Mettler-Toledo International Inc. DEF 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
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Check the appropriate box:
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Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
þ Definitive Proxy
Statement
o Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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o Fee computed on
table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on
which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined): |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule
and the date of its filing. |
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(1) |
Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Im Langacher
CH-8606 Greifensee
Switzerland
March 15, 2005
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2005 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. to be held on
Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. at the offices
of the companys subsidiary Mettler-Toledo Safeline, Inc.,
6005 Benjamin Road, Tampa, Florida 33634.
The Secretarys notice of the meeting and the proxy
statement which appear on the following pages describe the
matters to be acted upon at the meeting.
We hope you will be able to attend the meeting. In any event,
please sign and return your proxy as soon as possible so that
your vote will be counted. You may also vote by telephone or
over the Internet by following the instructions on your proxy
card.
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Sincerely yours, |
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Robert F. Spoerry |
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Chairman of the board |
Table of Contents
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Notice to Shareholders of Annual Meeting
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iii |
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About the Meeting and Voting
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1 |
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Board of Directors General Information
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3 |
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Board of Directors Operation
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5 |
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Audit Committee Report
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6 |
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Compensation Committee Report
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Report
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11 |
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Executive Compensation
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13 |
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Share Ownership
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Share Performance Graph
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17 |
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Proposal One: Election of Directors
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Proposal Two: Ratification of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
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Additional Information
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ii
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Notice to Shareholders of Annual Meeting
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Time: |
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4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 |
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Place: |
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Mettler-Toledo Safeline, Inc.
6005 Benjamin Road
Tampa, Florida 33634 |
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Items of Business: |
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1. To elect eight directors |
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2. To ratify the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers as independent registered public
accounting firm |
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3. To transact any other business properly brought
before the meeting |
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Who Can Vote: |
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You can vote if you were a shareholder of record on
February 28, 2005 |
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Annual Report: |
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A copy of our 2004 Annual Report is enclosed |
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Date of Mailing: |
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On or about March 15, 2005 |
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By order of the Board of Directors |
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James T. Bellerjeau |
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General Counsel and Secretary |
Whether or not you plan to attend this annual meeting, please
complete the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the
accompanying envelope. You may also vote by telephone or over
the Internet by following the instructions on your proxy
card.
iii
ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING
Purpose of the Annual Meeting
The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide Mettler-Toledo
International Inc. shareholders with an opportunity to vote on
the proposals and any other business properly brought before the
meeting.
Shareholders Entitled to Vote
Each share of common stock outstanding as of the close of
business on February 28, 2005 (the record
date), is entitled to one vote at the annual meeting on
each matter properly brought before the meeting. As of the
record date, 43,115,839 shares of common stock were
outstanding.
Proposals to be Voted on and the Boards Voting
Recommendations
The following proposals will be voted on at the meeting. The
board recommends that you vote your shares as indicated below.
The board has not received proper notice of, and is not aware
of, any additional business to be transacted at the meeting
other than as indicated below.
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Proposals |
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The Boards Recommendation |
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1. The election of eight directors for one-year terms
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FOR each nominee |
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2. The ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers as the companys independent
registered public accounting firm
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FOR |
How to Vote
IN PERSON You may vote your shares by attending the
meeting and voting your shares in person. The meeting is being
held at the offices of the companys subsidiary
Mettler-Toledo Safeline, Inc., the address of which is indicated
in the foregoing Notice to Shareholders.
BY PROXY You may vote your shares by proxy. If you
vote your shares by proxy, you are legally designating another
person to vote the stock you own in accordance with your desired
vote. To vote by proxy, complete, sign and return the enclosed
proxy card by mail to the address stated on your proxy card. You
may also vote by telephone or over the Internet by following the
instructions on your proxy card.
Even if you plan to attend the meeting, we encourage you to vote
your shares by proxy. This will enable us to receive votes in
advance of the meeting to ensure that a quorum (defined below)
is present for the meeting.
Changing Your Vote
If you vote by proxy and subsequently decide to change your
vote, you may revoke your proxy at any time before the polls
close at the meeting. However, you may only do this by signing
another proxy with a later date, completing a written notice of
revocation and returning it to the address on the proxy card
before the meeting; or voting in person at the meeting.
Votes Needed to Hold the Meeting
A quorum needs to be present at the meeting in order to hold the
meeting. A quorum is a majority of the companys
outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date. Your
shares are counted as present at the meeting if you attend the
meeting and vote in person; vote by telephone or Internet; or
properly return a proxy card by mail. Abstentions and broker
non-votes shall also be counted in determining whether a quorum
is present.
1
ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING
Effect of Not Providing Voting Instructions
If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm and you
have not provided your broker with voting instructions, the
brokerage firm may vote your shares under certain circumstances.
New York Stock Exchange rules allow brokers to vote your shares
without your instructions only on routine matters, such as the
election of directors and ratification of the appointment of
auditors (broker non-votes). On non-routine matters,
such as those that change the rights of your shares, the
brokerage firm may not vote your shares unless they receive
voting instructions from you.
If you hold your shares directly in your own name, they will not
be voted if you do not provide a proxy or vote the shares
yourself. Proxies that are signed and returned but do not
contain instructions will be voted FOR the items of
business described in the proxy.
How to Vote on Proposal 1
When voting on the election of director nominees, shareholders
may vote in favor of all nominees, vote to withhold votes as to
all nominees, or withhold votes as to specific nominees.
Assuming a quorum is present, those directors receiving the
affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting
and entitled to vote in the election will be elected as a
director.
How to Vote on Proposal 2
A majority of shares present at the meeting and entitled to vote
must vote FOR the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers as the companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the proposal to be
ratified. A properly executed proxy card marked
abstain with respect to this proposal will not be
voted. Accordingly, abstentions will have the effect of a vote
against this proposal.
For purposes of determining whether the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast at the meeting and entitled to vote
has been obtained, abstentions will be included in, and broker
non-votes will be excluded from, the number of shares present
and entitled to vote.
No Dissenters Rights
In the event of certain corporate actions, such as a merger
subject to shareholder approval, shareholders have the right to
dissent from such action and obtain payment of the fair value of
his/her shares. This is referred to as dissenters
rights. The proposals in this proxy statement do not give
rise to dissenters rights.
