3M : to Sell Substantially All of Its Communication Markets Division

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3M today announced that it has entered into agreements related to the sale of substantially all of its Communication Markets Division to Corning Incorporated, for $900 million, subject to closing and other adjustments.

This business consists of optical fiber and copper passive connectivity solutions for the telecommunications industry including 3M's xDSL, FTTx, and structured cabling solutions and, in certain countries, telecommunications system integration services. This business has annual global sales of approximately $400 million.

'After completing a thorough strategic review, we believe that this business will be well positioned with Corning,' said Ashish Khandpur, executive vice president, Electronics & Energy Business Group. 'I want to thank our Communication Markets Division team for their outstanding contributions.'

The sale, which is subject to consultation or information requirements with relevant works councils and to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in 2018. Approximately 500 3M employees are expected to join Corning upon completion of the transaction.

3M expects to realize a gain of approximately $0.40 per share from this transaction, net of actions related to the divestiture.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor to 3M.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information about 3M's financial results and estimates and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'aim,' 'project,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'believe,' 'will,' 'should,' 'could,' 'target,' 'forecast' and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance or business plans or prospects. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: (1) worldwide economic, political, and capital markets conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control, including natural and other disasters or climate change affecting the operations of the Company or its customers and suppliers; (2) the Company's credit ratings and its cost of capital; (3) competitive conditions and customer preferences; (4) foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; (5) the timing and market acceptance of new product offerings; (6) the availability and cost of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy (including oil and natural gas and their derivatives) due to shortages, increased demand or supply interruptions (including those caused by natural and other disasters and other events); (7) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other unusual events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies, and possible organizational restructuring; (8) generating fewer productivity improvements than estimated; (9) unanticipated problems or delays with the phased implementation of a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, or security breaches and other disruptions to the Company's information technology infrastructure; (10) financial market risks that may affect the Company's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans; and (11) legal proceedings, including significant developments that could occur in the legal and regulatory proceedings described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (the 'Reports'). Changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. A further description of these factors is located in the Reports under 'Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results' and 'Risk Factors' in Part I, Items 1 and 1A (Annual Report) and in Part I, Item 2 and Part II, Item 1A (Quarterly Reports). The information contained in this news release is as of the date indicated. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of new information or future events or developments.

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