’s aerospace and aircraft maintenance, industrial abrasives and automotive businesses.

 

Geographically, sales grew in all major regions, with the United States leading the way at 13 percent, as the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy continues to grow. Asia Pacific sales increased 8 percent, and Latin America/Canada and Europe both increased 6 percent.

 

Industrial and Transportation continues to invest aggressively to accelerate its growth capability. In March 2011, 3M acquired a controlling interest in Winterthur via completion of a public tender offer. Winterthur, based in Zug, Switzerland, is a leading global supplier of precision grinding technology serving customers in the area of hard-to-grind precision

 

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Table of Contents

 

applications in industrial, automotive, aircraft, and cutting tools. In addition, in February 2011, 3M completed its acquisition of the tape-related assets of Alpha Beta, a leading manufacturer of box sealing tape and masking tape headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan.

 

Operating income was $600 million in the first quarter, 16.2 percent higher than the first quarter of last year. Operating income margins improved by 1.4 percentage points to 22.5 percent. Revenue growth and cost control helped drive operating income growth.

 

Health Care Business:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Sales (millions)

 

$

1,280

 

$

1,255

 

Sales change analysis:

 

 

 

 

 

Organic local currency

 

3.1

%

4.6

%

Acquisitions

 

 

5.1

 

Translation

 

(1.1

)

3.0

 

Total sales change

 

2.0

%

12.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (millions)

 

$

402

 

$

369

 

Percent change

 

9.0

%

6.5

%

Percent of sales

 

31.4

%

29.4

%

 

The Health Care segment serves markets that include medical clinics and hospitals, pharmaceuticals, dental and orthodontic practitioners, and health information systems. Products and services provided to these and other markets include medical and surgical supplies, skin health and infection prevention products, inhalation and transdermal drug delivery systems, dental and orthodontic products (oral care), health information systems, and food safety products.

 

Health Care sales totaled $1.3 billion, an increase of 2.0 percent. Organic local-currency sales increased 3.1 percent, while foreign currency translation impacts reduced sales by 1.1 percent. Sales growth was led by health information systems, which provides solutions for coding and classification of patient data. In April 2012, 3M further strengthened this business by acquiring CodeRyte, which provides clinical natural language processing technology and computer-assisted coding solutions for outpatient providers. 3M also posted sales growth in food safety, skin and wound care, infection prevention, and oral care. Sales declined in drug delivery systems against a challenging first quarter comparison in 2011.

 

On a geographic basis, sales increased 11 percent in Asia Pacific, 9 percent in Latin America/Canada, and 3 percent in the United States. Sales in Europe declined 6 percent, due to economic softness and ongoing austerity measures in many countries. Developing markets remain a bright spot for Health Care, with sales increasing approximately 10 percent in the first quarter of 2012. The health care industry continues to show strong growth in developing nations, and 3M plans to expand its investments as 2012 progresses.

 

Operating income increased 9.0 percent to $402 million. Operating income margins were 31.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 29.4 percent in the first quarter of 2011, driven by manufacturing cost control, utilization and production efficiencies. 3M’s long-term expectation is that operating income margins will be in the high 20’s for this business segment, as 3M continues to invest to grow this business.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Consumer and Office Business:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Sales (millions)

 

$

1,043

 

$

1,000

 

Sales change analysis:

 

 

 

 

 

Organic local currency

 

2.1

%

4.8

%

Acquisitions

 

3.0

 

2.2

 

Translation

 

(0.8

)

2.6

 

Total sales change

 

4.3

%

9.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (millions)

 

$

234

 

$

215

 

Percent change

 

8.8

%

(1.9

)%

Percent of sales

 

22.4

%

21.5

%

 

The Consumer and Office segment serves markets that include consumer retail, office retail, home improvement, building maintenance and other markets. Products in this segment include office supply products, stationery products, construction and home improvement products (do-it-yourself), home care products, protective material products, certain consumer retail personal safety products, and consumer health care products.

 

Sales in Consumer and Office totaled $1.0 billion, an increase of 4.3 percent, led by a combination of acquired and organic growth in construction and home improvement. Acquisition growth was largely due to the October 2011 acquisition of the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group. GPI is a manufacturer and marketer of home improvement products such as tapes, hooks, insulation and floor protection products and accessories. The addition of GPI’s products will expand 3M’s product portfolio in core and complementary categories in the construction and home improvement markets. Sales also increased in the consumer health care and home environment businesses. Foreign currency translation impacts reduced sales growth by 0.8 percent.

 

On a geographic basis, Europe grew 16 percent in the first quarter, with positive gains from the GPI acquisitions offset in part by lower organic sales growth. Sales increased 9 percent in the combined Latin America/Canada region and 7 percent in Asia Pacific, while sales declined 1 percent in the United States.

 

Consumer and Office operating income increased 8.8 percent to $234 million. Consumer and Office generated operating income margins of 22.4 percent, compared to 21.5 percent in the same period last year, helped by cost control efforts.

 

Safety, Security and Protection Services Business:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Sales (millions)

 

$

981

 

$

929

 

Sales change analysis:

 

 

 

 

 

Organic local currency

 

6.8

%

5.0

%

Acquisitions

 

 

6.3

 

Translation

 

(1.3

)

3.1

 

Total sales change

 

5.5

%

14.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (millions)

 

$

231

 

$

199

 

Percent change

 

16.3

%

9.1

%

Percent of sales

 

23.6

%

21.4

%

 

The Safety, Security and Protection Services segment serves a broad range of markets that increase the safety, security and productivity of workers, facilities and systems. Major product offerings include personal protection products, cleaning and protection products for commercial establishments, safety and security products (including border and civil security solutions), roofing granules for asphalt shingles, infrastructure protection products used in the oil and gas pipeline markets, and track and trace solutions.

