Annual Report
2017
METTLER TOLEDO
METTLER TOLEDO (NYSE:MTD) is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services. We
have strong leadership positions in all of our businesses and believe we hold global number-one market
positions in most of them. We are recognized as an innovation leader and our solutions are critical
in key R&D, quality control, and manufacturing processes for customers in a wide range of industries
including life sciences, food, and chemicals. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive
in the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries and we have a direct presence in
approximately 40 countries. With proven growth strategies and a focus on execution, we have achieved
a long-term track record of strong financial performance.
$2.725billion
Sales
57.7%
Gross Margin
$17.57
Adjusted Earnings per Share
$415million
Free Cash Flow
15,400
Workforce
On the cover: Our UV/VIS Excellence instruments
feature state-of-the-art design and software to optimize
spectroscopic workflows. The CuvetteChanger (pictured) is
an accessory that enables the instrument to run automated
applications more efficiently. METTLER TOLEDO is a global
leader in analytical instruments for laboratory applications.
Portions of this report may contain “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those
expressed in or implied by the statements. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance is
contained in the “Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer” and “Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results” sections of the 10-K.
Financial Highlights
2017 At-a-Glance
Sales
($ in millions)
Sales by Customer Destination
+8%
Local currency sales growth
+50 basis points
Gross margins
+19%
Adjusted EPS growth
+20%
Free cash flow
2,800
2,600
2,400
2,200
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
6
3
9
800
31%
Europe
30%
Asia and Other
39%
Americas
5
2
7
,
2
8
0
5
,
2
6
8
4
,
2
5
9
3
,
2
9
7
3
,
2
2
4
3
,
2
9
0
3
,
2
8
6
9
,
1
(1)
Local Currency CAGR 6 %
3
7
9
,
1
4
9
7
,
1
9
2
7
,
1
5
9
5
,
2 1
8
4
,
1
4
0
4
,
4 1
0
3
,
1
4
1
2
,
1
8
4
1
,
1
6
9
0
,
1
5
6
0
,
1
8
9
9
1
9
9
9
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
2
2
0
0
2
3
0
0
2
4
0
0
2
5
0
0
2
6
0
0
2
7
0
0
2
8
0
0
2
9
0
0
2
0
1
0
2
1
1
0
2
2
1
0
2
3
1
0
2
4
1
0
2
5
1
0
2
6
1
0
2
7
1
0
2
Gross Margin
(in %)
Adjusted Earnings per Share (2)
(in dollars)
Free Cash Flow (2)
($ in millions)
58
56
54
52
50
48
46
44
57.7
18.00
7
5
.
7
1
0
8
.
4
1
2
9
.
2
1
2
7
.
1
1
8
5
.
0
1
7
6
.
9
6
3
.
8
4
9
.
6
CAGR 16%
4
8
.
5
8
5
.
5
4
7
.
4
2
7
.
4 3
9
.
2
5
4
.
2
5
1
.
2
9
1
.
2
2
0
.
2
0
7
.
1
0
4
.
1
9
9
9
1
0
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3
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0
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4
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5
0
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6
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3
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4
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6
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16.00
14.00
12.00
10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
0
1
.
1
8
9
9
1
44.4
8
9
9
1
9
9
9
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
2
2
0
0
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3
0
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400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
5
1
4
5
6
3
7
4
3
3
4
3
CAGR 10 %
5
8
2
4
5
2
5
1
2
4
0
2
7
9
1
9
9
1
3
7
1
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3
1
0
2
4
1
0
2
5
1
0
2
6
1
0
2
7
1
0
2
(1) CAGR in USD for the period 1998 - 2017 is 6%.
(2) Non-GAAP measure. More information with respect to the use of and differences between the non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided in our 8-K filings.
1
Providing Solutions
Across Our Customer’s Value Chain
R&D Laboratory
Quality Control Lab
Scaleup & Production
R&D Laboratory
Quality Control Lab
Scaleup & Production
Our precise instruments are
the foundation of research
and quality control labs
all over the world. High-
performance weighing
solutions offer a basis for
solid R&D results. Pipettes
are an essential tool for life
science research. Thermal
analysis instruments help to
improve materials and their
thermal behavior. Automated
che mistry solutions accel-
erate the development of
new chemicals.
Quality control relies on
fast and precise analytical
measurement as well as
good data management.
Our analytical balances,
titrators, pH meters, den-
sity meters, refractometers,
melting point meters, and
pipettes can be tailored to
each customer’s application
and provide a fully docu-
mented workflow for every
quality control lab.
Our sensors for measuring
critical liquid analytical
parameters, such as pH
and oxygen levels and
water conductivity and
resistivity as well as total
organic carbon, enable
pharmaceutical, biotech,
and other companies to
continuously ensure product
quality and meet regulatory
standards. Our transmitters
and connectivity solutions
make data collection and
integration into control sys-
tems efficient and flexible.
2
Production & Filling
Packaging
Logistics
Food Retail
Production & Filling
Packaging
Logistics
Food Retail
We offer highly robust and
durable industrial scales
and terminals in all sizes,
formats, and capabilities to
monitor and control various
manufacturing processes
including applications for
counting, formulation, and
weight-based quality con-
trol. Software programs help
increase productivity, improve
product quality, and enhance
the yield of manufacturing
processes.
Product inspection solutions
help to safeguard product
quality, safety, and integrity,
inside and out. Our systems
for metal detection, check-
weighing, x-ray, and vision
inspection provide confi-
dence that product quality
is maintained, compliance
with industry standards is
achieved, and consumers
and brands are protected.
Our vehicle scale systems
offer the highest level of
accuracy and can prevent
unexpected downtime
thanks to a unique design
and remote diagnostics
capabilities. For express
carriers, in-motion weighing,
dimensioning, and identi-
fication software solutions
increase throughput and
provide revenue recovery
opportunities.
From retailers’ receiving
docks to their checkout
counters, we enhance
efficient handling of fresh
goods with weighing,
packaging, pricing, wrap-
ping, and labeling solutions.
Connected scales greatly
facilitate in-store marketing,
fresh item management,
promotions, and more.
3
Olivier A. Filliol
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Dear Fellow Investors
We had excellent performance in 2017. Disciplined execution of our strategic growth
initiatives was aided by favorable economic conditions in all major regions of the world.
For the year, we generated great operating results, and equally important, we continued
to make important investments for future growth.
The benefits of our growth initiatives and investments in recent years were evident in
our strong 2017 performance. We continued to gain share in increasingly productive
ways. Our outstanding product offering, our best-in-class sales and marketing
programs, our significant investment in additional sales resources, and our use of
sophisticated tools like big data analytics all contributed to our growth. Our focus on
growth goes hand in hand with our productivity and margin initiatives, which provide
the foundation for future investments.
We also enhanced our franchise last year with the acquisition of Biotix, a manufacturer
and distributor of plastic consumables for liquid handling. This acquisition gives us
greater exposure in the life sciences market as well as a network of indirect distribution
channels that complements our Rainin offering of pipettes and tips sold through our
direct salesforce.
With the continued effectiveness of our growth initiatives and investments, we believe
we are well positioned for further share gains in 2018 and beyond.
4
Excellent Performance in 2017: Favorable Conditions and Effective Strategies
2017 was an exceptional year for us by almost every measure.
• Sales were $2.7 billion, representing growth in local currency of 8% over 2016.
• Gross margins were 57.7%, an improvement of 50 basis points.
• Adjusted net earnings per diluted share were $17.57, an increase of 19%.
• Free cash flow was $415 million, which we used primarily for share repurchases.
We enjoyed broad-based growth during the year. We benefited from favorable
conditions in the Americas and Europe. We also were aided by an economic recovery
and the release of pent-up demand in China after a slow-down in industrial investment
in recent years.
Growth Initiatives and Investments Yielding Favorable Results
Organic growth is our number-one priority and our most important lever for shareholder
returns. Our major strategic initiatives, supported by our culture of continuous
improvement, remain effective in accelerating our growth.
Our long-running Spinnaker sales and marketing platform is a great example of our
continuous improvement efforts, as we continually strengthen our program with new
techniques and approaches. A current focus is key account management, where we
capitalize on our broad product offering to provide increasing value to our customers.
We also continue to utilize big data analytics to optimize the activities of our sales
force – focusing our field force on high-potential prospects and using telesales and
inside sales resources on other opportunities.
Big data analytics is also helping us identify and prioritize sales opportunities. Here we
analyze our internal information base on existing customers, as well as complementary
external sources, to target areas of growth, find synergies across our business lines,
and promote cross-selling. This process also helps us customize value messages that
resonate with customers. We believe our advanced use of data gives us a unique
competitive edge.
Our Field Turbo additions to our sales force represent our largest investment for growth
to date. Although we lead in most of our markets, our markets remain fragmented and
additional front-end investments provide the opportunity to accelerate share gains.
We have grown our sales resources over the past few years and plan to add another
150 employees in our next wave.
5
Service Provides a Powerful Competitive Advantage
Service is also an important differentiator for us among customers. We have
demonstrated a clear link between the services we provide and our customers’ level of
satisfaction. Service enables us to go beyond just selling a product to providing value
over the whole product lifecycle.
We have multiple initiatives underway to increase the percentage of our installed base
under service contract. We have invested in training and tools for our 2,700 specialized
technicians around the globe. In addition, we are mining our data on our installed base
in increasingly effective ways to identify more service sales opportunities, and we are
increasing our telesales resources to pursue these opportunities.
Product Pipeline Further Distances Us from Competition
With an excellent product pipeline, we continue to distance ourselves from the
competition. New generations of our products have value-added features that offer clear
paybacks to customers while helping us accelerate the replacement cycle.
Consider recent examples from our lab and product inspection businesses. A
comprehensive upgrade of our precision balance line is providing improved weighing
performance, productivity, and compliance in the lab. Our new C-Series of
checkweighers is a global platform with the highest precision and unprecedented
modularity, allowing easy adaptation to a complex variety of customer requirements.
We are also expanding our solutions by adding software, measurement parameters,
and automation that provide more benefits to customers. In laboratories, we are further
automating the lab bench by connecting our new flexible automated sampler to key
analytical instruments for more efficient analysis and increased throughput. For
example, when linked to our InMotion autosampler, our titrators can automatically
determine the water content of more than 20 samples. Enhancements to our UV/VIS
portfolio include automation, color measurement, and thermostating capabilities that
accelerate and improve spectroscopic workflows. Similarly, our industrial terminals and
bench scales now offer new software capabilities for data collection and visualization
and formulation management.
6
A comprehensive upgrade of
our precision balance line is
providing improved weighing
performance, productivity,
and compliance in the lab.
9
We are also increasing our offerings to support data integrity objectives, a critically
important challenge to customers, especially in pharma. Our range of software
offerings helps customers maintain documented evidence of analyses and production
steps to comply with regulations. We have expanded our LabX software to encompass
more analytical instruments, including our instrument for melting point analysis.
In addition, our ProdX software networks and analyzes quality and productivity data
from our product inspection devices, assisting customers with compliance and
productivity management.
Margin and Productivity Initiatives Fuel Future Growth Investments
Successful margin and productivity measures are providing us with the capacity to
make investments for future growth. For example, our use of sophisticated data analytic
tools gives us new insights to further refine our pricing strategies and processes.
In early 2017, we kicked off SternDrive, our global program for continuous improvement
efforts within our supply chain, manufacturing, and back-office operations. We have
identified hundreds of improvement projects, with multi-millions in savings potential.
We believe this program will be an engine to drive our productivity efforts and help us
achieve world-class status in our operations and supply chain.
We also continue to make great progress on our Blue Ocean program. Our move to
standardized business processes, systems, and data structures throughout our global
organization is paving the way for many of our margin and productivity initiatives
through greater transparency and faster access to real-time data.
In the area of eCommerce, we are rolling out new eShop portals to boost the efficiency
of our automated sales transactions. The new platform simplifies order management
and electronic invoicing for customers around the globe and soon will be expanded to
include after-sales functionalities.
Another important investment for our future involves the expansion of several
manufacturing facilities to accommodate growing demand for our products and provide
greater synergies and efficiencies among our businesses. We are building new facilities
in Florida and the U.K. for our rapidly growing product inspection business and in
Switzerland for lab R&D and production operations, which will also have the benefit of
reducing our Swiss costs.
8
In laboratories, we are further
automating the lab bench by
connecting our new automated
sampler to key analytical instru-
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and increased throughput.
11
2018: Well Positioned for Share Gains and Growth Investments
The global economy is in a good position now, with all major regions showing
favorable dynamics. We are coming off an excellent year and therefore will face
challenging comparisons in 2018. Assuming stable end markets, we believe our
strategic initiatives will allow us to grow faster than the market in 2018 and beyond.
We will continue to improve and build upon our successful program of growth
initiatives. Diligent execution of our margin and productivity programs will drive profit
growth and provide the capacity for future growth investments. We are confident in our
team’s ability to execute and our culture of continuous improvement, which are
cornerstones of our success.
Each one of our employees makes a difference in the success of our Company,
and I thank them for their dedication to performing with integrity and executing with
excellence. On behalf of our global team, I extend thanks to our customers for allowing
us to make a difference in the success of their businesses and to our shareholders for
trusting and supporting us as we do so.
y,
Sincerely,
A Filli
l
Oli i
Olivier A. Filliol
President and Chief Executive Officer
February 8, 2018
10
Our new C-Series of check-
weighers is a global platform
with the highest precision and
unprecedented modularity.
1313131331113113133313311113111131111133131311133333111333333131113333331311131113133113113131311131333333333333333333333333
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-13595
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
13-3668641
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1900 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240
and
Im Langacher 44
CH 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
1-614-438-4511 and +41-44-944-22-11
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File
required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of
this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with
any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
No
As of February 5, 2018 there were 25,472,835 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding. The aggregate
market value of the shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2017 (based on the closing price for the Common Stock
on the New York Stock Exchange as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2017) was
approximately $15.1 billion. For purposes of this computation, shares held by affiliates and by directors of the registrant have been excluded. Such
exclusion of shares held by directors is not intended, nor shall it be deemed, to be an admission that such persons are affiliates of the registrant.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Document
Certain Sections of the Proxy Statement for 2018
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Part of Form 10-K Into Which Incorporated
Part III
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017
PART I
Item 1.
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2.
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Executive Officers of the Registrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . .
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SIGNATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER
You should not rely on forward-looking statements to predict our actual results. Our actual results or
performance may be materially different than reflected in forward-looking statements because of various
risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,”
“will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“predict,” “potential,” or “continue.”
We make forward-looking statements about future events or our future financial performance,
including earnings and sales growth, earnings per share, strategic plans and contingency plans, growth
opportunities or economic downturns, our ability to respond to changes in market conditions, planned
research and development efforts and product introductions, adequacy of facilities, access to and the costs
of raw materials, shipping and supplier costs, gross margins, customer demand, our competitive position,
pricing, capital expenditures, cash flow, tax-related matters, the impact of foreign currencies, compliance
with laws, and effects of acquisitions.
Our forward-looking statements may not be accurate or complete, and we do not intend to update or
revise them in light of actual results. New risks also periodically arise. Please consider the risks and
factors that could cause our results to differ materially from what is described in our forward-looking
statements. See in particular “Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results” and “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
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PART I
Item 1. Business
We are a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services. We have strong leadership
positions in all of our businesses and believe we hold global number-one market positions in most of
them. We are recognized as an innovation leader and our solutions are critical in key research and
development, quality control, and manufacturing processes for customers in a wide range of industries
including life sciences, food, and chemicals. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive in
the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries and we have a direct presence in
approximately 40 countries. With proven growth strategies and a focus on execution, we have achieved a
long term track record of strong financial performance.
Our business is geographically diversified, with net sales in 2017 derived 31% from Europe, 39%
from North and South America, and 30% from Asia and other countries. Our customer base is also
diversified by industry and by individual customer.
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1991 and became a
publicly traded company with its initial public offering in 1997.
Business Segments
We have five reportable segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations,
Chinese Operations, and Other. See Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements and Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under “Results
of Operations by Reportable Segment” for detailed results by segment and geographic region.
We manufacture a wide variety of precision instruments and provide value-added services to our
customers. Our principal products and services are described below. We also describe our customers and
distribution, sales and service, research and development, manufacturing, and certain other matters. These
descriptions apply to substantially all of our products and related reportable segments.
Laboratory Instruments
We make a wide variety of precision laboratory instruments in the sample preparation, synthesis,
analytical bench top, and material characterization areas. Our portfolio includes laboratory balances,
liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors including real-time analytics, titrators, physical
value analyzers, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments, such as UV/VIS
spectrophotometers, moisture analyzers, and density refractometers. The laboratory instruments and
related service business accounted for approximately 50% of our net sales in 2017, 49% in 2016, and 48%
in 2015.
Laboratory Balances
Our laboratory balances have weighing ranges from one ten-millionth of a gram up to 64 kilograms.
To cover a wide range of customer needs and price points, we market our balances in a range of product
tiers offering different levels of functionality. We also provide filter weighing and powder dosing
automated systems. Based on the same weighing technology platform, we also manufacture mass
comparators, which are used by weights and measures regulators as well as laboratories to ensure the
accuracy of reference weights. Laboratory balances are primarily used in the pharmaceutical, food,
chemical, cosmetics, academia, and other industries.
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Pipettes
Pipettes are used in laboratories for dispensing small volumes of liquids. We operate our pipette
business with the Rainin and Biotix brand names. We develop, manufacture, and distribute advanced
pipettes, tips, tubes, and accessories, including single- and multi-channel manual and electronic pipettes.
We maintain service centers in the key markets where customers periodically send their pipettes for
certified recalibrations. Our principal end markets are pharmaceutical, biotech, and academia.
Analytical Instruments
Titrators measure the chemical composition of samples and are used in environmental and research
laboratories as well as in quality control labs in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and other
industries. Our high-end titrators are multi-tasking models, which can perform two determinations
simultaneously on multiple vessels. Our offering includes robotics to automate routine work in quality
control applications.
Thermal analysis systems measure material properties as a function of temperature, such as weight,
dimension, energy flow, and viscoelastic properties. Thermal analysis systems are used in nearly every
industry, but primarily in the plastics and polymer industries and increasingly in the pharmaceutical
industry.
pH meters measure acidity in laboratory samples. We also sell density and refractometry instruments,
which measure chemical concentrations in solutions. In addition, we manufacture and sell moisture
analyzers, which precisely determine the moisture content of a sample by utilizing the loss on drying
method, and UV/VIS spectrophotometers that optimize spectroscopic workflows.
Laboratory Software
LabX, our PC-based laboratory embedded software platform, manages and analyzes data generated
by our balances, titrators, pH meters, moisture analyzers, and other analytical instruments like UV/VIS
spectrophotometers. LabX provides full network capability; assists with workflow automation; has
efficient, intuitive protocols; and enables customers to collect and archive data in compliance with the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s traceability requirements for electronically stored data (also known
as 21 CFR Part 11).
Automated Chemistry Solutions
Our current automated chemistry solutions focus on selected applications in the chemical and drug
discovery process. Our automated lab reactors and in situ analysis systems are considered integral to the
process development and scale-up activities of our customers. Our on-line measurement technologies,
based on infrared and laser light scattering, enable customers to monitor chemical reactions and
crystallization processes in real time in the lab and plant. In situ samples allow overnight sampling and
testing. We believe that our portfolio of integrated technologies can bring significant efficiencies to the
development process, enabling our customers to bring new chemicals and drugs to market faster.
Process Analytics
Our process analytics business provides instruments for the in-line measurement of liquid and gas
parameters used primarily in the production process of pharmaceutical, biotech, beverage,
microelectronics, chemical, and refining companies, as well as power plants. Close to half of our process
analytics sales are to the pharmaceutical and biotech markets, where our customers need fast and secure
scale-up and production that meet the validation processes required for GMP (Good Manufacturing
Processes) and other regulatory standards like the USP (US Pharmacopoeia) regulations for ultrapure
water quality. We are a leading solution provider for liquid analytical measurement to control and
optimize production processes. Our solutions include sensor and analyzer technology for measuring pH,
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dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, conductivity, turbidity, ozone, total organic carbons, bioburden,
sodium, and silica, as well as laser analyzers for gas measurement. Intelligent sensor diagnostics
capabilities enable improved asset management solutions for our customers to reduce process downtime
and maintenance costs. Our instruments offer leading multi-parameter capabilities and plant-wide control
system integration, which are key for integrated measurement of multiple parameters to secure production
quality and efficiency. With a worldwide network of specialists, we support customers in critical process
applications, compliance, and systems integration questions.
Industrial Instruments
We manufacture numerous industrial weighing instruments and related terminals and offer dedicated
software solutions for the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, discrete manufacturing, and other industries. In
addition, we manufacture metal detection, x-ray, and other end-of-line product inspection systems used in
production and packaging. We supply automatic identification and data capture solutions, which integrate
in-motion weighing, dimensioning, and identification technologies for transport, shipping, and logistics
customers. We also offer heavy industrial scales and related software. The industrial instruments and
related service business accounted for approximately 42% of our net sales in 2017 and 2016 and 43% in
2015.
Industrial Weighing Instruments
We offer a comprehensive line of industrial scales and weighing devices, such as bench scales, floor
scales, and weigh modules for weighing loads from a few grams to several thousand kilograms in
applications ranging from measuring materials in chemical production to quality completeness control in
discrete manufacturing to weighing packages at the end of the line. Our products are used in a wide range
of industrial applications, such as counting, formulating and mixing ingredients, and quality control.
Industrial Terminals
Our industrial scale terminals collect data and integrate it into manufacturing processes, helping to
automate them. Our terminals allow users to remotely download formulation recipes or access setup data
and can minimize downtime through predictive rather than reactive maintenance.
Transportation and Logistics
We supply automatic dimensional measurement and data capture solutions, which integrate in-
motion weighing, dimensioning, and identification technologies. With these solutions, customers can
measure the weight and cubic volume of packages for appropriate billing, load management, and quality
control. Our solutions also integrate into customers’ information systems.
Vehicle Scale Systems
Our primary heavy industrial products are scales for weighing trucks or railcars (i.e., weighing bulk
goods as they enter or leave a factory or at a toll station). Heavy industrial scales are capable of measuring
weights up to 500 tons and permit accurate weighing under extreme environmental conditions. We also
offer advanced computer software that can be used with our heavy industrial scales to facilitate a broad
range of customer solutions and provides a complete system for managing vehicle transaction processing.
Industrial Software
We offer software that can be used with our industrial instruments. Examples include FreeWeigh.Net,
statistical quality control software; FormWeigh.Net, our formulation/batching software; and DataBridge,
which supports the operation of vehicle scales. FreeWeigh.Net and FormWeigh.Net provide full network
capability and enable customers to collect and archive data in compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
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Product Inspection
Increasing safety and consumer protection requirements are driving the need for more sophisticated
end-of-line product inspection systems (e.g., for use in food processing and packaging, pharmaceutical,
packaged consumer goods, and other industries). We are a leading global provider of metal detectors, x-
ray and camera-based imaging equipment, checkweighers, and track-and-trace solutions that are used in
these industries. Metal detectors are most commonly used to detect fine particles of metal that may be
contained in raw materials or may be generated by the manufacturing process itself. X-ray inspection is
used to detect metallic contamination in applications unsuited to metal detectors and many types of non-
metallic contamination, such as glass, calcified bone, stones, and pits. Our x-ray systems are also used for
mass control and for determining and controlling the fat content in meat. Our camera-based vision
inspection solutions provide in-line inspection of package quality, labels, and content, which are needs for
food and beverage, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical companies. Vision inspection systems with
associated specialist software enable our pharmaceutical customers to implement traceability and
serialization tracking, as required by regulation. Checkweighers are used to control the filled weight of
packaged goods such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. All of our technologies are integrated with
material handling systems to ensure the correct presentation of the customer’s product to the device and
the secure rejection of non-conforming product. Our technologies may also be used together as
components of integrated packaging lines. ProdX Inspect is our quality and productivity control software
for helping customers comply with regulations and optimize process efficiency, either as a stand-alone
solution or through integration with the customer’s manufacturing and enterprise systems.
Retail Weighing Solutions
Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and other food retail businesses make use of multiple weighing and
food labeling solutions for handling fresh goods (such as meats, vegetables, fruits, or cheeses). We offer
networked scales and software, which can integrate backroom, counter, self-service, and checkout
functions and can incorporate fresh goods item data into a supermarket’s overall food item and inventory
management system. The scale screen display allows for in-store marketing and can help encourage
consumers in the store to make more purchase decisions at the point of sale. In addition, we offer stand-
alone scales for basic counter weighing and pricing, price finding, and printing. The customer benefits of
our retail solutions are in the areas of enterprise-wide article and price management, merchandising, and
regulatory compliance. In North America and select other markets, our offering also includes automated
packaging and labeling solutions for the meat backroom, which are fully integrated with the scales in the
store. The retail business accounted for approximately 8% of our net sales in 2017 and 9% in 2016 and
2015.
