3M to Acquire General Industrial Diamond Company Inc.; Acquisition Broadens 3M's Superabrasives Platform

Demand for hard-to-grind materials is fueling the need forimproved grinding and finishing processes using superabrasives. 3M'sdiamond and CBN (cubic boron nitride) flexible abrasives and GeneralIndustrial Diamond Company's bonded superabrasives produce precisionfinishes on hard to grind materials such as ceramics, thermal spraycoatings, stone, glass, carbides, and nonferrous metals. Thisacquisition combines expertise in superabrasives to deliver a broaderrange of grinding and finishing solutions to meet the growing demandfor advanced production processes in industrial markets.

"Adding General Industrial Diamond's bonded superabrasivesenhances our existing product line and enables 3M to deliver costreduction to our customers through manufacturing processimprovements," said Rosa Miller, division vice president, 3M AbrasiveSystems Division. "The combination of 3M's technology and globalpresence with General Industrial Diamond's strong product offeringenables sales synergies and positions 3M as the premier source ofengineered grinding and finishing solutions."

General Industrial Diamond Company Inc. facilities are located inNew Jersey and Colorado employing approximately 100 people. Thetransaction is expected to close next month, subject to customaryclosing conditions.

About 3M Abrasive Systems Division

3M Abrasive Systems Division is 3M's "heritage business," uponwhich the company was founded in 1902. 3M's brands are recognizedaround the world, making the company a leading abrasives supplier tomanufacturers of medical, electronics, aerospace, automotive andthousands of other products. 3M abrasive technologies and brands,including Cubitron, Scotch-Brite, and Trizact, mean customers cantrust 3M to provide quality, innovative products and solutions forvirtually every purpose - from grinding to polishing.

About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen.Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know theycan rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands includeicons such as Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite,Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200countries around the world, the company's 69,000 people use theirexpertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major marketsincluding consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics andtelecommunications; safety, security and protection services; healthcare; industrial and transportation.

Trizact, Cubitron Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate,Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.