 

Safety, Security and Protection Services sales increased 5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Sales grew in 3M’s personal protection products business, influenced by strong manufacturing activity in many areas of the world. 3M’s

 

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Table of Contents

 

roofing granules business sales also grew, driven by warm weather conditions as well as some inventory rebuild at the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) level. First-quarter 2012 sales declined in the security systems business, impacted by an unfavorable year-on-year comparison. Foreign currency translation impacts reduced sales by 1.3 percent.

 

Geographically, sales rose 16 percent in Latin America/Canada, 10 percent in the United States and 4 percent in Asia Pacific. Sales declined 3 percent in Europe.

 

Sales growth and factory efficiency drove a 16.3 percent increase in operating income and a 2.2 percentage point improvement in operating income margins, as margins improved to 23.6 percent.

 

Display and Graphics Business:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Sales (millions)

 

$

832

 

$

943

 

Sales change analysis:

 

 

 

 

 

Organic local currency

 

(11.5

)%

6.4

%

Acquisitions

 

0.1

 

 

Translation

 

(0.4

)

2.1

 

Total sales change

 

(11.8

)%

8.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (millions)

 

$

163

 

$

230

 

Percent change

 

(29.2

)%

8.9

%

Percent of sales

 

19.6

%

24.4

%

 

The Display and Graphics segment serves markets that include electronic display, traffic safety and commercial graphics. This segment includes optical film solutions for LCD electronic displays; reflective sheeting for transportation safety; commercial graphics sheeting and systems; architectural surface and lighting solutions; and mobile interactive solutions, including mobile display technology, visual systems products, and computer screen films.

 

Sales in Display and Graphics were $832 million in the first quarter of 2012, a decline of 11.8 percent. Foreign currency translation impacts reduced sales by 0.4 percent. Optical systems sales declined 28 percent, driven by lower optical film volumes for LCD TVs. Quarterly year-on-year comparisons in optical systems should begin moderating as 2012 progresses, as 2011 optical sales were highest in the first quarter and sequentially declined each quarter throughout 2011. Sales increased in both architectural markets and commercial graphics, and were down slightly in traffic safety systems.

 

Sales increased 9 percent in the United States and 7 percent in Latin America/Canada. Sales declined 11 percent in Europe and 19 percent in Asia Pacific, where the decrease in optical systems sales was a major factor.

 

Operating income in the first quarter of 2012 totaled $163 million, or 19.6 percent of sales, compared to 24.4 percent in the first quarter of 2011, with the difference largely attributable to the decline in optical systems sales.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Electro and Communications Business:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Sales (millions)

 

$

808

 

$

836

 

Sales change analysis:

 

 

 

 

 

Organic local currency

 

(3.1

)%

17.1

%

Translation

 

(0.3

)

3.4

 

Total sales change

 

(3.4

)%

20.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (millions)

 

$

168

 

$

178

 

Percent change

 

(5.7

)%

21.4

%

Percent of sales

 

20.8

%

21.3

%

 

The Electro and Communications segment serves the electrical, electronics and communications industries, including electrical utilities; electrical construction, maintenance and repair; original equipment manufacturer (OEM) electrical and electronics; computers and peripherals; consumer electronics; telecommunications central office, outside plant and enterprise; as well as aerospace, military, automotive and medical markets; with products that enable the efficient transmission of electrical power and speed the delivery of information. Products include electronic and interconnect solutions, micro interconnect systems, high-performance fluids, high-temperature and display tapes, telecommunications products, electrical products, and touch screens and touch monitors.

 

Electro and Communications sales totaled $808 million in the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 3.4 percent. Foreign currency translation impacts reduced sales growth by 0.3 percent. Consumer electronics-related sales declined due to lower customer production levels and weak demand. 3M did see sales improvement in the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 in this business, and currently expects an upturn in electronics around mid-year. Sales also declined in the telecommunications markets business. Sales grew in 3M’s electrical markets business, which supplies connectors and related solutions to the power utility, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) and OEM markets.

 

On a geographic basis, sales increased 5 percent in the United States and 4 percent in Latin America/Canada, but declined 7 percent in Asia Pacific and 6 percent in Europe.

 

Operating income decreased 5.7 percent to $168 million in the first quarter of 2012. Operating income margins were 20.8 percent, compared to 21.3 percent in the first quarter of 2011, impacted by weak electronics-related businesses demand.

 

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Table of Contents

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

 

As indicated in the following table, 3M’s net debt at March 31, 2012 totaled $680 million, compared to $590 million at December 31, 2011. At March 31, 2012, 3M had $4.5 billion of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities and $5.2 billion of debt. Debt included $4.5 billion of long-term debt and $0.7 billion related to the current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings. The strength of 3M’s capital structure and consistency of its cash flows provide 3M reliable access to capital markets. Additionally, the Company’s maturity profile is staggered to ensure refinancing needs in any given year are reasonable in proportion to the total portfolio. The Company has an AA- credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Standard & Poor’s and an Aa2 credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Moody’s Investors Service.