Customers and Distribution
Our principal customers include companies in the following key end markets: the life science
industry (pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as independent research organizations); food and
beverage producers; food retailers; chemical, specialty chemicals, and cosmetics companies; the
transportation and logistics industry; the metals industry; the electronics industry; and the academic
community.
Our products are sold through a variety of distribution channels. Generally, more technically
sophisticated products are sold through our direct sales force, while less complicated products are sold
through indirect channels. Our sales through direct channels exceed our sales through indirect channels. A
significant portion of our sales in the Americas is generated through indirect channels, including sales of
our Ohaus-branded products. Ohaus-branded products target markets, such as the educational market, in
which customers are interested in lower cost, a more limited set of features, and less comprehensive
support and service.
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We have a diversified customer base, with no single end-customer accounting for more than 1% of
2017 net sales.
Sales and Service
Market Organizations
We maintain geographically focused market organizations around the world that are responsible for
all aspects of our sales and service. The market organizations are customer-focused, with an emphasis on
building and maintaining value-added relationships with customers in our target market segments. Each
market organization has the ability to leverage best practices from other units while maintaining the
flexibility to adapt its marketing and service efforts to account for different cultural and economic
conditions. Market organizations also work closely with our producing organizations (described below) by
providing feedback on manufacturing and product development initiatives, new product and application
ideas, and information about key market segments.
We have one of the largest and broadest global sales and service organizations among precision
instrument manufacturers we compete against. At December 31, 2017, our sales and service group
consisted of approximately 7,600 employees in sales, marketing and customer service (including related
administration), and post-sales technical service, located in approximately 40 countries. This field
organization has the capability to provide service and support to our customers and distributors in major
markets across the globe. This is important because our customers increasingly seek to do business with a
consistent global approach.
Service
Our service business continues to be successful with a focus on providing uptime and calibration
services, as well as further expansion of our offerings to provide value-added services for a range of
market needs, including regulatory compliance, performance enhancements, application expertise and
training, and remote services. We have a unique offering to our pharmaceutical customers in promoting
the use of our instruments in compliance with FDA and other international regulations, and we can
provide these services to most customers' locations around the world. Our global service network is also
an important factor in our ability to expand in emerging markets. We estimate that we have the largest
installed base of weighing instruments in the world. Service (representing service contracts, on demand
services, and replacement parts) accounted for approximately 22% of our net sales in 2017, 2016, and
2015.
Beyond revenue opportunities, we believe service is a key part of our solution offering and helps
significantly in customer retention. The close relationships and frequent contact with our large customer
base allow us to be the trusted advisor of our customers, which provides us with high-quality sales
opportunities as well as innovative product and application ideas.
Research and Development and Manufacturing
Producing Organizations
Our research, product development, and manufacturing efforts are organized into a number of
producing organizations. Our focused producing organizations help reduce product development time and
costs, improve customer focus, and maintain technological leadership. The producing organizations work
together to share ideas and best practices, and there is a close interface and coordinated customer
interaction among marketing organizations and producing organizations.
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Research and Development
We continue to invest in product innovation to provide technologically advanced products to our
customers for existing and new applications. Over the last three years, we have invested $368 million in
research and development ($129.3 million in 2017, $120.0 million in 2016, and $119.1 million in 2015),
which is approximately 5% of net sales for each year. Our research and development efforts fall into two
categories:
•
•
technology advancements, which generate new products or features and increase the value of our
products. These advancements may be in the form of enhanced or new functionality, new
applications for our technologies, more accurate or reliable measurement, additional software
capability, or automation through robotics or other means.
cost reductions, which reduce the manufacturing cost of our products through better overall
design and/or improve the ease of serviceability.
We devote a substantial proportion of our research and development budget to software development.
This includes software to process the signals captured by the sensors of our instruments, application-
specific software, and software that connects our solutions into customers’ existing IT systems. We closely
integrate research and development with marketing, manufacturing, and product engineering. We have
approximately 1,300 employees in research and development and product engineering in countries around
the globe.
Manufacturing
We are a worldwide manufacturer, with facilities principally located in China, Switzerland, the
United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. We emphasize product quality in our
manufacturing operations, and most of our products require very strict tolerances and exact specifications.
We use an extensive quality control system that is integrated into each step of the manufacturing process.
All major manufacturing facilities have achieved ISO 9001 certification. We believe that our
manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet our present and currently anticipated demand. We expect to
make net investments in new or expanded manufacturing facilities of $40 million to $50 million over the
next two years.
We generally manufacture critical components, which are components that contain proprietary
technology. When outside manufacturing is more efficient, we contract with other manufacturers for
certain nonproprietary components. We use a wide range of suppliers. We believe our supply
arrangements are adequate and that there are no material constraints on the sources and availability of
materials. From time to time, we may rely on a single supplier for all of our requirements of a particular
component. Supply arrangements for electronic components are generally made globally.
Backlog; Seasonality
Our manufacturing turnaround time is generally short, which permits us to manufacture orders to fill
for most of our products. Backlog is generally a function of requested customer delivery dates and is
typically no longer than one to two months.
Our business has historically experienced a slight amount of seasonal variation, particularly the high-
end laboratory instruments business. Traditionally, sales in the first quarter are slightly lower than, and
sales in the fourth quarter are slightly higher than, sales in the second and third quarters. Fourth quarter
sales have historically generated approximately 28% to 30% of our net sales. This trend has a somewhat
greater effect on income from operations than on net sales because fixed costs are generally incurred
evenly across all quarters.
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Employees
Our total workforce was 15,400 throughout the world, including 13,800 employees and 1,600
temporary personnel, as of December 31, 2017, and includes approximately 5,600 in Europe, 4,700 in
North and South America, and 5,100 in Asia and other countries.
We believe our employee relations are good, and we have not suffered any material employee work
stoppage or strike during the last five years. Labor unions do not represent a substantial number of our
employees. Approximately 600 employees in Germany and France are represented by unions.
Sustainability
Sustainability touches all aspects of our business, from designing and producing our products, to
selling and delivering them to our customers, to handling them at the end of their lifecycle. Sustainability
helps guide us to make the right decisions for our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and the
communities in which we operate our business. We want to manage our business sustainably to position
the Company for long-term growth. Our GreenMT program is designed to help save energy and resources.
We do this in four key areas: (1) developing products using our Design for Environment criteria that allow
us and our customers to reduce energy usage, material, and product waste, (2) energy efficiency projects
to reduce energy usage at our sites, (3) managing our sales and service fleets to reduce our fuel
consumption, and (4) reducing the environmental impact of our resource consumption, especially in
processes related to cooling and packaging. Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint by the end of 2020
by 20% (relative CO2 emissions per net sales compared with 2010) and at the same time realize financial
benefits.
Blue Ocean Program
“Blue Ocean” refers to our program to establish a global operating model with standardized,
automated, and integrated processes and high levels of global data transparency. It encompasses an
enterprise architecture, with a global, single-instance ERP system. Within our IT systems, we are moving
toward integrated, homogeneous applications and common data structures. We will also largely
standardize our key business processes. The implementation of the systems and processes has been
proceeding on a staggered basis over a multi-year period with the initial go-live rollout having occurred in
2010. We have implemented the Blue Ocean program in our Swiss, Chinese, U.K., Benelux, and certain
U.S. and German operations. We estimate that we have approximately 75% of the program completed as
measured in users. We will continue to implement the program in additional locations over the coming
years.
Intellectual Property
We hold over 5,000 patents and trademarks (including pending applications), primarily in the
United States, Switzerland, the European Union, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Japan,
China, South Korea, Brazil, and India. Our products generally incorporate a wide variety of technological
innovations, some of which are protected by patents of various durations. Products are generally not
protected as a whole by individual patents, and as a result, no one patent or group of related patents is
material to our business. We have numerous trademarks, including the Mettler-Toledo name and logo,
which are material to our business. We regularly protect against infringement of our intellectual property.
Regulation
Our products are subject to various regulatory standards and approvals by weights and measures
regulatory authorities. All of our electrical components are subject to electrical safety standards. We
believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with applicable regulations.
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Approvals are required to ensure our instruments do not impermissibly influence other instruments
and are themselves not affected by other instruments. In addition, some of our products are used in “legal
for trade” applications, in which prices based on weight are calculated and for which specific weights and
measures approvals are required. Although there are a large number of regulatory agencies across our
markets, there is an increasing trend toward harmonization of standards, and weights and measures
regulation is harmonized across the European Union.
Our products may also be subject to special requirements depending on the end-user and market. For
example, laboratory customers are typically subject to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), industrial
customers to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), pharmaceutical customers to U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) regulations, and customers in food processing industries may be subject to Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations. Products used in hazardous environments may
also be subject to special requirements.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We
own or lease a number of properties and manufacturing facilities around the world. Like many of our
competitors, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other
costs in complying with such laws and regulations.
We are currently involved in, or have potential liability with respect to, the remediation of past
contamination in certain of our facilities. A former subsidiary of Mettler-Toledo, LLC known as Hi-Speed
Checkweigher Co., Inc. was one of two private parties ordered by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection, in an administrative consent order signed on June 13, 1988, to investigate and
remediate certain ground water contamination at a property in Landing, New Jersey. After the other party
under this order failed to fulfill its obligations, Hi-Speed became solely responsible for compliance with
the order. Residual ground water contamination at this site is now within a Classification Exception Area
which the Department of Environmental Protection has approved and within which the Company oversees
monitoring of the decay of contaminants of concern. A concurrent Well Restriction Area also exists for the
site. The Department of Environmental Protection does not view these vehicles as remedial measures, but
rather as “institutional controls” that must be adequately maintained and periodically evaluated. We
estimate that the costs of compliance associated with the site over the next several years will approximate
a total of $0.4 million.
In addition, certain of our present and former facilities have or had been in operation for many
decades and, over such time, some of these facilities may have used substances or generated and disposed
of wastes that are or may be considered hazardous. It is possible that these sites, as well as disposal sites
owned by third parties to which we have sent wastes, may in the future be identified and become the
subject of remediation. Although we believe that we are in substantial compliance with applicable
environmental requirements and, to date, we have not incurred material expenditures in connection with
environmental matters, it is possible that we could become subject to additional environmental liabilities
in the future that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or
cash flows.
Competition
Our markets are highly competitive. Many of the markets in which we compete are fragmented both
geographically and by application, particularly the industrial and food retailing markets. As a result, we
face numerous regional or specialized competitors, many of which are well established in their markets.
For example, some of our competitors are divisions of larger companies with potentially greater financial
and other resources than our own. In addition, some of our competitors are domiciled in emerging markets
and may have a lower cost structure than ours. We are confronted with new competitors in emerging
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markets which, although relatively small in size today, could become larger companies in their home
markets. Given the sometimes significant growth rates of these emerging markets, and in light of their
cost advantage over developed markets, emerging market competitors could become more significant
global competitors. Taken together, the competitive forces present in our markets can impair our operating
margins in certain product lines and geographic markets.
We expect our competitors to continue to improve the design and performance of their products and
to introduce new products with competitive prices. Although we believe that we have technological and
other competitive advantages over many of our competitors, we may not be able to realize and maintain
these advantages. These advantages include our worldwide market leadership positions; our global brand
and reputation; our track record of technological innovation; our comprehensive, high-quality solution
offering; our global sales and service offering; our large installed base of weighing instruments; and the
diversification of our revenue base by geographic region, product range, and customer. To remain
competitive, we must continue to invest in research and development, sales and marketing, and customer
service and support. We cannot be sure that we will have sufficient resources to continue to make these
investments or that we will be successful in identifying, developing, and maintaining any competitive
advantages.
We believe the principal competitive factors in developed markets for purchasing decisions are the
product itself, application support, service support, and price. In emerging markets, where there is greater
demand for less sophisticated products, price is a more important factor than in developed markets.
Competition in the U.S. laboratory market is also influenced by the presence of large distributors that sell
not only our products but those of our competitors as well.
Company Website and Information
You can find our website on the Internet at www.mt.com. The website contains information about us
and our operations. The information contained on our website is not included in, or incorporated by
reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K. You can view and download free of charge copies of each
of our filings with the SEC on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, and Schedule 14A and all amendments
to those reports by accessing www.mt.com, clicking on About Us, Investor Relations, and then clicking on
SEC Filings. You may also read and copy these filings at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website at http://
www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding
issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Our website also contains copies of the following documents that you can download free of charge:
• Corporate Governance Guidelines
• Audit Committee Charter
• Compensation Committee Charter
• Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter
• Code of Conduct
• Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
• Business Partner Code of Conduct
• Ethical, Social and Quality Standards
• Sustainability Report
• Environmental Policy
• Political Participation Policy
• Conflict Mineral Report
• Statement on Slavery, Human Trafficking, and Transparency in the Supply Chain
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You can also obtain in print, free of charge, any of the above documents and any of our reports on
Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, and Schedule 14A and all amendments to those reports by sending a
written request to our Investor Relations Department:
Investor Relations
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
1900 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240 U.S.A.
Phone: +1 614 438 4748
E-mail: mary.finnegan@mt.com
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results
We are subject to certain risks associated with our international operations and have a
significant concentration of business in China.
We conduct business in many countries, including emerging markets in Asia, Latin America, and
Eastern Europe, and these operations represent a significant portion of our sales and earnings. For
example, our Chinese operations accounted for 17% of sales to external customers, approximately 30% of
our global production, and 35% of total segment profit during 2017. In addition to the currency risks
discussed below, international operations pose other substantial risks and problems for us, including the
following:
•
•
• difficulties in staffing and managing local operations and/or mandatory salary increases;
•
credit risks arising from financial difficulties facing local customers and distributors;
• difficulties in protecting intellectual property;
• nationalization of private enterprises which may result in the confiscation of assets, as we hold
local tariffs and trade barriers;
countries may revise or alter their respective legal and regulatory requirements;
significant assets around the world in the form of property, plant, and equipment, inventory, and
accounts receivable, as well as $101 million of cash at December 31, 2017 in our Chinese
subsidiaries;
restrictions on investments and/or limitations regarding foreign ownership;
adverse tax consequences, including tax disputes, imposition or increase of withholding and other
taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries;
•
•
• other uncertain local economic, political, and social conditions, including hyper-inflationary
conditions or periods of low or no productivity growth; and
credit tightening or reduction in credit availability for local customers.
•
We must also comply with regulations regarding the conversion and repatriation of funds earned in
local currencies. For example, we need government approval to convert earnings from our operations in
China into other currencies and to repatriate these funds. If we cannot comply with these or other
applicable regulations, we may face increased difficulties in using cash generated in China.
We are required to comply with various import, export control, and economic sanctions laws, which
may affect our transactions with certain customers, business partners, and other persons, including in
certain cases dealings with or between our employees and subsidiaries. In certain circumstances, export
control and economic sanctions regulations may prohibit the export of certain products, services, and
technologies, and in other circumstances, we may be required to obtain an export license before exporting
a controlled item. We follow all relevant laws and continue to do business in Russia. Sanctions imposed
on business in Russia may affect the economy and our business in Russia. In addition, failure to comply
with any of these regulations could result in civil and criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties,
disruptions to our business, limitations on our ability to import and export products and services, and
damage to our reputation.
Growth in emerging markets, especially China, can be volatile. While we experienced strong growth
in China in 2017, we have also experienced sales declines in recent years and we may see volatility in the
future.
14
We sell primarily to companies in developed countries. An economic downturn in these
countries could hurt our operating results.
Most of our business is derived from companies in developed countries. Economic instability in
many parts of the world, including sovereign debt levels in the European Union and the United States,
continues to be a situation that we are monitoring closely. A potential financial crisis on financial
institutions globally would likely have an adverse effect on the global capital markets and our business. In
addition, if developed countries were to experience slow growth or recession, we could see the following
effects:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
a drop in demand for our products;
companies being unable to finance their businesses;
difficulty in obtaining materials and supplies;
potential devaluation and/or impairment of assets;
difficulty in collecting accounts receivables;
an increase in accounts receivable write-offs; and
greater foreign exchange rate volatility affecting our profitability and cash flow.
Economic downturns or recessions adversely affect our operating results because our customers often
decrease or delay capital expenditures. Customers may also purchase lower-cost products made by
competitors and not resume purchasing our products even after economic conditions improve. These
conditions would reduce our revenues and profitability.
Currency fluctuations affect our operating profits.
Our earnings are affected by changing exchange rates. We are most sensitive to changes in the
exchange rates between the Swiss franc, euro, and U.S. dollar. We have more Swiss franc expenses than
we do Swiss franc sales because we develop and manufacture products in Switzerland that we sell
globally and have a number of corporate functions located in Switzerland. When the Swiss franc
strengthens against our other trading currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar and euro, our earnings go
down. We also have significantly more sales in the euro than we do expenses. When the euro weakens
against the U.S. dollar and Swiss franc, our earnings also go down. We estimate a 1% strengthening of the
Swiss franc against the euro would reduce our earnings before tax by approximately $1.6 million to $1.8
million annually.
We also conduct business throughout the world, including Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, Eastern
Europe, Latin America, and Canada. Fluctuations in these currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar
can also affect our operating results. The most significant of these currency exposures is the Chinese
renminbi. The impact on our earnings before tax of the Chinese renminbi weakening 1% against the U.S.
dollar is a reduction of approximately $1.0 million to $1.2 million annually.
In addition to the effects of exchange rate movements on operating profits, our debt levels can
fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar, the Swiss franc, and euro.
Based on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2017, we estimate that a 10% weakening of the
U.S. dollar against the currencies in which our debt is denominated would result in an increase of
approximately $25.9 million in the reported U.S. dollar value of our debt.
15
Concerns regarding the Eurozone debt levels and market perception concerning the instability
of the euro could affect our operating profits.
We conduct business in many countries that use the euro as their currency (the Eurozone). Concerns
persist regarding the debt burden of certain Eurozone countries and their ability to meet future financial
obligations. In addition, concerns in recent years have existed regarding the overall stability of the euro
and the suitability of the euro as a single currency given the diverse economic and political circumstances
in individual Eurozone countries.
These concerns could lead to the re-introduction of individual currencies in one or more Eurozone
countries or, in more extreme circumstances, the possible dissolution of the euro currency entirely. Should
the euro dissolve entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated
obligations would be determined by laws in effect at such time. These potential developments, or market
perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of our euro-denominated
assets and obligations. In addition, concerns over the effect of this financial crisis on financial institutions
in Europe and globally could have an adverse effect on the global capital markets and, more specifically,
on the ability of our Company, our customers, suppliers, and lenders to finance their respective
businesses, to access liquidity at acceptable financing costs, if at all, on the availability of supplies and
materials, and on the demand for our products.
We are vulnerable to system failures and data loss risks, including those that may be related
to cyber security attacks, which could harm our business.
We rely on our technology infrastructure to interact with suppliers, sell our products and services,
support our customers, fulfill orders, and bill, collect, and make payments. Our systems are vulnerable to
damage or interruption from natural disasters, power loss, telecommunication failures, terrorist or hacker
attacks, malicious employees or employee negligence, computer viruses, ransomware, and other events.
When we upgrade or change systems, we may suffer interruptions in service, loss of data, or reduced
functionality. A significant number of our systems are not redundant, and our disaster recovery planning is
not sufficient for every eventuality. Despite any precautions we may take, such problems could result in
interruptions in our services, fraudulent loss of assets, or unauthorized disclosure of confidential
information, which could harm our reputation and financial condition. Our business interruption and cyber
liability insurance may not be sufficient to compensate us for losses that may result from interruptions in
our services or data loss as a result of system failures.
Customers may use our products to generate or manage confidential information. Though we take
steps to ensure our products are secure, it is possible customers could lose confidential information stored
on our products. If a customer alleges security failures in our products cause or contribute to a loss, we
could face harm to our reputation and financial condition and legal liability.
We also are in the process of implementing a program to globalize our business processes and
information technology systems that includes the implementation of a Company-wide enterprise resource
planning system. This has been proceeding on a staggered basis over several years with the initial go-live
rollout having occurred in 2010. We have implemented the program in our Swiss, Chinese, U.K., Benelux,
and certain U.S. and German operations. We estimate that we have approximately 75% of the program
implemented, as measured in users. If the implementation is flawed, we could suffer interruptions in
operations and customer-facing activities that could harm our reputation and financial condition or cause
us to lose data, experience reduced functionality, or have delays in reporting financial information. It may
take us longer to implement the program than we have planned, and the project may cost us more than we
have estimated, either of which would negatively impact our ability to generate cost savings or other
efficiencies. In addition, the implementation will increase our reliance on a single information technology
system, which would have greater consequences should we experience a system disruption.
16
We operate in highly competitive markets, and it may be difficult for us to preserve operating
margins, gain market share, and maintain a technological advantage.
Our markets are highly competitive. Many are fragmented both geographically and by application,
particularly the industrial and food retailing markets. As a result, we face numerous regional or
specialized competitors, many of which are well established in their markets. In addition, some of our
competitors are divisions of larger companies with potentially greater financial and other resources than
our own. There has also been an increase in the consolidation of precision instrument companies in recent
years. Any consolidation within our market could result in competitors becoming larger and having
greater financial and other resources than our own. Some of our competitors are domiciled or operate in
emerging markets and may have a lower cost structure than ours. We are confronted with new competitors
in emerging markets which, although relatively small in size today, could become larger companies in
their home markets. Given the sometimes significant growth rates of these emerging markets, and in light
of their cost advantage over developed markets, emerging market competitors could become more
significant global competitors. Taken together, the competitive forces present in our markets could harm
our operating margins. We expect our competitors to continue to improve the design and performance of
their products and to introduce new products with competitive prices. Although we believe that our
products and services have advantages over our competitors, we may not be able to realize and maintain
these advantages.
Our ability to manufacture and deliver products and services may be disrupted.
We have key manufacturing facilities located in China, Europe, and the United States. Many of our
products are developed and manufactured at single locations, with limited alternate facilities. In addition,
a large portion of our products and spare parts are distributed through regional logistics centers, in which
certain logistics activities are outsourced to third parties. If we experience any significant disruption in
these facilities for any reason, such as strikes or other labor unrest, power interruptions, fire, earthquakes,
hurricanes, or other events beyond our control, we may be unable to satisfy customer demand for our
products or services and lose sales. It may be expensive to resolve these issues, even though some of these
risks are covered by insurance policies. More importantly, customers may switch to competitors and may
not return to us even if we resolve the interruption.
Our business would suffer if we were unable to obtain supplies of material.
We purchase most of our raw materials, components, and supplies from multiple suppliers. Some
items are purchased from a limited or single source of supply, however, and disruption of these sources
could affect our ability to manufacture products. Even where multiple sources of materials and
components are available, the quality of the alternative materials, regulatory and contractual requirements
to qualify materials for use in manufacturing, and the time required to establish new relationships with
reliable suppliers could result in manufacturing delays and possible loss of sales. If we are unable to
obtain materials or components for an extended time, this could damage our customer relationships and
harm our financial condition or results of operations.
Our product development efforts may not produce commercially viable products in a timely
manner.
If we do not introduce new products and enhancements, our products could become technologically
obsolete over time, which would harm our operating results. To remain competitive, we must continue to
make significant investments in research and development, sales and marketing, and customer service and
support. We cannot be sure that we will have sufficient resources to continue to make these investments.
In developing new products, we may be required to make substantial investments before we can determine
17
their commercial viability. As a result, we may not be successful in developing new products and we may
never realize the benefits of our research and development activities.
A prolonged downturn or additional consolidation in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage,
and chemical industries could adversely affect our operating results. A reduction in the capital
resources or government funding of our customers could reduce our sales.
Our products are used extensively in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and chemical industries.
Consolidation in these industries hurt our sales in prior years. In recent years, there has been an increase in
consolidation within these industries. A prolonged economic downturn or additional consolidation in any
of these industries could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, the capital spending policies of
our customers in these and other industries are based on a variety of factors we cannot control, including
the resources available for purchasing equipment, the spending priorities among various types of
equipment, and policies regarding capital expenditures. Any decrease or delay in capital spending by our
customers would cause our revenues to decline and could harm our profitability. A decline in government
funding of research or education could reduce some customers' ability to purchase our products.
Unanticipated changes in our tax rates or additional income tax liabilities could impact our
profitability.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and various other jurisdictions, and our domestic
and international tax liabilities are subject to allocation of expenses among different jurisdictions. Our
effective tax rates and tax obligations could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws or rates, changes
in the mix of earnings by jurisdiction, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and
material adjustments from tax audits.
In particular, the carrying value of deferred tax assets, which are predominantly in the U.S., is
dependent upon our ability to generate future taxable income in the U.S. In addition, the amount of
income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits in various jurisdictions, and a material assessment by a
governing tax authority could affect our profitability.
Our tax expense and tax obligations could increase as a result of a changing application of
tax law.
Governments are facing greater pressure on public finances, which could lead to their more
aggressively applying existing tax laws and regulations. Governments also periodically change tax laws
and regulations. Any changes in corporate income tax rates or regulations, on repatriation of dividends,
earnings or capital, or on transfer pricing, as well as changes in the interpretation of existing tax laws and
regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, could adversely affect our cash flow and increase our
overall tax burden, which would negatively affect our profitability.
