3M Still Pursuing Avery Dennison Purchase Despite Department of Justice Antitrust Lawsuit Threat

Following the antitrust suit threat, the DOJ issued a release in early September stating that 3M had abandoned its acquisition plans. "We welcome the companies' decision to abandon this deal, which raised competitive concerns in the sale of labels and sticky notes," said Joseph Wayland, acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division. "As a result of the abandonment of this transaction, American customers will continue to receive the benefits of competition including lower prices and greater innovation in these basic office supplies."