 

The Company generates significant ongoing cash flow, which has been used, in part, to pay dividends on 3M common stock, for acquisitions, and to fund share repurchase activities. In 2011, the Company acquired Winterthur Technologie AG and other businesses for approximately $700 million (including purchases of noncontrolling interest). 3M was able to complete these acquisitions without incurring significant additional debt, while maintaining a strong level of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Debt

 

$

5,174

 

$

5,166

 

Less: Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities

 

4,494

 

4,576

 

Net Debt

 

$

680

 

$

590

 

 

The Company defines net debt as total debt less the total of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. 3M considers net debt to be an important measure of liquidity and of its ability to meet ongoing obligations. This measure is not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

The Company has sufficient liquidity to meet currently anticipated growth plans, including capital expenditures, working capital investments and acquisitions. Operating cash flow of $828 million in the first three months of 2012 was utilized for items such as dividends paid to shareholders ($410 million) and net treasury stock repurchases ($311 million). The Company does not utilize derivative instruments linked to the Company’s stock.

 

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities held internationally totaled $3.1 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, and in the United States totaled $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Cash available in the United States has historically been sufficient to fund dividend payments to shareholders and share repurchases, in addition to funding U.S. acquisitions, U.S. capital spending, U.S. pension/other postemployment benefit contributions, and other items as needed. For those international earnings considered to be reinvested indefinitely, the Company currently has no intention to repatriate these funds. If these international funds are needed for operations in the U.S., 3M would be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds. However, for the international funds considered to be reinvested indefinitely, 3M’s current plans do not indicate a need to repatriate these funds for U.S. operations.

 

The Company’s financial condition and liquidity are strong. Various assets and liabilities, including cash and short-term debt, can fluctuate significantly from month to month depending on short-term liquidity needs. Working capital (defined as current assets minus current liabilities) totaled $7.445 billion at March 31, 2012, compared with $6.799 billion at December 31, 2011. Working capital increases were primarily attributable to increases in accounts receivable, inventory, and cash/cash equivalents, plus decreases in accrued payroll, partially offset by increases in accounts payable.

 

Primary short-term liquidity needs are met through cash on hand, U.S. commercial paper and euro commercial paper issuances. The Company maintains a commercial paper program that allows 3M to have a maximum of $3 billion outstanding with a maximum maturity of 397 days from date of issuance. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 3M had no outstanding commercial paper. The Company believes it is unlikely that its access to the commercial paper market will be restricted.

 

In August 2011, 3M entered into a $1.5 billion, five-year multi-currency revolving credit agreement, which replaced the existing agreement that was due to expire in April 2012. This credit agreement includes a provision under which 3M may request an increase of up to $500 million, bringing the total facility up to $2 billion (at the lenders’ discretion). This facility was undrawn at March 31, 2012. Also, in August 2011, 3M entered into a $200 million, one-year committed line/letter of credit agreement with HSBC Bank USA. This agreement replaced the sublimit for letters of credit that was previously

 

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encompassed in the $1.5 billion five-year facility. As of March 31, 2012, 3M letters of credit issued under this $200 million facility totaled $119 million. An additional $108 million in stand-alone letters of credit was also issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012. These lines/letters of credit are utilized in connection with normal business activities. Under both the $1.5 billion and $200 million credit agreements, the Company is required to maintain its EBITDA to Interest Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter at not less than 3.0 to 1. This is calculated (as defined in the agreement) as the ratio of consolidated total EBITDA for the four consecutive quarters then ended to total interest expense on all funded debt for the same period. At March 31, 2012, this ratio was approximately 41 to 1. Debt covenants do not restrict the payment of dividends.

 

The Company has a “well-known seasoned issuer” shelf registration statement, effective August 5, 2011, which registers an indeterminate amount of debt or equity securities for future sales. The Company intends to use the proceeds from future securities sales off this shelf for general corporate purposes. This replaced 3M’s previous shelf registration dated February 17, 2009. In September 2011, in connection with the August 5, 2011 “well-known seasoned issuer” registration statement, 3M established a $3 billion medium-term notes program (Series F), from which 3M issued a five-year $1 billion fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 1.375%. Proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment in November 2011 of $800 million (principal amount) of medium-term notes.

 

In connection with a prior “well-known seasoned issuer” shelf registration, in June 2007 the Company established a $3 billion medium-term notes program. Three debt securities have been issued under this medium-term notes program. First, in December 2007, 3M issued a five-year, $500 million, fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 4.65%. Second, in August 2008, 3M issued a five-year, $850 million, fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 4.375%. Third, in October 2008, the Company issued a three-year $800 million, fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 4.50%. The Company entered into interest rate swaps to convert this $800 million note to a floating rate. This three-year fixed rate note and related interest rate swaps matured in the fourth quarter of 2011.

 

3M’s strong balance sheet and liquidity provide the Company with significant flexibility to take advantage of numerous opportunities going forward. The Company will continue to invest in its operations to drive growth, including continual review of acquisition opportunities. 3M has a long history of dividend increases. In February 2012, 3M’s Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend on 3M common stock by 7.3 percent to 59 cents per share, equivalent to an annual dividend of $2.36 per share. In February 2011, 3M’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7.0 billion of 3M’s outstanding common stock, which replaced the Company’s previous repurchase program. This authorization has no pre-established end date. At March 31, 2012, the Company has $4.1 billion remaining under the current authorization.

 

For total year 2012, the Company plans to contribute approximately $1 billion of cash to its U.S. and international pension and postretirement plans, with approximately $600 million planned to be contributed in the first half of 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, contributions totaling $300 million were made to the Company’s U.S. and international pension plans and $37 million to its postretirement plans. The Company does not have a required minimum cash pension contribution obligation for its U.S. plans in 2012. Therefore, the amount of the anticipated discretionary contribution could vary significantly depending on the U.S. qualified plans’ funded status as of the 2012 measurement date and the anticipated tax deductibility of the contribution. Future contributions will also depend on market conditions, interest rates and other factors. 3M believes its strong cash flow and balance sheet will allow it to fund future pension needs without compromising growth opportunities.

