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 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.
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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, our Spinnaker sales and marketing program, and the breadth and quality of our global sales and service network.
Net sales in U.S. dollars increased 2% in 2024 and decreased 3% in 2023. Excluding the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations, or in local currencies, net sales increased 3% in 2024 and decreased 3% in 2023. Net sales in 2023 were negatively impacted by approximately $58 million from our previously disclosed shipping delays related to a new external European logistics service provider, which were largely recovered in the first quarter of 2024. We estimate local currency net sales were flat in 2024 and decreased 1% in 2023 excluding the impact of the delayed shipments. Market demand in our core segments was soft in 2024, particularly in China. We continue to benefit from our strong global leadership positions, diversified customer base, innovative product offering, investment in emerging markets, significant installed base, and the impact of our sophisticated 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 redirecting resources to our most promising growth opportunities, increasing the use of digital tools, and continuing to optimize our lead generation and lead nurturing processes.
In addition to soft market demand during 2024, we also continued to experience uncertainty in the economic environment, including the risk of recession in many countries, and unfavorable foreign currency. Our team’s resilience and agility, and our productivity and cost savings initiatives, were critical to our ability to mitigate these challenges. Over the past few years, we also accelerated our ability to use advanced analytics to identify and pursue growth opportunities, while increasing the effectiveness of our digital tools to support our global sales organization. We also have continued to increase engagement with our customers with our Go-to-Market and digital approaches. Our market-leading solutions and ability to leverage our innovative portfolio have also allowed us to quickly capitalize on our customers' demand for automation and digitalization solutions and faster growing segments. We are well positioned, and have continued to make investments to further strengthen our portfolio and capture future growth opportunities. Our service business also delivered very strong results in 2024 as we have been able to support our customers’ ability to maintain uptime, improve productivity, and comply with regulatory requirements.
As we enter 2025, we expect to continue to benefit from market trends toward automation and digitalization, as well as customer investments in on/near-shoring activities. However, many of our end-markets, including pharma/biopharmaceutical, food, and chemical, remain challenged after significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, market conditions and challenges remain uncertain relating to the macro environment and global economy, including the impacts of the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and increasing geopolitical tensions. Market conditions also may change quickly.
Our laboratory sales grew in 2024 despite a decrease in China as the sharp market decline in 2023 continued during 2024. We believe we will benefit from favorable pharma/biopharma market trends in the future. We also believe we will continue to benefit from increased customer demand for automation, digitalization, and safety; new facility investments; and continued focus on regulatory compliance including data integrity requirements. Overall, we believe we are well positioned to continue to capture growth and gain market share in our laboratory business.
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Our industrial sales grew modestly in 2024 despite challenging market conditions for core industrial in China. We continue to benefit from our strong product offering and focus on the more attractive, faster-growing segments of the market and strong execution of our growth initiatives in each region.We also continue to benefit from market trends in automation and digitalization and also expect to benefit from customer on/near-shoring activities in the future. Our core industrial-related products are also especially sensitive to changes in economic growth. China and emerging market economies have historically been an important source of growth based upon the expansion of their domestic economies, and we expect this to also be a source of long-term growth. Product inspection experienced solid growth in 2024, and we expect our product inspection end-market to continue to benefit from our customers’ focus on brand protection, food safety, and productivity.
Our food retailing sales decreased significantly during 2024 primarily due to strong project activity in 2023, especially in the Americas. Traditionally, the spending levels in this sector have experienced more volatility than our other end-markets due to the timing of customer project activity and new regulations.
In 2025, we will continue to pursue the overall business growth strategies which we have followed in recent years:
Gaining Market Share. Innovation is essential to gaining market share and is fundamental in all aspects of our business including sales and marketing and technology leadership. Our global sales and marketing initiative, Spinnaker, continues to be an important growth strategy. We aim to gain market share by implementing sophisticated sales and marketing programs, leveraging our extensive customer databases, product offering, and installed base. While this initiative is broad-based, efforts to improve these processes include the use of advanced data analytics to identify, prioritize, and pursue growth opportunities; the implementation of more effective pricing related to value-based selling strategies and processes; improved sales force guidance, training, and effectiveness; cross-selling; increased segment marketing; and leads generation and nurturing activities. We also have added resources to pursue under-penetrated market opportunities and continue to adapt our Go-to-Market approaches with additional inside and telesales resources, while also increasing digital customer interaction. We continue to benefit from digitalization tools to gain efficiencies and increase the effectiveness of our field sales force.
In addition, 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 advanced data analytics and invest in sales and marketing activities to increase the proportion of our installed base that is under service contract, or sell 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. We have also improved our service model to incorporate remote service, depot drop-off/pickup, and other approaches.
Faster-Growing 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 of which 16% relates to China. 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 more than a 35-year track record in China, and our sales in Asia have grown more than 10% on a compound annual growth basis in local currencies since 1999. Over the years, we also have broadened our product offering to the Asian markets. India has also been a source of emerging market sales growth in past years due to increased life science research activities. Overall, versus the prior year, we experienced a 1% decrease in emerging market local currency sales by destination during 2024, which included an 11% local currency sales decline in China and a 10% local currency sales increase in other emerging markets. Following particularly strong growth in 2022 and 2021, market conditions in
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China declined significantly during the second half of 2023, and challenging market conditions persisted in 2024. Going forward, we continue to redeploy resources and sales and marketing efforts to pharma, food manufacturing, chemical, and new energy. We believe the long-term growth of these segments will be favorably impacted by the Chinese government’s emphasis on science, high-value industries, product quality, and food safety. We expect our laboratory and product inspection businesses will particularly benefit from our focus on these segments. We also continue to pursue growth in under-penetrated emerging markets. However, emerging market sales can be volatile as we experienced in China over the past several years. China has historically been volatile, and market conditions may change unfavorably due to various factors. In addition to China and emerging markets, we also pursue other faster-growth vertical markets. While rather small, these markets present outsized growth potential. Segments include semiconductors, advanced materials, and new energy. The components of these faster-growing segments will change as various markets develop, and we will continue to leverage the breadth and scope of our product offering as new opportunities emerge.
