3M to acquire A-One’s label business in Japan

3M has agreed to acquire a majority stake in the A-One branded consumer and office label business and related operations. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. 

A-One is said to be the leading office and consumer label brand in Asia, and the second largest worldwide. It has been majority owned and operated by the Arai family since its inception in 1959. A-One label products have been manufactured from its Togane plant for office and consumer customers throughout Japan for over 50 years. A-One CEO Hiroaki Arai will continue to lead the business, bringing A-One within the 3M global network. 

‘A-One will significantly enhance our ability to create a global label platform that services our customers and delights our loyal 3M end-users,’ said Bill Smith, vice president, 3M office supplies division. ‘A-One not only provides immediate critical mass in Japan and valuable know-how for label production, it accelerates our penetration through the Asia region and underscores 3M’s commitment to be a global leader in the consumer and office label business.’ 

The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. 

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