XML 92 R85.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Net Sales to External Customers                 $ 2,485,983us-gaap_Revenues $ 2,378,972us-gaap_Revenues $ 2,341,528us-gaap_Revenues
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments                 0mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments 0mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments 0mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
Total Net Sales 697,428us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 629,100us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 608,834us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 550,621us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 684,250us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 591,687us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 578,680us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 524,355us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 2,485,983us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 2,378,972us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 2,341,528us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Total Segment Profit                 506,871mtd_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidated 472,892mtd_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidated 444,499mtd_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidated
Depreciation                 33,617us-gaap_Depreciation 34,765us-gaap_Depreciation 33,421us-gaap_Depreciation
Assets 2,009,110us-gaap_Assets       2,152,819us-gaap_Assets       2,009,110us-gaap_Assets 2,152,819us-gaap_Assets 2,022,288us-gaap_Assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                 (89,388)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment (82,349)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment (95,588)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Goodwill 444,085us-gaap_Goodwill       455,842us-gaap_Goodwill       444,085us-gaap_Goodwill 455,842us-gaap_Goodwill 452,351us-gaap_Goodwill
U.S. Operations Segment                      
Net Sales to External Customers                 755,922us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
718,671us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
697,956us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments                 90,463mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
83,182mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
80,164mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Total Net Sales                 846,385us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
801,853us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
778,120us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Segment Profit                 134,045mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
137,837mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
138,894mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Depreciation                 6,068us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
6,223us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
5,799us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Assets 1,294,037us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
      1,242,501us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
      1,294,037us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
1,242,501us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
1,128,902us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                 (6,627)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
(6,297)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
(10,988)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Goodwill 308,861us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
      307,933us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
      308,861us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
307,933us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
307,933us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_UsOperationsSegmentMember
Swiss Operations Segment                      
Net Sales to External Customers                 137,231us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
132,240us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
124,362us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments                 461,171mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
435,904mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
406,485mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Total Net Sales                 598,402us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
568,144us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
530,847us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Segment Profit                 170,764mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
147,990mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
127,011mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Depreciation                 6,621us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
6,576us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
7,194us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Assets 1,018,941us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
      1,090,353us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
      1,018,941us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
1,090,353us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
922,620us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                 (6,567)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
(6,801)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
(5,529)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Goodwill 21,873us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
      24,288us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
      21,873us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
24,288us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
23,684us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_SwissOperationsSegmentMember
Western European Operations Segment                      
Net Sales to External Customers                 713,318us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
674,278us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
644,361us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments                 124,349mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
112,049mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
101,952mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Total Net Sales                 837,667us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
786,327us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
746,313us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Segment Profit                 120,659mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
111,951mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
95,523mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Depreciation                 4,422us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
4,708us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
4,947us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Assets 1,061,455us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
      1,059,525us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
      1,061,455us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
1,059,525us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
975,174us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                 (5,581)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
(6,096)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
(5,504)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Goodwill 99,341us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
      108,662us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
      99,341us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
108,662us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
105,522us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_WesternEuropeanOperationsSegmentMember
Chinese Operations Segment                      
Net Sales to External Customers                 415,474us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
407,131us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
432,255us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments                 155,690mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
149,084mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
123,669mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Total Net Sales                 571,164us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
556,215us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
555,924us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Segment Profit                 132,521mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
122,214mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
125,217mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Depreciation                 6,746us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
6,527us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
5,567us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Assets 816,801us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
      731,650us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
      816,801us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
731,650us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
631,075us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                 (19,793)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
(6,200)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
(9,872)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Goodwill 740us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
      746us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
      740us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
746us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
717us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_ChineseOperationsSegmentMember
Other Operations Segment                      
Net Sales to External Customers                 464,038us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
446,652us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
442,594us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments                 7,527mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
6,308mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
5,133mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Total Net Sales                 471,565us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
452,960us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
447,727us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Segment Profit                 52,461mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
49,673mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
48,857mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Depreciation                 2,820us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
2,694us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
2,653us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Assets 261,036us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
      257,141us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
      261,036us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
257,141us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
237,232us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                 (3,315)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
(7,172)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
(5,542)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Goodwill 13,270us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
      14,213us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
      13,270us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
14,213us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
14,495us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_OtherOperationsSegmentMember
Eliminations and Corporate Segment                      
Net Sales to External Customers                 0us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
0us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
0us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments                 (839,200)mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(786,527)mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(717,403)mtd_RevenueTransactionsWithOtherOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
Total Net Sales                 (839,200)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(786,527)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(717,403)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
Segment Profit                 (103,579)mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(96,773)mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(91,003)mtd_SegmentProfitInformation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
Depreciation                 6,940us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
8,037us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
7,261us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
Assets (2,443,160)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
      (2,228,351)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
      (2,443,160)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(2,228,351)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(1,872,715)us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                 (47,505)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(49,783)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
(58,153)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
Goodwill $ 0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
      $ 0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
      $ 0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
$ 0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember
$ 0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mtd_EliminationsAndCorporateSegmentMember