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, reflecting a total of $551 million. We seek to improve our product offerings and their capabilities with additional integrated technologies and software, which we believe supports our pricing differentiation and accelerates product replacement cycles. In addition, we aim to create value for our customers by having thorough knowledge of their processes via our significant installed product base.
Expanding Our Margins. We continue to strive to improve our margins by enhancing our value proposition via innovation, more effectively pricing our products and services, optimizing our cost structure, and improving our mix in higher-margin businesses such as service. For example, sophisticated data analytic tools provide us new insights to further refine our price strategies and processes. We have also implemented productivity and cost savings initiatives over the past two years to mitigate our reduced volume, while also focusing on reallocating resources to better align our cost structure to support our investments in market penetration initiatives, higher-growth/profitable areas, and opportunities for margin improvement.
We also have implemented global procurement and supply chain management programs over the last several years aimed at lowering costs and have increased our focus on these programs with our SternDrive initiative. SternDrive is our global operational excellence 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, improving our order to cash cycle, 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 and process analytics as key areas for acquisitions. For example, in 2021, we acquired all the membership interests of Mayfair Technology, LLC (PendoTECH), a manufacturer and distributor of single-use sensors, transmitters, control systems, and software for measuring, monitoring, and data collection primarily in bioprocess applications. PendoTECH serves biopharmaceutical manufacturers and life science laboratories and is located in the United States. In 2021, we also acquired Scale-up Systems Inc., a leading software provider for scale-up and reaction modeling serving the biopharma and chemical markets.
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Results of Operations — Consolidated
Net sales
Net sales were $3.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $3.8 billion in 2023 and $3.9 billion in 2022. This represents an increase of 2% in 2024 and a decrease of 3% in 2023 in U.S. dollars and an increase of 3% in 2024 and a decrease of 3% in 2023 in local currencies. Net sales in 2023 were negatively impacted by approximately $58 million from our previously disclosed shipping delays related to a new external European logistics service provider, which were largely recovered in the first quarter of 2024. We estimate local currency net sales were flat in 2024 and decreased approximately 1% in 2023 excluding the impact of the delayed shipments. In 2024, we experienced soft market demand, particularly in China. We continue to benefit from the execution of our global sales and marketing programs, our innovative product portfolio, and investments in our field organization, particularly surrounding digital tools and techniques. However, there continues to be uncertainty in our end-markets, the economic environment and geopolitics, and market conditions may change quickly.
In 2024, our net sales by geographic destination increased in U.S. dollars compared to 2023 by 8% in Europe, 2% in the Americas, and decreased by 3% in Asia/Rest of World. In local currencies, our net sales by geographic destination increased in 2024 by 8% in Europe, 3% in the Americas, and decreased by 1% in Asia/Rest of World, with an 11% decline in China. A discussion of sales by operating segment is included below.
As described in Note 3 to our 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 1% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies during 2024 and decreased 7% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currencies in 2023. Service revenue (including spare parts) increased 7% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies in 2024 and increased 10% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies in 2023.
Net sales of our laboratory products and services, which represented approximately 56% of our total net sales in 2024, increased 6% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies during 2024. Laboratory net sales in 2024 benefited approximately 4% and were reduced by 2% in 2023 from the previously disclosed shipping delays. The local currency increase in net sales of our laboratory-related products during 2024 includes an increase in most product categories, especially analytical instruments. Laboratory results were also negatively impacted by a decline in China.
Net sales of our industrial products and services, which represented approximately 39% of our total net sales in 2024, were flat in U.S. dollars and increased 1% in local currencies during 2024. Industrial net sales in 2024 benefited approximately 1% and were reduced by 1% in 2023 from the previously disclosed shipping delays. The local currency increase in net sales of our industrial-related products during 2024 includes solid growth in product inspection, offset in part by a decline in core-industrial products, especially in China.
Net sales of our food retailing products and services, which represented approximately 5% of our total net sales in 2024, decreased 14% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies during 2024. Retail net sales in 2024 benefited approximately 3% and were reduced by 2% in 2023 from previously disclosed shipping delays. The local currency decrease in net sales of our food retailing products during 2024 related to particularly strong project activity in 2023, especially in the Americas.
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Gross profit
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 60.1% for 2024, 59.2% for 2023, and 58.9% for 2022.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for products was 62.1% for 2024, compared to 60.6% for both 2023 and 2022. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for services (including spare parts) was 53.7% for 2024, compared to 54.3% for 2023 and 52.0% for 2022.
The gross profit as a percentage of net sales for 2024 primarily reflects favorable price realization that benefits from our innovative product portfolio, benefits from our productivity, and cost savings initiatives and business mix, offset in part by investments in our service organization.
