3M acquires Aearo Technologies

3M has announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aearo Technologies for a price of $1.2 billion.

A leader in the personal protection industry, Aearo manufactures and markets personal protection and energy-absorbing products.

3M is a recognised leader in personal protective equipment in the first responder, industrial manufacturing, automotive, shipbuilding, military, home improvement contractors and consumer markets.

Aearo will significantly expand 3M's occupational health and environmental safety platform by adding hearing protection, eyewear and fall protection product lines to its existing line of respiratory products.

"Aearo complements and significantly broadens our core safety and personal protection business, a space which is growing fast and of strategic importance to the company," said George Buckley, 3M chairman, president and CEO.