3M Buying Winterthur Pushes 2010 Deals to $2 Billion

3M Co.’s agreement to purchase grinding-tools maker Winterthur Technologie AG brings the company’s spending on acquisitions this year to at least $2 billion, the highest in a decade.

Chief Executive Officer George Buckley has funneled money into acquisitions in 2010 as 3M adds to its health-care, security and industrial operations. The company has spent at least $6.47 billion since 2001, based on Bloomberg analysis of deals whose terms were disclosed. The previous high was $1.42 billion in 2007, data show.