3M has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in the A-One branded consumer and office label business and related operations. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

A-One is the number one office and consumer label brand in Asia, and the second largest worldwide. It has been majority owned and operated by the Arai family continuously since its inception in 1959. A-One has distribution at all major retail and stationery channels throughout Japan. A-One CEO Hiroaki Arai will continue to lead the business after closing, bringing A-One within the 3M global network.

3M entered the U.S. consumer and office label market in 2009 under the flagship Post-it and 3M brands.

"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."