Receiving More than One Proxy Card
If you have received more than one proxy card, you have multiple
accounts with brokers and/or our transfer agent. Please vote all
of these shares. We recommend that you contact your broker
and/or our transfer agent to consolidate as many accounts as
possible under the same name and address. Our transfer agent is
Mellon Investor Services and may be reached by phone at +1
(800) 526-0801 and on the web at www.melloninvestor.com.
Shareholder Questions
At the end of the meeting, shareholders appearing at the meeting
may ask questions of general interest.
Vote Tabulation; Voting Results
The company appoints two persons to serve as independent
inspectors of election, who also tabulate the voting results.
The meetings voting results will be disclosed in the
companys second quarter Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
2
BOARD OF DIRECTORS GENERAL INFORMATION
Responsibility of the Board of Directors
It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to establish
and monitor the companys internal governance practices and
promote the long-term success of the company. All actions of the
companys Board of Directors, executive officers and
employees are governed by the companys code of conduct. A
copy of the code of conduct is available at www.mt.com on the
Investor Relations/Corporate Governance web page.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The board has established corporate governance guidelines that
contribute to the overall operating framework of the board and
the company. These guidelines cover topics including director
qualifications and the director nomination process, the
responsibilities of directors, including with respect to
leadership development and management succession, meetings of
non-management directors, and director compensation. The
guidelines are available on the companys web site at
www.mt.com on the Investor Relations/Corporate Governance web
page.
Composition of the Board; Presiding Director
In accordance with the companys by-laws in effect as of
this annual meeting of shareholders, the board will consist of
eight directors. Each director holds a one-year term until the
next annual meeting of shareholders. The board has established
the position of Presiding Director, who oversees executive
sessions of the non-management directors and all meetings of
directors at which the Chairman is not present. The Presiding
Director also coordinates with the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee relating to director nominations as
described in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
report below. The role of Presiding Director rotates every other
year among each of the non-management directors. Mr. Thomas
Salice will be assuming the role of Presiding Director as of the
annual meeting.
The board has three committees:
(i) the Audit Committee;
(ii) the Compensation Committee; and
(iii) the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee.
Minimum Qualifications for Directors
Members of the Board of Directors must demonstrate integrity,
reliability, knowledge of corporate affairs, and an ability to
work well together. Diversity in business background, area of
expertise, gender and ethnicity must also be considered when
selecting board nominees. Additional details are contained in
the companys corporate governance guidelines available at
www.mt.com on the Investor Relations/Corporate Governance web
page.
Independence of the Board
The board uses a number of criteria in evaluating independence.
The board solicits information from directors as to any
relationship the director or his immediate family member has
with the company that might affect the directors
independence. The board also evaluates directors
independence pursuant to current NYSE rules. In addition, the
board has adopted the following standard with respect to
commercial business relationships, which all non-employee
directors satisfy:
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If METTLER TOLEDO buys from or sells to companies where
directors serve as employees, or where their immediate family
members serve as executive officers, the director will be
considered independent if the annual purchases or sales are less
than the greater of $1 million or 2% of the other
companys consolidated gross revenues. |
3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS GENERAL INFORMATION
In light of these criteria, the board has determined that there
are no relationships that would impair independence and that all
directors are independent under the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange, except for the Chairman of the board, who is also the
President and Chief Executive Officer.
Meeting of Non-Management Directors
The board schedules regular executive sessions for its
non-management members, typically after each board meeting. The
Presiding Director acts as chairman of these meetings.
Director Attendance at Board Meetings and the Annual
Meeting
The board expects that its members will attend all meetings of
the board. The Board of Directors met seven times in 2004. Each
director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of board
meetings and committee meetings of which the director is a
member, except Mr. Maerki, who had schedule conflicts with
three board meetings, each discussed in advance with the company.
All directors except one attended the 2004 annual meeting of
shareholders.
Director Compensation
Non-employee directors are compensated as follows:
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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Annual fee(1)
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$ |
30,000 |
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$ |
24,000 |
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Fee per board meeting attended
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1,000 |
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$ |
1,000 |
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Fee per committee meeting attended(2)
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$ |
750 |
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500 |
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Annual grant of stock options(3)
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3,000 |
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3,000 |
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(1) |
Members of the Board of Directors also receive reimbursement for
traveling costs and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
attending board and committee meetings. |
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Each committee Chairman receives an additional annual fee of
$3,000. |
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The options granted in 2004 have an exercise price of
$47.95 per share. |
Contacting the Board of Directors
Interested parties may contact the Presiding Director
individually or the non-management directors as a group by:
EMAIL PresidingDirector@mt.com.
REGULAR MAIL Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Im
Langacher, CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland, Attention: Presiding
Director.
4
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OPERATION
The Board of Directors has three committees: the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. Further information regarding
the membership, function and meetings of the committees is
contained in the table below.
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Committees |
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Committee Functions |
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Audit(1)
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Meetings in 2004: 16
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John D. Macomber, Chairman
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Oversees the accounting and financial reporting
process of the company
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Philip Caldwell
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Assists with board oversight of the integrity of the
companys financial statements, and the sufficiency of the
independent registered public accounting firms review of
the companys financial statements
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Francis A. Contino
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Assists with board oversight of the performance of
the companys internal audit function and independent
registered public accounting firm, and the accounting
firms qualifications and independence
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Thomas P. Salice
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Assists with board oversight of the companys
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
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Compensation(2)
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Meetings in 2004: 5
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Thomas P. Salice, Chairman
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Discharges the responsibilities of the
companys Board of Directors relating to compensation of
the companys executives
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John T. Dickson
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Reviews and monitors compensation arrangements so
that the company continues to retain, attract and motivate
quality employees
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Philip H. Geier
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Produces an annual report on executive compensation
for inclusion in the companys proxy statement
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Nominating and Corporate Governance
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Meetings in 2004: 2
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George M. Milne, Chairman
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Identifies, screens and recommends qualified
candidates to serve as directors of the company
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John T. Dickson
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Advises the board on the structure and membership of
committees of the board
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Hans Ulrich Maerki
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Develops and recommends to the board corporate
governance guidelines applicable to the company
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All Audit Committee members are considered financial
experts as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant
to the relevant SEC definition. No Audit Committee member serves
on more than two other public company audit committees.