 

The Company uses various working capital measures that place emphasis and focus on certain working capital assets and liabilities. These measures are not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies. One of the primary working capital measures 3M uses is a combined index, which includes accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable. This combined index (defined as current quarterly net sales multiplied by four, divided by the sum of ending net accounts receivable plus inventory less accounts payable) was 4.9 at March 31, 2012, down from 5.0 at both December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011. Receivables increased $456 million, or 12 percent, compared with December 31, 2011, with higher March 2012 sales compared to December 2011 sales contributing to this increase. In addition, currency translation increased accounts receivable by $25 million. Inventories increased $145 million, or 4 percent, compared with December 31, 2011, with currency translation accounting for $51 million of this increase. Accounts payable increased $136 million compared with December 31, 2011, with this increase primarily related to the net effects of currency translation and changes in business activity.

 

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are provided in the tables that follow. Individual amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows exclude the effects of acquisitions, divestitures and exchange rate impacts on cash and cash equivalents, each of which are presented separately in the cash flows. Thus, the amounts presented in the following operating, investing and financing activities tables reflect changes in balances from period to period adjusted for these effects.

 

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Effective with 3M’s second-quarter 2011 Form 10-Q, the Company revised the amounts previously presented for cash used in investing activities and cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2011 by $33 million. This related to purchases of additional shares (noncontrolling interest) of non-wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries. These immaterial revisions increased cash used in financing activities and decreased cash used in investing activities.

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

$

1,141

 

$

1,103

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

313

 

289

 

Company pension contributions

 

(300

)

(39

)

Company postretirement contributions

 

(37

)

(22

)

Company pension expense

 

151

 

108

 

Company postretirement expense

 

29

 

27

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

103

 

116

 

Income taxes (deferred and accrued income taxes)

 

265

 

140

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

(28

)

(15

)

Accounts receivable

 

(431

)

(469

)

Inventories

 

(96

)

(180

)

Accounts payable

 

118

 

80

 

Product and other insurance receivables and claims

 

(74

)

(39

)

Other — net

 

(326

)

(366

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

828

 

$

733

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period, as pension funding decisions, tax timing differences and other items can significantly impact cash flows.

 

In the first three months of 2012, cash flows provided by operating activities increased $95 million compared to the first three months of 2011. 3M was able to achieve this growth in operating cash flow despite investing an additional $276 million in its pension and postretirement plans when compared to the same period last year. 3M also invested in working capital (which includes accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable) in support of its growth, but at a lower level than in the first quarter of 2011. Working capital increased $409 million in the first three months of 2012, with higher March 2012 sales compared to December 2011 sales contributing to this increase. This compared to working capital increases of $569 million in the first three months of 2011. Lower income tax payments and higher net income also boosted operating cash flow.

 

Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP measure):

 

In addition to net cash provided by operating activities, 3M uses free cash flow as a useful measure of performance and as an indication of the strength of the Company and its ability to generate cash. 3M defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment (which is classified as an investing activity). Free cash flow is not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. Below find a recap of free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

828

 

$

733

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment (PP&E)

 

(261

)

(231

)

Free Cash Flow

 

$

567

 

$

502

 

 

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Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment (PP&E)

 

$

(261

)

$

(231

)

Proceeds from sale of PP&E and other assets

 

4

 

2

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(471

)

Purchases and proceeds from sale or maturities of marketable securities and investments, net

 

213

 

(18

)

Other investing

 

1

 

(6

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(43

)

$

(724

)

 

Investments in property, plant and equipment enable growth across many diverse markets, helping to meet product demand and increasing manufacturing efficiency. Capital expenditures were $261 million in the first three months of 2012, an increase of $30 million when compared to the first three months of 2011. 3M’s capital spending is increasingly shifting toward international markets and, in particular, fast-growing developing economies, as 3M continues to migrate manufacturing to better balance sales with manufacturing capability. The Company expects 2012 capital spending to be approximately $1.3 to $1.5 billion.

 

Refer to Note 2 for information on 2011 acquisitions. The Company is actively considering additional acquisitions, investments and strategic alliances, and from time to time may also divest certain businesses.

 

Purchases of marketable securities and investments and proceeds from sale (or maturities) of marketable securities and investments are primarily attributable to asset-backed securities, agency securities, corporate medium-term note securities and other securities, which are classified as available-for-sale. Interest rate risk and credit risk related to the underlying collateral may impact the value of investments in asset-backed securities, while factors such as general conditions in the overall credit market and the nature of the underlying collateral may affect the liquidity of investments in asset-backed securities. The coupon interest rates for asset-backed securities are either fixed rate or floating. Floating rate coupons reset monthly or quarterly based upon the corresponding monthly or quarterly LIBOR rate. Each individual floating rate security has a coupon based upon the respective LIBOR rate +/- an amount reflective of the credit risk of the issuer and the underlying collateral on the original issue date. Terms of the reset are unique to individual securities. Fixed rate coupons are established at the time the security is issued and are based upon a spread to a related maturity treasury bond. The spread against the treasury bond is reflective of the credit risk of the issuer and the underlying collateral on the original issue date. 3M does not currently expect risk related to its holdings in asset-backed securities to materially impact its financial condition or liquidity. Refer to Note 6 for more details about 3M’s diversified marketable securities portfolio, which totaled $2.162 billion as of March 31, 2012. Proceeds from sales or maturities of marketable securities and investments, net of purchases, totaled $213 million in the first three months of 2012. Purchases of marketable securities and investments, net of proceeds from sales or maturities, totaled $18 million in the first three months of 2011. Purchases of investments also include additional survivor benefit insurance and equity investments.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in short-term debt — net