We face risks related to sales through distributors and other third parties that we do not
control, which could harm our business.
We sell some products through third parties, including distributors and value-added resellers. This
exposes us to various risks, including competitive pressure, concentration of sales volumes, credit risks,
and compliance risks. We may rely on one or a few key distributors for a product or market, and the loss
of these distributors could reduce our revenue and net earnings. Distributors may also face financial
difficulties, including bankruptcy, which could harm our collection of accounts receivables. Violations of
the FCPA or similar anti-bribery laws by distributors or other third-party intermediaries could materially
impact our business. Risks related to our use of distributors may reduce sales, increase expenses, and
weaken our competitive position.
18
A terrorism attack, other geopolitical crisis, or widespread outbreak of an illness or other
health issue could negatively affect our business, making it more difficult and expensive to
meet our obligations to our customers, and could result in reduced demand from our
customers.
Our global operations are susceptible to global events, including acts or threats of war or terrorism,
international conflicts, political instability, and natural disasters. Also, in past years a number of countries
have experienced outbreaks of the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) or, in the Asia Pacific region, outbreaks of
SARS and/or avian influenza (bird flu), and more recently, Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa. Despite the
implementation of certain precautions, we are susceptible to such outbreaks. As a result of such events,
businesses can be shut down and individuals can become ill, quarantined, or otherwise unable to work.
These events, particularly in North America, Europe, China, or other locations significant to our
operations, could adversely affect general commercial activity, which could have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition, results of operations, business, or prospects. If our operations are curtailed, we
may need to seek alternate sources of supply for services and staff and these alternate sources may be
more expensive. Alternate sources may not be available or may result in delays in shipments to our
customers, each of which would affect our results of operations. In addition, a curtailment of our product
design operations could result in delays in the development of new products. Further, if our customers’
businesses are similarly affected, they might delay or reduce purchases from us, which could adversely
affect our results of operations.
We may face risks associated with future acquisitions.
We may pursue acquisitions of complementary product lines, technologies, or businesses.
Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in integrating the acquired operations,
technologies, and products; diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; and
potential departures of key employees of the acquired company. If we successfully identify acquisitions in
the future, completing such acquisitions may result in new issuances of our stock that may be dilutive to
current owners, increases in our debt and contingent liabilities, and additional amortization expense
related to intangible assets. Any of these acquisition-related risks could have a material adverse effect on
our profitability.
Larger companies have identified life sciences and instruments as businesses they will consider
entering, which could change the competitive dynamics of these markets. In addition, we may not be able
to identify, successfully complete, or integrate potential acquisitions in the future. Even if we can do so,
we cannot be sure that these acquisitions will have a positive impact on our business or operating results.
If we cannot protect our intellectual property rights, or if we infringe or misappropriate the
proprietary rights of others, our operating results could be harmed.
Our success depends on our ability to obtain, maintain, and enforce patents on our technology,
maintain our trademarks, and protect our trade secrets. Our patents may not provide complete protection,
may expire, and competitors may develop similar products that are not covered by our patents. Our
patents may also be challenged by third parties and invalidated or narrowed. We may experience a decline
in sales and/or profitability if any of these things occur. Competitors sometimes seek to take advantage of
our trademarks or brands in ways that may create customer confusion or weaken our brand. Improper use
or disclosure of our trade secrets may still occur.
We may be sued for infringing on the intellectual property rights of others. The cost of any litigation
could affect our profitability regardless of the outcome, and management attention could be diverted. If
we are unsuccessful in such litigation, we may have to pay damages, stop the infringing activity, and/or
19
obtain a license. If we fail to obtain a required license, we may be unable to sell some of our products,
which could result in a decline in our revenues.
Departures of key employees could impair our operations.
Key employees could leave the Company. If any key employees stopped working for us, our
operations could be harmed. Important R&D personnel may leave and join competitors, which could
substantially delay or hinder ongoing development projects. We have no key man life insurance policies
with respect to any of our senior executives.
We may be adversely affected by environmental laws and regulations.
We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations and incur expenditures in complying
with environmental laws and regulations. We are currently involved in, or have potential liability with
respect to, the remediation of past contamination in various facilities. In addition, some of our facilities
are or have been in operation for many decades and may have used substances or generated and disposed
of wastes that are hazardous or may be considered hazardous in the future. These sites and disposal sites
owned by others to which we sent waste may in the future be identified as contaminated and require
remediation. Accordingly, it is possible that we could become subject to additional environmental
liabilities in the future that may harm our results of operations or financial condition.
We may be adversely affected by regulations and market expectations related to sourcing and
our supply chain, including conflict minerals.
The SEC has adopted disclosures and reporting requirements for companies whose products contain
certain minerals and their derivatives, namely tin, tantalum, tungsten, or gold, known as conflict minerals.
Companies must report annually whether or not such minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries and in some cases to perform extensive due diligence on their
supply chains for such minerals. These requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, availability, and
pricing of materials used in the manufacturing of our products. In addition, we have incurred additional
costs to comply with the disclosure requirements, including cost related to determining the source of any
of the relevant minerals used in our products. Since our supply chain is complex, the due diligence
procedures that we have implemented may not enable us to ascertain with sufficient certainty the origins
for these minerals or determine that these minerals are DRC conflict free, which may harm our reputation.
We may also face difficulties in satisfying customers who may require that our products be certified as
DRC conflict free, which could harm our relationships with these customers and/or lead to a loss of
revenue. These requirements also could have the effect of limiting the pool of suppliers from which we
source these minerals, and we may be unable to obtain conflict-free minerals at prices similar to the past,
which could increase our costs and adversely affect our manufacturing operations and our profitability.
Future laws, regulations, or customers may make additional demands on supply chain transparency.
These demands can include more transparency into the activities of our suppliers with regards to human
rights and sustainable sourcing. We have significant protections in place to ensure we partner with
responsible suppliers, but increased demands may cause us to incur increased supply chain costs. If we
can't satisfy customers' demands, we may lose business, and if we can't meet new regulatory requirements,
we may have to alter our sourcing at increased expense.
20
We may be adversely affected by failure to comply with regulations of governmental agencies
or by the adoption of new regulations. Changes in political policy in the United States and
certain European countries may also impact global trade or create uncertainty impacting our
business.
Our products are subject to regulation by governmental agencies. These regulations govern a wide
variety of activities relating to our products, including design and development, product safety, labeling,
manufacturing, promotion, sales, and distribution. We also operate a global business and are subject to
various laws and regulations in the many markets we do business, including those relating to competition,
employment and labor practices, international trade, and corruption. If we fail to comply with these
regulations, or if new regulations are adopted that substantially change existing practice or impose new
burdens, we may have to recall products and cease their manufacture and distribution. In addition, we
could be subject to investigation costs, reputational harm, fines, criminal prosecution, and other damages
that could impact our profitability. Changes in political policy in the United States and certain European
countries may impact global trade or create uncertainty. Recently, the United States government formally
withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, initiated renegotiations of the North American
Free Trade Agreement, and threatened tougher trade terms with China and other countries. These actions
may restrict our access to lower cost countries, cause foreign governments to consider tougher trade terms
for U.S. companies, or otherwise create uncertainty in global markets. In times of uncertainty, some
customers delay investments or defer normal replacement cycles, which could have an adverse impact on
our sales.
We may experience impairments of goodwill or other intangible assets.
As of December 31, 2017, our consolidated balance sheet included goodwill of $539.8 million and
other intangible assets of $226.7 million.
Our business acquisitions typically result in goodwill and other intangible assets, which affect the
amount of future period amortization expense and possible impairment expense. We make estimates and
assumptions in valuing such intangible assets that affect our consolidated financial statements.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized,
but are evaluated for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in
circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. The evaluation is based on valuation models that
estimate fair value. In preparing the valuation models, we consider a number of factors, including
operating results, business plans, economic conditions, future cash flows, and transactions and market
data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and our judgment in applying them to the
impairment analyses. The significant estimates and assumptions within our fair value models include sales
growth, controllable cost growth, perpetual growth, effective tax rates, and discount rates. Our
assessments to date have indicated that there has been no impairment of these assets.
Should any of these estimates or assumptions change, or should we incur lower-than-expected
operating performance or cash flows, including from a prolonged economic slowdown, we may
experience a triggering event that requires a new fair value assessment for our reporting units, possibly
prior to the required annual assessment. These types of events and resulting analysis could result in
impairment charges for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets if the fair value estimate
declines below the carrying value.
Our amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite lives may materially change should
our estimates of their useful lives change.
21
We have debt and we may incur substantially more debt, which could affect our ability to meet
our debt obligations and may otherwise restrict our activities.
We have debt and we may incur substantial additional debt in the future. As of December 31, 2017,
we had total indebtedness of approximately $831.2 million, net of cash of $148.7 million. Our debt
instruments allow us to incur substantial additional indebtedness.
The existence and magnitude of our debt could have important consequences. For example, it could
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations under our debt instruments; require us to dedicate a
substantial portion of our cash flow to payments on our indebtedness, which would reduce the amount of
cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, product development, and other
corporate requirements; increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions,
including changes in raw material costs; limit our ability to respond to business opportunities; limit our
ability to borrow additional funds, which may be necessary; and subject us to financial and other
restrictive covenants, which, if we fail to comply with these covenants and our failure is not waived or
cured, could result in an event of default under our debt instruments.
The agreements governing our debt impose restrictions on our business.
The note purchase agreements governing our notes and the agreements governing our credit facility
contain covenants imposing various restrictions on our business. These restrictions may affect our ability
to operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities.
The restrictions these covenants place on us include limitations on our ability to incur liens and
consolidate, merge, sell, or lease all or substantially all of our assets. Our credit facility and the note
purchase agreements governing our senior notes also require us to meet certain financial ratios.
Our ability to comply with these agreements may be affected by events beyond our control, including
economic, financial, and industry conditions. The breach of any covenants or restrictions could result in a
default under the note purchase agreements governing the senior notes and/or under our credit facility. An
event of default under the agreements governing our debt would permit holders of our debt to declare all
amounts owed to them under such agreements to be immediately due and payable. Acceleration of our
other indebtedness may cause us to be unable to make interest payments on the senior notes and repay the
principal amount of the senior notes.
The lenders under our credit agreement may be unable to meet their funding commitments,
reducing the amount of our borrowing capacity.
We have a revolving credit facility outstanding under which the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries may borrow up to $800 million. Our credit facility is provided by a group of 13 financial
institutions, which individually have between 2% and 14% of the total funding commitment. At
December 31, 2017, we had borrowings of $461.9 million outstanding under our credit facility. Our
ability to borrow further funds under our credit facility is subject to the various lenders’ financial
condition and ability to make funds available. Even though the financial institutions are contractually
obligated to lend funds, if one or more of the lenders encounters financial difficulties or goes bankrupt,
such lenders may be unable to meet their obligations. This could result in us being unable to borrow the
full $800 million amount available.
We make forward-looking statements, and actual events or results may differ materially from
these statements because assumptions we have made prove incorrect due to market
conditions in our industries or other factors.
We provide forward-looking statements both in our filings with the SEC and orally in connection
with our quarterly earnings calls, including guidance on anticipated earnings per share. You should not
22
rely on forward-looking statements to predict our actual results. Our actual results or performance may be
materially different than reflected in forward-looking statements because of various risks and
uncertainties.
Our forward-looking statements may not be accurate or complete, and we do not intend to update or
revise them in light of actual results. New risks also periodically arise. Please consider the risks and
factors that could cause our results to differ materially from what is described in our forward-looking
statements. See in particular “Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results” and “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
In providing guidance on our future earnings, we evaluate our budgets, strategic plans, and other
factors relating to our business. We make assumptions about external factors, including the following:
the outlook for our end markets and the global economy;
the impact of external factors on our competition;
the financial position of our customers;
the estimated costs of purchasing materials;
•
•
•
•
• developments in personnel costs;
• our estimated income tax expense; and
•
rates for currency exchange, particularly between the Swiss franc and the euro.
Some of these assumptions may prove to be incorrect over time. For example, although no single
end-customer accounts for more than 1% of our revenues, if a number of our customers experienced
significant deteriorations in their financial positions concurrently, it could have an impact on our results of
operations.
Some of our key internal assumptions include the following:
• our ability to implement our business strategy;
• our ability to implement price increases as forecasted;
•
the effectiveness of our sales and marketing programs such as our Spinnaker and market
penetration and Field Turbo initiatives;
the effectiveness of our programs to improve our service business, including growth, globalization,
and productivity initiatives;
•
• our ability to develop and deliver innovative products and services;
•
•
the continued growth of our sales in emerging markets; and
the effectiveness of productivity and cost saving initiatives.
These internal assumptions may also prove to be incorrect over time. For example, with respect to
our ability to realize our planned price increases without disturbing our customer base in core markets, in
certain markets, such as emerging markets, price tends to be a more significant factor in customers’
decisions to purchase our products. Furthermore, we can have no assurance that our cost reduction
programs will generate adequate cost savings. Additionally, it may become necessary to take additional
restructuring actions resulting in additional restructuring costs.
We believe our current assumptions are reasonable and prudent for planning purposes. However,
should any of these assumptions prove to be incorrect, or should we incur lower-than-expected operating
performance or cash flows, we may experience results different than our projections.
Our ability to generate and repatriate cash depends in part on factors beyond our control.
Our ability to make payments on our debt and to fund our share repurchase program, planned capital
expenditures, and research and development efforts depends on our ability to generate and repatriate cash
23
in the future. This is subject to factors beyond our control, including general economic, financial,
competitive, legislative, regulatory, governmental, and other factors described in this section.
We cannot ensure that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future
borrowings will be available to us under our credit facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our
debt or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on
or before maturity. We cannot ensure that we will be able to refinance any of our debt, including our credit
facility and the senior notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Our ability to fund our share repurchase program is also dependent on our ability to repatriate our
international cash flows. Changes in governmental cash repatriation policies, restrictions, or tax laws
could impair our ability to continue our share repurchase program.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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Item 2. Properties
Our principal executive offices are located in Columbus, Ohio and Greifensee, Switzerland. The
following table lists our principal facilities, indicating the location and whether the facility is owned or
leased. The properties listed below serve primarily as manufacturing facilities or shared service centers
and also typically have a certain amount of space for service, sales and marketing, and administrative
activities. The facilities in Giessen, Germany and Viroflay, France are used primarily for sales and
marketing. We believe our facilities are adequate for our current and reasonably anticipated future needs.
Location
Europe:
Greifensee/Nänikon, Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uznach, Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Urdorf, Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schwerzenbach, Switzerland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manchester, England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Royston, United Kingdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Salford, United Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viroflay, France (two facilities). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Albstadt, Germany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Giessen, (Hesse) Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Giesen, (Lower Saxony) Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warsaw, Poland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Americas:
Columbus, Ohio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Worthington, Ohio (two facilities). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oakland, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Billerica, Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tampa, Florida (two facilities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tijuana, Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thorofare, New Jersey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other:
Shanghai, China (two facilities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changzhou, China (two facilities). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ChengDu, China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mumbai, India (three facilities). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Owned/Leased
Business Segment
Owned
Leased
Owned
Leased
Leased
Owned
Leased
Owned; Leased
Owned
Owned
Owned
Leased
Leased
Owned
Owned
Leased
Owned; Leased
Leased
Owned
Buildings Owned;
Land Leased
Buildings Owned;
Land Leased
Buildings Owned;
Land Leased
Leased
Swiss Operations
Swiss Operations
Swiss Operations
Swiss Operations
Western European Operations
Western European Operations
Western European Operations
Western European Operations
Western European Operations
Western European Operations
Western European Operations
Other Operations
U.S. Operations
U.S. Operations
U.S. Operations
U.S. Operations
U.S. Operations
U.S. Operations
U.S. Operations
Chinese Operations
Chinese Operations
Chinese Operations
Other Operations
We are not currently involved in any legal proceeding that we believe could have a material adverse
effect upon our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. See the disclosure in Item 1 above
under “Environmental Matters.”
Executive Officers of the Registrant
See Part III, Item 10 of this annual report for information about our executive officers.
25
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information for Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MTD.” The
following table sets forth on a per share basis the high and low sales prices for consolidated trading in our
common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape for the quarters indicated.
Common Stock Price
Range
High
Low
2017
Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 689.11
Third Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 635.17
Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 601.16
First Quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 486.90
2016
Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 429.91
Third Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 419.83
Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 385.50
First Quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 347.09
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
606.80
571.25
473.87
414.52
397.73
363.19
347.76
298.14
Holders
At February 5, 2018, there were 52 holders of record of common stock and 25,472,835 shares of
common stock outstanding. We estimate we have approximately 62,581 beneficial owners of common
stock.
Dividend Policy
Historically, we have not paid dividends on our common stock. However, we will evaluate this policy
on a periodic basis taking into account our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements,
including potential acquisitions, our share repurchase program, the taxation of dividends to our
shareholders, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
26
Share Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on
$100 invested on December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017 in our common stock, the Standard &
Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index (S&P 500 Index), and the SIC Code 3826 Index — Laboratory
Analytical Instruments.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return Among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., the
S&P 500 Index, and SIC Code 3826 Index — Laboratory Analytical Instruments
Mettler-Toledo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S&P 500 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SIC Code 3826 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$100
$100
$100
$126
$132
$147
$156
$151
$168
$175
$153
$186
$217
$171
$188
$321
$208
$258
12/31/12
12/31/13
12/31/14
12/31/15
12/31/16
12/31/17
27
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
October 1 to October 31, 2017 . . . . .
November 1 to November 30, 2017 .
December 1 to December 31, 2017 .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
32,971
35,598
32,929
101,498
Average Price Paid
per Share
$
$
657.00
638.89
625.35
640.38
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Program
Approximate Dollar
Value (in thousands) of
Shares that may yet be
Purchased under the
Program
32,971
35,598
32,929
101,498
$
$
626,758
604,015
583,422
583,422
We have a share repurchase program of which there was $583.4 million common shares remaining to
be repurchased under the program as of December 31, 2017. The share repurchases are expected to be
funded from cash balances, borrowings, and cash generated from operating activities. Repurchases will be
made through open market transactions, and the amount and timing of purchases will depend on business
and market conditions, the stock price, trading restrictions, the level of acquisition activity, and other
factors.
We have purchased 26.7 million common shares since the inception of the program in 2004 through
December 31, 2017, at a total cost of $3.9 billion. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,
we spent $400 million and $500 million on the repurchase of 749,254 shares and 1,348,507 shares at an
average price per share of $533.84 and $370.75, respectively. We reissued 270,413 shares and 278,623
shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units during 2017 and 2016,
respectively.
28
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected historical financial information set forth below as of and for the years then ended
December 31 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The financial information
presented below, in thousands except share data, was prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Statement of Operations Data:
1,573,313
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,725,053
1,151,740
Cost of sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general, and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring charges(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other charges (income), net(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Earnings before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for taxes(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
32,785
12,772
(5,866)
574,222
198,250
375,972
787,464
129,265
42,671
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common shares. . . . .
14.62
25,713,575
$ 2,508,257
$ 2,395,447
$ 2,485,983
$ 2,378,972
1,072,670
1,043,454
1,127,233
1,097,041
1,435,587
1,351,993
1,358,750
1,281,931
119,968
732,622
36,052
28,026
6,235
8,491
504,193
119,823
384,370
14.49
$
$
119,076
700,810
30,951
27,451
11,148
(867)
463,424
110,604
352,820
12.75
$
$
123,297
728,582
29,185
24,537
5,915
2,230
445,004
106,763
338,241
11.71
$
$
116,346
692,693
24,539
22,711
19,830
3,103
402,709
96,615
306,094
10.22
$
$
26,517,768
27,680,918
28,890,771
29,945,954
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common and
common equivalent shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.24
$
14.22
$
12.48
$
11.44
$
9.96
26,393,783
27,023,905
28,269,615
29,571,308
30,728,482
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Working capital(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term debt(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current liabilities(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholders’ equity(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
148,687
$
158,674
$
98,887
$
85,263
$
111,874
188,040
169,569
152,721
172,380
225,551
2,549,805
2,166,777
1,959,335
1,973,532
2,120,755
960,170
301,452
547,280
875,056
204,957
434,943
575,138
194,552
580,457
334,134
218,108
719,595
395,102
193,170
935,052
_________________________
(a) Restructuring charges primarily relate to our global cost reduction programs. See Note 14 and Note 17 to the audited
consolidated financial statements.
(b) Other charges (income), net includes $1.7 million and $1.1 million of acquisition costs for 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Other charges (income), net for 2017 also includes a one-time gain of $3.4 million relating to the sale of a facility in
Switzerland in connection with our initiative to consolidate certain Swiss operations into a new facility, while 2016
includes a one-time non-cash pension settlement charge of $8.2 million related to a lump sum offering to former employees
of our U.S. pension plan. Other charges (income), net also includes (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions and
hedging activities, interest income, and other items.
(c) Provision for taxes for 2017 includes a provisional one-time charge of $72 million for the implementation of the Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act. Of this amount, $59 million is expected to be paid over a period of up to eight years. The estimated charge
may change with the finalization of implementation. See Note 13 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
(d) Working capital represents total current assets net of cash, less total current liabilities net of short-term borrowings and
current maturities of long-term debt.
29
(e) Other non-current liabilities consist of pension and other post-retirement liabilities, the long-term taxes payable of $48
million related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, plus certain other non-current liabilities. See Note 12 to the audited
consolidated financial statements for pension and other post-retirement disclosures.
(f) No dividends were paid during the five-year period ended December 31, 2017.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be
read together with our audited consolidated financial statements.
Changes in local currencies exclude the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Local currency
amounts are determined by translating current and previous year consolidated financial information at an
index utilizing historical currency exchange rates. We believe local currency information provides a
helpful assessment of business performance and a useful measure of results between periods. We do not,
nor do we suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or
as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. We present non-GAAP
financial measures in reporting our financial results to provide investors with an additional analytical tool
to evaluate our operating results.
We also include in the discussion below disclosures of immaterial qualitative factors that are not
quantified. Although the impact of such factors is not considered material, we believe these disclosures
can be useful in evaluating our operating results.
Overview
We operate a global business with sales that are diversified by geographic region, product range, and
customer. We hold leading positions worldwide in many of our markets and attribute this leadership to
several factors, including the strength of our brand name and reputation, our comprehensive offering of
innovative instruments and solutions, and the breadth and quality of our global sales and service network.
Net sales in U.S. dollars increased 9% in 2017 and 5% in 2016. Excluding the effect of currency
exchange rate fluctuations, or in local currencies, net sales increased 8% in 2017 and increased 7% in
2016. Net sales growth in local currencies during 2017 reflected broad-based growth across most
geographies and product categories as a result of favorable global market conditions and strong execution
of our growth initiatives. We expect to continue to benefit from our strong global leadership positions,
diversified customer base, robust product offering, investment in emerging markets, significant installed
base, and the impact of our global sales and marketing programs. Examples of these programs include
identifying and investing in growth and market penetration opportunities, more effectively pricing our
products and services, increasing our sales force effectiveness through improved guidance, and continuing
to optimize our lead generation and lead nurturing processes. While global market conditions are currently
favorable, we will face challenging prior period comparisons in 2018 due to strong results in 2017.
Economic conditions can also change quickly, particularly in emerging markets, and it is uncertain that
favorable market conditions will continue.
With respect to our end-user markets, we experienced increased results during 2017 versus the prior
year in our laboratory-related markets, such as pharmaceutical and biotech customers, as well as the
laboratories of chemical companies and food and beverage companies. Demand from these markets was
generally favorable during 2017. The local currency increase in net sales of our laboratory-related
products during 2017 was driven by strong growth in most product categories.
Our industrial markets continued to benefit from our customers' focus on brand protection and food
safety within our product inspection end-market. We also experienced improved market conditions in
30
China with core industrial customers catching up on their product replacement cycles. Emerging market
economies have historically been an important source of growth based upon the expansion of their
domestic economies, as well as increased exports as companies have moved production to low-cost
countries. Our industrial-related products are especially sensitive to changes in economic growth.
Our food retailing sales declined during 2017 due to reduced investment by retailers for our type of
products. Traditionally the spending levels in this sector have experienced more volatility than our other
customer sectors due to the timing of customer project activity and new regulations.
In 2018, we expect to continue to pursue the overall business growth strategies which we have
followed in recent years:
Gaining Market Share. Our global sales and marketing initiative, “Spinnaker,” continues to be an
important growth strategy. For example, over the past few years, we have added field sales and service
resources to pursue under-penetrated market opportunities and will look to continue to make investments
to front-end resources in 2018. We also aim to gain market share by implementing sophisticated sales and
marketing programs, leveraging our extensive customer databases, and leveraging our product offering to
larger customers through key account management. While this initiative is broad-based, efforts to improve
these processes include leveraging big data analytics to identify, prioritize, and pursue growth
opportunities, the implementation of more effective pricing and value-based selling strategies and
processes, improved sales force guidance, training and effectiveness, cross-selling, increased segment
marketing, and leads generation and nurturing activities. Our comprehensive service offerings, and our
initiatives to globalize and harmonize these offerings, help us further penetrate developed markets. We
estimate that we have the largest installed base of weighing instruments in the world, and we continue to
leverage big data analytics and invest in sales and marketing activities aimed at increasing the proportion
of our installed base that is under service contract, or selling new products that replace old products in our
installed base. In addition to traditional repair and maintenance, our service offerings continue to expand
into value-added services for a range of market needs, including regulatory compliance.