Mr. Caldwell is retiring from the board as of the annual
meeting. Our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer
and General Counsel attend Audit Committee meetings at the
request of the Audit Committee and give reports to and answer
inquiries from the Audit Committee. |
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(2) |
No member of the Compensation Committee was at any time during
2004 an officer or employee of the company or any of its
subsidiaries, and no interlocks exist with respect to
Compensation Committee members. |
Committee Charters
Each committee of the Board of Directors has a written charter,
setting forth the responsibilities of the committee in detail.
The committee charters can be found on the companys web
site at www.mt.com on the Investor Relations/ Corporate
Governance web page.
5
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee assists the board in overseeing the
accounting and financial reporting processes of the company. The
Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy
of which can be found on the companys website at
www.mt.com. The committee is responsible for overseeing the
accounting and financial reporting processes of the company and
audits of the financial statements of the company. The Audit
Committee does not, however, certify the companys
financial statements. In discharging its oversight role, the
Audit Committee discussed the audited financial statements
contained in the 2004 annual report separately with the
companys independent registered public accounting firm and
the companys management and reviewed the companys
internal controls and financial reporting.
The companys independent registered public accounting
firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), is responsible
for auditing the companys consolidated financial
statements as well as the companys internal control over
financial reporting. PwC issues opinions as to (1) whether
the financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the company and its
subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles; (2) managements assessment that the
companys maintained effective internal control over
financial reporting; and (3) whether the company
maintained, in all material respects, effective control over
financial reporting.
Audited Financial Statements
In reviewing the companys audited financial statements
with the independent registered public accounting firm, the
Audit Committee discussed with PwC the matters required to be
discussed by the Auditing Standards Board Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, as amended, and other matters including,
without limitation:
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PwCs responsibilities under generally accepted auditing
standards, including the nature and scope of their audits; |
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the written disclosures and confirming letter from PwC regarding
their independence required under the Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1; |
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significant accounting policies, such as revenue recognition,
goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes; |
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management judgments and accounting estimates; |
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any material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in internal
controls over financial reporting; and |
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the extent of any significant accounting adjustments. |
In reviewing the companys audited financial statements
with the companys management, the Audit Committee
discussed the same topics listed above with management,
including, without limitation, the process used by management in
formulating accounting estimates and the reasonableness of those
estimates.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the board
approved, that the audited financial statements be included in
the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004.
Investigation
At the April 2004 Audit Committee meeting, management informed
the committee that the company had received allegations from an
employee. As a matter of good corporate governance, management
recommended, and the Audit Committee agreed, to conduct an
independent investigation of the allegations. The allegations
covered a number of accounting, disclosure and non-financial
statement-related items.
The Audit Committee retained independent outside counsel and
forensic accountants to conduct an investigation of these
matters, as well as certain other areas directly or indirectly
related to the companys preparation of its financial
statements.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In August 2004, the company announced the completion of the
financial aspects of the investigation and that the Audit
Committee and Board of Directors concluded there would be no
change to the companys financial statements. Based on the
investigation, the board (based on the recommendation of the
Audit Committee) made changes to improve the leadership and
oversight of its financial operations and to reinforce the
boards commitment to maintaining strong corporate
governance. Mr. William Donnelly, who was Chief Financial
Officer from 1997 to mid-2002 returned from an operating job
inside the company to the position of CFO in August 2004. The
company has also stated that it plans additional changes to
enhance its financial organization, as well as the methods by
which complaints may be reported.
All aspects of the Audit Committees investigation are now
complete.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
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Audit Fees | |
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Audit-Related Fees | |
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Tax Fees | |
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All Other Fees | |
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2004
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$ |
3,780,000 |
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$ |
734,000 |
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$ |
280,000 |
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$ |
2,000 |
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2003
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$ |
1,253,000 |
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$ |
301,000 |
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$ |
411,000 |
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$ |
129,000 |
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Audit Fees Represents fees for the audit of
the annual financial statements and review of financial
statements included in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Of
the 2004 audit fees, approximately $1.9 million relates to
the financial statement audit, and $1.8 million to the
Sarbanes-Oxley §404 attestation opinion.
Audit-Related Fees Of the 2004 audit-related
fees, $252,000 relates to supporting work in connection with the
Sarbanes-Oxley §404 attestation opinion, $215,000 to the
Audit Committees investigation, and $159,000 to pension
and benefit plan services ($117,000 in 2003).
Tax Fees Of the 2004 tax fees, $133,000
relates to an R&D tax credit study ($299,000 in 2003).
Other Fees No significant other services were
performed by PwC for the company in 2004.
The Audit Committee has determined that PwCs provision of
the services included in the categories Tax Fees and
Other Fees is compatible with maintaining PwCs
independence. All non-audit services were approved in advance by
the Audit Committee pursuant to the procedures described below.
Audit Committee Approval of Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee approves all non-audit services provided by
PwC in accordance with the following:
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If the project is in an approved category and less than $50,000
in fees, it is considered pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Specific projects in excess of this amount are presented to the
full Audit Committee for their advance approval. |
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On a quarterly basis, PwC reports actual fees to the Audit
Committee and any proposals for non-audit services in the
upcoming quarter. |
The independent registered public accounting firm must ensure
that all audit and non-audit services provided to the company
have been approved by the Audit Committee. Each year, the
companys management and the independent registered public
accounting firm confirm to the Audit Committee that every
non-audit service being proposed is permissible and estimate a
budget for the next years non-audit services.
7
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2005
The Audit Committee has recommended to the board that PwC be
engaged as the companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2005.
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Respectfully submitted by the members of the |
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Audit Committee: |
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John D. Macomber, Chairman (through the annual meeting) |
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Philip Caldwell (retiring as of the annual meeting) |
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Francis A. Contino (incoming Chairman as of the annual meeting) |
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Thomas P. Salice |
8
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee assists the board in reviewing and
monitoring the compensation of the companys executives and
the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee operates
pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which can be found on
the companys website at www.mt.com. The committee is
responsible for establishing compensation arrangements that
allow the company to retain, attract and motivate quality
employees.