 

$

(18

)

$

12

 

Repayment of debt (maturities greater than 90 days)

 

(15

)

(104

)

Proceeds from debt (maturities greater than 90 days)

 

6

 

107

 

Total cash change in debt

 

$

(27

)

$

15

 

Purchases of treasury stock

 

(524

)

(680

)

Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock pursuant to stock option and benefit plans

 

213

 

378

 

Dividends paid to stockholders

 

(410

)

(392

)

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

28

 

15

 

Other — net

 

(2

)

(33

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

$

(722

)

$

(697

)

 

Total debt at March 31, 2012, was $5.2 billion, up slightly from year-end 2011. Total debt was 24 percent of total capital (total capital is defined as debt plus equity) at March 31, 2012, compared to 25 percent of total capital at year-end 2011.

 

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Repayment of and proceeds from debt in the three months of 2012 was minimal. Repayment of debt in the first three months of 2011 included repayment of a portion of debt related to the 5.8 billion Japanese Yen note installment paid in March 2011 and repayment of a portion of debt that was acquired, primarily related to the Winterthur acquisition. Proceeds from debt in the first three months of 2011 primarily relate to an amendment to a Canada loan agreement which increased the principal amount of the loan by 100.5 million Canadian Dollars.

 

Repurchases of common stock are made to support the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans and for other corporate purposes. In the first three months of 2012, the Company purchased $524 million of treasury stock compared to $680 million of treasury stock in the first three months of 2011. As of March 31, 2012, approximately $4.1 billion of 3M common stock remained available for repurchase under the February 2011 repurchase authorization of $7.0 billion, which has no pre-established end date. For more information, refer to the table titled “Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in Part II, Item 2.

 

Cash dividends paid to stockholders totaled $410 million in the first three months of 2012 compared to $392 million in the first three months of 2011. 3M has paid dividends since 1916. In February 2012, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend on 3M common stock by 7.3 percent to 59 cents per share, equivalent to an annual dividend of $2.36 per share. This marked the 54th consecutive year of dividend increases.

 

In addition to the items described below, other cash flows from financing activities may include various other items, such as distributions to or sales of noncontrolling interests, changes in cash overdraft balances, and principal payments for capital leases.

 

In the first quarter of 2011, subsequent to acquiring a controlling interest in Winterthur, 3M purchased additional outstanding shares of its Winterthur subsidiary for $33 million, increasing 3M’s ownership interest from approximately 86 percent to approximately 94 percent as of March 31, 2011 (subsequently increased to 100 percent as of December 31, 2011). These additional purchases are reflected as other financing activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part I, Item 2, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may also make forward-looking statements in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in materials delivered to shareholders and in press releases. In addition, the Company’s representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company’s expected future business and financial performance. Words such as “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements. In particular, these include, among others, statements relating to the Company’s

 

·    strategy for growth, future revenues, earnings, cash flow, uses of cash and other measures of financial performance, and market position,

 

·    worldwide economic and capital markets conditions, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial conditions of our suppliers and customers, and natural and other disasters affecting the operations of the Company or our suppliers and customers,

 

·    new business opportunities, product development, and future performance or results of current or anticipated products,

 

·    the scope, nature or impact of acquisition, strategic alliance and divestiture activities,

 

·    the outcome of contingencies, such as legal and regulatory proceedings,

 

·    future levels of indebtedness, common stock repurchases and capital spending,

 

·    future availability of and access to credit markets,

 

·    pension and postretirement obligation assumptions and future contributions, asset impairments, tax liabilities, information technology security, and

 

·    the effects of changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations in the United States and other countries in which we operate.

 

The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those

 

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reflected in any such forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors. Important information as to these factors can be found in this document, including, among others, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the headings of “Overview,” “Financial Condition and Liquidity” and annually in “Critical Accounting Estimates.” Discussion of these factors is incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” For additional information concerning factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements, see our reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

In the context of Item 3, 3M is exposed to market risk due to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Changes in those factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flows. Senior management provides oversight for risk management and derivative activities, determines certain of the Company’s financial risk policies and objectives, and provides guidelines for derivative instrument utilization. Senior management also establishes certain associated procedures relative to control and valuation, risk analysis, counterparty credit approval, and ongoing monitoring and reporting.

 

The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties in interest rate swaps, currency swaps, commodity price swaps, and forward and option contracts. However, the Company’s risk is limited to the fair value of the instruments. The Company actively monitors its exposure to credit risk through the use of credit approvals and credit limits, and by selecting major international banks and financial institutions as counterparties. The Company does not anticipate nonperformance by any of these counterparties.