Research and development and selling, general, and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales were 4.9% for 2024, compared to 4.9% for 2023, and 4.5% for 2022. Research and development expenses in U.S. dollars increased 2% in 2024 and 5% in 2023, and in local currencies increased 2% in 2024 and 3% in 2023.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 24.2% for 2024, compared to 23.9% for both 2023 and 2022. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 4% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies in 2024 and decreased 4% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies in 2023. The increase during 2024 primarily includes higher variable compensation, offset in part by benefits from our cost savings initiatives.
Amortization expense
Amortization expense was $72.9 million in 2024, compared to $72.2 million and $66.2 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in amortization expense during 2024 relates to our investments in information technology, primarily from our Blue Ocean program.
Restructuring charges
During the past few years, we initiated various cost reduction measures. Restructuring charges were $19.8 million in 2024, compared to $32.7 million and $9.6 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Restructuring expenses are primarily comprised of employee-related costs.
Other charges (income), net
Other charges (income), net consisted of net income of $4.6 million, $4.1 million, and $9.3 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Other charges (income), net includes non-service pension costs (benefits), net (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions and hedging activities, interest income, and other items. Non-service pension benefits were $7.7 million, $7.6 million, and $16.9 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Other charges (income), net also includes acquisition costs, for which there were $0.3 million in 2024 and $0.9 million in 2022.
Interest expense and taxes
Interest expense was $74.6 million in 2024, compared to $77.4 million in 2023 and $55.4 million in2022. The decrease in interest expense is primarily related to lower debt levels throughout the year.
Our reported tax rate was 16.8% in 2024, compared to 19.0% and 18.5% in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The reported tax rate in 2024 includes a non-cash discrete tax benefit of $23 million resulting from the reduction of uncertain tax position liabilities related to the settlement of a tax audit.
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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 Operations. A more detailed description of these segments is outlined in Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements.
U.S. Operations (amounts in thousands)
Total net sales increased 3% in 2024 and decreased 4% in 2023 and net sales to external customers increased 2% in 2024 and decreased 3% in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited approximately 2% in 2024 and were reduced by approximately 1% in 2023 from the previously disclosed shipping delays. Net sales to external customers for 2024 reflects growth in most product categories, especially laboratory products, offset by a significant decline in food retailing related to strong project activity in the prior year.
Segment profit increased $28.0 million in our U.S. Operations segment during 2024, compared to an increase of $7.3 million during 2023. The segment profit increase in 2024 is primarily due to improved business mix, and benefits from our margin expansion and cost saving initiatives.
Swiss Operations (amounts in thousands)
(1)Represents U.S. dollar growth.
Total net sales in U.S. dollars increased 7% in 2024 and decreased 7% in 2023, and in local currencies increased 5% in 2024 and decreased 12% in 2023. Net sales to external customers in U.S. dollars increased 16% in 2024 and 7% in 2023, and in local currencies increased 14% in 2024 and increased 3% in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited approximately 7% in 2024 and were reduced by approximately 3% in 2023 from the previously disclosed shipping delays. Local currency net sales to external customers during 2024 includes strong growth in most product categories, offset in part by a significant decline in food retailing related to strong project activity in the prior year.
Segment profit decreased $0.8 million in our Swiss Operations segment during 2024, compared to a decrease of $28.4 million during 2023. The segment profit decrease in 2024 includes unfavorable foreign
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currency translation and inter-segment pricing, offset in part by higher sales volume, favorable business mix, as well as benefits from our margin expansion and cost savings initiatives.
Western European Operations (amounts in thousands)
(1)Represents U.S. dollar growth.
Total net sales in U.S. dollars increased 6% in 2024 and decreased 2% in 2023, and in local currencies increased 6% in 2024 and decreased 3% in 2023. Net sales to external customers in U.S. dollars increased 8% in 2024 and decreased 1% in 2023, and in local currencies increased 8% in 2024 and decreased 3% in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited approximately 5% in 2024 and were reduced by approximately 3% in 2023 from the previously disclosed shipping delays in 2023. Local currency net sales to external customers during 2024 reflects growth in most product categories, especially laboratory products.
Segment profit increased $27.6 million in our Western European Operations segment during 2024, compared to an increase of $4.3 million in 2023. The segment profit increase in 2024 is primarily due to increased sales volume and benefits from our margin expansion and cost savings initiatives.
Chinese Operations (amounts in thousands)
(1)Represents U.S. dollar growth.
Total net sales in U.S. dollars decreased 5% in 2024 and 13% in 2023, and in local currencies decreased 3% in 2024 and 9% in 2023. Net sales by origin to external customers in U.S. dollars decreased 13% in 2024 and 15% in 2023, and in local currencies decreased 11% in both 2024 and 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited approximately 1% in 2024 and were reduced by approximately 1% in 2023 from the previously disclosed shipping delays in 2023. The decrease in local currency net sales to external customers during 2024 reflects a significant decline in market demand for most product categories. Uncertainties continue to exist and market conditions may change quickly.
Segment profit decreased $21.3 million in our Chinese Operations segment during 2024, compared to a decrease of $57.1 million in 2023. The decrease in segment profit during 2024 primarily reflects lower sales volume and unfavorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by benefits from our margin expansion and cost savings initiatives.
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Other Operations (amounts in thousands)
(1)Represents U.S. dollar growth.
Other Operations includes reporting units in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and other countries. Total net sales in U.S. dollars increased 8% in 2024 and 6% in 2023, and in local currencies increased 10% in 2024 and 7% in 2023. Net sales to external customers in U.S. dollars increased 8% in 2024 and 4% in 2023, and in local currencies increased 10% in 2024 and 5% in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited approximately 4% in 2024 and were reduced by approximately 2% in 2023 from the previously disclosed shipping delays in 2023. The increase in local currency growth in net sales to external customers during 2024 includes strong growth in most product categories.