Expanding Emerging Markets. Emerging markets, comprising Asia (excluding Japan), Eastern
Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, account for approximately 34% of our total net sales.
We have a two-pronged strategy in emerging markets: first, to capitalize on long-term growth
opportunities in these markets and second, to leverage our low-cost manufacturing operations in China.
We have approximately a 30-year track record in China, and our sales in Asia have grown more than 13%
on a compound annual growth basis in local currencies since 1999. We have broadened our product
offering to the Asian markets and benefit as multinational customers shift production to China. India has
also been a source of emerging market sales growth in past years due to increased life science research
activities. Overall, market conditions in emerging markets were favorable during 2017. We experienced a
12% increase in emerging market local currency sales during 2017 versus the prior year, which included
19% local currency sales growth in China. Within China, we continue to redeploy resources and sales and
marketing efforts to the faster-growing segments of pharma, food safety, and environment. We believe the
long-term growth of these segments will be favorably impacted by the Chinese government's emphasis on
science, high-value industries, and product quality. We expect our laboratory, process analytics, and
product inspection businesses will particularly benefit from these segments. We also continue to invest
and add sales and marketing resources to pursue growth in under-penetrated emerging markets. However,
emerging market sales can be volatile. China's credit availability can also be particularly volatile, and
certain industrial-related end-user segments still have overcapacity.
Extending Our Technology Lead. We continue to focus on product innovation. In the last three years,
we spent approximately 5% of net sales on research and development. We seek to accelerate product
replacement cycles, as well as improve our product offerings and their capabilities with additional
31
integrated technologies and software. In addition, we aim to create value for our customers by having an
intimate knowledge of their processes via our significant installed product base.
Expanding Our Margins. We continue to strive to improve our margins by more effectively pricing
our products and services and optimizing our cost structure. For example, sophisticated data analytic tools
provide us new insights to further refine our price strategies and processes. We also focus on reallocating
resources and better aligning our cost structure to support our investments in market penetration
initiatives, higher growth areas, and opportunities for margin improvement. We have also initiated various
restructuring programs over the past few years in response to changing market conditions. As previously
mentioned, shifting production to China has also been an important component of our cost savings
initiatives. We have also implemented global procurement and supply chain management programs over
the last several years aimed at lowering supply costs, and have further increased our focus on these
programs during the past year with the global launch of our SternDrive initiative. SternDrive is our global
program for continuous improvement efforts within our supply chain, manufacturing, and back-office
operations. Blue Ocean is also an important enabler of our various margin expansion initiatives. Our move
to standardized business processes, systems, and data structures throughout our global organization
provides greater data transparency and faster access to real-time data. Our cost leadership and
productivity initiatives are also focused on continuously improving our invested capital efficiency, such as
reducing our working capital levels and ensuring appropriate returns on our expenditures.
Pursuing Strategic Acquisitions. We seek to pursue "bolt-on" acquisitions that may leverage our
global sales and service network, respected brand, extensive distribution channels, and technological
leadership. We have identified life sciences, product inspection, and process analytics as three key areas
for acquisitions. For example, during the third quarter of 2017, we acquired the shares of Biotix, Inc., a
manufacturer and distributor of plastic consumables associated with pipettes, including tips, tubes, and
reagent reservoirs used in the life sciences market, based in the United States for an initial cash payment
of $105 million. We also may be required to pay additional cash consideration up to a maximum amount
of $65 million, of which we recorded an estimated $30.7 million as of December 31, 2017. During 2016,
we acquired substantially all of the assets of Henry Troemner LLC (Troemner), a supplier of lab
equipment, weights, and weight calibration based in the United States for an aggregate purchase price of
$95.8 million that has been integrated into our laboratory product offering.
Results of Operations — Consolidated
Net sales
Net sales were $2.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $2.5 billion in 2016
and $2.4 billion in 2015. This represents an increase of 9% in 2017 and an increase of 5% in 2016 in U.S.
dollars and an increase of 8% and 7% in local currencies, respectively. The Biotix and Troemner
acquisitions contributed 1% to our net sales in 2017. Global market conditions were favorable during
2017 and we continue to benefit from the execution of our global sales and marketing programs and
development of our robust product portfolio. However, we will face difficult prior period comparisons in
2018 due to strong results in 2017. Economic conditions can also change quickly, especially in emerging
markets, and it's uncertain that favorable market conditions will continue.
In 2017, our net sales by geographic destination increased in U.S. dollars 8% in the Americas, 6% in
Europe, and 11% in Asia/Rest of World. In local currencies, our net sales by geographic destination
increased in 2017 by 8% in the Americas, 5% in Europe, and 11% in Asia/Rest of World. The Biotix and
Troemner acquisitions contributed approximately 2% to net sales in the Americas during 2017. In
addition, our food retailing sales declined in 2017 due to reduced investment by retailers for our type of
products in the Americas, which decreased local currency sales in the Americas by 3%. A discussion of
sales by operating segment is included below.
32
As described in Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements, our net sales comprise
product sales of precision instruments and related services. Service revenues are primarily derived from
repair and other services, including regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification,
preventative maintenance, and spare parts.
Net sales of products increased 9% in U.S. dollars and in local currencies during 2017 and increased
5% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currencies in 2016. The Biotix and Troemner acquisitions contributed
approximately 2% to our net sales of products during 2017. Service revenue (including spare parts)
increased 7% in U.S. dollars and in local currencies in 2017 and increased 4% in U.S. dollars and 6% in
local currencies in 2016. The Troemner acquisition contributed approximately 1% to our net sales of
service during 2017.
Net sales of our laboratory-related products and services, which represented approximately 50% of
our total net sales in 2017, increased 11% in U.S. dollars and 10% in local currencies during 2017. The
local currency increase in net sales of our laboratory-related products during 2017 includes strong growth
in most product categories, particularly analytical instruments. The Biotix and Troemner acquisitions also
contributed approximately 2% to our net sales growth of laboratory-related products and services.
Net sales of our industrial-related products and services, which represented approximately 42% of
our total net sales in 2017, increased 8% in U.S. dollars and 8% in local currencies during 2017. In 2017,
we experienced strong growth in product inspection and core industrial. Our core-industrial results include
very strong results in China.
Net sales of our food retailing products and services, which represented approximately 8% of our
total net sales in 2017, decreased 3% in U.S. dollars and 4% in local currencies during 2017. The decline
in net sales of our food retailing products is due to a decrease in the Americas driven by reduced
investment by these retailers for our type of products.
Gross profit
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 57.7% for 2017, compared to 57.2% for 2016 and
56.4% for 2015.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for products was 60.9% for 2017, compared to 60.8% for
2016 and 60.1% for 2015. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for services (including spare parts) was
46.1% for 2017, compared to 44.6% for 2016 and 43.6% for 2015.
The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales for 2017 includes favorable price realization,
offset in part by unfavorable business mix, changes in foreign currency, and increased material costs.
Research and development and selling, general, and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales were 4.7% for 2017, 4.8% for 2016,
and 5.0% for 2015. Research and development expenses in U.S. dollars increased 8% in 2017 and 1% in
2016, and in local currencies increased 8% in 2017 and 4% in 2016, relating to increased investments in
new product development.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 28.9% for 2017,
compared to 29.2% for 2016 and 29.3% for 2015. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased
8% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies in 2017 and increased 4% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local
currencies in 2016. The increase during 2017 includes higher cash incentive expense, investments in our
field sales organization, and increased employee benefit costs.
33
Amortization expense
Amortization expense was $42.7 million in 2017, compared to $36.1 million and $31.0 million in
2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in amortization expense is primarily related to our investments
in information technology, including the Company's Blue Ocean program, as well as the Biotix and
Troemner acquisitions.
Restructuring charges
During the past few years, we initiated various cost reduction measures. For the year ended
December 31, 2017, we have incurred $12.8 million of restructuring expenses which primarily comprise
employee-related costs. See Note 14 and Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a
summary of restructuring activity during 2017.
Other charges (income), net
Other charges (income), net consisted of net income of $5.9 million in 2017, compared to net charges
of $8.5 million and net income of $0.9 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Other charges (income),
net includes $1.7 million and $1.1 million of acquisition costs for 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other
charges (income), net for 2017 also includes a one-time gain of $3.4 million relating to the sale of a
facility in Switzerland in connection with our initiative to consolidate certain Swiss operations into a new
facility. Other charges in 2016 includes a one-time non-cash pension settlement charge of $8.2 million
related to a lump sum offering to former employees of our U.S. pension plan. Other charges (income), net
also includes net (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions and hedging activities, interest income,
and other items.
Interest expense and taxes
Interest expense was $32.8 million for 2017, compared to $28.0 million for 2016 and $27.5 million
for 2015.
Our annual effective tax rate was 22% for 2017 and 24% for both 2016 and 2015 excluding one-time
charges in 2017 associated with the Tax Cuts and Job Act described below. The reduction in our annual
effective tax rate from 24% in 2016 and 2015 to 22% in 2017 is primarily related to our adoption of ASU
2016-09 pertaining to excess tax benefits in the current year associated with stock option exercises as
discussed in Note 2.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("the Act") significantly revised U.S. corporate
income tax law. The Act includes, among other things, a reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income
tax rate from 35% to 21% effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and the
implementation of a modified territorial tax system that includes a one-time transition tax on deemed
repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries ("Transition Tax") that is payable over a period of up to eight
years. The tax effects of the Act are reflected in Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2017.
In connection with the Act, we recorded a provisional one-time charge of $72 million during the
fourth quarter of 2017. This amount includes a one-time cash charge of $59 million for un-repatriated
foreign earnings which is expected to be paid over a period of up to eight years, and a one-time non-cash
charge of $13 million related to certain deferred tax and other non-cash items.
Our accounting for the above items is based upon reasonable estimates of the tax effects of the Act;
however, our estimates may change upon the finalization of our implementation and additional
interpretive guidance from regulatory authorities. We will complete our accounting for the above tax
34
effects of the Act during 2018, as provided in Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, and will reflect any
adjustments to our provisional amounts as an adjustment to the provision for taxes in the reporting period
in which the amounts are finally determined.
Additionally, certain provisions of the Act are not effective until 2018. We are in the process of
evaluating the impact of these provisions and have not yet recorded any impact in the financial statements,
nor have we made any accounting policy elections with respect to these items.
Results of Operations — by Operating Segment
The following is a discussion of the financial results of our operating segments. We currently have
five reportable segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese
Operations, and Other. A more detailed description of these segments is outlined in Note 17 to our audited
consolidated financial statements.
U.S. Operations (amounts in thousands)
2017
2016
2015
Increase
(Decrease) in %
2017 vs. 2016
Increase
(Decrease) in %
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,043,942
Net sales to external customers . $ 944,825
Segment profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 177,705
$ 958,542
$ 913,842
$ 867,962
$ 826,354
$ 161,539
$ 147,491
9%
9%
10%
5%
5%
10%
The increase in both total net sales and net sales to external customers of 9% in 2017 includes strong
growth in product inspection and laboratory-related products, offset in part by a significant decline in food
retailing, which reduced net sales to external customers by 3% during 2017. Net sales to external
customers in our U.S. Operations during 2017 also benefited approximately 3% from the Biotix and
Troemner acquisitions.
Segment profit increased $16.2 million in our U.S. Operations segment during 2017, compared to an
increase of $14.0 million during 2016. Our segment profit includes the impact of increased net sales and
benefits from our margin expansion initiatives, offset in part by increased sales, service, and research and
development investments, as well as higher cash incentive and employee benefit costs.
Swiss Operations (amounts in thousands)
2017
2016
2015
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2017 vs. 2016
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 697,008
Net sales to external customers . $ 133,925
Segment profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 174,447
$ 655,657
$ 632,326
$ 130,674
$ 133,684
$ 163,663
$ 160,763
6%
2%
7%
4%
(2)%
2%
(1) Represents U.S. dollar growth for net sales and segment profit.
Total net sales in U.S. dollars increased 6% in 2017 and 4% in 2016, and in local currencies
increased 6% in 2017 and 5% in 2016. Net sales to external customers in U.S. dollars increased 2% in
2017 and decreased 2% in 2016, and in local currencies increased 2% in 2017 and decreased 1% in 2016.
The increase in local currency net sales to external customers for 2017 includes modest growth in most
product categories.
35
Segment profit increased $10.8 million in our Swiss Operations segment during 2017, compared to
an increase of $2.9 million during 2016. Segment profit includes the impact of increased net sales and
productivity improvements, offset by currency hedging gains in the prior year, higher cash incentive costs,
and increased research and development activity.
Western European Operations (amounts in thousands)
2017
2016
2015
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2017 vs. 2016
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 844,596
Net sales to external customers. . $ 673,776
Segment profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 117,324
$ 817,059
$ 785,660
$ 640,558
$ 620,128
$ 123,507
$ 107,424
3%
5%
(5)%
4%
3%
15%
(1) Represents U.S. dollar growth for net sales and segment profit.
Total net sales in U.S. dollars increased 3% in 2017 and 4% in 2016, and in local currencies
increased 2% in 2017 and 7% in 2016. Net sales to external customers in U.S. dollars increased 5% in
2017 and 3% in 2016, and in local currencies increased 3% in 2017 and 5% in 2016. The increase in local
currency net sales to external customers during 2017 includes growth in most product categories
especially in laboratory-related products.
Segment profit decreased $6.2 million in our Western European Operations segment during 2017,
compared to an increase of $16.1 million in 2016. The segment profit decline includes increased research
and development activity, sales and service investments, higher cash incentive costs, and the impact of
inter-segment product transfers, offset in part by increased net sales to external customers and favorable
currency translation.
Chinese Operations (amounts in thousands)
2017
2016
2015
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2017 vs. 2016
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 685,499
Net sales to external customers. . $ 452,617
Segment profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 231,860
$ 606,307
$ 591,178
$ 386,541
$ 376,291
$ 187,924
$ 165,532
13%
17%
23%
3%
3%
14%
(1) Represents U.S. dollar growth for net sales and segment profit.
Total net sales in U.S. dollars increased 13% in 2017 and 3% in 2016, and in local currencies
increased 15% in 2017 and 10% in 2016. Net sales to external customers in U.S. dollars increased 17% in
2017 and increased 3% in 2016, and in local currencies increased 19% in 2017 and increased 9% in 2016.
The increase in net sales to external customers during 2017 reflects very strong growth in most product
categories. Our Chinese performance reflects a good economic environment with customers catching up
in 2017 on their product replacement cycles, as well as our ability to shift resources towards faster
growing markets. While Chinese market conditions have improved and are currently favorable, we will
face difficult prior period comparisons in 2018 due to the strong performance in 2017. In addition to the
tough comparisons, the Chinese economy has historically been volatile and market conditions may
deteriorate, especially in industrial markets.
Segment profit increased $43.9 million in our Chinese Operations segment during 2017, compared to
an increase of $22.4 million in 2016. The increase in segment profit during 2017 includes increased local
currency net sales volume, benefits from our margin expansion and cost savings initiatives, and inter-
segment transfers.
36
Other (amounts in thousands)
2017
2016
2015
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2017 vs. 2016
Increase
(Decrease) in % (1)
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 527,844
Net sales to external customers. . $ 519,910
72,744
Segment profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
$ 490,231
$ 447,077
$ 482,522
$ 438,990
$
64,060
$
50,821
8%
8%
14%
10%
10%
26%
(1) Represents U.S. dollar growth for net sales and segment profit.
Other includes reporting units in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and other countries.
Total net sales and net sales to external customers in U.S. dollars increased 8% in 2017 and 10% in 2016,
and in local currencies increased 6% and 12% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The local currency increase
in total net sales and net sales to external customers includes strong volume growth and increased price
realization in several countries.
Segment profit increased $8.7 million in our Other segment during 2017, compared to an increase of
$13.2 million during 2016. The increase in segment profit during 2017 includes benefits from increased
net sales and our margin expansion initiatives, offset in part by sales and service investments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our
obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate financing.
Currently, our financing requirements are primarily driven by working capital requirements, capital
expenditures, share repurchases, and acquisitions. Global market conditions can be uncertain, and our
ability to generate cash flows could be reduced by a deterioration in global markets.
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $516.3 million in 2017, compared to $460.8 million in
2016 and $439.8 million in 2015. The increase in 2017 is primarily related to higher net earnings.
Capital expenditures are made primarily for investments in information systems and technology,
machinery, equipment, and the purchase and expansion of facilities. Our capital expenditures totaled
$127.4 million in 2017, $124.0 million in 2016, and $82.5 million in 2015. Cash flow from investing
activities in 2017 also includes proceeds of $9.9 million relating to the sale of a facility in Switzerland in
connection with our initiative to consolidate certain Swiss operations into a new facility. We expect to
make net investments in new or expanded manufacturing facilities of $40 million to $50 million over the
next two years. The 2016 amount also includes a $37 million purchase of our previously leased pipette
manufacturing facility.
Cash flows used in financing activities during 2017 included share repurchases. As further described
below, in accordance with our share repurchase plan, we repurchased 749,254 shares and 1,348,507 shares
in the amount of $400 million and $500 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively.
We continue to explore potential acquisitions. In connection with any acquisition, we may incur
additional indebtedness. As further described in Note 3 of our Consolidated Financial Statements, in the
third quarter of 2017, we acquired all of the shares of Biotix, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of plastic
consumables associated with pipettes, including tips, tubes, and reagent reservoirs used in the life sciences
market, based in the United States for an initial cash payment of $105 million. We may also be required to
pay additional cash consideration up to a maximum amount of $65 million of which we recorded an
estimated $30.7 million as of December 31, 2017. During 2016, we also acquired substantially all of the
assets of Henry Troemner LLC (Troemner), a supplier of lab equipment, weights, and weight calibration
based in the United States for an aggregate purchase price of $95.8 million that will be integrated into our
laboratory product offering.
37
In 2017 and 2016, we also incurred additional acquisition payments totaling $2.1 million and $15.6
million, respectively.
As previously described, we have recorded a provisional one-time charge of $72 million for the
estimated income tax effects of the Transition Tax associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of which $59
million is expected to be paid over a period of up to eight years. We also plan to continue to repatriate
earnings from China, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and certain other countries in future
years and expect the only additional cost associated with the repatriation of such foreign earnings will be
withholding taxes. All other undistributed earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested. We
believe the ongoing tax impact associated with repatriating our undistributed foreign earnings will not
have a material effect on our liquidity.
Senior Notes
As further described in Note 9 of our Consolidated Financial Statements, we have the following
Senior Notes.
In 2012, we issued and sold $50 million of 3.67% Senior Notes due December 17, 2022 in a private
placement. The 3.67% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable
semi-annually in June and December.
In 2013, we issued and sold $50 million of 4.10% Senior Notes due September 19, 2023 in a private
placement. The 4.10% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the
4.10% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in March and September of each year.
In 2014, we entered into an agreement to issue and sell $250 million of ten-year Senior Notes in a
private placement. We issued $125 million with a fixed interest rate of 3.84% ("3.84% Senior Notes") in
September 2014 and issued $125 million with a fixed interest rate of 4.24% ("4.24% Senior Notes") in
June 2015. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the 3.84%
Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in March and September each year. Interest on the 4.24% Senior
Notes is payable semi-annually in June and December each year.
In 2015, we issued in a private placement Euro 125 million fifteen-year Senior Notes with a fixed
interest rate of 1.47% ("1.47% Euro Senior Notes"). The Euro Senior Notes are senior unsecured
obligations of the Company. We have designated the 1.47% Euro Senior Notes as a hedge of a portion of
our net investment in a euro-denominated foreign subsidiary to reduce foreign currency translation risk
associated with this net investment. Changes in the carrying value of this debt resulting from fluctuations
in the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate are recorded as foreign currency translation adjustments within
other comprehensive income (loss). We recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) related to this net
investment hedge an unrealized loss of $18.2 million and an unrealized gain of $5.1 million for the years
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Credit Agreement
In 2015, we entered into an $800 million Amended Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"),
which replaced our $800 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Prior Credit
Agreement"). The Credit Agreement is provided by a group of financial institutions (similar to our Prior
Credit Agreement) and has a maturity date of December 17, 2020. It is a revolving credit facility and is
not subject to any scheduled principal payments prior to maturity. The obligations under the Credit
Agreement are unsecured.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at current market rates plus a margin based on
our consolidated leverage ratio, which was, as of December 31, 2017, set at LIBOR plus 97.5 basis points.
38
We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2017, approximately
$332.6 million was available under the facility.
Our short-term borrowings and long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2017:
U.S. Dollar
Other Principal
Trading Currencies
Total
50,000
$
— $
50,000
3.67% $50 million Senior Notes due December 17, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
4.10% $50 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.84% $125 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.24% $125 million Senior Notes due June 25, 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.47% EUR 125 million Senior Notes due June 17, 2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Debt issuance costs, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Senior Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$800 million Credit Agreement, interest at LIBOR plus 97.5 basis points(1) .
Other local arrangements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: current portion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
747,427
(2,402)
Total long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 745,025
50,000
125,000
125,000
—
(1,082)
348,918
396,107
2,402
—
—
—
149,736
(356)
149,380
65,765
17,275
232,420
(17,275)
215,145
50,000
125,000
125,000
149,736
(1,438)
498,298
461,872
19,677
979,847
(19,677)
$ 960,170
$
(1) See Note 5 for additional disclosures on the financial instruments associated with the Credit Agreement.
Changes in exchange rates between the currencies in which we generate cash flow and the currencies
in which our borrowings are denominated affect our liquidity. In addition, because we borrow in a variety
of currencies, our debt balances fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates. Further, we do not have any
downgrade triggers relating to ratings from rating agencies that would accelerate the maturity dates of our
debt.
We currently believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with liquidity available under
our Credit Agreement and local working capital facilities, will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated
working capital needs and capital spending requirements for at least the foreseeable future.
Contractual Obligations
The following summarizes certain of our contractual obligations at December 31, 2017 and the effect
such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. We do not have
significant outstanding letters of credit or other financial commitments.
Total
Less than 1 Year
1-3 Years
3-5 Years
After 5 Years
Payments Due by Period
Short- and long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 981,270
159,780
Interest on debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cancelable operating leases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension and post-retirement funding(1) . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83,511
Total(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,360,090
109,126
26,403
$
19,677
$ 461,857
$
50,000
$
449,736
27,021
33,939
26,403
80,479
60,965
42,424
—
3,032
32,381.1
21,474
—
—
39,413
11,289
—
—
$
187,519
$ 568,278
$ 103,855
$
500,438
(1) In addition to the above table, we also have liabilities for pension and post-retirement funding and income taxes. However,
we cannot determine the timing or the amounts for income taxes or the timing and amounts beyond 2018 for pension and
post-retirement funding.
We have purchase commitments for materials, supplies, services, and fixed assets in the normal
course of business. Due to the proprietary nature of many of our materials and processes, certain supply
contracts contain penalty provisions. We do not expect potential payments under these provisions to
39
materially affect our results of operations or financial condition. This conclusion is based upon reasonably
likely outcomes derived by reference to historical experience and current business plans.
Share Repurchase Program
We have a share repurchase program of which there were $583.4 million common shares remaining
to be repurchased under the program as of December 31, 2017. The share repurchases are expected to be
funded from cash balances, borrowings, and cash generated from operating activities. Repurchases will be
made through open market transactions, and the amount and timing of purchases will depend on business
and market conditions, the stock price, trading restrictions, the level of acquisition activity, and other
factors.
We have purchased 26.7 million common shares since the inception of the program in 2004 through
December 31, 2017, at a total cost of $3.9 billion. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,
we spent $400 million and $500 million on the repurchase of 749,254 shares and 1,348,507 shares at an
average price per share of $533.84 and $370.75, respectively. We reissued 270,413 shares and 278,623
shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units during 2017 and 2016,
respectively.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Currently, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a
current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses,
results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that is material.
Effect of Currency on Results of Operations
Our earnings are affected by changing exchange rates. We are most sensitive to changes in the
exchange rates between the Swiss franc, euro, and U.S. dollar. We have more Swiss franc expenses than
we do Swiss franc sales because we develop and manufacture products in Switzerland that we sell
globally and have a number of corporate functions located in Switzerland. When the Swiss franc
strengthens against our other trading currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar and euro, our earnings go
down. We also have significantly more sales in the euro than we do expenses. When the euro weakens
against the U.S. dollar and Swiss franc, our earnings also go down. We estimate a 1% strengthening of the
Swiss franc against the euro would reduce our earnings before tax by approximately $1.6 million to $1.8
million annually.