 

Foreign Exchange Rates Risk:

 

Foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates may affect the Company’s net investment in foreign subsidiaries and may cause fluctuations in cash flows related to foreign denominated transactions. 3M is also exposed to the translation of foreign currency earnings to the U.S. dollar. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash flows denominated in foreign currencies and certain intercompany financing transactions. These transactions are designated as cash flow hedges. Generally, 3M dedesignates these cash flow hedge relationships in advance of the occurrence of the forecasted transaction. The maximum length of time over which 3M hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for a majority of the forecasted transactions is 12 months and, accordingly, at March 31, 2012, the majority of the Company’s open foreign exchange forward and option contracts had maturities of one year or less. In addition, 3M enters into foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated in hedging relationships to offset, in part, the impacts of certain intercompany activities (primarily associated with intercompany licensing arrangements). As circumstances warrant, the Company also uses cross currency swaps, forwards and foreign currency denominated debt as hedging instruments to hedge portions of the Company’s net investments in foreign operations. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of the Company’s foreign exchange forward and option contracts designated as cash flow hedges and those not designated as hedging instruments were $5.2 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, at March 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had no cross currency swap and foreign currency forward contracts designated as net investment hedges, but had designated certain of 3M’s foreign currency denominated debt as nonderivative hedging instruments in certain net investment hedges as discussed in Note 8 in the “Net Investment Hedges” section.

 

Interest Rates Risk:

 

The Company may be impacted by interest rate volatility with respect to existing debt and future debt issuances. 3M manages interest expense using a mix of fixed and floating rate debt. To help manage borrowing costs, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges. Under these arrangements, the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. The dollar equivalent (based on inception date foreign currency exchange rates) gross notional amount of the Company’s interest rate swaps at March 31, 2012 was $342 million. Additional details about 3M’s long-term debt can be found in Note 10 in 3M’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including references to information regarding derivatives and/or hedging instruments associated with the Company’s long-term debt.

 

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Commodity Prices Risk:

 

Certain commodities the Company uses in the production of its products are exposed to market price risks. 3M manages commodity price risks through negotiated supply contracts, price protection agreements and forward physical contracts. The Company uses commodity price swaps relative to natural gas as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions to manage price volatility. Generally, the length of time over which 3M hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for its forecasted natural gas transactions is 12 months. 3M also enters into commodity price swaps that are not designated in hedge relationships to offset, in part, the impacts of fluctuations in costs associated with the use of certain precious metals.

 

The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of the Company’s natural gas commodity price swaps designated as cash flow hedges and precious metal commodity price swaps not designated in hedge relationships were $23 million and $2 million, respectively, at March 31, 2012.

 

Value At Risk:

 

The value at risk analysis is performed annually. A Monte Carlo simulation technique was used to test the Company’s exposure to changes in currency rates, interest rates, and commodity prices and assess the risk of loss or benefit in after-tax earnings of financial instruments (primarily debt), derivatives and underlying exposures outstanding at December 31, 2011. The model (third-party bank dataset) used a 95 percent confidence level over a 12-month time horizon. The model used analyzed 18 currencies, interest rates related to two currencies, and five commodities, but does not purport to represent what actually will be experienced by the Company. This model does not include certain hedge transactions, because the Company believes their inclusion would not materially impact the results. Foreign exchange rate risk of loss or benefit increased in 2011, primarily due to increases in exposures, which is one of the key drivers in the valuation model. Interest rate volatility decreased in 2011 because interest rates are currently very low and are projected to remain low, based on forward rates. The following table summarizes the possible adverse and positive impacts to after-tax earnings related to these exposures.

 

 

 

Adverse impact on after-tax
earnings

 

Positive impact on after-tax
earnings

 

(Millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Foreign exchange rates

 

$

(131

)

$

(108

)

$

146

 

$

120

 

Interest rates

 

(2

)

(4

)

2

 

4

 

Commodity prices

 

(10

)

(15

)

7

 

12

 

 

In addition to the possible adverse and positive impacts discussed in the preceding table related to foreign exchange rates, recent historical information is as follows. 3M estimates that year-on-year currency effects, including hedging impacts, had the following effects on net income attributable to 3M: first-quarter 2012 ($26 million decrease), full-year 2011 ($154 million increase) and full-year 2010 ($15 million increase). This estimate includes the effect of translating profits from local currencies into U.S. dollars; the impact of currency fluctuations on the transfer of goods between 3M operations in the United States and abroad; and transaction gains and losses, including derivative instruments designed to reduce foreign currency exchange rate risks and the negative impact of swapping Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars. 3M estimates that year-on-year derivative and other transaction gains and losses had the following effects on net income attributable to 3M: first-quarter 2012 ($7 million decrease), full-year 2011 (immaterial impact) and full-year 2010 ($115 million decrease).

 

An analysis of the global exposures related to purchased components and materials is performed at each year-end. A one percent price change would result in a pre-tax cost or savings of approximately $71 million per year. The global energy exposure is such that a 10 percent price change would result in a pre-tax cost or savings of approximately $43 million per year.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

a. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

b. There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Company is implementing an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system on a worldwide basis, which is expected to improve the efficiency of certain financial and related transaction processes. The gradual implementation is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. The implementation of a worldwide ERP system will likely affect the processes that constitute our internal control over financial reporting and will require testing for effectiveness.

 

The Company completed implementation with respect to elements of certain processes/sub-processes in limited subsidiaries/locations and will continue to roll-out the ERP system over the next several years. As with any new information technology application we implement, this application, along with the internal controls over financial reporting included in this process, was appropriately considered within the testing for effectiveness with respect to the implementation in these instances. We concluded, as part of our evaluation described in the above paragraphs, that the implementation of ERP in these circumstances has not materially affected our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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3M COMPANY

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2012

PART II.  Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

Discussion of legal matters is incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1, Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies”, of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings”.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Provided below is a cautionary discussion of what we believe to be the most important risk factors applicable to the Company. Discussion of these factors is incorporated by reference into and considered an integral part of Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.”