Segment profit increased $17.9 million in our Other Operations segment during 2024, compared to an increase of $15.9 million during 2023. The increase in segment profit during 2024 primarily relates to increased sales volume and our margin expansion initiatives, offset in part by unfavorable foreign currency translation.
Liquidity, Capital Resources, and Future Cash Requirements
Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash to meet our obligations and commitments. Sources of liquidity include cash flows from operating activities, available borrowings under our Credit Agreement, the ability to obtain appropriate financing, and our cash and cash equivalent balances. 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.
We currently believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with liquidity available under our Credit Agreement, local working capital facilities, and cash balances, will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated working capital needs and spending requirements for at least the foreseeable future.
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $968.3 million in 2024, compared to $965.9 million in 2023 and $859.1 million in 2022. The increase in 2024 is primarily related to favorable working capital, including lower cash incentive payments of $35 million.
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 $103.9 million in 2024, $105.3 million in 2023, and $121.2 million in 2022. Capital expenditures in 2025 are expected to be relatively consistent with previous years subject to business and economic conditions.
In September 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to increase domestic production capacity of pipette tips and enhance manufacturing automation and logistics. We received the maximum allowable funding of $35.8 million related to the agreement during prior years, which offset associated capital expenditures.
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We continue to explore potential acquisitions. In connection with any acquisition, we may incur additional indebtedness. In 2024, 2023, and 2022, we incurred acquisition payments totaling $10.1 million, $5.8 million, and $38.0 million, respectively. In addition, the Company paid $10.0 million for contingent consideration relating to the PendoTECH acquisition in both 2023 and 2022. In 2022, $7.9 million is included in financing activities and $2.1 million is included in operating activities for the amount not accrued at the acquisition date on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In 2023, the final contingent consideration payment was made of which $5.6 million is included in financing activities for the amount accrued at the acquisition date and $4.4 million is included in operating activities for the amount not accrued at the acquisition date on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Cash flows used in financing activities during 2024 primarily comprised share repurchases. In accordance with our share repurchase program, we spent $850.0 million in 2024 and $900.0 million and $1.1 billion in 2023 and 2022, respectively, on the repurchase of 645,139 shares, 691,913 shares, and 838,010 shares, respectively. Our share repurchase program does not obligate us to acquire any specific number of shares; however, in 2025, we intend to spend approximately $875 million on the repurchase of shares, subject to business and economic conditions.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was enacted in August, 2022. The IRA includes provisions imposing a 1% excise tax on net share repurchases that occur after December 31, 2022 and introduces a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on adjusted financial statement income. The financial impact of the IRA is immaterial to our financial statements.
We 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.
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Senior Notes and Credit Facility Agreement
Our short-term borrowings and long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2024:
U.S. Dollar Other PrincipalTrading Currencies Total
Senior Notes debt issuance costs, net (2,335) (1,925) (4,260)
(1) See Note 6 and Note 7 for additional disclosures on the financial instruments associated with the Credit Agreement.
(2) The benchmark interest rate is determined by the borrowing currency. The benchmark rates by borrowing currency are as follows: SOFR for U.S. dollars (plus a 10 basis points spread adjustment), SARON for Swiss franc, EURIBOR for euro and SONIA for Great British pounds.
As of December 31, 2024, approximately $615.3 million of additional borrowings were available under our Credit Agreement and we maintained $59.4 million of cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2024, the interest payments associated with 73% of the Company’s debt are fixed obligations. We expect to make interest payments of approximately $72.0 million during 2025 associated with our debt outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
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 from rating agencies that would accelerate the maturity dates of our debt. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of December 31, 2024.
Senior Notes
The Senior Notes listed above are senior unsecured obligations and interest is payable semi-annually. The Senior Notes each contain customary affirmative and negative covenants as further described in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2025, we entered into an agreement to issue and sell EUR 100 million 10 1/2-year Senior Notes with a fixed interest rate of 3.80% (3.8% Euro Senior Notes) in a private placement, which will
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mature in July 2035. We used the proceeds from the sale of the notes to refinance existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.
In December 2022, we entered into an agreement to issue and sell $150 million 10-year Senior Notes in a private placement. We issued $150 million with a fixed interest rate of 5.45% (5.45% Senior Notes) in March 2023, which will mature in March 2033. We used the proceeds from the sale of the notes to refinance existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.
Credit Agreement
On May 30, 2024, we entered into a $1.35 billion Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement), which amended our $1.25 billion Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Prior Credit Agreement), which is further described in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements.
Other Local Arrangements
In April 2018, two of our non-U.S. pension plans issued loans totaling $39.6 million (Swiss franc 38 million) to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The loans have the same terms and conditions, which include an interest rate of SARON plus 87.5 basis points. The loans were renewed for one year in April 2024.
Share Repurchase Program
The Company has $1.7 billion of remaining availability under its share repurchase program as of December 31, 2024. The share repurchases are expected to be funded from cash generated from operating activities, borrowings, and cash balances. 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 32.4 million common shares since the inception of the program in 2004 through December 31, 2024, at a total cost of $9.8 billion and average price per share of $302.60. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we spent $850.0 million and $900 million on the repurchase of 645,139 shares and 691,913 shares at an average price per share of $1,317.52 and $1,300.72, respectively. We reissued 68,428 shares and 79,076 shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units during 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, we incurred $7.8 million and $8.1 million of excise tax during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the Inflation Reduction Act which is reflected as a reduction in shareholders' equity in our consolidated financial statements.