We also conduct business throughout the world, including Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, Eastern
Europe, Latin America, and Canada. Fluctuations in these currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar
can also affect our operating results. The most significant of these currency exposures is the Chinese
renminbi. The impact on our earnings before tax of the Chinese renminbi weakening 1% against the U.S.
dollar is a reduction of approximately $1.0 million to $1.2 million annually.
In addition to the effects of exchange rate movements on operating profits, our debt levels can
fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar, the Swiss franc, and euro.
Based on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2017, we estimate that a 10% weakening of the
U.S. dollar against the currencies in which our debt is denominated would result in an increase of
approximately $25.9 million in the reported U.S. dollar value of our debt.
40
Taxes
We are subject to taxation in many jurisdictions throughout the world. Our effective tax rate and tax
liability will be affected by a number of factors, such as changes in law, the amount of taxable income in
particular jurisdictions, the tax rates in such jurisdictions, tax treaties between jurisdictions, the extent to
which we transfer funds between jurisdictions, and earnings repatriations between jurisdictions. Generally,
the tax liability for each taxpayer within the group is determined either (i) on a non-consolidated/non-
combined basis or (ii) on a consolidated/combined basis only with other eligible entities subject to tax in
the same jurisdiction, in either case without regard to the taxable losses of non-consolidated/non-
combined affiliated legal entities.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We
own or lease a number of properties and manufacturing facilities around the world. Like many of our
competitors, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other
costs in complying with such laws and regulations.
We are currently involved in, or have potential liability with respect to, the remediation of past
contamination in certain of our facilities. A former subsidiary of Mettler-Toledo, LLC known as Hi-Speed
Checkweigher Co., Inc. was one of two private parties ordered by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection, in an administrative consent order signed on June 13, 1988, to investigate and
remediate certain ground water contamination at a property in Landing, New Jersey. After the other party
under this order failed to fulfill its obligations, Hi-Speed became solely responsible for compliance with
the order. Residual ground water contamination at this site is now within a Classification Exception Area
which the Department of Environmental Protection has approved and within which the Company oversees
monitoring of the decay of contaminants of concern. A concurrent Well Restriction Area also exists for the
site. The Department of Environmental Protection does not view these vehicles as remedial measures, but
rather as “institutional controls” that must be adequately maintained and periodically evaluated. We
estimate that the costs of compliance associated with the site over the next several years will approximate
a total of $0.4 million.
In addition, certain of our present and former facilities have or had been in operation for many
decades and, over such time, some of these facilities may have used substances or generated and disposed
of wastes which are or may be considered hazardous. It is possible that these sites, as well as disposal sites
owned by third parties to which we have sent wastes, may in the future be identified and become the
subject of remediation. Although we believe that we are in substantial compliance with applicable
environmental requirements and, to date, we have not incurred material expenditures in connection with
environmental matters, it is possible that we could become subject to additional environmental liabilities
in the future that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or
cash flows.
Inflation
Inflation can affect the costs of goods and services that we use, including raw materials to
manufacture our products. The competitive environment in which we operate limits somewhat our ability
to recover higher costs through increased selling prices.
Moreover, there may be differences in inflation rates between countries in which we incur the major
portion of our costs and other countries in which we sell products, which may limit our ability to recover
increased costs. We remain committed to operations in China, Eastern Europe, India, and Brazil, which
have experienced inflationary conditions. To date, inflationary conditions have not had a material effect on
41
our operating results. However, as our presence in China, Eastern Europe, India, and Brazil increases,
these inflationary conditions could have a greater impact on our operating results.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We have only limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and do not use them for
trading purposes.
We have entered into certain interest rate swap agreements. These contracts are more fully described
in Note 5 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The fair value of these contracts was a net loss
of $1.3 million at December 31, 2017. Based on our agreements outstanding at December 31, 2017, a 100-
basis-point increase in interest rates would result in an increase in the net aggregate market value of these
instruments of $5.4 million. Conversely, a 100-basis-point decrease in interest rates would result in a $5.6
million decrease in the net aggregate market value of these instruments at December 31, 2017. Any
change in fair value would not affect our consolidated statement of operations unless such agreements and
the debt they hedge were prematurely settled.
We also entered into a cross currency swap in 2017. The fair value of this contract was a net loss of
$0.1 million at December 31, 2017. Based on our agreements outstanding at December 31, 2017, a 100-
basis-point increase in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates would result in an increase in the
net aggregate market value of these instruments of $2.5 million. Conversely, a 100-basis-point decrease in
interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates would result in a $1.5 million decrease in the net
aggregate market value of these instruments at December 31, 2017. Any change in fair value would not
affect our consolidated statement of operations unless such agreements and the debt they hedge were
prematurely settled.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based
upon our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and
judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related
to pensions and other post-retirement benefits, trade accounts receivable, inventories, intangible assets,
income taxes, and revenue. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other
assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results form the basis for
making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from
other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and
estimates used in the preparation of our audited consolidated financial statements. For a detailed
discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to our audited
consolidated financial statements.
Employee benefit plans
The net periodic pension cost for 2017 and projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017
were $4.8 million and $142.6 million, respectively, for our U.S. pension plan. The net periodic cost for
2017 and projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017 were $10.8 million and $918.5 million,
respectively, for our international pension plans. The net periodic post-retirement benefit for 2017 and
expected post-retirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017 for our U.S. post-retirement medical
benefit plan were $2.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
42
Pension and post-retirement benefit plan expense and obligations are developed from assumptions
utilized in actuarial valuations. The most significant of these assumptions include the discount rate and
expected return on plan assets. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual results that differ from the
assumptions are accumulated and deferred over future periods. While management believes the
assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect
our plan obligations and future expense.
The expected rates of return on the various defined benefit pension plans’ assets are based on the
asset allocation of each plan and the long-term projected return of those assets, which represent a
diversified mix of U.S. and international corporate equities and government and corporate debt securities.
In 2002, we froze our U.S. defined benefit pension plan and discontinued our retiree medical program for
certain current and all future employees. Consequently, no significant future service costs will be incurred
on these plans. For 2017, the weighted average return on assets assumption was 6.50% for the U.S. plan
and 3.86% for the international plans. A change in the rate of return of 1% would impact annual benefit
plan expense by approximately $6.4 million after tax.
The discount rates for defined benefit and post-retirement plans are set by benchmarking against
high-quality corporate bonds. For 2017, the weighted average discount rate assumption was 3.5% for the
U.S. plan and 1.0% for the international plans, representing a weighted average of local rates in countries
where such plans exist. A change in the discount rate of 1% would impact annual benefit plan expense by
approximately $11.0 million after tax.
In early 2016, in order to reduce the size and potential volatility of our U.S. defined benefit pension
plan obligation, we offered approximately 700 former employees who had deferred vested pension plan
benefits a one-time option to receive a lump sum distribution of their benefits. Based upon the eligible
participant acceptance, $14.6 million was paid from plan assets to these former employees in the second
quarter of 2016 with a corresponding decrease in the benefit obligation. The Company incurred a one-time
non-cash settlement charge recorded in other charges (income), net during the second quarter of 2016 of
approximately $8.2 million, of which $8.0 million, $4.9 million after tax, was reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive income.
Equity-based compensation
We also have an equity incentive plan that provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock
units, and other equity-based awards which are accounted for and recognized in the consolidated
statement of operations based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This methodology yields an
estimate of fair value based in part on a number of management estimates, the most significant of which
include future volatility and estimated option lives. Changes in these assumptions could significantly
impact the estimated fair value of stock options.
Trade accounts receivable
As of December 31, 2017, trade accounts receivable were $528.6 million, net of a $15.5 million
allowance for doubtful accounts.
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The
allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of probable credit losses in our existing trade
accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based upon a review of both specific accounts for
collection and the age of the accounts receivable portfolio.
Inventories
As of December 31, 2017, inventories were $255.4 million.
43
We record our inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost, which includes direct
materials, labor, and overhead, is generally determined using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The
estimated net realizable value is based on assumptions for future demand and related pricing. Adjustments
to the cost basis of our inventory are made for excess and obsolete items based on usage, orders, and
technological obsolescence. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by
management, reductions in the value of inventory may be required.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
As of December 31, 2017, our consolidated balance sheet included goodwill of $539.8 million and
other intangible assets of $226.7 million.
Our business acquisitions typically result in goodwill and other intangible assets, which affect the
amount of future period amortization expense and possible impairment expense. The determination of the
value of such intangible assets requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect our
consolidated financial statements.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized,
but are evaluated for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in
circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. The annual evaluations of goodwill and indefinite-
lived intangible assets are generally based on an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it
is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount.
If we are unable to conclude whether the goodwill asset is not impaired after considering the totality
of events and circumstances during our qualitative assessment, we perform the first step of the two-step
impairment test by estimating the fair value of the goodwill asset and comparing the fair value to the
carrying amount of the goodwill asset. If the carrying amount of the goodwill asset exceeds its fair value,
then we perform the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if
any.
If we are unable to conclude whether the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired after
considering the totality of events and circumstances, we perform an impairment test to measure the
amount of the impairment loss, if any.
Both the qualitative and quantitative evaluations consider operating results, business plans, economic
conditions, and market data, among other factors. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors
and our judgment in applying them to the impairment analyses. Our assessments to date have indicated
that there has been no impairment of these assets.
Should any of these estimates or assumptions change, or should we incur lower than expected
operating performance or cash flows, including from a prolonged economic slowdown, we may
experience a triggering event that requires a new fair value assessment for our reporting units, possibly
prior to the required annual assessment. These types of events and resulting analysis could result in
impairment charges for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets if the fair value estimate
declines below the carrying value.
Our amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite lives may materially change should
our estimates of their useful lives change.
44
Income taxes
Income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits
reflect management’s assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid on items in the consolidated
financial statements. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that
is more likely than not to be realized. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing
prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event
we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the
net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income or equity in the period
such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or
part of the net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to
income in the period such determination was made.
We plan to repatriate earnings from China, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, the United
Kingdom, and certain other countries in future years and expect the only additional cost associated with
the repatriation of such earnings outside the United States will be withholding taxes. All other
undistributed earnings are considered permanently reinvested.
The significant assumptions and estimates described in the preceding paragraphs are important
contributors to our ultimate effective tax rate for each year in addition to our income mix from
geographical regions. If any of our assumptions or estimates were to change, or should our income mix
from our geographical regions change, our effective tax rate could be materially affected. Based on
earnings before taxes of $574.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, each increase of $5.7
million in tax expense would increase our effective tax rate by 1%.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized when title to a product has transferred and any significant customer
obligations have been fulfilled. Standard shipping terms are generally FOB shipping point in most
countries and, accordingly, title and risk of loss transfer upon shipment. In countries where title cannot
legally transfer before delivery, we defer revenue recognition until delivery has occurred. We generally
maintain the right to accept or reject a product return in our terms and conditions and also maintain
appropriate accruals for outstanding credits. Shipping and handling costs charged to customers are
included in total net sales and the associated expense is recorded in cost of sales for all periods presented.
Other than a few small software applications, we do not sell software products without the related
hardware instrument as the software is embedded in the instrument. Our products typically require no
significant production, modification, or customization of the hardware or software that is essential to the
functionality of the products. To the extent our solutions have a significant post-shipment obligation,
revenue is deferred on the undelivered element until the obligation has been completed. We also
sometimes enter into certain arrangements that require the separate delivery of multiple goods and/or
services. These deliverables are accounted for separately if the deliverables have stand-alone value and the
performance of undelivered items is probable and within our control. The allocation of revenue between
the separate deliverables is typically based on the relative selling price at the time of the sale in
accordance with a number of factors including service technician billing rates, time to install, and
geographic location.
Certain products are also sold through indirect distribution channels whereby the distributor assumes
any further obligations to the customer upon title transfer. Revenue is recognized on these products upon
transfer of title and risk of loss to distributors. Distributor discounts are offset against revenue at the time
such revenue is recognized.
45
Service revenue not under contract is recognized upon the completion of the service performed.
Spare parts sold on a stand-alone basis are recognized upon title and risk of loss transfer which are
generally at the time of shipment. Revenues from service contracts are recognized ratably over the
contract period. These contracts represent an obligation to perform repair and other services including
regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification, and preventative maintenance on a
customer’s pre-defined equipment over the contract period. Service contracts are separately priced and
payment is typically received from the customer at the beginning of the contract period.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Discussion of this item is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements required by this item are set forth starting on page F-1 and the related
financial schedule is set forth on page S-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Conclusions Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive
Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness
of our disclosure controls and procedures as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of the end of the
period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial
Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures
are effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s
financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated
46
Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited the
financial statements included in this Report on Form 10-K, has issued their integrated audit report, which
covers our internal control over financial reporting, which appears on page F-2.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
47
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
The executive officers of the Company are set forth below. Officers are appointed by the Board of
Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board.
Name
Olivier A. Filliol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Age
51
Peter Aggersbjerg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marc de La Guéronnière . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
William P. Donnelly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Michael Heidingsfelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simon Kirk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Christian Magloth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waldemar Rauch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shawn P. Vadala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49
54
56
57
58
52
55
49
Position
President and Chief Executive Officer
Head of Laboratory
Head of European and North American Market Organizations
Executive Vice President
Head of Industrial
Head of Product Inspection
Head of Human Resources
Head of Process Analytics
Chief Financial Officer
Olivier A. Filliol has been a director since January 2009. He has been President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since January 1, 2008. Mr. Filliol served as Head of Global Sales, Service, and
Marketing of the Company from April 2004 to December 2007 and Head of Process Analytics of the
Company from June 1999 to December 2007. From June 1998 to June 1999, he served as General
Manager of the Company’s U.S. checkweighing operations. Prior to joining the Company, he was a
Strategy Consultant with the international consulting firm Bain & Company, working in the Geneva,
Paris, and Sydney offices.
Peter Aggersbjerg has been Head of Laboratory of the Company since January 2018. From
February 2016 to December 2017, he served as the Head of our Laboratory Weighing strategic business
unit. He served as the Global BU Head for Medela's Neonatal Care business and a member of their Group
management from February 2011 until joining the Company in February 2016. Prior to Medela, Mr.
Aggersbjerg was CEO for Swissimplant from July 2010 to February 2011, Vernal from October 2006 to
December 2008, and Tytex from October 2001 to October 2006.
Marc de La Guéronnière has been Head of European Market Organizations of the Company since
January 2008 and Head of North American Market Organizations since April 2014. He was Head of
Region South and General Manager of the Company’s market organization in Spain from January 2006 to
January 2008. He joined the Company in 2001 as the Industrial Business Area Manager for our market
organization in France. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. de La Guéronnière held various management
positions in Europe and the United States with ABB-Elsag Bailey and Danaher-Zellweger.
William P. Donnelly joined the Company in 1997 and has been Executive Vice President since
January 2014. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1997, except for a
two-year period when he ran the Company’s Product Inspection and Pipette businesses. Mr. Donnelly is
responsible for Investor Relations, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, and the
Company’s Blue Ocean Program.
Michael Heidingsfelder joined the Company in April 2012 as Head of Industrial Division. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Heidingsfelder held various management positions within the Freudenberg
Group from 2004 to March 2012 in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, including Chief Operating Officer,
Americas, and General Manager, China. Previously, he was a Partner of Roland Berger Strategy
Consultants in the U.S. and Europe.
48
Simon Kirk joined the Company in January 2012 as Head of Product Inspection. Previously, he
worked at Schindler where he served since 2008 as Chief Executive Officer of Jardine Schindler Group, a
joint venture responsible for all of Schindler's operations in Southeast Asia. From 2004 until 2008, he was
Vice President responsible for Eastern Europe at Schindler. He has also held various management
positions at Eaton Corporation, Owens Corning, Imperial Chemical Industries, and British Railways
Board.
Christian Magloth joined the Company in October 2010 and has been Head of Human Resources
since December 2010. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Head of Human Resources of
Straumann, a leading global medical devices company listed on the Swiss stock exchange, from April
2006 to September 2010. He previously served as Head of Human Resources at Hero Group, an
international consumer foods company, and in various management positions at Hilti, a leading global
construction supply company.
Waldemar Rauch joined the Company in September 2000 as Head of our Ingold business. He has
served as Operating Manager since March 2004, was named Head of Process Analytics Division in
January 2008, and joined the Group Management Committee in July 2011. Prior to joining the Company,
he worked in R&D at Siemens in Germany and held various technical management positions with
Atomika Instruments in Germany as well as with Endress + Hauser Flowtec, a leading Swiss supplier of
industrial measurement and automation equipment.
Shawn P. Vadala joined the Company in 1997 and has been Chief Financial Officer since January
2014. He is also responsible for the Company's Pricing and Business Intelligence programs. Mr. Vadala
previously held various senior financial positions at the Company's Columbus, Ohio and Greifensee,
Switzerland offices. Prior to joining the Company, he worked in the Boston and Zurich, Switzerland
offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Certifications
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer provide certifications pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in connection with our quarterly and annual financial
statement filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The certifications relating to this annual
report are attached as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2.
The remaining information called for by this item is incorporated by reference from the discussion in
the sections “Proposal One: Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors — General Information,” “Board
of Directors — Operation,” and “Additional Information — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance” in the 2018 Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information appearing in the sections captioned “Board of Directors — General Information —
Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,”
and “Additional Information — Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the
2018 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
The information appearing in the section “Share Ownership” in the 2018 Proxy Statement is
incorporated by reference herein. Information appearing in “Securities Authorized for Issuance under
Equity Compensation Plans as of December 31, 2017” is included within Note 11 to the financial
statements.
49
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — None.
Director Independence — The information in the section “Board of Directors — General
Information — Independence of the Board” in the 2018 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference
herein.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Information appearing in the section “Audit Committee Report” in the 2018 Proxy Statement is
hereby incorporated by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits, Financial Statements, and Schedules:
1. Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements included on page F-1.
2. Financial Statement Schedule. See Schedule II, which is included on page S-1.
3. List of Exhibits. See Exhibit Index included on page E-1.
50
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 8, 2018
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Olivier A. Filliol
Olivier A. Filliol
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has
been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant as of the date set out above and in the capacities
indicated.
Signature
Title
/s/ Olivier A. Filliol
Olivier A. Filliol
/s/ William P. Donnelly
William P. Donnelly
/s/ Shawn P. Vadala
Shawn P. Vadala
/s/ Olivier A. Filliol
Olivier A. Filliol
/s/ Wah-Hui Chu
Wah-Hui Chu
/s/ Francis A. Contino
Francis A. Contino
/s/ Elisha Finney
Elisha Finney
/s/ Richard Francis
Richard Francis
/s/ Connie L. Harvey
Connie L. Harvey
/s/ Michael A. Kelly
Michael A. Kelly
/s/ Hans Ulrich Maerki
Hans Ulrich Maerki
/s/ Thomas P. Salice
Thomas P. Salice
/s/ Robert F. Spoerry
Robert F. Spoerry
President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
51
EXHIBIT INDEX
Description
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company(1)
Amended By-laws of the Company, effective as of November 3, 2016(2)
Exhibit
No.
3.1
3.2
10.1 Credit Agreement among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan
Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and certain other financial institutions, dated as of
December 17, 2015(3)
10.11 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 10, 2012 by and among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Massachusetts Mutual
Life Insurance Company, C.M. Life Insurance Company, MassMutual Asia Limited, The Lincoln National Life Insurance
Company, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York and Aviva Life and Annuity Company Royal Neighbors of America (4)
10.12 Note Purchase Supplement dated July 29, 2013 by and among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Aviva Life and Annuity Company
and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America to a Note Purchase Agreement dated October 10, 2012 by and among
Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, C.M. Life Insurance Company, MassMutual
Asia Limited, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York and Aviva Life and
Annuity Company Royal Neighbors of America(5)
10.13 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 27, 2014 by and among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Babson Capital Management
LLC, Cigna Investments, Inc. and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America(6)
10.14 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of March 31, 2015 by and among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company, MetLife Insurance Company USA, OMI MLIC Investments Limited and Massachusetts Mutual Life
Insurance Company(7)
10.20 Mettler-Toledo International Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan(8)
10.21 Mettler-Toledo International Inc. 2007 Share Plan, effective February 7, 2008(9)
10.22 Mettler-Toledo International Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan(10)
10.23 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement(11)
10.24 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement(11)
10.25 Performance Stock Option Agreement(11)
10.26 Form of Stock Option Agreement Directors(11)
10.27 Form of Stock Option Agreement CEO(11)
10.28 Form of Stock Option Agreement NEOs(11)
10.31 Regulations of the POBS PLUS — Incentive Scheme for Senior Management of Mettler Toledo, effective as of November, 2006(12)
10.32 Regulations of the POBS PLUS — Incentive Scheme for Members of the Group Management of Mettler Toledo, effective as of
January, 2009(12)
10.50 Employment Agreement between Peter Aggersbjerg and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of December 15, 2017
10.51 Employment Agreement between Marc de La Guéronnière and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of January 27, 2011(13)
10.52 Employment Agreement between William Donnelly and Mettler-Toledo GmbH, dated as of November 10, 1997(1)
10.53 Employment Agreement between Olivier Filliol and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of November 1, 2007(14)
10.54 Employment Agreement between Michael Heidingsfelder and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of November 30, 2011(16)
10.55 Employment Agreement between Simon Kirk and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of November 28, 2011(16)
10.56 Employment Agreement between Christian Magloth and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of March 22, 2010(13)
10.57 Employment Agreement between Waldemar Rauch and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of June 10, 2011(15)
10.59 Employment Agreement between Shawn P. Vadala and Mettler-Toledo International Inc., dated as of October 24, 2016(11)
10.60 Form of Tax Equalization Agreement between Messrs. Caratsch, Filliol, Kirk, Magloth, and Spoerry, and Mettler-Toledo
International Inc., dated October 10, 2007(9)
10.61 Amendment to Employment Agreement between William Donnelly and Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. dated
November 3, 2016(2)
Subsidiaries of the Company
21
23.1* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
E-1
Exhibit
No.
31.1*
31.2*
32*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Description
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
_______________________________________
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
*
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 13, 1998
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 2016
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated December 18, 2015
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2012
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 2013
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2014
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2015
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form DEF 14-A filed March 29, 2004
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 15, 2008
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated July 26, 2013 (Reg. No.
333-190181)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 2, 2017
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 13, 2009
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-K dated February 16, 2011
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated November 1, 2007
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-K dated February 13, 2012
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-K dated February 8, 2013
Filed herewith
E-2
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-5
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-6
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-9
Page
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the related consolidated statements of
operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying
accounts for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 appearing on page S-1
(collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal
Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our
opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2017 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated
Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in
which it accounts for the excess tax benefits from stock option exercises in 2017.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on
our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated
financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the
risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and
performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis,
evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also
included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal
control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial
reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and
F-2
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide
a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the
assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention
or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have
a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 8, 2018
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2005.
F-3
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
Net sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general, and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other charges (income), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Earnings before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017
2016
2015
2,135,051
$
1,957,879
$
1,865,884
590,002
2,725,053
550,378
2,508,257
529,563
2,395,447
833,793
317,947
767,753
304,917
744,867
298,587
1,573,313
1,435,587
1,351,993
129,265
787,464
42,671
32,785
12,772
(5,866)
574,222
198,250
119,968
732,622
36,052
28,026
6,235
8,491
504,193
119,823
119,076
700,810
30,951
27,451
11,148
(867)
463,424
110,604
352,820
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
375,972
$
384,370
$
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.62
$
14.49
$
12.75
25,713,575
26,517,768
27,680,918
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares. . . .
14.24
$
14.22
$
12.48
26,393,783
27,023,905
28,269,615
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
2017
2016
2015
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 375,972
$ 384,370
$ 352,820
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging arrangements:
83,982
(57,928)
(52,434)
Unrealized gains (losses). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effective portion of (gains) losses included in net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,424
(273)
(513)
(4,735)
13,221
(8,261)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:
Net actuarial gains (losses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plan amendments and prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(10,378)
12,056
(47,788)
—
(30,759)
9,189
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses and plan amendments
and prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14,873
(12,092)
89,592
16,730
5,885
(88,349)
9,509
5,835
(53,700)
Comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 465,564
$ 296,021
$ 299,120
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
2017
2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $15,549 in 2017 and $14,234 in 2016 . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets and prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant, and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Accrued and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued compensation and related items. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue and customer prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax liabilities, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
$
$
148,687
528,615
255,390
74,031
1,006,723
668,271
539,838
226,718
41,425
66,830
2,549,805
167,627
152,834
170,159
107,166
72,210
19,677
689,673
960,170
51,230
301,452
2,002,525
158,674
454,988
222,047
61,075
896,784
563,707
476,378
167,055
33,951
28,902
2,166,777
146,593
133,167
140,461
100,330
47,990
18,974
587,515
875,056
64,306
204,957
1,731,834
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 125,000,000 shares; issued
44,786,011 and 44,786,011 shares, outstanding 25,541,393 and 26,020,234 shares at
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury stock at cost (19,244,618 and 18,765,777 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
—
—
448
747,138
448
730,556
(3,368,182)
3,433,282
(265,406)
547,280
2,549,805
$
(3,006,771)
3,065,708
(354,998)
434,943
2,166,777
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28,243,007
$
448
$ 670,418
$ (2,095,656) $ 2,357,334
$
(212,949) $ 719,595
Exercise of stock options and restricted stock units .