 

* Results are impacted by the effects of, and changes in, worldwide economic and capital markets conditions. The Company operates in more than 65 countries and derives approximately two-thirds of its revenues from outside the United States. The Company’s business is subject to global competition and may be adversely affected by factors in the United States and other countries that are beyond its control, such as disruptions in financial markets, economic downturns in the form of either contained or widespread recessionary conditions, elevated unemployment levels, sluggish or uneven recovery, in specific countries or regions, or in the various industries in which the Company operates; social, political or labor conditions in specific countries or regions; natural and other disasters affecting the operations of the Company or its customers and suppliers; or adverse changes in the availability and cost of capital, interest rates, tax rates, or regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

 

* The Company’s credit ratings are important to 3M’s cost of capital. The major rating agencies routinely evaluate the Company’s credit profile and assign debt ratings to 3M. The Company currently has an AA- credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Standard & Poor’s and an Aa2 credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Moody’s Investors Service. This evaluation is based on a number of factors, which include financial strength, business and financial risk, as well as transparency with rating agencies and timeliness of financial reporting. The Company’s current ratings have served to lower 3M’s borrowing costs and facilitate access to a variety of lenders. Failure to maintain the current ratings level would adversely affect the Company’s cost of funds and could adversely affect liquidity and access to capital markets.

 

* The Company’s results are affected by competitive conditions and customer preferences. Demand for the Company’s products, which impacts revenue and profit margins, is affected by (i) the development and timing of the introduction of competitive products; (ii) the Company’s response to downward pricing to stay competitive; (iii) changes in customer order patterns, such as changes in the levels of inventory maintained by customers and the timing of customer purchases which may be affected by announced price changes, changes in the Company’s incentive programs, or the customer’s ability to achieve incentive goals; and (iv) changes in customers’ preferences for our products, including the success of products offered by our competitors, and changes in customer designs for their products that can affect the demand for some of the Company’s products.

 

* Foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates may affect the Company’s ability to realize projected growth rates in its sales and earnings. Because the Company’s financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars and approximately two-thirds of the Company’s revenues are derived from outside the United States, the Company’s results of operations and its ability to realize projected growth rates in sales and earnings could be adversely affected if the U.S. dollar strengthens significantly against foreign currencies.

 

* The Company’s growth objectives are largely dependent on the timing and market acceptance of its new product offerings, including its ability to continually renew its pipeline of new products and to bring those products to market. This ability may be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in product development, such as the inability to identify viable new products, obtain adequate intellectual property protection, or gain market acceptance of new products. There are no guarantees that new products will prove to be commercially successful.

 

* The Company’s future results are subject to fluctuations in the costs and availability of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy, including oil and natural gas and their derivatives, due to shortages, increased demand, supply interruptions, currency exchange risks, natural disasters and other factors. The Company depends on various components, compounds, raw materials, and energy (including oil and natural gas and their derivatives) supplied by others for the manufacturing of its products. It is possible that any of its supplier relationships could be interrupted due

 

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to natural and other disasters and other events, or be terminated in the future. Any sustained interruption in the Company’s receipt of adequate supplies could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, while the Company has a process to minimize volatility in component and material pricing, no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to successfully manage price fluctuations or that future price fluctuations or shortages will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

* 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.

 

* Security breaches and other disruptions to the Company’s information technology infrastructure could interfere with the Company’s operations, compromise information belonging to the Company and its customers and suppliers, and expose the Company to liability which could adversely impact the Company’s business and reputation. In the ordinary course of business, the Company relies on information technology networks and systems, some of which are managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities. Additionally, the Company collects and stores sensitive data, including proprietary business information. Despite security measures and business continuity plans, the Company’s information technology networks and infrastructure may be vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to attack by hackers or breaches, employee error or malfeasance, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. Any such events could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or penalties under privacy laws, disruption in operations, and damage to the Company’s reputation, which could adversely affect the Company’s business.

 

* The Company’s future results may be affected by various legal and regulatory proceedings and legal compliance risks, including those involving product liability, antitrust, environmental, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery, anti-corruption, 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 10 “Commitments and Contingencies” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

(e) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Repurchases of common stock are made to support the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans and for other corporate purposes. In February 2011, 3M’s Board of Directors replaced the Company’s existing repurchase program with a new repurchase program. This new program authorizes the repurchase of up to $7.0 billion of 3M’s outstanding common stock, with no pre-established end date.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity

Securities (registered pursuant to

Section 12 of the Exchange Act)

 

 

 

Total Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)

 

Average Price
Paid per
Share

 

Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs (2)

 

Maximum
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased under the
Plans or Programs
(Millions)

 

January 1-31, 2012

 

1,263,561

 

$

84.83

 

1,252,356

 

$

4,483

 

February 1-29, 2012

 

2,396,317

 

$

87.73

 

1,745,000

 

$

4,330

 

March 1-31, 2012

 

2,466,062

 

$

87.94

 

2,433,944

 

$

4,116

 

Total January 1-March 31, 2012

 

6,125,940

 

$

87.22

 

5,431,300

 

$

4,116

 


(1)         The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased under the Board’s authorizations described above, and (ii) shares purchased in connection with the exercise of stock options.

(2)         The total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs includes shares purchased under the Board’s authorizations described above.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.No matters require disclosure.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Pursuant to Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”), the Company is required to disclose, in connection with the mines it operates, information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Act is included in Exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.

 

Item 5. Other Information.No matters require disclosure.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibits. These exhibits are either incorporated by reference into this report or filed herewith with this report. Exhibit numbers 10.1 through 10.42 are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

 

Index to Exhibits:

 

(3)                 Articles of Incorporation and bylaws

 

(3.1)                                Certificate of incorporation, as amended as of May 11, 2007, is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated May 14, 2007.

