Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

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.

There were no business combinations that closed during the three months ended March 31, 2013.Adjustments in the first quarter of 2013 to the preliminary purchase price allocations of other acquisitions within the allocation period were not material and primarily related to the 2012acquisition of Ceradyne, Inc. The allocations of purchase price related to the acquisitions of the business purchased from Federal Signal Corp. in September 2012 and Ceradyne, Inc. in November 2012 are considered preliminary, largely with respect to certain acquired property, plant and equipment; intangible assets; and tax-related assets and liabilities.Refer to Note 2 in 3M's 2012Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on 3M's2012acquisitions.