by 7.4%, and the Asia Pacific area sales by 0.5%, as the U.S. dollar weakened against these currencies. Foreign currency translation had a minimal impact on European sales. For 2005, international operations represented approximately 61% of 3M’s sales.

 

Geographic Area Supplemental Information

  

Employment:

Employment increased by 2,244 people since year-end 2004. The CUNO acquisition in August 2005 added approximately 2,300 employees. The Company continues to increase headcount in faster-growing areas of the world, such as Asia Pacific, primarily to support increasing local sales. Excluding the impact of CUNO, employment has been decreasing in the United States and combined Europe, Middle East and Africa area. Sales per employee in local currencies increased approximately 4% in 2005, approximately 7% in 2004 and 8.5% in 2003.

 

Capital Spending/Net Property, Plant and Equipment:

The bulk of 3M capital spending historically has been in the United States, resulting in higher net property, plant and equipment balances in the U.S. The Company is striving to more closely align its manufacturing and sourcing with geographic market sales, and because approximately 61% of sales are outside the United States, this would increase production outside the United States, helping to improve customer service and reduce working capital requirements.  The 2005 decrease in net property, plant and equipment in the Europe, Middle East and Africa area was primarily due to currency translation (due to the stronger U.S dollar at December 31, 2005 when compared to December 31, 2004). Capital spending in Asia has more than doubled since 2003 as we continue to grow our presence in this region.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Information regarding significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As stated in Note 1, the preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.



The Company believes its most critical accounting estimates relate to legal proceedings, the Company’s pension and postretirement obligations, and potential asset impairment issues. Senior management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of its critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of 3M’s Board of Directors.

 

Legal Proceedings:

The categories of claims for which the Company has estimated its probable liability, the amount of its liability accruals, and the estimates of its related insurance receivables are critical accounting estimates related to legal proceedings. Please refer to the section entitled “Accrued Liabilities and Insurance Receivables Related to Legal Proceedings”