Effect of Currency on Results of Operations
Our earnings are affected by changing exchange rates. We are particularly sensitive to changes in the exchange rates between the Swiss franc, euro, Chinese renminbi, 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 $2.4 million to $2.7 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
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renminbi. The impact on our earnings before tax of the Chinese renminbi weakening 1% against the U.S. dollar is a reduction of approximately $2.3 million to $2.6 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, 2024, we estimate that a 5% weakening of the U.S. dollar against the currencies in which our debt is denominated would result in an increase of $39.0 million in the reported U.S. dollar value of our debt.
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 Mettler-Toledo International Inc. group of companies 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.
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
Global inflation continued to moderate during 2024, after rising sharply in 2022 and 2021 related to the COVID-19 economic recovery and associated disruptions in global demand, supply chains/logistics, and labor markets, as well as the war in Ukraine and related significant increase in energy costs and the conflict in the Middle East. Inflation can affect the costs of goods and services that we use, including raw materials to manufacture our products, as well as transportation and logistical costs and other external costs and services. Inflation can also affect labor costs which are a significant element of our overall cost structure. Inflation can also lead to increased interest rates as country monetary policies combat inflation. This can result in reduced economic growth and recessionary conditions, as well as higher borrowing costs. Inflation presents several risks to our business as further described on page 21 in the Risk Factors section of this Form 10-K, and these inflationary conditions could have a greater impact on our operating results in future years.
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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 cross currency swap agreements. The fair value of these contracts was a net liability of $3.2 million at December 31, 2024. Based on our agreements outstanding at December 31, 2024, a 100-basis-point change in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates would result in a change in the net aggregate market value of these instruments by approximately $7.0 million. 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 Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our 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 revenue, income taxes, inventories, goodwill and intangibles, leases, and pensions and other post-retirement benefits. 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 estimates affect our more significant judgments used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.
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. The valuation allowance of $73.2 million as of December 31, 2024 is based on management’s estimates of future taxable income and application of relevant income tax law. 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 valuation allowance 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 deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.
We plan to repatriate earnings from China, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and certain other countries in future years and expect the additional tax costs associated with the repatriation of such earnings will be non-U.S. withholding taxes, certain state taxes, and U.S. taxes on currency gains, if any. 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 $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, each increase of $10.4 million in tax expense would increase our effective tax rate by 1%.
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Employee benefit plans
The net periodic pension cost for 2024 and projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2024 were $3.0 million and $99.9 million, respectively, for our U.S. pension plan. The net periodic cost for 2024 and projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2024 were $7.2 million and $924.9 million, respectively, for our international pension plans. The expected post-retirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2024 for our U.S. post-retirement medical benefit plan was $0.5 million.
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 2024, the weighted average return on assets assumption was 6.75% for the U.S. plan and 4.06% for the international plans. A change in the rate of return of 1% would impact annual benefit plan expense by approximately $8.7 million after tax.
The discount rates for defined benefit and post-retirement plans are set by benchmarking against high-quality corporate bonds. For 2024, the weighted average discount rate assumption was 5.34% for the U.S. plan and 1.57% 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 $8.5 million after tax.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
As of December 31, 2024, our consolidated balance sheet included goodwill of $668.9 million and other intangible assets of $257.1 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 or indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired after considering the totality of events and circumstances during our qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative impairment test by estimating the fair value of the respective reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value to the carrying amount of the goodwill asset. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge equal to the difference is recognized.
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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.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the 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 and the Chief Financial 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 and the Chief Financial 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.
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Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. 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 Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, 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, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.Other Information
None.
Item 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
None.
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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 Age Position
Patrick Kaltenbach 61 President and Chief Executive Officer
Gerhard Keller 57 Head of Process Analytics
Christian Magloth 59 Head of Human Resources
Shawn P. Vadala 56 Chief Financial Officer
Richard Wong 60 Head of Asia/Pacific
Patrick Kaltenbach joined the Company in January 2021 and assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer beginning April 1, 2021. Prior to joining the Company, he served as the President of the Life Sciences Segment at Becton Dickinson since 2018. He was President of Life Sciences and Applied Markets Group at Agilent from 2014 to 2018. Previously, he held wide-ranging and increasing leadership roles at Agilent and its predecessor company, Hewlett Packard, since joining in 1991.
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.
Gerhard Keller joined the Company in 1991 and has been Head of Process Analytics since July 2018 and Head of Pipettes since July 2013. He previously was Head of Region East Asia/Pacific and also served in various Sales and Marketing leadership functions in Europe and Asia Pacific. Prior to joining the Company, he worked in Quality Control at Sandoz, now Novartis, in Switzerland.
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.
Shawn P. Vadala joined the Company in 1997 and has been Chief Financial Officer since January 2014 and also responsible for the Company’s Pricing program since 2008. Mr. Vadala previously held various senior financial positions at the Company’s Columbus, Ohio and Greifensee, Switzerland offices and was also responsible for Business Intelligence from 2010 to 2018. Prior to joining the Company, he worked in the Boston and Zurich, Switzerland offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Richard Wong has been Head of Asia/Pacific since 2009. Prior to joining the Company in 2008, he held various regional management positions with Agilent Technologies from 1998 to 2008 including Life Sciences Field Operations for North Asia based in Beijing and later in Tokyo. He started his career with Hewlett Packard in 1991 and held positions of increasing responsibilities in Sales and Marketing and Finance.