Compensation Philosophy
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee
works within the parameters of an established compensation
philosophy. This philosophy is comprised of several core
concepts:
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One of the primary objectives of the company is to create
shareholder value. Compensation should not only consider the
performance of the individual but also the results achieved by
the company regarding this objective. |
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The company believes in a strong pay/performance linkage and
therefore wants to reward fulfillment and overachievement of
targets. |
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With regard to overall compensation levels, the company wants to
be competitive in the global personnel markets that are relevant
to its activities. |
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The company wants to align the interests of its executives with
those of its shareholders by linking the executives
long-term incentive compensation to the companys long-term
performance and by encouraging its executives to purchase equity
in the company. |
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Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits the
company from deducting compensation in excess of $1 million
paid to certain employees, generally its CEO and its four other
most highly compensated executive officers, unless that
compensation qualifies as performance-based compensation. We
seek to balance the need to fairly compensate the companys
executive officers with the companys ability to deduct
compensation pursuant to Section 162(m). |
As a consequence of this philosophy, the companys
compensation program consists of three basic elements: base
salary, annual cash bonus and long-term incentive compensation,
which historically has been in the form of stock options. In
evaluating the competitiveness of the companys salaries,
the Compensation Committee periodically conducts both broad
based surveys and surveys of the salaries of executives in the
instruments and electronics industries, including companies in
SIC Code 3826 (Laboratory Analytical Instruments). For
Swiss-based executive officers, the company makes contributions
to a company pension plan on behalf of the officer, which are
disclosed in the table under Executive Compensation
below in the column All Other Compensation.
Base Salary
Within the parameters mentioned above, the companys goal
is to pay average base salaries that are at or below the median.
Base salaries for executive officers are generally lower than
those at peer companies.
Annual Cash Bonus
The annual cash bonus is a key element of senior
managements compensation. The companys bonus plan
closely links executive pay with achieving yearly financial
performance targets and above-target performance results in
greater rewards. Over-achievement under the bonus plan can
result in above-median total cash compensation even though base
salary may be below the median. In addition to financial
performance targets, between 10% and 20% of the bonus for a
given participant is based upon individual performance
objectives.
By the end of each year, the Compensation Committee establishes
the financial performance targets on which each
participants incentive is based for the coming year.
Performance targets are closely related to that fiscal
years budget and business plan and may be based upon any
one or more of the following financial criteria:
9
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
earnings per share, cash flow, operating profit, inventory
turnover, and/or sales of the entire company and/or individual
operating units.
Long-Term Incentives
In May 2004, the companys shareholders approved the 2004
Equity Incentive Plan. At that time, the companys previous
option plan was terminated. Key elements of the 2004 Plan are as
follows:
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|
|
|
|
The 2004 Plan permits the use of restricted stock and other
equity-based incentives, which will reduce the companys
reliance on stock options. |
|
|
|
The 2004 Plan does not permit the company to reprice options or
stock appreciation rights with a lower exercise price or grant
discounted stock options without shareholder approval. |
|
|
|
Restricted stock, stock units and share awards have a minimum
vesting period of three years. |
|
|
|
Performance-based awards will have minimum performance periods
of at least one year. |
Providing the companys management with an equity stake in
the company by awarding long-term incentives under the 2004 Plan
aligns managements long-term interests with the long-term
interests of the companys shareholders. As such, when the
company performs well, executive officers will receive greater
incentive compensation. When the company does not perform well,
the value of incentive awards is reduced.
Had compensation cost for the companys stock option plan
been determined based upon the fair value of such awards at the
grant date, consistent with the methods of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation, the companys net
earnings in 2004 would have been reduced by 6.7% from
$108.0 million to $100.7 million, and diluted earnings
per common share would have been reduced by 6.3% from $2.37 to
$2.22.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
The Compensation Committee determines Mr. Spoerrys
compensation on the same basis and using the same philosophy as
for the other executive officers. As such, the goal of the
Compensation Committee is to link a significant portion of
Mr. Spoerrys compensation to company performance
through the annual bonus performance targets.
Mr. Spoerrys financial performance targets include
earnings per share, net cash from operations, group sales, and
inventory turnover.
Mr. Spoerrys annual base salary in 2004 was $774,395
(using an exchange rate SFr. 1.2438 to $1.00, the average
exchange rate in 2004).
Based on the companys performance for fiscal year 2004 and
his performance relating to his personal targets,
Mr. Spoerry realized a bonus award equal to 113.7% of
his base salary.
The Compensation Committee recommended granting options to
Mr. Spoerry in 2004. As he has done in each of the last
five years, Mr. Spoerry declined the proposed grant,
requesting instead that the options be made available to other
employees. Mr. Spoerry stated that he is fully engaged and
committed to the company, and did not need additional options
for this purpose.
Based on the quality of leadership of Mr. Spoerry and the
overall performance of the company, the committee believes
Mr. Spoerrys compensation is appropriate.
|
|
|
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Compensation
Committee: |
|
|
Thomas P. Salice, Chairman |
|
John T. Dickson |
|
Philip H. Geier |
10
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the
board in identifying and recommending individuals to be
nominated for election to the Board of Directors by
shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which can be
found on the companys website at www.mt.com. The committee
is responsible for advising the board on the structure and
membership of committees of the board as well as developing
corporate governance guidelines applicable to the operation of
the company. We describe below the process established by the
committee to nominate directors to the Board of Directors as
well as some of the corporate governance activities undertaken
by the committee in 2004.
Director Nomination Process
When there is an actual or anticipated board vacancy, candidates
for the Board of Directors may be recommended by (i) any
member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,
(ii) other board members, (iii) third parties engaged
for that purpose by the committee, and/or (iv) the
companys shareholders. Shareholders interested in
recommending a person to be a director of the company must make
such recommendation in writing. The recommendation must be
forwarded to the Secretary of the company at: Mettler-Toledo
International Inc., Im Langacher, CH-8606 Greifensee,
Switzerland. Shareholder recommendations must include the
information and be sent within the time-frames specified in the
companys by-laws, a copy of which can be obtained from the
Secretary. Additional details regarding minimum qualifications
for director nominees can be found in the corporate governance
guidelines on the companys website at www.mt.com.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee follows the
following process in nominating candidates for a position on the
companys Board of Directors.