403,908
Repurchases of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1,556,797)
Tax benefit resulting from exercise of certain
employee stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
12,929
14,223
—
—
47,393
(17,837)
(494,966)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
352,820
—
—
29,556
— (494,966)
—
—
12,929
14,223
— 352,820
(53,700)
(53,700)
Balance at December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27,090,118
$
448
$ 697,570
$ (2,543,229) $ 2,692,317
$
(266,649) $ 580,457
Exercise of stock options and restricted stock units .
278,623
Repurchases of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1,348,507)
Tax benefit resulting from exercise of certain
employee stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
17,680
15,306
—
—
36,450
(10,979)
(499,992)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
384,370
—
—
25,471
— (499,992)
—
—
17,680
15,306
— 384,370
(88,349)
(88,349)
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26,020,234
$
448
$ 730,556
$ (3,006,771) $ 3,065,708
$
(354,998) $ 434,943
Exercise of stock options and restricted stock units .
270,413
Repurchases of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(749,254)
Share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of accounting change (Note 2) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
16,582
—
—
38,586
(399,997)
(9,937)
—
—
—
—
—
1,539
375,972
—
—
28,649
— (399,997)
—
—
16,582
1,539
— 375,972
89,592
89,592
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25,541,393
$
448
$ 747,138
$ (3,368,182) $ 3,433,282
$
(265,406) $ 547,280
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
375,972
$
384,370
$
352,820
2017
2016
2015
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax (benefit) provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provisional one-time charge on US tax reform (see Note 13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on facility sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-cash pension settlement charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:
Trade accounts receivable, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accruals and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net hedging settlements on intercompany loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33,458
42,671
(2,745)
16,582
71,982
(3,394)
—
243
(38,985)
(13,680)
(6,251)
11,885
13,615
14,972
516,325
11,973
(127,426)
(108,445)
6,554
32,743
36,052
1,878
15,306
—
—
8,189
181
(52,151)
(12,431)
291
9,633
(3,072)
39,769
460,758
423
(123,957)
(111,381)
3,459
33,087
30,951
7,137
14,223
—
—
—
155
1,625
(18,785)
(5,119)
1,698
2,879
19,126
439,797
949
(82,506)
(13,779)
(5,415)
Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(217,344)
(231,456)
(100,751)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,244,195
Repayments of borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1,185,172)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchases of common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition contingent consideration paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash used in financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28,649
(399,997)
—
(7,205)
(319,530)
10,562
(9,987)
Cash and cash equivalents:
905,774
(594,178)
25,471
(499,992)
(471)
(209)
741,864
(594,477)
29,556
(494,966)
(572)
(1,366)
(163,605)
(319,961)
(5,910)
59,787
(5,461)
13,624
85,263
98,887
Beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
158,674
98,887
End of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
148,687
$
158,674
$
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
33,333
109,730
$
$
28,025
92,586
$
$
27,303
85,458
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
1.
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (“Mettler-Toledo” or the “Company”) is a leading global supplier of
precision instruments and services. The Company manufactures weighing instruments for use in
laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics, and food retailing applications. The Company also
manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in
drug and chemical compound discovery and development. In addition, the Company manufactures metal
detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides
solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. The Company’s primary manufacturing
facilities are located in China, Switzerland, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Columbus, Ohio and Greifensee, Switzerland.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all entities in which the
Company has control, which are its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturity dates of three
months or less. The carrying value of these cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Trade Accounts Receivable
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The
allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s best estimate of probable credit losses in its
existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based upon a review of both
specific accounts for collection and the age of the accounts receivable portfolio.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost, which includes direct
materials, labor, and overhead, is generally determined using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The
estimated net realizable value is based on assumptions for future demand and related pricing. Adjustments
to the cost basis of the Company’s inventory are made for excess and obsolete items based on usage,
orders, and technological obsolescence. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected
by management, reductions in the value of inventory may be required.
F-9
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Long-Lived Assets
a) Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Repair and
maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company expenses all internal-use software
costs incurred in the preliminary project stage and capitalizes certain direct costs associated with the
development and purchase of internal-use software within property, plant, and equipment. Capitalized
costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, generally not
exceeding 10 years.
Depreciation and amortization are charged on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of
the assets as follows:
Buildings and improvements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 to 50 years
Machinery and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 12 years
Computer software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shorter of useful life or lease term
b) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill, representing the excess of purchase price over the net asset value of companies acquired,
and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually in the
fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be
impaired. The annual evaluations of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are generally based on
an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of
the asset is less than its carrying amount.
If the Company is unable to conclude whether the goodwill asset is not impaired after considering the
totality of events and circumstances during its qualitative assessment, the Company performs the first step
of the two-step impairment test by estimating the fair value of the goodwill asset and comparing the fair
value to the carrying amount of the goodwill asset. If the carrying amount of the goodwill asset exceeds
its fair value, then the Company performs the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of
the impairment loss, if any.
If the Company is unable to conclude whether the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired
after considering the totality of events and circumstances, the Company performs an impairment test to
measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any.
Other intangible assets include indefinite-lived assets and assets subject to amortization. Where
applicable, amortization is charged on a straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited. The
straight-line method of amortization reflects an appropriate allocation of the cost of the intangible assets
to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained by the Company in each reporting
period. The Company assesses the initial acquisition of intangible assets in accordance with the provisions
of ASC 805 "Business Combinations" and the continued accounting for previously recognized intangible
assets and goodwill in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350 "Intangible - Goodwill and Other" and
ASC 360 "Property, Plant, and Equipment."
F-10
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses the need to record impairment losses on long-lived assets with finite lives
when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be
recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when future estimated undiscounted cash flows
expected to result from use of the asset are less than the asset’s carrying value, with the loss measured as
the difference between carrying value and estimated fair value.
Taxation
The Company files tax returns in each jurisdiction in which it operates. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities, their respective tax bases, and operating loss
and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in the
respective jurisdictions in which the Company operates. In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax
assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized.
Deferred taxes are not provided on the unremitted earnings of subsidiaries outside of the United
States when it is expected that these earnings are permanently reinvested. Such earnings may become
taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these subsidiaries or upon the remittance of dividends. Deferred
taxes are provided when the Company no longer considers subsidiary earnings to be permanently
invested, such as in situations where the Company’s subsidiaries plan to make future dividend
distributions.
The Company recognizes accrued amounts of interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax
positions as part of income tax expense within its consolidated statement of operations.
Currency Translation and Transactions
The reporting currency for the consolidated financial statements of the Company is the U.S. dollar.
The functional currency for the Company’s operations is generally the applicable local currency.
Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of companies whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar
are included in the consolidated financial statements by translating the assets and liabilities into the
reporting currency at the exchange rates applicable at the end of the reporting period. The statements of
operations and cash flows of such non-U.S. dollar functional currency operations are translated at the
monthly average exchange rates during the year. Translation gains or losses are accumulated in other
comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and
losses are included as a component of net earnings or in certain circumstances as a component of other
comprehensive income (loss) where the underlying item is considered a hedge of a net investment or
intercompany notes that are long-term in nature.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when title to a product has transferred and any significant customer
obligations have been fulfilled. Standard shipping terms are generally FOB shipping point in most
countries and, accordingly, title and risk of loss transfer upon shipment. In countries where title cannot
legally transfer before delivery, the Company defers revenue recognition until delivery has occurred. The
Company generally maintains the right to accept or reject a product return in its terms and conditions and
also maintains appropriate accruals for outstanding credits. Shipping and handling costs charged to
F-11
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
customers are included in total net sales and the associated expense is recorded in cost of sales for all
periods presented. Other than a few small software applications, the Company does not sell software
products without the related hardware instrument as the software is embedded in the instrument. The
Company’s products typically require no significant production, modification, or customization of the
hardware or software that is essential to the functionality of the products. To the extent the Company’s
solutions have a significant post-shipment obligation, revenue is deferred on the undelivered element until
the obligation has been completed. The Company defers the installation portion of product revenue when
installation is required, unless such installation is deemed perfunctory. The Company also sometimes
enters into certain arrangements that require the separate delivery of multiple goods and/or services. These
deliverables are accounted for separately if the deliverables have stand-alone value and the performance
of undelivered items is probable and within the Company's control. The allocation of revenue between the
separate deliverables is typically based on the relative selling price at the time of the sale in accordance
with a number of factors including service technician billing rates, time to install, and geographic location.
Certain products are also sold through indirect distribution channels whereby the distributor assumes
any further obligations to the customer upon title transfer. Revenue is recognized on these products upon
transfer of title and risk of loss to distributors. Distributor discounts are offset against revenue at the time
such revenue is recognized.
Service revenue not under contract is recognized upon the completion of the service performed.
Spare parts sold on a stand-alone basis are recognized upon title and risk of loss transfer which are
generally at the time of shipment. Revenues from service contracts are recognized ratably over the
contract period. These contracts represent an obligation to perform repair and other services including
regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification, and preventative maintenance on a
customer’s pre-defined equipment over the contract period. Service contracts are separately priced and
payment is typically received from the customer at the beginning of the contract period.
Research and Development
Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries, consulting, and other costs. The
Company expenses these costs as incurred.
Warranty
The Company generally offers one-year warranties on most of its products. Product warranties are
recorded at the time revenue is recognized. While the Company engages in extensive product quality
programs and processes, its warranty obligations are affected by product failure rates, material usage, and
service costs incurred in correcting a product failure.
Employee Termination Benefits
In situations where contractual termination benefits exist, the Company records accruals for
employee termination benefits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the
liability is reasonably estimable. All other employee termination arrangements are recognized and
measured at their fair value at the communication date unless the employee is required to render
additional service beyond the legal notification period, in which case the liability is recognized ratably
over the future service period.
F-12
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Earnings per Common Share
In accordance with the treasury stock method, the Company has included 680,208, 506,137, and
588,697 common equivalent shares in the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common
shares for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, relating to outstanding stock
options and restricted stock units. The determination of the common share equivalents for 2017 includes
the effect of the adoption of guidance ASU 2016-09 as described in Note 2.
Outstanding options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 9,824, 102,017, and
112,562 shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively,
have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common and common
equivalent shares as such options and restricted stock units would be anti-dilutive.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company applies the fair value methodology in accounting for its equity-based compensation
plan.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company has limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and does not use them
for trading purposes. As described more fully in Note 5, the Company enters into foreign currency
forward exchange contracts to economically hedge certain short-term intercompany balances involving its
international businesses. Such contracts limit the Company’s exposure to currency fluctuations on the
items they hedge. These contracts are adjusted to fair market value as of each balance sheet date, with the
resulting changes in fair value being recognized in other charges (income), consistent with the underlying
hedged item.
The Company also enters into interest rate swap agreements and cross currency swaps in order to
manage its exposure to changes in interest rates. The differential paid or received on interest rate swap
agreements is recognized in interest expense over the life of the agreements as incurred. Floating to fixed
interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Changes in fair value of outstanding
interest rate swap agreements that are effective as cash flow hedges are recognized in other
comprehensive income as incurred.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company measures or monitors certain assets and liabilities on a fair value basis. Fair value is
used on a recurring basis for assets and liabilities in which fair value is the primary basis of accounting,
mainly derivative instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or
paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair
value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and
considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The
Company applies the fair value hierarchy established under U.S. GAAP and when possible looks to active
and observable markets to price identical assets and liabilities. If identical assets and liabilities are not
traded in active markets, the Company looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities.
F-13
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions
The Company accounts for business acquisitions under the accounting standards for business
combinations. The results of each acquisition are included in the Company's consolidated results as of the
acquisition date. The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to tangible and intangible assets and
assumed liabilities based on their estimated fair values and any consideration in excess of the net assets
acquired is recognized as goodwill. Acquisition transaction costs are expensed when incurred.
In circumstances where an acquisition involves a contingent consideration arrangement, the
Company recognizes a liability equal to the fair value of the expected contingent payments as of the
acquisition date. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recorded to other
charges (income), net.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 to ASC 718 "Compensation - Stock
Compensation." The primary impact of adoption was the recognition of excess tax benefits from stock
option exercises within the provision for taxes rather than within shareholder's equity and a change in the
determination of diluted earnings per common share. The Company adopted the guidance on a prospective
basis, and the impact reduced the annual tax rate by 2% in 2017. In addition, the Company recognized
additional deferred net tax assets of $1.5 million as a cumulative adjustment within shareholder's equity.
The Company also classified on a retrospective basis the excess tax benefits from stock option exercises
of $17.7 million and $12.9 million as operating activities in the prior period Statements of Cash Flows.
For additional disclosure, see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
In 2014, the FASB issued ASC 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASC 606 provides
authoritative guidance clarifying the principles for recognizing revenue under U.S. GAAP. The core
principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to
be entitled, in exchange for those goods and services. The Company has completed its assessment of the
new standard and expects the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be immaterial. Most of the
Company's performance obligations are satisfied at the time the customer takes title, control, and risk of
loss of the asset, which is generally upon shipment. The Company does not have variable pricing
arrangements that are retrospective (except for rebate programs) or represent a material right to its
customers. For transactions with multiple performance obligations, the new standard will not change the
timing of revenue recognition or the allocation of the transaction price as the related goods and services
are also sold separately and as such have standalone selling prices. Service contracts are recognized
ratably over the contract period, which does not exceed a year. The guidance becomes effective for the
year beginning January 1, 2018 and the Company will adopt the guidance using the modified retrospective
approach.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-7 to ASC 715 "Compensation - Retirement Benefits,"
which will require the Company to report the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost in
other charges (income), net. The new guidance must be applied retrospectively and becomes effective for
the year beginning January 1, 2018. The non-service costs in 2017 and 2016 were a net benefit of $4.1
million and $9.8 million, respectively. The Company will reclass these amounts from selling, general, and
administrative and cost of sales to other charges (income), net in the consolidated statement of operations.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 to ASC 842 "Leases." The accounting guidance
primarily requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet as a right to use asset and a lease
F-14
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
liability, with the exception of short-term leases. A lessee will continue to recognize lease expense on a
straight-line basis for leases classified as operating leases. The guidance will be adopted in 2019 and the
Company is evaluating the adoption method it will elect upon implementation. The Company is in the
process of reviewing all the current lease data and evaluating the impact of the adoption on the financial
statements.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12 to ASC 815 "Derivatives and Hedging," which
modifies hedge accounting by making more hedge strategies eligible for hedge accounting, amending
presentation and disclosure requirements, and changing how companies assess effectiveness. The intent is
to simplify the application of hedge accounting and increase transparency of information about an entity’s
risk management activities. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company early adopted the
guidance which did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial
position.
3.
ACQUISITIONS
In September 2017, the Company acquired all of the shares of Biotix, Inc., a manufacturer and
distributor of plastic consumables associated with pipettes, including tips, tubes, and reagent reservoirs
used in the life sciences market, based in the United States. The initial cash payment was $105 million and
the Company may be required to pay additional cash consideration up to a maximum amount of $65
million based upon earnings thresholds in 2018 and 2019. The estimated fair value of the contingent
consideration obligation at the acquisition date of $30.7 million relating to the Biotix acquisition was
determined using a Monte Carlo simulation based on the Company's forecast of future results. Goodwill
recorded in connection with the acquisition totaled $51.7 million, which is included in the Company's U.S.
Operations segment. Identified intangible finite-life assets acquired include customer relationships of
$49.5 million, technology and patents of $8.0 million, indefinite life tradenames of $7.1 million, and other
intangibles of $0.6 million. The identifiable finite-life intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line
basis over periods ranging from 5 to 18 years and the annual aggregate amortization expense is estimated
at $3.7 million. Net tangible assets acquired were $18.8 million and recorded at fair value in the
consolidated financial statements.
In 2017, the Company also incurred additional acquisition payments totaling $3.8 million.
Goodwill recorded in connection with these acquisitions totaled $0.3 million. The Company recorded $3.1
million of identified intangibles primarily pertaining to technology and patents in connection with these
acquisitions, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 years.
In 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Henry Troemner, LLC (Troemner),
a supplier of lab equipment, weights, and weight calibration based in the United States for an aggregate
purchase price of $95.8 million, which has been included into the Company's laboratory instrument
offering. Goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition totaled $33.8 million, which is included in
the Company's U.S. Operations segment. The Company identified intangible assets which included
customer relationships of $43.9 million, a tradename of $3.4 million, technology and patents of $2.9
million, and other intangibles of $0.5 million. The identifiable intangible assets will be amortized on a
straight-line basis over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years and the annual aggregate amortization expense
is estimated at $2.7 million. Net tangible assets acquired were $11.3 million and were recorded at
estimated fair value in the consolidated financial statements at the acquisition date.
F-15
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
In 2016, the Company also incurred additional acquisition payments totaling $15.6 million. Goodwill
recorded in connection with these acquisitions totaled $7.5 million. The Company also recorded $9.4
million of identified intangibles primarily pertaining to customer relationships in connection with these
acquisitions, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 to 15 years.
4.
INVENTORIES
Inventory consisted of the following at December 31:
Raw materials and parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Work-in-progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finished goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
118,790
$
100,408
43,035
93,565
41,454
80,185
255,390
$
222,047
5.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company has limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and does not use them
for trading purposes. The Company enters into certain interest rate swap agreements in order to manage its
exposure to changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2017, the interest payments associated with 77% of
the Company's debt are fixed obligations. The amount of the Company's fixed obligation interest
payments may change based upon the expiration dates of its interest rate swap agreement and the level
and composition of its debt. The Company also enters into certain foreign currency forward contracts to
limit the Company's exposure to currency fluctuations on the respective hedged items. As also mentioned
in Note 9, the Company has designated its euro-denominated debt as a hedge of a portion of its net
investment in a euro-denominated foreign subsidiary. For additional disclosures on the fair value of
financial instruments, see Note 6.
Cash Flow Hedges
In June 2017, the Company entered into a cross currency swap arrangement designated as a cash flow
hedge. The agreement converts $100 million of borrowings under the Company's credit facility into
synthetic Swiss franc debt which allows the Company to effectively change the floating rate LIBOR-
based interest payment to a fixed Swiss franc income of 0.01%. The swap began in June 2017 and matures
in June 2019.
The Company has an interest rate swap agreement designated as a cash flow hedge. The agreement is
a swap which has the effect of changing the floating rate LIBOR-based interest payments associated with
$50 million in borrowings under the Company's credit agreement to a fixed obligation of 2.52% beginning
in October 2015 and matures in October 2020.
In March 2015, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap agreement. The
agreement changes the floating rate LIBOR-based interest payments associated with $100 million in
borrowings under the Company's credit agreement to a fixed obligation of 2.25% beginning in
February 2017 and matures in February 2022.
The Company's cash flow hedges are recorded gross at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 2017 and 2016 and disclosed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. Amounts
reclassified into other comprehensive income and the effective portions of the cash flow hedges are
further disclosed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. A derivative gain of $2.0 million
F-16
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
based upon interest rates at December 31, 2017 is expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive
income (loss) to earnings in the next 12 months. Through December 31, 2017, no hedge ineffectiveness
has occurred in relation to these cash flow hedges.
Other Derivatives
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts in order to economically hedge short-
term trade and non-trade intercompany balances largely denominated in Swiss franc, other major
European currencies, and the Chinese renminbi with its foreign businesses. In accordance with U.S.
GAAP, these contracts are considered “derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.” Gains or
losses on these instruments are reported in current earnings. The foreign currency forward contracts are
recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 and 2016, as disclosed in
Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognized in other charges (income), a net
gain of $9.4 million and a net loss of $3.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively, which offset the related transaction gains (losses) associated with these contracts. At
December 31, 2017 and 2016, these contracts had a notional value of $394.8 million and $353.0 million,
respectively.
The Company may be exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties
to its derivative financial instrument contracts. Counterparties are established banks and financial
institutions with high credit ratings. The Company believes that such counterparties will be able to fully
satisfy their obligations under these contracts.
6.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had derivative assets totaling $1.9 million and $0.8
million, respectively, and derivative liabilities totaling $2.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively. The fair
values of the interest rate swap agreements, the cross currency swap agreement, and foreign currency
forward contracts that economically hedge short-term intercompany balances are estimated based upon
inputs from current valuation information obtained from dealer quotes and priced with observable market
assumptions and appropriate valuation adjustments for credit risk. The Company has evaluated the
valuation methodologies used to develop the fair values by dealers in order to determine whether such
valuations are representative of an exit price in the Company’s principal market. In addition, the Company
uses an internally developed model to perform testing on the valuations received from brokers. The
Company has also considered both its own credit risk and counterparty credit risk in determining fair
value and determined these adjustments were insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016.
The Company had $5.6 million and $21.5 million of cash equivalents at December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively, the fair value of which is determined through quoted and corroborated prices in active
markets. The fair value of cash equivalents approximates cost.
The fair value of the Company's fixed interest rate debt was estimated using Level 2 inputs, primarily
discounted cash flow models, based on estimated current rates offered for similar debt under current
market conditions for the Company. The fair value of the Company's fixed interest rate debt exceeds the
carrying value by approximately $6.6 million and $4.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2016, respectively.
F-17
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The fair value of the contingent consideration obligation of $30.9 million relating to the Biotix
acquisition as of December 31, 2017 is based on the Company's forecast of future results. The fair value
measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3
measurement.
Under U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair
value measurement consists of observable and unobservable inputs that reflect the assumptions that a
market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability.
A fair value hierarchy has been established that categorizes these inputs into three levels:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and
liabilities
Level 3: Unobservable inputs
The following table presents, for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company’s assets and liabilities
that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,616
Foreign currency forward contracts not
designated as hedging instruments . .
1,912
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,528
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap agreements . . . . . . . . $ 1,292
Cross currency swap agreement . . . . . .
106
Foreign currency forward contracts not
designated as hedging instruments . .
986
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,384
$ — $ 5,616
$ — $ 21,513
$ — $ 21,513
$ —
—
1,912
—
791
—
791
—
$ — $ 7,528
$ — $ 22,304
$ — $ 22,304
$ —
$ — $ 1,292
$ — $ 3,630
$ — $ 3,630
$ —
—
—
106
986
—
—
—
2,123
—
—
—
2,123
—
—
$ — $ 2,384
$ — $ 5,753
$ — $ 5,753
$ —
7.
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant, and equipment, net consisted of the following at December 31:
Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Building and leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Computer software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant, and equipment, gross. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant, and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
58,046
$
300,850
382,233
436,249
55,885
247,883
347,344
372,065
1,177,378
(509,107)
668,271
$
1,023,177
(459,470)
563,707
F-18
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
8.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table shows the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended
December 31:
Balance at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Goodwill acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at year end. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
476,378
$
446,284
52,229
11,231
539,838
$
41,308
(11,214)
476,378
Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth
quarter. The Company completed its impairment review and determined that, through December 31, 2017,
there had been no impairment of these assets.
The components of other intangible assets as of December 31 are as follows:
2017
2016
Gross
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Intangibles,
Net
Gross
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Intangibles,
Net
Customer relationships. . . . . . . $
Proven technology and patents.
Tradenames (finite life) . . . . . .
Tradenames (indefinite life) . . .
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
198,527
$
(41,794) $
156,733
$
147,466
$
70,311
4,518
35,562
3,490
(38,890)
(2,807)
—
(2,199)
31,421
1,711
35,562
1,291
58,394
4,182
28,272
2,871
$
312,408
$
(85,690) $
226,718
$
241,185
$
(34,672) $
(35,128)
(2,514)
—
(1,816)
(74,130) $
112,794
23,266
1,668
28,272
1,055
167,055
The Company recognized amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets of $11.5
million, $8.3 million, and $6.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015,
respectively. The annual aggregate amortization expense based on the current balance of other intangible
assets is estimated at $13.9 million for 2018, $13.4 million for 2019, $13.0 million for 2020, $12.4
million for 2021, and $11.9 million for 2022. The finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-
line basis over periods ranging from 3 to 45 years. The straight-line method of amortization reflects an
appropriate allocation of the cost of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of
economic benefits obtained by the Company in each reporting period. Purchased intangibles amortization
was $10.9 million, $7.1 million after tax, $7.4 million, $5.0 million after tax, and $5.7 million, $3.9
million after tax, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
In addition to the above amortization, the Company recorded amortization expense associated with
capitalized software of $31.0 million, $27.5 million, and $24.4 million for the years ended December 31,
2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
F-19
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
9.