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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,” “Insider Trading Policy and Procedures,” and “Additional Information — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the 2025 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 2025 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 2025 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein. Information appearing in “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans as of December 31, 2024” is included within Note 12 to the financial statements.
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 2025 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Information appearing in the section “Audit Committee Report” in the 2025 Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated by reference.
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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. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238). See page F-2.
3. Financial Statement Schedule. See Schedule II, which is included on page S-1.
4. List of Exhibits. See Exhibit Index included on page E-1.
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary
None.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No. Description
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company(1)
4.4* Description of Capital Stock
E-1
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Exhibit
No. Description
10.23†* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
10.24† Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement(19)
10.26†* Form of Stock Option Agreement Directors
10.27†* Form of Stock Option Agreement
10.29†* Employee Director Share Award Agreement
10.58† Form of Nonqualified Performance Stock Option Agreement(4)
19.1* Insider Trading Policy
19.2* Insider Trading Policy for Directors, Officers, and Designated Employees
21* Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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Exhibit
No. Description
32* Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document)
_____________________________________
(1)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 13, 1998
(2)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated June 4, 2024
(3)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 2, 2017
(4)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K date February 9, 2024
(5)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2014
(6)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2015
(7)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2019
(8)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2019
(9)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated December 16, 2020
(10)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated May 20, 2021
(11)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2021
(12)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 15, 2008
(13)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated July 30, 2021 (Reg. No. 333-258294)
(14)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 16, 2011
(15)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q dated July 27, 2018
(16)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2015
(17)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 2022
(18)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated December 23, 2022
(19)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 11, 2022
(20)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K dated February 10, 2023
* Filed herewith
† Management contract or compensatory arrangement
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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.
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
(Registrant)
Date: February 7, 2025
By: /s/Patrick Kaltenbach
Patrick Kaltenbach
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/Patrick Kaltenbach President and Chief Executive Officer
Patrick Kaltenbach
/s/Shawn P. Vadala Chief Financial Officer
Shawn P. Vadala
/s/Roland Diggelmann Director
Roland Diggelmann
/s/Domitille Doat-Le Bigot Director
Domitille Doat-Le Bigot
/s/Elisha Finney Director
Elisha Finney
/s/Richard Francis Director
Richard Francis
/s/Michael A. Kelly Director
Michael A. Kelly
/s/Thomas P. Salice Director
Thomas P. Salice
/s/Brian Shepherd Director
Brian Shepherd
/s/Wolfgang Wienand Director
Wolfgang Wienand
/s/Ingrid Zhang Director
Ingrid Zhang
E-4
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 F-6
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-9
F-1
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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 (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, of shareholders' equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024 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, 2024, 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, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024 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, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
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 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.
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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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Product Revenue Recognition
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, product revenue is recognized from contracts with customers when a customer has obtained control of a product. The Company considers control to have transferred based upon shipping terms. As described in Note 3, for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s net sales were $3.9 billion, of which $2.9 billion relate to product revenue. The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures relating to product revenue recognition is a critical audit matter is a high degree of auditor effort in performing procedures related to product revenue recognition. Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the product revenue recognition process. These procedures also included, among others, testing the appropriateness of product revenue recognized for a sample of product revenue transactions by obtaining and inspecting evidence of arrangement, evidence of products delivered, and, where applicable, consideration received in exchange for those products.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 7, 2025
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2005.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
Net sales
Cost of sales
Basic earnings per common share:
Diluted earnings per common share:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging arrangements:
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:
Plan amendments and prior service cost (70) (64) (9)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (26,043) (92,582) 27,991
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt 182,623 192,219
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares — —
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (345,858) (319,815)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands, except share data)
Shares Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — — — — — 27,991 27,991
Excise tax on net repurchases of common stock — — — (8,089) — — (8,089)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — — — — — (92,582) (92,582)
Excise tax on net repurchases of common stock — — — (7,750) — — (7,750)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — — — — — (26,043) (26,043)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Non-cash discrete tax benefit (22,982) — —
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment 1,631 835 399
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of excise tax on repurchases of common stock (8,089) — —
Acquisition contingent consideration paid — (7,767) (7,912)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (10,445) (26,159) (2,598)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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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 due to uncertainty around the ongoing developments related to Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, as well as other factors. A discussion of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this filing.
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 expected credit losses represents the Company’s best estimate based on current and historical information and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future events and circumstances.
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, expected future 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.
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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 capitalizes certain direct costs related to the acquisition and development of internal-use computer software. Externally purchased software is capitalized when we obtain legal ownership and is amortized over its useful life ranging from three to five years. Internally developed software costs for internal use are capitalized once the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. Costs associated with internal-use software are amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years. Fully depreciated assets other than capitalized internally developed software are retained in property, plant, and equipment and accumulated depreciation accounts until disposal.
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
In September 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to increase domestic production capacity of pipette tips and enhance manufacturing automation and logistics. We have received the maximum allowable funding of $35.8 million related to the agreement during prior years, which offset associated capital expenditures. In accordance with ASU 2021-10: Government Assistance, the Company applies guidance within IAS 20 - Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure and accounts for the government agreement by reducing the cost of the asset within property, plant, and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets by the amount of the funds received.
b)Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill, representing the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets 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 or indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired after considering the totality of events and circumstances during its qualitative assessment, the Company performs a quantitative assessment by estimating the fair value of the respective reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value to the carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge equal to the difference is recognized.