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|
|
(1) |
The committee begins by working with the Presiding Director and
Chairman of the board to determine the specific qualifications,
qualities and skills that are desired for potential candidates
to fill the vacancy on the board. The committee makes this
determination based upon the current composition of the board,
the specific needs of the company and the Minimum Qualifications
for Directors included in the corporate governance guidelines. |
|
|
(2) |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Presiding
Director and Chairman of the board will then compile a list of
all candidates recommended to fill the vacancy on the board.
Candidates who meet the desired qualifications, qualities and
skills will be required to complete a questionnaire that
solicits information regarding the candidates background,
experience, independence and other information. |
|
|
(3) |
A member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,
the Presiding Director, the Chairman of the board and, in
appropriate cases, other board members will interview those
candidates who have completed the questionnaire. |
|
|
(4) |
Following these interviews, the full Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee considers the qualifications of each
candidate to ensure that each candidate meets the specific
qualities and skills that are desired. The committee will
forward to the Board of Directors for consideration a list of
candidates qualified for the position. |
With regard to the current board nominees, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee has evaluated the qualifications
and contributions of each of the board nominees and has
recommended to the board that the eight current directors be
nominated for re-election.
11
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Corporate Governance
In 2004, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee led
the companys corporate governance efforts by:
|
|
|
|
|
Planning for director succession, leading to the appointment of
Mr. Contino as a new board member. |
|
|
|
Reviewing the independence standards of the New York Stock
Exchange and determining that all directors, excluding the
Chairman of the board, are independent. |
|
|
|
Evaluating the effectiveness of the board committees and
charters and corporate governance guidelines in light of current
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) standards of best
practice and otherwise. |
|
|
|
Determining, in light of the current SEC definition, that all
Audit Committee members are financial experts. |
|
|
|
Respectfully submitted by the members of the |
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:
George M. Milne, Chairman |
|
John T. Dickson |
|
Hans Ulrich Maerki |
12
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth, for the last three fiscal years,
the compensation earned by the companys Chief Executive
Officer and four other most highly compensated executive
officers who were serving as executive officers as of
December 31, 2004:
Summary Compensation Table(1)
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|
Annual Compensation | |
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| |
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Long Term | |
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|
Other Annual | |
|
Compensation | |
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|
Compensation | |
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| |
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|
|
|
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| |
|
Securities | |
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|
|
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|
|
US Tax | |
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Equalization(3) | |
|
Other(4) | |
|
Options (#) | |
|
Compensation(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Robert F. Spoerry
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
774,395 |
|
|
$ |
880,409 |
|
|
$ |
67,160 |
|
|
$ |
12,542 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
282,822 |
|
|
President and
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
717,032 |
|
|
|
212,959 |
|
|
|
36,030 |
|
|
|
76,540 |
(6) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
240,937 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
717,032 |
|
|
|
233,035 |
|
|
|
1,210,951 |
|
|
|
12,542 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
249,887 |
|
|
William P. Donnelly
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
266,813 |
|
|
|
232,434 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
12,300 |
(8) |
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
173,646 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
223,025 |
|
|
|
79,636 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,472 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,262 |
(8) |
|
Olivier A. Filliol
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
337,675 |
|
|
|
390,021 |
|
|
|
28,453 |
|
|
|
8,442 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
98,143 |
|
|
Head of Global Sales,
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
233,156 |
|
|
|
196,108 |
|
|
|
2,330 |
|
|
|
8,442 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
66,789 |
|
|
Service and Marketing
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
212,253 |
|
|
|
77,607 |
|
|
|
4,561 |
|
|
|
8,442 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
63,584 |
|
|
Beat Luethi
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
301,495 |
|
|
|
274,180 |
|
|
|
13,724 |
|
|
|
8,442 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
101,624 |
|
|
Head of Laboratory
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
241,196 |
|
|
|
119,175 |
|
|
|
5,591 |
|
|
|
87,434 |
(9) |
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
77,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Urs Widmer
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
225,117 |
|
|
|
169,693 |
|
|
|
24,491 |
|
|
|
8,442 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
88,326 |
|
|
Head of Industrial
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
192,957 |
|
|
|
129,725 |
|
|
|
17,133 |
|
|
|
8,442 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
70,998 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
192,957 |
|
|
|
39,942 |
|
|
|
9,584 |
|
|
|
8,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,773 |
|
|
|
(1) |
All amounts shown were paid in Swiss francs, except amounts paid
to Mr. Donnelly from July 1, 2002 and U.S. tax
equalization payments, which were paid in U.S. dollars. For
purposes of this table, amounts paid in Swiss francs were
converted to U.S. dollars at a rate of SFr. 1.2438 to
$1.00, the average exchange rate in 2004. |
|
(2) |
Represents our contributions to the Mettler-Toledo Fonds, a
Swiss pension plan. Each year we contribute to the plan 22% of
each participating named executive officers covered
salary. The covered salary is equal to between 106% and
116% of base salary. Contributed amounts bear interest at a
minimum rate of 2.50% per annum starting January 1,
2005. Retirement benefits are paid in the form of a lump-sum
payment when the employee reaches the normal retirement age
under the plan of 65. By way of example, although it is not
possible to determine the exact amount payable, assuming a
constant salary, a rate of return of 2.50% per annum, and
contributions for an additional five years, the amount payable
to Mr. Spoerry at that time would be SFr. 4,145,684. |
|
(3) |
The individuals did not receive any cash benefit in connection
with these payments. Each individual is a resident of
Switzerland and pays Swiss tax with respect to his income. The
amounts shown represent U.S. tax payments made by the
company on behalf of the named executive officer with respect to
income that was already taxed in Switzerland. Because these
payments were made in respect of double taxation costs, the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors does not
consider these payments as part of the executives overall
annual compensation. Amounts shown under 2002 include payments
covering income earned in the years 2001 and 2002 (1997 through
2002 in the case of Mr. Spoerry). |
|
(4) |
Represents a flat allowance for business expenses. |
|
(5) |
The Compensation Committee recommended granting options to
Mr. Spoerry in each year shown. Mr. Spoerry declined
the proposed grant, requesting instead that the options be made
available to other employees. |
|
(6) |
Includes flat allowance for business expenses of $12,542 and a
20-year service award of $63,997. |
|
(7) |
Represents payments by the company to the named executive
officer related to his then-expatriate status in Switzerland. |
|
(8) |
Represents the company matching payments under its 401(k) Plan
and savings plan ($7,650 in 2002, the remainder being
Mettler-Toledo Fonds contributions). |
|
(9) |
Includes flat allowance for business expenses of $7,035 and a
one-time starting bonus of $80,399. |
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
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|
Individual Grants | |
|
|
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| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percentage of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Total Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
Grant Date | |
Name |
|
Granted(1) | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
($/share) | |
|
Date | |
|
Present Value(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Robert F. Spoerry
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William P. Donnelly
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
$ |
47.95 |
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
$ |
552,480 |
|
Olivier A. Filliol
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
$ |
47.95 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
|
|
552,480 |
|
Beat Luethi
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
$ |
47.95 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
|
|
552,480 |
|
Urs Widmer
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
$ |
47.95 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
|
|
345,300 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The options were granted on October 28, 2004 and have terms
of ten years and six months. The options granted to
Mr. Donnelly have a term of ten years. The options vest
annually in five equal installments beginning on the first
