3M acquires Futuro compression hosiery business from Beiersdorf

25 November 2008, Wilton, Conn. - 3M Co. said yesterday that it is to acquire the Futuro line of health supports and compression-hosiery products from Beiersdorf.

Futuro’s line of health supports includes knitted wraps, braces and elastic bandages used by active consumers to treat minor sprains, strains, arthritis and muscle pain. Futuro’s compression-hosiery products include therapeutic and anti-embolism stockings that are sold through drug stores, mass merchants and grocers in North America, as well as pharmacies around the world.

3M also makes braces and other health supports under its Nexcare line of bandages and first-aid products. Beiersdorf, which is a cosmetics company based in Hamburg, Germany, best known for its Nivea brand of skin-care products, acquired Futuro in 1996. Futuro employs approximately 100 workers at its facilities in Wilton, Conn., and Mariemont, Ohio. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Futuro’s longstanding reputation for leadership and innovation can be traced back to 1917, and a young Cincinnati man looking to get back on the field.

His name was George “Jack” Jung, Jr., and when he injured his foot, he wrapped it with adhesive tape so he could continue playing football. This began Futuro’s history of innovation as Jung explored more supportive and comfortable materials. In 1919, the Jung Arch Brace was the first brace made available to the public.

In 1930, an ankle brace was added, and over the next decade, Jung developed elbow, knee and wrist braces, and branded the company as Futuro. In 1949, an elastic stocking was added to the mix, establishing Futuro’s compression hosiery business. With its sizable product line, in 1955, Futuro debuted the industry’s first in-store display in drug stores.

In 1996 Futuro was acquired by Beiersdorf which introduced the Futuro products in Europe. With production facilities still in Cincinnati, today Futuro offers a complete product line of supports and compression hosiery products in 42 countries around the world. Holding over 70 patents, Futuro continues to lead the development of innovative products that provide the comfort, support and proper fit that enable you to live more.