当資料は、3M社（本社：米国ミネソタ州、NYSE:MMM）が2023年8月29日（現地時間）に発表した報道資料を抄訳したものです。

 3M社は本日、は、Aearo Technologies社（以下Aearo）と3Mに対するコンバット・アーム・イヤープラグに関する訴訟を解決するため、裁判所が選任した交渉原告団と合意に達したと発表しました。この合意に基づき、3Mは2023年から2029年の間に総額60億ドルを拠出し、その内訳は50億ドルの現金と10億ドルの3Mの普通株式です。

この合意は3Mが以前に公表した調停プロセスを通じて成立したもので、請求者の参加を促進するように構成されており、コンバット・アーム・イヤープラグ製品に関連するすべての請求を解決することを意図しています。この合意にはフロリダ州での多地区訴訟およびミネソタ州での州裁判所訴訟におけるすべての請求と、将来発生する可能性のある請求が含まれています。フロリダ州およびミネソタ州の裁判所は、合意の履行を支持する命令をくだしています。

この合意は責任を認めるものではありません。この訴訟で問題となっている製品は、適切に使用されれば安全で効果的なものです。3Mは、和解の特定の合意条件が履行されない場合、訴訟において自らを弁護し続ける用意があります。

財務上の考慮事項

この合意の結果、3Mは2023年第3四半期に約42億ドルの税引前費用を計上する予定です。これは、この合意に基づく拠出金の税引前現在価値53億ドルから、この問題に関連する3Mの既存の引当金約11億ドルを差し引いたものです。この費用は特別項目を調整した3Mの業績に反映されます。一定の条件が満たされた場合に予想される支払いスケジュールなどの本契約の詳細については、3Mが証券取引委員会に提出する書類に記載される予定です。

Aearoと3Mは和解金の一部を相殺するため、保険金回収活動に積極的に取り組んでおり、Aearoは6月、この訴訟に関連する保険会社に対する保険金回収訴訟を開始しました。

3Mのビジネスモデルの強さと安定性、強力なフリーキャッシュフロー能力は、実績のある資本市場へのアクセスとともに、本契約およびその他のコミットメントや義務に基づくキャッシュフローニーズを満たすために資本を投入する財務的柔軟性を提供しています。

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including projections as to the amount and timing of payments made under the Combat Arms Earplugs Settlement and statements regarding the potential impact of the Settlement on the existing litigation relating to the products that are the subject of the Settlement. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "aim," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "could," "would," "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. Forward-looking information is based on management's estimates, assumptions, and projections, and is subject to significant uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond 3M's control. Important risk factors could cause actual future results and other future events to differ materially from those currently estimated by management, including, but not limited to, whether the anticipated participation by plaintiffs in the Settlement will be achieved, whether the number of plaintiffs that participate in the Settlement will meet current expectations or will fall below the level that would permit 3M to terminate the Settlement (and whether 3M will elect to terminate the Settlement if this occurs), whether there will be a significant number of future claims by plaintiffs that decline to participate in the Settlement, whether the Settlement is appealed or challenged, whether the requirements applicable to the issuance of the equity securities that are contemplated to be part of the Settlement will be met, the filing of additional, or the outcome of any other pending or future, litigation relating to the products that are the subject of the Settlement, or changes in related laws or regulations. Additional important risk factors that could cause future actual results or events to differ materially are the following: (1) worldwide economic, political, regulatory, international trade, geopolitical, capital markets and other external conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control, including inflation, recession, military conflicts, natural and other disasters or climate change affecting the operations of the Company or its customers and suppliers; (2) risks related to unexpected events such as the public health crises associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic; (3) foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; (4) risks related to certain fluorochemicals, including liabilities related to claims, lawsuits, and government regulatory proceedings concerning various PFAS-related products and chemistries, as well as risks related to the Company's plans to exit PFAS manufacturing and discontinue use of PFAS across its product portfolio; (5) 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, 2022 and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (the "Reports"); (6) competitive conditions and customer preferences; (7) the timing and market acceptance of new product and service offerings; (8) the availability and cost of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy due to shortages, increased demand and wages, supply chain interruptions, or natural or other disasters; (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) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other strategic events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies; (11) operational execution, including the extent to which the Company can realize the benefits of planned productivity improvements, as well as the impact of organizational restructuring activities; (12) financial market risks that may affect the Company's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans; (13) the Company's credit ratings and its cost of capital; (14) tax-related external conditions, including changes in tax rates, laws or regulations; (15) matters relating to the proposed spin-off of the Company's Health Care business; and (16) matters relating to the voluntary chapter 11 proceedings of the Company's subsidiary Aearo Technologies and certain of its affiliates. 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 Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements discussed herein as a result of new information or future events or developments.

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