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
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
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.
Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses the need to record impairment losses on long-lived assets (asset group) 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 and eventually disposition of that asset (asset group) 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. The valuation allowance is based on management’s estimates of future taxable income and application of relevant income tax law.
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.
In accordance with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Company treats taxes due on future Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) inclusions in U.S. taxable income as a current period expense when incurred.
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 weighted 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 relates to intercompany notes that are long term in nature.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Revenue Recognition
Product revenue is recognized from contracts with customers when a customer has obtained control of a product. The Company considers control to have transferred based upon shipping terms. To the extent the Company’s contracts have a separate performance obligation, revenue related to any post-shipment performance obligation is deferred until completed. Shipping and handling costs charged to customers are included in total net sales and the associated expense is a component of cost of sales. Certain products are also sold through indirect distribution channels whereby the distributor assumes any further obligations to the end-customer. Revenue is recognized on these distributor arrangements upon transfer of control to the distributor. Contracts do not contain variable pricing arrangements that are retrospective, except for rebate programs. Rebates are estimated based on expected sales volumes and offset against revenue at the time such revenue is recognized. 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. The related provisions for estimated returns and rebates are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.
Certain of the Company’s product arrangements include separate performance obligations, primarily related to installation. Such performance obligations are accounted for separately when the deliverables have stand-alone value and the satisfaction of the undelivered performance obligations is probable and within the Company’s control. The allocation of revenue between the performance obligations is based on the observable stand-alone selling prices at the time of the sale in accordance with a number of factors including service technician billing rates, time to install, and geographic location.
Software is generally not considered a distinct performance obligation with the exception of a limited number of small software applications. The Company primarily sells software products with the related hardware instrument as the software is embedded in the product. 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.
Service revenue not under contract is recognized upon the completion of the service performed. Revenue from spare parts sold on a stand-alone basis is recognized when control is transferred to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment or delivery. Revenue from service contracts is recognized ratably over the contract period using a time-based method. 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.
Leases
The Company considers an arrangement a lease if the arrangement transfers the right to control the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration. The Company has operating leases, but does not have material financing leases.
Operating lease right-of-use assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make payments arising from the lease agreement. These assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement of the lease based upon the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. Lease payments include both lease and non-lease components for items or activities that transfer a good or service. Vehicle lease and non-lease components are separately accounted for based on stand-alone value. Real estate lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single component. Operating lease right-of-use assets include initial direct costs, advanced lease payments, and lease incentives.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The lease term reflects the noncancellable period of the lease together with periods covered by an option to extend or terminate the lease when management is reasonably certain that it will exercise such option. The Company applies its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments as the information necessary to determine the rate implicit in the lease is not readily available. The incremental borrowing rate reflects similar terms by geographic location to the underlying leases. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments consist of non-lease services related to the lease. Variable lease payments are excluded from the right-of-use asset and lease liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Short-term leases are less than one year without purchase or renewal options that are reasonably certain to be exercised and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The right-of-use asset is tested for impairment in accordance with ASC 360.
Research and Development
Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries, consulting, and other costs. The Company expenses these costs as incurred.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges include costs associated with exit and disposal activities including employee termination benefits, contract termination, and other costs associated with various cost saving initiatives undertaken by the Company.
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.
Earnings per Common Share
In accordance with the treasury stock method, the Company has included 98,803, 123,406, and 226,500 common equivalent shares in the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, relating to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units.
Outstanding options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 61,040, 54,840, and 42,855 shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, 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.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
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 6, the Company primarily 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 underlying hedged item. 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 as incurred in interest expense over the life of the hedge agreements. 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 initially 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.
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 March 2020, January 2021, and December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, ASU 2021-01, and ASU 2022-06: Reference Rate Reform, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuance of LIBOR or another referenced rate. The guidance may be applied to any applicable contract entered into before December 31, 2024. During the period ended December 31, 2023, the Company amended its credit agreement and cross currency swap agreements to change the interest rate benchmark from LIBOR to
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
SOFR and other non-U.S. dollar references, which did not change the amount or timing of cash flows. As a result, the discontinuation of LIBOR in June 2023 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires incremental disclosures about a public entity's reportable segments but does not change the definition of a segment or the guidance for determining reportable segments. The Company adopted these annual disclosure requirements on a retrospective basis in 2024. See Note 18 for the required reportable segments disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhances income tax disclosures, especially related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The Company will adopt the annual disclosure requirements in 2025 and is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03: Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires disclosures about the nature of expenses presented on the face of the income statement. The Company will adopt the annual disclosure requirements in 2027 and is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
3.REVENUE
The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers by product, service, timing of revenue recognition, and geography. A summary by the Company’s reportable segments follows for the years ended December 31:
Service Revenue:
Service Revenue:
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Service Revenue:
The Company's global revenue mix by product category for the year ended December 31, 2024 is laboratory (56% of sales), industrial (39% of sales), and retail (5% of sales). The Company’s product revenue by reportable segment is proportionately similar to the Company’s global mix with the exception of the Company’s Swiss Operations, which is largely comprised of laboratory products, and the Company’s Chinese Operations, which has a slightly higher percentage of industrial products. A breakdown of the Company’s sales by product category for the year ended December 31 follows:
A breakdown of net sales to external customers by geographic customer destination, net for the year ended December 31 follows:
The payment terms in the Company’s contracts with customers do not exceed one year and therefore contracts do not contain a significant financing component. In most cases, after appropriate credit evaluations, payments are due in arrears and are recognized as receivables. Unbilled revenue is recorded when performance obligations have been satisfied, but not yet billed to the customer. Unbilled revenue as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $32.6 million and $35.7 million, respectively, and is included within accounts receivable. Deferred revenue and customer prepayments are recorded when cash payments are received or due in advance of the performance obligation being satisfied. Deferred revenue primarily includes prepaid service contracts, as well as deferred installation.