DEBT
Debt consisted of the following at December 31:
3.67% $50 million Senior Notes due December 17, 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
4.10% $50 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2023. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.84% $125 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2024. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.24% $125 million Senior Notes due June 25, 2025. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.47% EUR 125 million Senior Notes due June 17, 2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Debt issuance costs, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Senior Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$800 million Credit Agreement, interest at LIBOR plus 97.5 basis points(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other local arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less: current portion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
50,000
$
50,000
125,000
125,000
149,736
(1,438)
498,298
461,872
19,677
979,847
(19,677)
960,170
$
50,000
50,000
125,000
125,000
131,507
(1,642)
479,865
395,191
18,974
894,030
(18,974)
875,056
(1) See Note 5 for additional disclosures on the financial instruments associated with the Credit Agreement.
3.67% Senior Notes
In 2012, the Company issued and sold $50 million of 3.67% Senior Notes due December 17, 2022 in
a private placement. The 3.67% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is
payable semi-annually in June and December.
The 3.67% Senior Notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants including, among
others, limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to incurrence of liens and priority
indebtedness, disposition of assets, mergers, and transactions with affiliates. The note purchase agreement
also requires the Company to maintain a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.5 to 1.0 and
a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 3.5 to 1.0. The 3.67% Senior Notes also contain customary
events of default with customary grace periods, as applicable. The Company was in compliance with its
covenants at December 31, 2017.
Issuance costs approximating $0.4 million are being amortized to interest expense over the ten-year
term of the 3.67% Senior Notes.
4.10% Senior Notes
In 2013, the Company issued and sold $50 million of 4.10% Senior Notes due September 19, 2023 in
a private placement. The 4.10% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest
on the 4.10% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in March and September each year.
The 4.10% Senior Notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, change in control,
and prepayment provisions, that are substantially similar to those contained in the previously issued debt
of the Company as described above. The 4.10% Senior Notes also contain customary events of default
with customary grace periods, as applicable. The Company was in compliance with its covenants at
December 31, 2017.
Issuance costs approximating $0.4 million are being amortized to interest expense over the ten-year
term of the 4.10% Senior Notes.
F-20
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
3.84% Senior Notes and 4.24% Senior Notes
In 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to issue and sell $250 million of ten-year Senior
Notes in a private placement. The Company issued $125 million with a fixed interest rate of 3.84%
("3.84% Senior Notes") in September 2014 and issued $125 million with a fixed interest rate of 4.24%
("4.24% Senior Notes") in June 2015. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company.
Interest on the 3.84% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in March and September each year,
beginning in March 2015. Interest on the 4.24% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in June and
December of each year, beginning in December 2015. The 4.24% Senior Notes were used to repay $100
million of 6.3% Senior Notes which were due June 25, 2015.
The 3.84% Senior Notes and 4.24% Senior Notes contain customary affirmative and negative
covenants, change in control, and prepayment provisions, that are substantially similar to those contained
in the previously issued debt of the Company as described above. The 3.84% Senior Notes and 4.24%
Senior Notes also contain customary events of default with customary grace periods, as applicable. The
Company was in compliance with its covenants at December 31, 2017.
Issuance costs approximating $0.9 million are being amortized to interest expense over the ten-year
term of the Senior Notes.
1.47% Euro Senior Notes
In 2015, the Company issued in a private placement Euro 125 million with a fixed interest rate of
1.47% fifteen-year Senior Notes ("1.47% Euro Senior Notes"). The Euro Senior Notes are senior
unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company has designated the 1.47% Euro Senior Notes as a
hedge of a portion of its net investment in a euro denominated foreign subsidiary to reduce foreign
currency risk associated with this net investment. Changes in the carrying value of this debt resulting from
fluctuations in the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate are recorded as foreign currency translation
adjustments within other comprehensive income (loss). The Company recorded in other comprehensive
income (loss) related to this net investment hedge an unrealized loss of $18.2 million and an unrealized
gain of $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Interest on the 1.47% Senior Notes is payable in June and December each year. The 1.47% Senior
Notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, change in control, and prepayment
provisions, that are substantially similar to those contained in the previously issued debt of the Company
as described above. The 1.47% Senior Notes also contain customary events of default with customary
grace periods, as applicable. The Company was in compliance with its covenants at December 31, 2017.
Issuance costs approximating $0.4 million are being amortized to interest expense over the fifteen-
year term of the Euro Senior Notes.
Credit Agreement
In 2015, the Company entered into an $800 million Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"),
which amended its $800 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Prior Credit Agreement").
The Credit Agreement is provided by a group of financial institutions (similar to the Company's Prior
Credit Agreement) and has a maturity date of December 17, 2020. It is a revolving credit facility and is
not subject to any scheduled principal payments prior to maturity. The obligations under the Credit
Agreement are unsecured.
F-21
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at current market rates plus a margin based on
the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, which was set at LIBOR plus 97.5 basis points as of
December 31, 2017. The Company must also pay facility fees that are tied to its leverage ratio. The Credit
Agreement contains covenants that are substantially similar to those contained in the previously issued
debt of the Company as described above, with which the Company was in compliance as of December 31,
2017. The Credit Agreement also places certain limitations on the Company, including limiting the ability
to incur liens or indebtedness at a subsidiary level. In addition, the Credit Agreement has several events of
default. The Company incurred approximately $0.1 million of debt extinguishment costs during 2015
related to the Prior Credit Agreement. The Company capitalized $1.1 million in financing fees during
2015 associated with the Credit Agreement which will be amortized to interest expense through 2020.
During 2017, the Company increased its borrowing under the Credit Agreement by $66.7 million, which
primarily was used to fund the Biotix acquisition as described in Note 3. As of December 31, 2017,
approximately $332.6 million was available under the facility.
The Company’s weighted average interest rate was 3.3% and 3.7% for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016, respectively.
10. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
The number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock is 125,000,000 shares with a par
value of $0.01 per share. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote per share. At
December 31, 2017, 3,436,176 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance
pursuant to the Company’s stock option plans.
Preferred Stock
The Board of Directors, without further shareholder authorization, is authorized to issue up to
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share in one or more series and to determine and
fix the rights, preferences, and privileges of each series, including dividend rights and preferences over
dividends on the common stock and one or more series of the preferred stock, conversion rights, voting
rights (in addition to those provided by law), redemption rights, and the terms of any sinking fund
therefore, and rights upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, including preferences over the common
stock and one or more series of the preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the
issuance of rights to purchase such shares, may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a
change in control of the Company or an unsolicited acquisition proposal.
Share Repurchase Program
The Company has a share repurchase program of which there was $583.4 million common shares
remaining to be repurchased under the program as of December 31, 2017. The share repurchases are
expected to be funded from cash balances, borrowings, and cash generated from operating activities.
Repurchases will be made through open market transactions, and the amount and timing of purchases will
depend on business and market conditions, the stock price, trading restrictions, the level of acquisition
activity, and other factors.
The Company has purchased 26.7 million common shares since the inception of the program in 2004
through December 31, 2017, at a total cost of $3.9 billion. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016, the Company spent $400 million and $500 million on the repurchase of 749,254 shares and
F-22
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
1,348,507 shares at an average price per share of $533.84 and $370.75, respectively. The Company
reissued 270,413 shares and 278,623 shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options and restricted
stock units during 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for
the period ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
Currency
Translation
Adjustment,
Net of Tax
Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Cash Flow
Hedging
Arrangements,
Net of Tax
Pension and
Post-
Retirement
Benefit Related
Items,
Net of Tax
Total
(57,394) $
3,016
$
(212,271) $ (266,649)
Balance at December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized actuarial gains (loss), prior service
costs, and plan amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net unrealized gains (loss) on cash flow hedging
arrangements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
Foreign currency translation adjustment . . . . . . . .
(57,928)
—
(47,788)
(47,788)
(513)
—
—
5,885
(513)
(52,043)
Amounts recognized from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . . . . . .
—
(4,735)
16,730
11,995
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss),
net of tax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(57,928)
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (115,322) $
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized actuarial gains (loss), prior service
costs, and plan amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net unrealized gains (loss) on cash flow hedging
arrangements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
Foreign currency translation adjustment . . . . . . . .
83,982
(5,248)
(2,232) $
(88,349)
(25,173)
(237,444) $ (354,998)
—
1,424
—
1,678
1,678
—
(12,092)
1,424
71,890
Amounts recognized from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . . . . . .
—
(273)
14,873
14,600
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss),
net of tax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
83,982
(31,340) $
1,151
(1,081) $
4,459
89,592
(232,985) $ (265,406)
F-23
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The following table presents amounts recognized from accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
2017
2016
Location of Amounts Recognized
in Earnings
Effective portion of losses (gains) on cash flow hedging
arrangements:
Interest rate swap agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cross currency swap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency forward contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total, net of taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recognition of defined benefit pension and post-retirement
items:
Recognition of actuarial losses, plan amendments, prior
service cost, and settlement charge before taxes. . . . . . .
Provision for taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total, net of taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
$
$
$
1,679
(1,416)
—
263
536
(273) $
$
1,034
Interest expense
— (a)
(6,756) Cost of sales - products
(5,722)
(987) Provision for taxes
(4,735)
20,137
5,264
14,873
$
$
23,925
(b)
7,195 Provision for taxes
16,730
(a) The cross currency swap reflects an unrealized gain of $0.2 million recorded in other charges (income) that was
offset by underlying unrealized loss on the hedged debt. The cross currency swap also reflects a realized gain of $1.2
million recorded in interest expense.
(b) These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic
pension and post-retirement cost. See Note 12 for additional details for the year ended December 31, 2017.
11.
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Company’s equity incentive plan provides employees and directors of the Company additional
incentives to join and/or remain in the service of the Company as well as to maintain and enhance the
long-term performance and profitability of the Company. The Company’s 2013 equity incentive plan was
approved by shareholders on May 2, 2013 and provides that 2 million shares of common stock, plus any
shares that remained available for grant under the Company's prior equity incentive plan as well as
options outstanding that terminate without being exercised, may be the subject of awards. The plan
provides for the grant of options, restricted stock units, and other equity-based awards. The exercise price
of options granted shall not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the
award. Options primarily vest equally over a five-year period from the date of grant and have a maximum
term of up to ten years and six months. Restricted units primarily vest equally over a five-year period
from the date of grant. Performance share units generally vest after a three-year period from the date of
the grant based upon satisfaction of the performance condition. The compensation committee of the Board
of Directors has generally granted restricted share units to participating managers and non-qualified stock
options and performance share units to executive officers.
All share-based compensation arrangements granted to employees, including stock option grants, are
recognized in the consolidated statement of operations based on the grant-date fair value of the award over
the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Share-
based compensation expense is recorded within selling, general, and administrative in the consolidated
F-24
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
statement of operations with a corresponding offset to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated
balance sheet.
The fair values of stock options granted were calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The
aggregate intrinsic value of an option is the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock
exceeds its exercise price. The following table summarizes all stock option activity from December 31,
2016 through December 31, 2017:
Outstanding at December 31, 2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outstanding at December 31, 2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Options exercisable at December 31, 2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
1,215,481
$192.63
$274.6
46,877
(245,562)
(8,320)
1,008,476
755,407
671.60
116.67
241.83
$232.99
$180.66
$392.2
$331.5
The following table details the weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at
December 31, 2017 by range of exercise prices:
Number of Options
Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Remaining
Contractual
Life of Options
Outstanding
Options
Exercisable
102,357
124,585
298,180
125,523
357,831
$
$
$
$
$
1,008,476
89.23
133.00
159.96
244.99
365.57
1.7
2.8
4.4
5.9
8.0
5.4
102,357
124,585
298,180
100,716
129,569
755,407
As of the date granted, the weighted average grant-date fair value of the options granted during the
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $206.56, $118.31, and $92.81, respectively.
Such weighted average grant-date fair value was determined using the following assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected life in years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.00%
5.8
28%
—
1.26%
5.7
29%
—
1.65%
5.7
28%
—
2017
2016
2015
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and
2015 was approximately $105.6 million, $69.5 million, and $90.7 million, respectively.
The total fair value of options vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was
approximately $8.3 million, $7.4 million, and $8.6 million, respectively.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company granted 12,678 performance-based options, with a
grant-date fair value of $1.5 million. Compensation expense is recognized over the five-year vesting
provisions based upon the probability of the performance condition being met.
F-25
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The following table summarizes all restricted stock unit and performance share unit activity from
December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2017:
Number of
Restricted
Stock Units
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
Number of
Performance
Share Units
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13,202
(24,851)
(2,509)
56,389
70,547
$
29.5
1.9
4,532
$
3,518
—
—
$
34.9
8,050
$
5.0
The weighted average grant-date fair value of the restricted stock units granted during years ended
2017 and 2016 was $671.60 and $397.95 per unit, respectively, and the restricted units vest ratably
primarily over a five-year period. The total fair value of the restricted stock units on the date of grant of
$8.7 million for 2017 and $8.3 million for 2016 will be recorded as compensation expense on a straight-
line basis over the vesting period. The total fair value of restricted stock units vested during the years
ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was approximately $6.8 million, $6.3 million, and $6.0
million, respectively. Approximately $6.5 million and $6.4 million of compensation expense was
recognized during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company granted performance share units with a market condition. Grantees of performance
share units will be eligible to receive shares of the Company's common stock depending upon the
Company's total shareholder return relative to the performance of companies in the S&P 500 Healthcare
and S&P 500 Industrials over a three-year period. The awards actually earned will range from zero to
200% of the targeted number of performance share units for the three-year performance period and will be
paid, to the extent earned, in the fiscal quarter following the end of the applicable three-year performance
period. These awards were valued using a monte carlo simulation based on the following assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected life in years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.73%
3.0
28%
—
0.98%
3.0
29%
—
2017
2016
As of the date granted, the fair value of the performance share units granted was $844.39 for 2017
and $470.17 for 2016, respectively. The total fair value of the performance share units on the date of the
grant was $3.0 million for 2017 and $2.1 million for 2016 and will be recorded as compensation expense
on a straight-line basis over the 3-year period.
At December 31, 2017, a total of 2,230,063 shares of common stock were available for grant in the
form of stock options, restricted stock units, or performance share units.
As of December 31, 2017, the unrecorded deferred share-based compensation balance related to
stock options, restricted stock units, and performance share units was $53.0 million and will be recognized
using a straight-line method over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.3 years.
F-26
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
12. BENEFIT PLANS
The Company maintains a number of retirement and other post-retirement employee benefit plans.
Certain subsidiaries sponsor defined contribution plans. Benefits are determined and funded annually
based upon the terms of the plans. Amounts recognized as cost under these plans amounted to $17.2 million,
$15.4 million, and $16 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
Certain subsidiaries sponsor defined benefit plans. Benefits are provided to employees primarily based
upon years of service and employees’ compensation for certain periods during the last years of employment.
Prior to 2002, the Company’s U.S. operations also provided post-retirement medical benefits to their
employees. Contributions for medical benefits are related to employee years of service.
The following tables set forth the change in benefit obligation, the change in plan assets, the funded
status, and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements for the Company’s defined benefit
plans and post-retirement plan at December 31, 2017 and 2016:
U.S. Pension Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension
Benefits
Other Benefits
Total
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at
$ 154,415
$ 838,277
$ 818,269
$ 2,985
$ 3,272
$ 979,417
$ 975,956
4,374
6,979
—
432
4,428
845
—
(7,502)
(21,965)
—
—
29,600
8,511
33,036
(15,153)
(30,356)
54,563
29,936
10,664
42,786
—
(33,977)
(29,401)
—
70
18
137
(537)
—
—
76
318
150
(831)
—
30,165
12,955
40,033
(15,016)
(38,395)
54,563
30,368
15,168
43,949
150
(56,773)
(29,401)
year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 142,571
$ 138,155
$ 918,478
$ 838,277
$ 2,673
$ 2,985
$1,063,722
$ 979,417
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at
$ 119,118
$ 716,169
$ 725,597
$ — $ — $ 820,272
$ 844,715
6,876
74
—
97
—
(7,502)
(21,965)
49,055
22,961
15,927
22,291
13,503
(30,356)
13,277
(33,977)
—
400
137
(537)
—
681
150
(831)
63,924
23,458
22,803
23,046
13,640
(38,395)
13,427
(56,773)
—
—
36,883
(26,946)
—
—
36,883
(26,946)
end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 111,567
$ 820,272
Funded status. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (31,004) $ (34,052) $(110,263) $ (122,108) $ (2,673) $ (2,985) $ (143,940) $ (159,145)
$ — $ — $ 919,782
$ 716,169
$ 808,215
$ 104,103
F-27
beginning of year. . . . . . . . $ 138,155
565
Service cost, gross. . . . . . . . .
Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actuarial losses (gains) . . . . .
Plan amendments and other .
Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency . .
Benefit obligation at end of
beginning of year. . . . . . . . $ 104,103
14,869
Actual return on plan assets .
Employer contributions. . . . .
Plan participants’
contributions . . . . . . . . . . .
Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency
and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fair value of plan assets at
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
U.S. Pension Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension
Benefits
Other Benefits
Total
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
2017
2016
Other non-current assets . . . . . . . . $
Accrued and other liabilities . . . . .
Pension and other post-retirement
liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other
— $
(88)
— $ 40,493
(4,990)
(92)
$ 10,530
(4,293)
$
— $
(411)
— $ 40,493
(5,489)
(467)
$ 10,530
(4,852)
(30,916)
(33,960)
(145,766)
(128,345)
(2,262)
(2,518)
(178,944)
(164,823)
comprehensive loss (income) . .
61,819
69,528
254,870
255,855
(2,365)
(5,057)
314,324
320,326
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 30,815
$ 35,476
$ 144,607
$ 133,747
$ (5,038) $ (8,042) $ 170,384
$ 161,181
The following amounts have been recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),
before taxes, at December 31, 2017 and have not yet been recognized as a component of net periodic pension
cost:
U.S. Pension
Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension
Benefits
Other Benefits
Total
Total, After Tax
Plan amendments and prior
service cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Actuarial losses (gains) . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
— $
61,819
61,819
$
(30,698) $
285,568
254,870
$
(372) $
(1,993)
(2,365) $
(31,070) $
345,394
314,324
$
(24,289)
257,274
232,985
The following changes in plan assets and benefit obligations were recognized in other comprehensive
income (loss), before taxes, for the year ended December 31, 2017:
Net actuarial losses (gains) . . . . . . $
Plan amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of:
Actuarial (losses) gains . . . . . . . .
Plan amendments and prior
service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
U.S. Pension
Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension
Benefits
Other Benefits
Total
Total, After Tax
(1,153) $
—
$
14,330
(15,153)
$
18
—
$
13,195
(15,153)
10,378
(12,056)
(6,556)
(23,144)
—
—
(7,709) $
6,897
16,085
(985) $
1,895
779
—
2,692
$
(27,805)
(20,821)
7,676
16,085
(6,002) $
5,948
12,092
(4,459)
The accumulated benefit obligations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $142.6 million and $138.2
million, respectively, for the U.S. defined benefit pension plan and $785.7 million and $818.9 million,
respectively, for all non-U.S. plans. Certain of the plans included within non-U.S. pension benefits have
accumulated benefit obligations which exceed the fair value of plan assets. The projected benefit obligation,
the accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of assets of these plans as of December 31, 2017 were
$202.3 million, $192.0 million, and $50.0 million, respectively.
F-28
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The assumed discount rates and rates of increase in future compensation levels used in calculating the
projected benefit obligations vary according to the economic conditions of the country in which the
retirement plans are situated. The weighted average rates used for the purposes of the Company’s plans are as
follows:
Discount rate
Compensation increase rate
3.49%
3.97%
n/a
n/a
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
6.50%
6.75%
0.97%
0.87%
3.86%
0.98%
0.85%
4.09%
U.S.
Non-U.S.
2017
2016
2017
2016
The assumed discount rates, rates of increase in future compensation levels, and the long-term rate of
return used in calculating the net periodic pension cost vary according to the economic conditions of the
country in which the retirement plans are situated. The weighted average rates used for the purposes of the
Company’s plans are as follows:
Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation increase rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets . . . . .
3.97%
4.27%
4.00%
n/a
n/a
n/a
6.75%
7.25%
7.50%
0.98%
0.85%
4.09%
1.31%
1.03%
4.58%
1.65%
1.61%
4.82%
2017
U.S.
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
Non-U.S.
Net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit for the defined benefit plans and U.S.
post-retirement plan include the following components for the years ended December 31:
U.S.
2016
2017
Non-U.S.
Other Benefits
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
Total
2016
2015
Service cost, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
565
$
432
$
837
$ 16,341
$ 16,804
$ 18,664
$ — $ — $ — $ 16,906
$ 17,236
$ 19,501
Interest cost on projected benefit
obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,374
4,428
6,431
8,511
10,664
14,071
Expected return on plan assets . .
(6,737)
(7,781)
(9,575)
(30,349)
(33,168)
(36,832)
70
—
76
—
139
12,955
15,168
20,641
— (37,086)
(40,949)
(46,407)
Recognition of actuarial losses/
(gains) and prior service costs
6,556
Settlement charge . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
7,606
7,963
Net periodic pension cost /
7,626
16,247
12,923
10,639
(2,674)
(4,567)
(5,247)
20,129
15,962
13,018
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
7,963
—
(benefit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,758
$12,648
$ 5,319
$ 10,750
$ 7,223
$ 6,542
$ (2,604) $ (4,491) $ (5,108) $ 12,904
$ 15,380
$ 6,753
The amounts remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that are expected to be
recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost during 2018 are as follows:
Plan amendments and prior service costs . . . . . . $
Actuarial losses (gains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
— $
5,804
5,804
$
(6,966) $
21,620
14,654
$
(372) $
(1,250)
(1,622) $
(7,338)
26,174
18,836
U.S. Pension
Benefits
Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
Total
The projected post-retirement benefit obligation was principally determined using discount rates of
2.55% in 2017 and 3.41% in 2016. Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost was principally determined
using discount rates of 3.41% in 2017, 3.54% in 2016, and 4.00% in 2015. The health care cost trend rate
was 7.0% in 2017, 7.5% in 2016, and 8.00% in 2015, decreasing to 5.00% in 2022. A one-percentage-point
change in health care cost trend rates would have an immaterial impact on total service and interest cost
components and the post-retirement benefit obligation.
F-29
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The Company’s overall asset investment strategy is to achieve long-term growth while minimizing
volatility by widely diversifying among asset types and strategies. Target asset allocations and investment
return criteria are established by the pension committee or designated officers of each plan. Target asset
allocation ranges for the U.S. pension plan include 35-55% in equity securities, 18-28% in fixed income
securities, and 20-40% in other types of investments. International plan assets relate primarily to the
Company’s Swiss plan with target allocations of 24-45% in equities, 35-55% in fixed income securities, and
15-25% in other types of investments. Actual results are monitored against targets and the trustees are
required to report to the members of each plan, including an analysis of investment performance on an
annual basis at a minimum. Day-to-day asset management is typically performed by third-party asset
managers, reporting to the pension committees or designated officers.
The long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions used to determine pension expense under
U.S. GAAP is generally based on estimated future returns for the target investment mix determined by the
trustees as well as historical investment performance.
The following table presents the fair value measurement of the Company’s plan assets by hierarchy
level:
Asset Category:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Observable
Inputs for
Identical
Assets
(Level 2)
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Observable
Inputs for
Identical
Assets
(Level 2)
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Cash and Cash Equivalents. . . . . . . . . $
154,751
$
— $
— $ 154,751
$
131,468
$
— $
— $ 131,468
Equity Securities:
Mettler-Toledo Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,154
—
Equity Mutual Funds:
U.S.(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emerging Markets(3) . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,011
80,836
100,346
27,984
61,341
1,096
Fixed Income Securities:
Corporate/Government Bonds(4). . .
72,334
—
Fixed Income Mutual Funds:
Insurance Contracts(5) . . . . . . . . . . .
Core Bond(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
136,157
23,421
57,499
8,836
—
12,545
—
79,218
37,302
11,781
12,147
Real Asset Mutual Funds:
Real Estate(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commodities(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Types of Investments:
Global Allocation Funds(9) . . . . . . .
Insurance Linked Securities(10) . . . .
Total assets in fair value hierarchy . . . $
Investments measured at net asset
value:
Emerging Markets (3) . . . . . . . . . . .
Multi-Strategy Fund of Hedge
Funds (11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total pension assets at fair value . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
1,514
—
—
—
—
—
3,154
2,846
—
33,995
142,177
101,442
5,860
54,760
78,999
24,257
52,404
793
72,334
69,578
—
24,935
193,656
—
121,884
19,955
52,955
88,054
37,302
24,326
12,147
69,284
22,964
—
—
11,981
11,285
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,300
—
—
5,594
—
—
2,846
30,117
107,164
79,792
69,578
21,255
174,839
69,284
28,558
23,266
—
694,037
$
192,722
$
1,514
$ 888,273
$
569,624
$
161,649
$
6,894
$ 738,167
5,950
25,559
$ 919,782
4,407
77,698
$ 820,272
_______________________________________
(1) Represents primarily large capitalization equity mutual funds tracking the S&P 500 Index.
F-30
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
(2) Represents all capitalization core and value equity mutual funds located primarily in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and
Canada.
(3) Represents core and growth mutual funds and funds of mutual funds invested in emerging markets primarily in Eastern
Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
(4) Represents investments in high-grade corporate and government bonds located in Switzerland and the European Union.