anniversary of the date of grant. In addition, the options will
fully vest upon certain events, including the dissolution,
liquidation and change of control of the company. |
|
(2) |
The grant date present value of the options granted has been
calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, based
upon the following assumptions: estimated time until exercise of
five years; a risk-free interest rate of 3.33%; a volatility
rate of 25%; and a zero dividend yield. The Black-Scholes option
pricing model is only one method of valuing options. The actual
value of the options may significantly differ, and depends on
the excess of the market value of the common stock over the
exercise price at the time of exercise. |
|
(3) |
The Compensation Committee recommended granting options to
Mr. Spoerry, who declined the proposed grant, requesting
instead that the options be made available to other employees. |
Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Option Values as of December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Options at Fiscal Year End | |
|
Fiscal Year End(1) | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) | |
|
Realized ($) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Robert F. Spoerry
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
854,080 |
|
|
|
955,712 |
(2) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
40,248,484 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
William P. Donnelly
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
903,267 |
|
|
|
133,550 |
|
|
|
86,500 |
|
|
|
3,650,288 |
|
|
|
686,200 |
|
Olivier A. Filliol
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
736,818 |
|
|
|
110,500 |
|
|
|
124,500 |
|
|
|
1,280,993 |
|
|
|
1,114,770 |
|
Beat Luethi
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
290,940 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
117,500 |
|
|
|
213,600 |
|
|
|
1,468,325 |
|
Urs Widmer
|
|
|
17,399 |
|
|
|
759,988 |
|
|
|
56,190 |
|
|
|
64,500 |
|
|
|
1,291,818 |
|
|
|
551,925 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Sets forth values for in-the-money options that
represent the positive spread between the respective exercise
prices of outstanding stock options and the closing price of
$51.31 per share at December 31, 2004, as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange. |
|
(2) |
Of the exercisable options, 38,400 are scheduled to expire in
November 2005, 866,976 in October 2006 and 50,336 in October
2007. |
14
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Officer Employment Agreements
The company is a party to an employment agreement with Robert F.
Spoerry dated October 30, 1996. The agreement provides for
an annual base salary, which may be increased from time to time
by the Compensation Committee in accordance with normal business
practices, and for participation in our bonus plan and other
employee benefit plans. The agreement prohibits Mr. Spoerry
from competing with the company for a period of 24 months
after termination of employment. The agreement may be terminated
without cause on 36 months notice during which period
Mr. Spoerry is entitled to full compensation under the
agreement.
The company is also a party to employment agreements with the
named executive officers. These agreements provide for a base
salary subject to adjustment and participation in our bonus plan
and other employee benefit plans. Each agreement prohibits the
executive from competing with the company for a period of
12 months after termination of employment. Each agreement
may be terminated without cause on 12 months notice
(six months for Messrs. Filliol and Widmer) during which
period the executive is entitled to full compensation under the
agreement.
The company is a party to agreements with Messrs. Spoerry,
Filliol, Luethi and Widmer, who are non-U.S. citizens and
non-U.S. residents and are subject to income tax on their
earnings in Switzerland. The company has agreed to pay
additional costs (including payment of taxes) borne by these
executives in respect of the same earnings that are subject to
additional taxation in the United States. The individuals do not
receive any cash benefit as a result of this arrangement. The
agreements cover taxable years starting in 1997, as applicable.
15
SHARE OWNERSHIP
This table illustrates how much of the companys common
stock is owned by directors, executive officers and owners of
more than 5% of the companys common stock as of
February 28, 2005 (December 31, 2004 in the case of 5%
shareholders):
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially | |
|
|
Owned(1) | |
|
|
| |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Number | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
5% Shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fidelity Management & Research Company(2)
|
|
|
6,423,935 |
|
|
|
14.9 |
% |
|
|
82 Devonshire Street,
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Boston, MA 02109
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Franklin Resources, Inc.
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5,216,947 |
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12.1 |
% |
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One Franklin Parkway,
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San Mateo, CA 94403
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Directors:
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Robert F. Spoerry(3)
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1,320,316 |
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3.0 |
% |
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Francis A. Contino
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300 |
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* |
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John T. Dickson
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8,359 |
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* |
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Philip H. Geier
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5,600 |
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* |
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John D. Macomber
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66,740 |
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* |
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Hans Ulrich Maerki
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1,800 |
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* |
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George M. Milne
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10,000 |
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* |
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Thomas P. Salice(4)
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312,393 |
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Named Executive Officers:
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William P. Donnelly(5)
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187,621 |
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Olivier A. Filliol
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110,500 |
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Beat Luethi
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10,000 |
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* |
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Urs Widmer
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62,580 |
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* |
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All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (15
persons):
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2,363,952 |
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5.3 |
% |
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* |
The percentage of shares of common stock beneficially owned does
not exceed one percent of the outstanding shares. |
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(1) |
Calculations of percentage of beneficial ownership are based on
43,115,839 shares of common stock outstanding on
February 28, 2005. Information regarding 5% shareholders is
based solely on Schedule 13Gs filed by the holders. For the
directors and officers, the calculations assume the exercise by
each individual of all options for the purchase of common stock
held by such individual that are exercisable within 60 days
of the date hereof. |
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Shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days: |
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Robert F. Spoerry
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955,712 |
Francis A. Contino
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0 |
John T. Dickson
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7,000 |
Philip H. Geier
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3,600 |
John D. Macomber
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6,000 |
Hans Ulrich Maerki
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1,800 |
George M. Milne
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7,000 |
Thomas P. Salice
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8,600 |
William P. Donnelly
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133,550 |
Olivier A. Filliol
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110,500 |
Beat Luethi
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10,000 |
Urs Widmer
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56,190 |
All directors and executive officers as a group
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1,507,206 |
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(2) |
Fidelity Management Trust Company is separately the beneficial
owner of 203,495 shares. |
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(3) |
Includes 17,778 shares held by Mr. Spoerrys
spouse. |
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(4) |
Includes 30,093 shares held by a charitable trust and over
which Mr. Salice shares voting and investment power with
his spouse as trustees. |
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(5) |
Includes 1,908 shares held by Mr. Donnellys
children. |
16
SHARE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total returns
(assuming reinvestment of dividends) on $100 invested on
December 31, 1999 through December 31, 2004 in our
common stock, the Standard & Poors 500 Composite
Stock Index (S&P 500) and the SIC Code 3826
Index Laboratory Analytical Instruments.