(3.2)                                Bylaws, as amended as of February 10, 2009, are incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated February 12, 2009.

 

(4)                 Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures:

 

(4.1)                                Indenture, dated as of November 17, 2000, between 3M and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee, with respect to 3M’s senior debt securities, is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated December 7, 2000.

(4.2)                                First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 29, 2011, to Indenture dated as of November 17, 2000, between 3M and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee, with respect to 3M’s senior debt securities, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 

(10)                          Material contracts and management compensation plans and arrangements:

 

(10.1)                         3M 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (including amendments through February 2010) is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated May 12, 2010.

(10.2)                         Form of Agreement for Stock Option Grants to Executive Officers under 3M 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated May 13, 2008.

(10.3)                         Form of Stock Option Agreement for options granted to Executive Officers under the 3M 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, commencing February 9, 2010, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(10.4)                         Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for restricted stock units granted to Executive Officers under the 3M Long-Term Incentive Plan, effective February 9, 2010, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(10.5)                         Form of 3M 2010 Performance Share Award under the 3M 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated March 4, 2010.

(10.6)                         Form of Stock Option Agreement for U.S. Employees under 3M 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

(10.7)                         Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for U.S. Employees under 3M 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

(10.8)                         Amendment of the 3M 2005 Management Stock Ownership Program and the 3M 2008 Long-term Incentive Plan — transfer of stock options to former spouses, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

(10.9)                         3M 2005 Management Stock Ownership Program is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

(10.10)                  3M 2002 Management Stock Ownership Program is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement for the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

(10.11)                  Amendments of 3M 2002 and 2005 Management Stock Ownership Programs are incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 14, 2008.

(10.12)                  Form of award agreement for non-qualified stock options granted under the 2005 Management Stock Ownership Program, is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated May 16, 2005.

(10.13)                  Form of award agreement for non-qualified stock options granted under the 2002 Management Stock Ownership Program, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

(10.14)                  3M 1997 General Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through November 8, 2004, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

(10.15)                  3M Board resolution dated May 12, 2009, regarding three-year extension of 3M 1997 General Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.

 

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(10.16)                        Amendment of the 3M 1997 General Employees Stock Purchase Plan approved on February 9, 2010 is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(10.17)                        3M Board resolution dated February 7, 2012 extending for three additional one-year periods the General Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

(10.18)                        3M VIP Excess Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 14, 2008.

(10.19)                        Amendment of 3M VIP Excess Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 24, 2009.

(10.20)                        3M VIP (Voluntary Investment Plan) Plus is incorporated by reference from Registration Statement No. 333-73192 on Form S-8, filed on November 13, 2001.

(10.21)                        Amendment of 3M VIP Plus is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 14, 2008.

(10.22)                        3M Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended through February 2008, is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated February 14, 2008.

(10.23)                        Amendment of 3M Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 14, 2008.

(10.24)                        3M Deferred Compensation Excess Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(10.25)                        3M Performance Awards Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(10.26)                        3M Executive Annual Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated May 14, 2007.

(10.27)                        Description of changes to 3M Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated August 8, 2005.

(10.28)                        3M Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended, through November 8, 2004, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

(10.29)                        Amendment of 3M Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 14, 2008.

(10.30)                        3M Executive Life Insurance Plan, as amended, is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

(10.31)                        Summary of Personal Financial Planning Services for 3M Executives is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

(10.32)                        3M policy on reimbursement of incentive payments is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

(10.33)                        Amended and Restated 3M Nonqualified Pension Plan I is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated December 23, 2008.

(10.34)                        Amended and Restated 3M Nonqualified Pension Plan II is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated December 23, 2008.

(10.35)                        3M Nonqualified Pension Plan III is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 14, 2008.

(10.36)                        Employment agreement dated as of December 6, 2005, between 3M and George W. Buckley is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated December 9, 2005.

(10.37)                        Amendment, dated August 14, 2006, to employment agreement between 3M and George W. Buckley is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.

(10.38)                        Amendment to Employment Agreement between 3M and George W. Buckley is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated December 17, 2008.

(10.39)                        Employment agreement dated as of January 23, 2002, between 3M and Patrick D. Campbell is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

(10.40)                        Amendment to Employment Agreement between 3M and Patrick D. Campbell is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated November 18, 2008.

(10.41)                        Appointment and Compensatory arrangements between 3M and David W. Meline are incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated July 23, 2008.

(10.42)                        Policy on Reimbursement of Incentive Compensation (effective May 11, 2010) is incorporated by reference from our Form 10-Q dated August 4, 2010.

(10.43)                        Five-year credit agreement as of August 5, 2011, is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated August 10, 2011.

(10.44)                        Letter of credit agreement as of August 24, 2011 is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated August 30, 2011.

(10.45)                        Registration Rights Agreement as of August 4, 2009, between 3M Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company as Independent Fiduciary of the 3M Employee Retirement Income Plan, is incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated August 5, 2009.

 

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Filed herewith:

 

   (12)                          Calculation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

   (15)                          A letter from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

(31.1)                         Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

(31.2)                         Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

(32.1)                         Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

(32.2)                         Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

   (95)                          Mine Safety Disclosures.

 (101)                         The following financial information from 3M Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2012, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

3M COMPANY

(Registrant)

 

Date: May 3, 2012

 

 

By 

/s/ David W. Meline

 

 

 

 

David W. Meline,

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 (Mr. Meline is the Principal Financial Officer and has

been duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant.)

 

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