Growing through deals
3M has beefed up its safety and security division through acquisitions in recent years, including two announced this week.
2006
• Aerion Technologies Inc., a Denver provider of environmental monitoring products including gas detection systems.
• Security Printing and Systems Ltd., a British producer of finished, personalized passports and secure cards.
• The safety business of POMP Medical and Occupational Health Products, a Brazilian provider of products such as earplugs and eyewear.
2007
• Rochford Thompson Equipment Ltd., a British manufacturer of optical character recognition passport readers used by airlines and immigration authorities.
• E Wood Holdings PLC, a British manufacturer of protective coatings for oil, gas, water, rail and automotive industries, for $78 million.
2008
• Aearo Technologies Inc., an Indianapolis eye, hearing and fall protection company, for $1.2 billion.
• Quest Technologies Inc., an Oconomowoc , Wis., manufacturer of environmental monitoring equipment, including noise, heat-stress and vibration monitors.
2010
• Dailys Ltd., a British supplier of disposable protective clothing.
• *Cogent Inc. a Pasadena, Calif., maker of fingerprint identification and face recognition systems, for $943 million.
• *Attenti Holdings SA, an Israeli producer of electronic tracking devices, for $230 million.
*Proposed transactions not yet completed
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The staples distributor issue added to a mixed quarterly report for Medtronic, which is run out of Fridley.