Historically, we have not paid dividends on our common stock.
However, the company will evaluate this policy on a periodic
basis taking into account our results of operations, financial
condition, capital requirements, including potential
acquisitions, our share buyback program, the taxation of
dividends to our shareholders, and other factors deemed relevant
by our Board of Directors.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
Among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., the
S&P 500 Index and SIC Code 3826 Index
Laboratory Analytical Instruments
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12-31-1999 | |
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12-31-2000 | |
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12-31-2001 | |
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12-31-2002 | |
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12-31-2003 | |
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12-31-2004 | |
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Mettler-Toledo
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
142 |
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$ |
136 |
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$ |
84 |
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$ |
111 |
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$ |
134 |
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S&P 500 Index
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
91 |
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$ |
80 |
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$ |
62 |
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$ |
80 |
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$ |
89 |
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SIC Code 3826 Index
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
179 |
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$ |
117 |
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$ |
62 |
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$ |
90 |
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$ |
107 |
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17
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The nominees for the Board of Directors are listed below. Each
nominee, if elected, will hold office until next years
annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have
been duly elected and qualified. All nominees are currently
directors. In the event that a nominee is unable to serve, the
person designated as proxyholder for the company will vote for
the remaining nominees and for such other person as the Board of
Directors may nominate.
Robert F. Spoerry is 49 years old and has
been a director since October 1996. Mr. Spoerry has been
President and Chief Executive Officer of the company since 1993.
He served as Head of Industrial and Retail (Europe) of the
company from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Spoerry has been Chairman of
the Board of Directors since May 1998.
Francis A. Contino is 59 years old and has
been a director since October 2004. Mr. Contino is
Executive Vice President Strategic Planning and
Chief Financial Officer of McCormick & Company, Inc. He
is a member of the Management Committee and has been a member of
the Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer of McCormick
since joining the company in 1998. Prior to joining McCormick,
Mr. Contino was Managing Partner of the Baltimore office of
Ernst & Young.
John T. Dickson is 59 years old and has been
a director since March 2000. Mr. Dickson has been President
and Chief Executive Officer of Agere Systems Inc. since August
2000. Previously, Mr. Dickson had been Executive Vice
President and Chief Executive Officer of Lucent
Technologies Microelectronics and Communications
Technologies Group since October 1999. He joined AT&T Corp.
in 1993 as Vice President of its Integrated Circuit business
unit, moved to Lucent following its spin-off in 1996, and was
named Chief Operating Officer of Lucents Microelectronics
Group in 1997. Mr. Dickson is also a director of Agere
Systems Inc. and the Semiconductor Industry Association and a
member of the board of Trustees of Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Philip H. Geier is 70 years old and has been
a director since July 2001. Mr. Geier was Chairman of the
board and Chief Executive Officer of the Interpublic Group of
Companies, Inc. from 1980 to 2000 and was a director of
Interpublic since 1975. Mr. Geier is also a director of AEA
Investors LLC, Alcon, Inc., Fiduciary Trust Co.
International, Foot Locker, Inc. and Intermedia Advertising
Group.
John D. Macomber is 77 years old and has been
a director since October 1996. He has been a principal of JDM
Investment Group since 1992. He was Chairman and President of
the Export-Import Bank of the United States (an agency of the
U.S. Government) from 1989 to 1992. From 1973 to 1986
Mr. Macomber was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Celanese Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Macomber was a
Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company. Mr. Macomber
is also a director of AEA Investors LLC and Lehman Brothers
Holdings Inc.
Hans Ulrich Maerki is 58 years old and has
been a director since September 2002. Mr. Maerki has been
the Chairman and General Manager of IBM Europe/ Middle East/
Africa since July 2003. He is also a member of the World Wide
Management Council of IBM Corporation. From August 2001 to July
2003, Mr. Maerki was Chairman of IBM Europe/ Middle East/
Africa and from 1996 to July 2001, Mr. Maerki was General
Manager of IBM Global Services, Europe/ Middle East/ Africa.
Mr. Maerki has been with IBM in various positions since
1973. Mr. Maerki is also a director of ABB Ltd.
George M. Milne, Jr., Ph.D., is
61 years old and has been a director since September 1999.
From 1970 to July 2002, Mr. Milne held various management
positions with Pfizer Corporation, including most recently
Executive Vice President, Pfizer Global Research and Development
and President, Worldwide Strategic and Operations Management.
Dr. Milne was also a Senior Vice President of Pfizer Inc.
and a member of the Pfizer Management Council. He was President
of Central Research from 1993 to July 2002 with global
responsibility for Pfizers Human and Veterinary Medicine
Research and Development. Dr. Milne is also a director of
Athersys, Inc., Charles River Laboratories, Inc. and Conor
Medsystems, Inc.
18
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Thomas P. Salice is 45 years old and has been
a director since October 1996. Mr. Salice is a Managing
Member of Sceptra Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity firm.
Previously, he was President of AEA Investors LLC, a private
equity firm, from January 1999, Chief Executive Officer from
January 2000, and Vice Chairman from September 2002 to December
2004. Mr. Salice is also a director of Agere Systems Inc.
and Waters Corporation. He also serves on the board of Trustees
of Fordham University.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR
the election of each of the directors listed above. Proxies
will be voted FOR each nominee unless otherwise
specified in the proxy.