Changes in the components of deferred revenue and customer prepayments during the period are as follows:
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the contract period is one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, general, and administrative expenses. The value of unsatisfied performance obligations other than customer prepayments and deferred revenue associated with contracts greater than one year is immaterial.
4.ACQUISITIONS
In 2024, the Company incurred acquisition payments totaling $10.1 million. The Company recorded $2.5 million of identified intangibles primarily pertaining to technology in connection with these acquisitions, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 5 years. Goodwill recorded in connection with these acquisitions totaled $5.9 million.
In 2023 and 2022, the Company also incurred additional acquisition payments totaling $5.8 million and $38.0 million, respectively, associated with other immaterial acquisitions.
In March 2021, the Company acquired all the membership interests of Mayfair Technology, LLC (PendoTECH), a manufacturer and distributor of single-use sensors, transmitters, control systems, and software for measuring, monitoring, and data collection primarily in bioprocess applications. The initial cash payment was $185.0 million and the Company made other post-closing payments of $7.4 million, as well as additional consideration of $20.0 million.
The Company paid $10.0 million for contingent consideration in both 2022 and 2023. In 2022, $7.9 million is included in financing activities and $2.1 million is included in operating activities for the amount not accrued at the acquisition date on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In 2023, the final contingent consideration payment was made relating to the PendoTECH acquisition of which $5.6 million is included in financing activities for the amount accrued at the acquisition date and $4.4 million is included in operating activities for the amount not accrued at the acquisition date on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
5. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following at December 31:
6. 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 and cross currency swap agreements in order to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates. The amount of the Company’s fixed obligation interest payments may change based upon the expiration dates of its interest rate and cross currency 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. For additional disclosures on derivative instruments regarding balance sheet location, fair value, and the amounts reclassified into other comprehensive income and the effective portion of the cash flow hedges, also see Note 7 and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. As also mentioned in
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
Note 10, the Company has designated its euro-denominated debt as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in a euro-denominated foreign subsidiary.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has entered into a number of cross currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges. The agreements convert borrowings under the Company’s credit facility into synthetic Swiss franc debt, which allows the Company to effectively change the floating rate SOFR-based interest payments, excluding the credit spread, to a fixed Swiss franc income or expense as follows:
Agreement Date AmountConverted Effective Swiss FrancInterest Rate Maturity Date
The Company amended all active cross currency swap agreements in 2023 to replace all references of LIBOR to SOFR as the interest rate benchmark to align with the amendment to the Company's Credit Facility Agreement, as discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. As part of these amendments, the corresponding fixed Swiss franc interest rates were amended as well to reflect the change in the benchmark.
The Company’s cash flow hedges are recorded gross at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2024 and 2023 and are disclosed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements. A derivative gain of $5.5 million based upon interest rates at December 31, 2024 is expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings in the next 12 months. Through December 31, 2024, no hedge ineffectiveness has occurred in relation to these cash flow hedges.
Other Derivatives
The Company primarily enters into foreign currency forward contracts in order to economically hedge short-term 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, 2024 and 2023, as disclosed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognized in other charges (income), net a net gain of $2.0 million and net losses of $19.7 million and $21.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, which offset the related net transaction gains (losses) associated with these contracts. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, these contracts had a notional value of $788.6 million and $793.9 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
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
institutions with high credit ratings. The Company believes that such counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligations under these contracts.
7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had derivative assets totaling $9.2 million and $8.3 million, respectively, and derivative liabilities totaling $8.5 million and $25.2 million, respectively. The Company has limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and therefore does not present all the required disclosures in tabular format. The fair values of the interest rate swap agreements, the cross currency swap agreements, and the 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, 2024 and 2023.
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
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data, unless otherwise stated)
The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities, which are all categorized as Level 2 and are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company does not have any assets or liabilities which are categorized as Level 1.
Cash flow hedges:
Cross currency swap agreement 855 — Other current assets and prepaid expenses
Cross currency swap agreement 398 — Other non-current assets
Cash flow hedges:
Cross currency swap agreements — 2,678 Accrued and other liabilities
Cross currency swap agreements 4,463 14,270 Other non-current liabilities
The Company had $3.7 million and $4.0 million of cash equivalents at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, the fair value of which is determined using Level 2 inputs through quoted and corroborated prices in active markets. The fair value of cash equivalents approximates cost.
The fair value of the Company’s debt is less than the carrying value by approximately $202.6 million as of December 31, 2024. The fair value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was estimated using Level 2 inputs and primarily discounted cash flow models, based on estimated current rates offered for similar debt under current market conditions for the Company.
During the period ended December 31, 2022, $10.0 million of contingent consideration was paid relating to the PendoTECH acquisition of which $7.9 million is included in financing activities and $2.1 million is included in operating activities for the amount not accrued at the acquisition date on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
During the period ended December 31, 2023, the final contingent consideration payment of $10.0 million was made relating to the PendoTECH acquisition of which $5.6 million is included in financing activities for the amount accrued at the acquisition date and $4.4 million is included in operating activities for the amount not accrued at the acquisition date on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)