NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Sept. 8, 2011—Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it assigned its preliminary 'AA-' rating to St. Paul-based diversified manufacturer, technology innovator, and marketer of diverse products 3M Co.'s universal shelf. The company has filed the shelf to sell senior debt securities. In addition, it has filed under Rule 424(b)(2) a $3 billion medium-term note (MTN) series F program, which the company expects to use over the next two to three years to fund upcoming maturities and other financing needs. We also assigned our 'AA-' rating to the MTN program. The rating on 3M is based on its leading market positions, good product diversity, strong financial profile, and commitment to accelerating growth from the