19
PROPOSAL TWO:
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
You are being asked to ratify the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as the companys independent
registered public accounting firm. Upon recommendation of the
Audit Committee, the Board of Directors has appointed PwC,
independent public accountants, to audit and report on the
companys consolidated financial statements for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2005 and to perform such other
services as may be required of them.
Auditor Attendance at Annual Meeting
Representatives of PwC are expected to be present at the annual
meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if
they desire to do so and will be available to respond to
appropriate shareholder questions.
Limitation on Amount of Audit Fees
We have no existing direct or indirect understandings or
agreements with PwC that place a limit on current or future
years audit fees. Please see the Audit Committee Report in
this proxy statement for further details concerning the fees
charged by PwC.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR
ratification of the appointment of PwC as independent
registered public accounting firm. Proxies will be voted
FOR ratification of the appointment of PwC unless
otherwise specified in the proxy.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Salice
(Chairman), Dickson and Geier, none of whom were officers or
employees of the company or its subsidiaries or had any
relationship requiring disclosure by the company under
Item 404 of the Securities and Exchange Commissions
Regulation S-K during or prior to 2004.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires the companys executive officers and directors,
and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class
of the companys equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and The New York Stock Exchange. Executive
officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are
required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. Based on our review of the
copies of such forms received by us, or written representations
from certain reporting persons, we believe that in the last
year, all filing requirements applicable to our executive
officers and directors and greater than 10% shareholders were
complied with, with the exception of the delayed filing of one
Form 4 reporting an option exercise by Mr. Filliol
that occurred on September 1, 2004. The transaction was
reported in a Form 4 filed with the SEC on
September 10, 2004.
Availability of Form 10-K and Annual Report to
Shareholders
The companys Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004, including financial
statements, accompanies this proxy statement. The Annual Report
is not to be regarded as proxy soliciting material or as a
communication by means of which any solicitation is to be made.
The Annual Report will be available on the Investor
Relations/Annual Report web page of the companys web site
at www.mt.com. Upon written request, the company will furnish,
without charge, to each person whose proxy is being solicited a
copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC. Requests in
writing for copies of any such materials should be directed to
the Treasurer, Mettler-Toledo International Inc., 1900 Polaris
Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240-2020, USA.
Electronic Delivery of Annual Report and Proxy Statement
If you wish to receive future annual reports, proxy statements
and other materials and shareholder communications
electronically via the Internet, please follow the directions on
your proxy card for requesting such electronic delivery. An
election to receive materials electronically will continue until
you revoke it. You will continue to have the option to vote your
shares by telephone, mail or via the Internet.
How to Submit Shareholder Proposals
Shareholders may present proposals which may be proper subjects
for inclusion in the proxy statement and for consideration at an
annual meeting. To be considered, proposals must be submitted on
a timely basis. We must receive proposals for next years
annual meeting no later than November 15, 2005. Proposals
and questions related thereto should be submitted in writing to
the Secretary of the company. Proposals may be included in the
proxy statement for next years annual meeting if they
comply with certain rules and regulations promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission and in connection with
certain procedures described in our by-laws, a copy of which may
be obtained from the Secretary of the company. Any proposal
submitted outside the processes of these rules and regulations
will be considered untimely for the purposes of Rule 14a-4
and Rule 14a-5.
Expenses of Solicitation
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the company. In
addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mail, some
of our officers, directors and regular employees, none of whom
will receive additional
21
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
compensation therefore, may solicit proxies in person or by
telephone, Internet or other means. As is customary, we will,
upon request, reimburse brokerage firms, banks, trustees,
nominees and other persons for their out-of-pocket expenses in
forwarding proxy materials to their principals.
Other Matters
We know of no other matter to be brought before the annual
meeting. If any other matter requiring a vote of the
shareholders should come before the meeting, it is the intention
of the persons named in the proxy to vote the proxies with
respect to any such matter in accordance with their reasonable
judgment.
22
PROXY
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
Proxy for Annual Meeting of Shareholders
April 27, 2005
This proxy is solicited on behalf of Mettler-Toledo International Inc.s Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Robert F. Spoerry and William P. Donnelly, and each of them,
proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote all shares
of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. common stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at
the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. to be held in Tampa,
Florida on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 4:00 p.m., or at any adjournment thereof, upon the matters
set forth on the reverse side and described in the accompanying proxy statement and upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Please mark this proxy as indicated on the reverse side to vote on any item. If you wish to
vote in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendations, please sign the reverse side; no
boxes need to be checked. IF THIS PROXY IS SIGNED BUT NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE PROXY SHALL BE
VOTED FOR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 2 in their discretion, and the appointed proxies are authorized to vote
upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
(continued and to be signed on other side)
Address Change / Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)
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FOLD AND DETACH HERE n
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Please Mark Here for
Address Change or
Comments
SEE REVERSE SIDE
Please mark your vote
as indicated in this
example |
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 2
ITEM NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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FOR all nominees
listed to the right
(except as noted
below) |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
to vote for all nominees
listed to the right |
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01 Robert F. Spoerry,
02 Francis A. Contino,
03 John T. Dickson,
04 Philip H. Geier,
05 John D. Macomber,
06 Hans Ulrich Maerki,
07 George M. Milne,
08 Thomas P. Salice |
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*Instruction: To withhold authority from any
individual
nominee(s), write the nominee(s) name on the line
provided below.
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ITEM NO. 2
APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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Receipt is hereby acknowledged of the
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Notice of
Meeting and Proxy Statement |
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PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE |
By checking the box to the right, I consent to future
delivery of annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses
and other materials and shareholder communications
electronically via the Internet at a webpage which will be
disclosed to me. I understand that the Company may no longer
distribute printed materials to me from any future
shareholder meeting until such consent is revoked. I
understand that I may revoke my consent any time by
contacting the Companys transfer agent, Mellon Investor
Services LLC, Ridgefield Park, NJ and that costs normally
associated with electronic delivery, such as usage and
telephone charges as well as any costs I may incur in
printing documents, will be my responsibility. |
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NOTE. Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as
an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.
Corporate and partnership proxies should be signed by an authorized person indicating the persons
title.
n FOLD
AND DETACH HERE n
Vote by Internet or Telephone or Mail