(5) Represents fixed and variable rate annuity contracts provided by insurance companies.
(6) Represents fixed income mutual funds invested in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and European government
bonds, high-grade corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(7) Represents mutual funds invested in real estate located primarily in Switzerland.
(8) Represents commodity funds invested across a broad range of sectors.
(9) Represents mutual funds invested globally in both equities and fixed income securities.
(10) Represents a broadly diversified portfolio of assets that carry exposure to insurance risks, particularly insurance linked
securities.
(11) Represents investments in underlying globally diversified hedge funds. Investments that are measured using the net asset value
(NAV) per share practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The amounts presented above are
intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the fair value of total plan assets in order to determine the
amounts included in the consolidated balance sheet.
The fair value of the Company’s stock and corporate and government bonds are valued at the year-end
closing price as reported on the securities exchange on which they are traded. Mutual funds are valued at the
exchange-listed year end closing price or at the net asset value of shares held by the fund at the end of the
year. Insurance contracts are valued by discounting the related cash flows using a current year end market
rate or at cash surrender value, which is presumed to equal fair value. Funds of hedge funds are valued at the
net asset value of shares held by the fund at the end of the year.
The following table presents a roll-forward of activity for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
for Level 3 asset categories:
Commodities
Insurance
Contract
Total
Balance at December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets held at end of year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related to assets sold during the year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets held at end of year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related to assets sold during the year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
33,505
$
1,367
$ 34,872
—
(2,857)
(21,278)
(3,776)
5,594
$
25
—
(38)
(54)
1,300
25
(2,857)
(21,316)
(3,830)
$
6,894
—
—
(5,711)
—
117
21
—
(98)
108
183
21
—
(5,809)
108
300
— $
1,514
$
1,514
There were no transfers between any asset levels during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
F-31
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be
paid:
U.S. Pension
Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension
Benefits
Other Benefits
Net of
Subsidy
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023-2028 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
7,972
8,140
8,344
8,453
8,641
$
45,118
43,125
45,352
42,561
43,990
43,855
219,011
$
411
400
265
249
227
769
Total
53,501
51,665
53,961
51,263
52,858
263,635
In 2018, the Company expects to make employer pension contributions of approximately $25.9 million
to its non-U.S. pension plan and employer contributions of approximately $0.4 million to its U.S. post-
retirement medical plan.
In February 2016, the Company offered former employees a one-time option to receive a lump sum
distribution of their vested pension plan benefits. Based upon the eligible participant acceptance, $14.6
million was paid from plan assets to these former employees in the second quarter of 2016 with a
corresponding decrease in the benefit obligation. The Company incurred a one-time non-cash settlement
charge recorded in other charges (income), net during the second quarter of 2016 of approximately $8.2
million, of which $8.0 million, $4.9 million after tax, was reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income.
13.
TAXES
The sources of the Company’s earnings before taxes were as follows for the years ended
December 31:
United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Non-United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Earnings before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
45,105
529,117
574,222
$
$
37,363
466,830
504,193
$
$
20,992
442,432
463,424
2017
2016
2015
F-32
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The provisions for taxes consist of:
Year ended December 31, 2017:
United States federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
State and local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Year ended December 31, 2016:
United States federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
State and local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Year ended December 31, 2015:
United States federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
State and local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Current
Deferred
Total
55,660
$
10,173
$
361
144,974
200,995
20,116
2,947
94,882
117,945
11,071
2,164
90,232
$
$
$
$
3,471
(16,389)
(2,745) $
(4,817) $
1,149
$
$
5,546
1,878
3,029
617
3,491
65,833
3,832
128,585
198,250
15,299
4,096
100,428
119,823
14,100
2,781
93,723
103,467
$
7,137
$
110,604
The provisions for tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 differed
from the amounts computed by applying the United States federal income tax rate of 35% to the earnings
before taxes as a result of the following:
Expected tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
United States state and local income taxes, net of federal income tax
benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in valuation allowance (excluding U.S. tax reform) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net effect of U.S. tax reform (see below) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-United States income taxes at other than a 35% rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total provision for taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
2015
200,978
$
176,467
$
162,198
376
—
71,982
(43,691)
(35,171)
3,776
3,064
—
—
(65,917)
—
6,209
2,551
(1,098)
—
(54,798)
—
1,751
198,250
$
119,823
$
110,604
As discussed further below, the 2017 provision for income taxes includes a provisional one-time
charge of $72 million. Our annual effective tax rate in 2017 was 22% excluding this one-time charge.
The reduction in the Company's annual effective tax rate from 24% in 2016 and 2015 to 22% (excluding
the one-time charge) in 2017 is primarily related to the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-09 pertaining to
excess tax benefits associated with stock option exercises.
F-33
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("the Act") significantly revised U.S. corporate
income tax law. The Act includes, among other things, a reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income
tax rate from 35% to 21% effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and the
implementation of a modified territorial tax system that includes a one-time transition tax on deemed
repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries ("Transition Tax") that is payable over a period of up to eight
years.
The Company has recorded a provisional one-time charge of $72 million relating to the Act during
the fourth quarter of 2017. Of this amount, $59 million is expected to be payable over a period of up to 8
years of which $48 million is included as a component of other non-current liabilities, $7 million is
included in deferred tax liabilities and $4 million is included in taxes payable. The components of the
Company's provisional one-time charge include:
• A one-time cash charge of $59 million for un-repatriated foreign earnings due to the estimated
Transition Tax of $52 million, and $7 million of foreign withholding taxes, and U.S. federal, state,
and local taxes related to the reassessment of planned repatriation of certain foreign earnings that
were previously determined to be permanently reinvested. All other undistributed earnings are
considered permanently reinvested.
• A one-time non-cash charge of $13 million primarily related to changes in the current year
treatment of certain deferred tax items and other non-cash items. The effect of remeasuring the
U.S. net deferred tax balances resulting from the reduction of the U.S. income tax rate from 35%
to 21% was immaterial.
Shortly after the Act was enacted, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income
Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”) which provides guidance on
accounting for the Act’s impact. SAB 118 provides a measurement period, which in no case should extend
beyond one year from the Act enactment, during which a company acting in good faith may complete the
accounting for the impacts of the Act. In accordance with SAB 118, the Company will reflect the income
tax effects of the Act in the reporting period in which the accounting is complete.
The Company's accounting for the above items is based upon reasonable estimates of the tax effects
of the Act; however, its estimates may change upon the finalization of its implementation and additional
interpretive guidance from regulatory authorities. Among other things, the Company needs to complete
its analysis of historical foreign earnings and related taxes paid and its analysis of foreign cash
equivalents. In addition, the Company needs to complete its analysis of deemed repatriation of deferred
foreign income and related state tax effects.
The Company will complete its accounting for the above tax effects of the Act during 2018 as
provided in SAB 118 and will reflect any adjustments to its provisional amounts as an adjustment to the
provision for taxes in the reporting period in which the amounts are finally determined.
Additionally, certain provisions of the Act are not effective until 2018. The Company is in the
process of evaluating the impact of these provisions and has not yet recorded any impact in the financial
statements, nor have we made any accounting policy elections with respect to these items.
F-34
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax
assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below at December 31:
Deferred tax assets:
Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Accrued and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued post-retirement benefit and pension costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred tax assets less valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax liabilities:
Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant, and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquired intangibles amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid post-retirement benefit and pension costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized currency gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net deferred tax (liability) asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
13,779
$
62,175
55,545
32,247
12,099
175,845
(12,857)
162,988
4,730
50,440
66,755
27,747
23,121
—
17,612
93,379
72,004
15,844
10,326
209,165
(10,730)
198,435
3,741
56,718
77,295
36,741
19,575
34,720
172,793
(9,805) $
228,790
(30,355)
The increase in the valuation allowance during 2017 is primarily attributable to increases in valuation
allowances against the Company's state net operating losses. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first
quarter of 2017, the Company recorded $69 million in additional deferred tax assets related primarily to
U.S. tax credit carryforwards which arose directly from tax deductions for share-based compensation
arrangements, against which a full valuation allowance was recorded in the first quarter and subsequently
released in the fourth quarter, along with $11 million of other pre-existing valuation allowances, in
connection with the determination of the Transition Tax related to the Act as described above.
The Company continues to record valuation allowances related to certain of its deferred income tax
assets due to the uncertainty of the ultimate realization of future benefits from such assets. The potential
decrease or increase of the valuation allowance in the near term is dependent on the future ability of the
Company to realize the deferred tax assets that are affected by the future profitability of operations in
various worldwide jurisdictions.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Increases related to current tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increases (decreases) related to prior year tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decreases relating to taxing authority settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decreases resulting from a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
20,240
$
2,484
1,434
(856)
(186)
974
24,090
$
15,259
7,824
(885)
(794)
(896)
(268)
20,240
F-35
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $24.1
million and $16.6 million, respectively, of tax benefits that if recognized would reduce the Company’s
effective tax rate. The Company recognizes accrued amounts of interest and penalties related to its
uncertain tax positions as part of its income tax expense within its consolidated statement of operations.
The amount of accrued interest and penalties included within other non-current liabilities within the
Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2.8 million and $2.2
million, respectively.
The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefit balance could
change over the next twelve months, primarily related to potential disputes raised by the taxing authorities
over income and expense recognition. The Company does not expect a change would have a material
impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
The Company plans to repatriate earnings from China, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom,
and certain other countries in future years and believes that there will be no additional cost associated with
the repatriation of such foreign earnings other than withholding taxes for which a deferred tax liability has
been recorded. All other undistributed earnings not subject to the Transition Tax, or any additional outside
basis difference inherent in these entities, are considered to be permanently reinvested on which no U.S.
deferred income taxes or foreign withholding taxes have been provided. It is not practicable to estimate
the amount of deferred tax liability related to these undistributed earnings and additional outside basis
differences in these entities due to the complexity of the calculation and the uncertainty regarding
assumptions necessary to compute the tax.
As of December 31, 2017, the major jurisdictions for which the Company is subject to examinations
are Germany for years after 2012, the United States after 2013, France after 2016, Switzerland after 2014,
the United Kingdom after 2014, and China after 2013. Additionally, the Company is currently under
examination in various taxing jurisdictions in which it conducts business operations. While the Company
has not yet received any material assessments from these taxing authorities, the Company believes that
adequate amounts of taxes and related interest and penalties have been provided for any adverse
adjustments as a result of these examinations and that the ultimate outcome of these examinations will not
result in a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.
14. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
During the past few years, we initiated cost reduction measures. For the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016, we have incurred $12.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of restructuring expenses
which primarily comprise employee related costs. Liabilities related to restructuring activities are included
in accrued and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
F-36
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
A roll-forward of the Company’s accrual for restructuring activities for the years ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments / utilization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash payments / utilization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact of foreign currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
$
$
Total
12,211
6,235
(8,376)
(539)
9,531
12,772
(12,663)
980
10,620
15. OTHER CHARGES (INCOME), NET
Other charges (income), net consisted of net income of $5.9 million in 2017, compared to net charges
of $8.5 million and net income of $0.9 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Other charges (income),
net includes $1.7 million and $1.1 million of acquisition costs for 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other
charges (income), net for 2017 also includes a one-time gain of $3.4 million relating to the sale of a
facility in Switzerland in connection with the Company's initiative to consolidate certain Swiss operations
into a new facility. Other charges in 2016 includes a one-time non-cash pension settlement charge of $8.2
million related to a lump sum offering to former employees of the Company's U.S. pension plan. Other
charges (income), net also includes net (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions and hedging
activities, interest income, and other items.
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
The Company leases certain of its facilities and equipment under operating leases. The future
minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows at December 31, 2017:
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33,939
25,292
17,132
11,729
9,745
11,289
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
109,126
Rent expense for operating leases amounted to $36.9 million, $34.9 million, and $33.2 million for the
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
F-37
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Legal
The Company is party to various legal proceedings, including certain environmental matters,
incidental to the normal course of business. Management does not expect that any of such proceedings
will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash
flows.
17. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company has five reportable segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European
Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. U.S. Operations represent certain of the Company’s marketing
and producing organizations located in the United States. Western European Operations include the
Company’s marketing and producing organizations in Western Europe, excluding operations located in
Switzerland. Swiss Operations include marketing and producing organizations located in Switzerland as
well as extensive R&D operations that are responsible for the development, production, and marketing of
precision instruments, including weighing, analytical, and measurement technologies for use in a variety
of laboratory and industrial applications. Chinese Operations represent the Company’s marketing and
producing organizations located in China. The Company’s market organizations are geographically
focused and are responsible for all aspects of the Company’s sales and service. Operations that exist
outside these reportable segments are included in Other.
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of
significant accounting policies. The Company evaluates performance based on segment profit for segment
reporting (gross profit less research and development and selling, general, and administrative expenses,
before amortization, interest expense, restructuring charges, other charges (income), net, and taxes). Inter-
segment sales and transfers are priced to reflect consideration of market conditions and the regulations of
the countries in which the transferring entities are located.
The following tables show the operations of the Company’s reportable segments:
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Net Sales to
External
Customers
Net Sales to
Other
Segments
Total Net
Sales
Segment
Profit
Depreciation
Total Assets
Purchase of
Property,
Plant,
and
Equipment
Goodwill
U.S. Operations. . . . . . . .
$
944,825
$
99,117
$ 1,043,942
$
177,705
$
7,659
$ 1,937,688
$
(38,969) $
409,520
Swiss Operations. . . . . . .
133,925
563,083
697,008
174,447
5,551
1,374,150
(19,589)
22,171
Western European
Operations . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chinese Operations . . . . .
Other(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eliminations and
Corporate(b) . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
673,776
452,617
519,910
170,820
232,882
7,934
844,596
685,499
527,844
117,324
231,860
72,744
4,052
7,168
3,474
1,805,294
1,068,811
310,667
(7,094)
(13,246)
(4,131)
91,927
690
15,530
—
(1,073,836)
(1,073,836)
(117,496)
5,554
(3,946,805)
(44,397)
—
$ 2,725,053
$
— $ 2,725,053
$
656,584
$
33,458
$ 2,549,805
$
(127,426) $
539,838
F-38
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Net Sales to
External
Customers
Net Sales to
Other
Segments
Total Net
Sales
Segment
Profit
Depreciation
Total Assets
Purchase of
Property,
Plant,
and
Equipment
Goodwill
U.S. Operations. . . . . . . .
$
867,962
$
90,580
$
958,542
$
161,539
$
6,094
$ 1,747,338
$
(52,255) $
357,785
Swiss Operations. . . . . . .
130,674
524,983
655,657
163,663
6,199
1,212,637
(7,260)
21,239
Western European
Operations . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chinese Operations . . . . .
Other(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eliminations and
Corporate(b) . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
640,558
386,541
482,522
176,501
219,766
7,709
817,059
606,307
490,231
123,507
187,924
64,060
4,048
6,879
3,461
1,120,751
702,571
277,476
(6,857)
(16,288)
(4,540)
82,500
636
14,218
—
(1,019,539)
(1,019,539)
(117,696)
6,062
(2,893,996)
(36,757)
—
$ 2,508,257
$
— $ 2,508,257
$
582,997
$
32,743
$ 2,166,777
$
(123,957) $
476,378
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2015
Net Sales to
External
Customers
Net Sales to
Other
Segments
Total Net
Sales
Segment
Profit
Depreciation
Total Assets
Purchase of
Property,
Plant,
and
Equipment
Goodwill
U.S. Operations. . . . . . . .
$
826,354
$
87,488
$
913,842
$
147,491
$
6,153
$ 1,487,422
$
(7,113) $
317,856
Swiss Operations. . . . . . .
133,684
498,642
632,326
160,763
6,488
1,134,648
(6,650)
21,841
Western European
Operations . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chinese Operations . . . . .
Other(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eliminations and
Corporate(b) . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
620,128
376,291
438,990
165,532
214,887
8,087
785,660
591,178
447,077
107,424
165,532
50,821
4,076
7,086
2,883
1,010,639
506,390
260,276
(5,940)
(14,770)
(4,306)
92,389
692
13,506
—
(974,636)
(974,636)
(99,924)
6,401
(2,440,040)
(43,727)
—
$ 2,395,447
$
— $ 2,395,447
$
532,107
$
33,087
$ 1,959,335
$
(82,506) $
446,284
(a) Other includes reporting units in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and other countries.
(b) Eliminations and Corporate includes the elimination of inter-segment transactions as well as certain corporate expenses
and intercompany investments, which are not included in the Company’s operating segments.
A reconciliation of earnings before taxes to segment profit follows:
Earnings before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other charges (income), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Segment profit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
2016
2015
574,222
$
504,193
$
463,424
42,671
32,785
12,772
(5,866)
656,584
36,052
28,026
6,235
8,491
$
582,997
$
30,951
27,451
11,148
(867)
532,107
During 2017, restructuring charges of $12.8 million were recognized, of which $6.2 million, $1.8
million, $3.0 million, $0.8 million, and $1.0 million relate to the Company’s U.S., Swiss, Western
European, Chinese, and Other Operations, respectively. Restructuring charges of $6.2 million were
recognized in 2016, of which $2.0 million, $1.5 million, $2.4 million, $0.2 million, and $0.2 million relate
to the Company's U.S., Swiss, Western European, Chinese, and Other Operations, respectively.
The Company sells precision instruments, including weighing instruments and certain analytical and
measurement technologies, and related services to a variety of customers and industries. None of these
end-customers account for more than 1% of net sales. Service revenues are primarily derived from repair
and other services including regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification, and
preventative maintenance.
F-39
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
A breakdown of the Company's sales by product category for the years ended December 31 follows:
Laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,358,493
$
1,225,000
$
1,154,905
1,158,335
208,225
1,067,858
215,399
1,034,310
206,232
2,725,053
$
2,508,257
$
2,395,447
2017
2016
2015
In certain circumstances, our operating segments sell directly into other geographies. A breakdown
of net sales to external customers by geographic customer destination and property, plant, and equipment,
net for the years ended December 31 follows:
United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Germany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
United Kingdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Europe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rest of World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Asia/Rest of World . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017
Net Sales
2016
Property, Plant, and
Equipment, Net
2015
2017
2016
888,241
$
815,153
$
768,815
$
220,401
$
168,494
162,672
1,050,913
192,126
130,427
64,361
63,090
399,923
849,927
439,373
384,840
824,213
153,607
968,760
182,644
118,681
61,513
62,115
374,008
798,961
374,996
365,540
740,536
157,962
926,777
176,491
110,477
71,679
64,622
349,178
772,447
362,950
333,273
696,223
3,406
223,807
49,376
6,386
19,617
259,007
8,050
342,436
92,269
9,759
102,028
3,833
172,327
28,393
5,009
12,631
246,312
6,511
298,856
83,713
8,811
92,524
2,725,053
$
2,508,257
$
2,395,447
$
668,271
$
563,707
F-40
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
18. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
2017
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net earnings(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common shares . . .
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common and
common equivalent shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Market price per share:
594,567
342,900
92,466
3.57
$
$
$
$
653,656
374,917
101,580
3.94
$
$
$
$
698,799
400,277
104,950
4.10
$
$
$
$
778,031
455,219
76,976
3.01
25,932,112
25,751,374
25,613,433
25,562,542
3.48
$
3.84
$
3.99
$
2.93
26,586,061
26,439,529
26,303,529
26,229,052
High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Low. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
486.90
414.52
$
$
601.16
473.87
$
$
635.17
571.25
$
$
689.11
606.80
(1) Provision for taxes for 2017 includes a provisional one-time charge of $72 million for the implementation of the Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act. Of this amount, $59 million is expected to be paid over a period of up to eight years. The estimated charge may
change with the finalization of implementation.
2016
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common shares . . .
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common and
common equivalent shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Market price per share:
539,674
299,907
65,674
2.44
$
$
$
$
608,286
347,576
79,588
2.99
$
$
$
$
650,598
369,494
101,332
3.84
$
$
$
$
709,699
418,610
137,776
5.27
26,931,293
26,631,015
26,375,468
26,139,024
2.40
$
2.93
$
3.77
$
5.17
27,421,019
27,143,284
26,888,810
26,631,269
High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Low. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
347.09
298.14
$
$
385.50
347.76
$
$
419.83
363.19
$
$
429.91
397.73
F-41
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (in thousands)
Column A
Column B
Column C
Additions
(1)
(2)
Column D
Column E
Description
Balance at the
Beginning of
Period
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
Charged to
Other
Accounts
-Deductions-
Balance at
End
of Period
Note (A)
Note (B)
Accounts receivable — allowance for
doubtful accounts:
Year ended December 31, 2017. . . . . . . . .
Year ended December 31, 2016. . . . . . . . .
Year ended December 31, 2015. . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax valuation allowance:
Year ended December 31, 2017. . . . . . . . .
Year ended December 31, 2016. . . . . . . . .
Year ended December 31, 2015. . . . . . . . .
_______________________________________
$
$
$
$
$
$
Note (A)
14,234
14,435
15,961
10,730
25,435
36,263
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,403
1,087
883
9,513
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
1,005
$
(760) $
(2,302) $
1,093
528
107
72,170
$
— $
— $
79,556
14,705
10,828
$
$
$
$
$
$
15,549
14,234
14,435
12,857
10,730
25,435
For accounts receivable, amounts comprise currency translation adjustments.
For deferred tax valuation allowance in 2017, 2016, and 2015, amounts relate primarily to changes in foreign tax credit
carryforwards and R&D credit carryforwards.
Note (B)
For accounts receivable, amounts represent excess of uncollectible balances written off over recoveries of accounts
previously written off.
For deferred tax valuation allowance, the decrease in 2017, 2016, and 2015 relates primarily to decreases in foreign tax
credit and R&D credit carryforwards.
S-1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S 8 (Nos. 333-190181,
333-118260, 333-104083, and 333-31636) of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. of our report dated February 8, 2018 relating to
the financial statements, financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which
appears in this Form 10-K.
EXHIBIT 23.1
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 8, 2018
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Olivier A. Filliol, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mettler-Toledo International Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by
this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 8, 2018
/s/ Olivier A. Filliol
Olivier A. Filliol
Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Shawn P. Vadala, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mettler-Toledo International Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by
this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 8, 2018
/s/ Shawn P. Vadala
Shawn P. Vadala
Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of
Title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (the “Company”) does
hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:
This annual report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2017 fully complies with the requirements of
section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in this report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
EXHIBIT 32
/s/ Olivier A. Filliol
Olivier A. Filliol
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Shawn P. Vadala
Shawn P. Vadala
Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 8, 2018
Corporate Information
Board of Directors
Officers
Olivier A. Filliol
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Peter Aggersbjerg
Laboratory
Corporate Offices
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
1900 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43240-4035
Phone 614-438-4511
Im Langacher 44
CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland
Phone +41-44-944 22 11
www.mt.com
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Shareowner Services LLC acts
as primary Transfer Agent and Registrar for
the Company. Questions should be sent to:
Computershare
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
Phone 866-322-7862
www.computershare.com/investor
Shareholders
The Company estimates it has approximately
62,600 shareholders.
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of shareholders will
be held at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 3,
2018 at the offices of Fried, Frank, Harris,
Shriver & Jacobson LLP at 375 Park Avenue,
New York, NY. A notice of the meeting,
together with a form of proxy and a proxy
statement, will be mailed to shareholders
on or about March 15, 2018.
Investor Relations
Direct requests for information to:
Mary T. Finnegan
Treasurer / Investor Relations
1900 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43240-4035
Phone 614-438-4748
mary.finnegan@mt.com
William P. Donnelly
Executive Vice President
Marc de La Guéronnière
Europe and North America
Michael Heidingsfelder
Industrial
Simon Kirk
Product Inspection
Christian Magloth
Human Resources
Waldemar Rauch
Process Analytics
Shawn P. Vadala
Chief Financial Officer
Oliver Wittorf
Supply Chain and IT
Richard Wong
Asia / Pacific
Robert F. Spoerry
Chairman of the Board
Director since 1996
Wah-Hui Chu
Retired Non-Executive
Chairman – Asia,
PepsiCo International
Director since 2007
Francis A. Contino*
Retired Executive Vice President –
Strategic Planning
and Chief Financial Officer,
McCormick & Company, Inc.
Director since 2004
Olivier A. Filliol
President and Chief Executive Officer
Director since 2009
Elisha W. Finney
Retired CFO,
Varian Medical Systems Inc.
Director since 2017
Richard Francis
Chief Executive Officer,
Sandoz, the Generics Division of
Novartis
Director since 2016
Constance L. Harvey
Retired Chief Operating Officer –
Commercial Healthcare,
Xerox Corporation
Director since 2015
Michael A. Kelly
Retired Executive Vice President –
Electronics and Energy,
3M Company
Director since 2008
Hans Ulrich Märki
Retired Chairman,
IBM Europe / Middle East / Africa
Director since 2002
Thomas P. Salice
Co-Founder and Managing Member,
SFW Capital Partners, LLC
Director since 1996
* Retiring from Board effective May 3, 2018
www.mt.com
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