XML 50 R36.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1

Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures

	U.S. Pension Benefits								Non-U.S. Pension Benefits								Other Benefits								Total
	2017				2016				2017				2016				2017				2016				2017				2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	138,155			$	154,415			$	838,277			$	818,269			$	2,985			$	3,272			$	979,417			$	975,956
Service cost, gross	565				432				29,600				29,936				—				—				30,165				30,368
Interest cost	4,374				4,428				8,511				10,664				70				76				12,955				15,168
Actuarial losses (gains)	6,979				845				33,036				42,786				18				318				40,033				43,949
Plan amendments and other	—				—				(15,153		)		—				137				150				(15,016		)		150
Benefits paid	(7,502		)		(21,965		)		(30,356		)		(33,977		)		(537		)		(831		)		(38,395		)		(56,773		)
Impact of foreign currency	—				—				54,563				(29,401		)		—				—				54,563				(29,401		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	142,571			$	138,155			$	918,478			$	838,277			$	2,673			$	2,985			$	1,063,722			$	979,417
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	104,103			$	119,118			$	716,169			$	725,597			$	—			$	—			$	820,272			$	844,715
Actual return on plan assets	14,869				6,876				49,055				15,927				—				—				63,924				22,803
Employer contributions	97				74				22,961				22,291				400				681				23,458				23,046
Plan participants’ contributions	—				—				13,503				13,277				137				150				13,640				13,427
Benefits paid	(7,502		)		(21,965		)		(30,356		)		(33,977		)		(537		)		(831		)		(38,395		)		(56,773		)
Impact of foreign currency and other	—				—				36,883				(26,946		)		—				—				36,883				(26,946		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	111,567			$	104,103			$	808,215			$	716,169			$	—			$	—			$	919,782			$	820,272
Funded status	$	(31,004	)		$	(34,052	)		$	(110,263	)		$	(122,108	)		$	(2,673	)		$	(2,985	)		$	(143,940	)		$	(159,145	)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet

	U.S. Pension Benefits								Non-U.S. Pension Benefits								Other Benefits								Total
	2017				2016				2017				2016				2017				2016				2017				2016
Other non-current assets	$	—			$	—			$	40,493			$	10,530			$	—			$	—			$	40,493			$	10,530
Accrued and other liabilities	(88		)		(92		)		(4,990		)		(4,293		)		(411		)		(467		)		(5,489		)		(4,852		)
Pension and other post-retirement liabilities	(30,916		)		(33,960		)		(145,766		)		(128,345		)		(2,262		)		(2,518		)		(178,944		)		(164,823		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	61,819				69,528				254,870				255,855				(2,365		)		(5,057		)		314,324				320,326
Total	$	30,815			$	35,476			$	144,607			$	133,747			$	(5,038	)		$	(8,042	)		$	170,384			$	161,181

Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not yet Recognized

	U.S. Pension Benefits				Non-U.S. Pension Benefits				Other Benefits				Total				Total, After Tax
Plan amendments and prior service cost	$	—			$	(30,698	)		$	(372	)		$	(31,070	)		$	(24,289	)
Actuarial losses (gains)	61,819				285,568				(1,993		)		345,394				257,274
Total	$	61,819			$	254,870			$	(2,365	)		$	314,324			$	232,985

Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Postemployment Benefit Obligations

	U.S. Pension Benefits				Non-U.S. Pension Benefits				Other Benefits				Total				Total, After Tax
Net actuarial losses (gains)	$	(1,153	)		$	14,330			$	18			$	13,195			$	10,378
Plan amendment	—				(15,153		)		—				(15,153		)		(12,056		)
Amortization of:
Actuarial (losses) gains	(6,556		)		(23,144		)		1,895				(27,805		)		(20,821		)
Plan amendments and prior service cost	—				6,897				779				7,676				5,948
Impact of foreign currency	—				16,085				—				16,085				12,092
Total	$	(7,709	)		$	(985	)		$	2,692			$	(6,002	)		$	(4,459	)

Schedule of Assumptions Used in Computing Benefit Obligation

	U.S.						Non-U.S.
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Discount rate	3.49	%		3.97	%		0.97	%		0.98	%
Compensation increase rate	n/a			n/a			0.87	%		0.85	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	6.50	%		6.75	%		3.86	%		4.09	%

Schedule of Assumptions Used in Computing Pension Cost

	U.S.									Non-U.S.
	2017			2016			2015			2017			2016			2015
Discount rate	3.97	%		4.27	%		4.00	%		0.98	%		1.31	%		1.65	%
Compensation increase rate	n/a			n/a			n/a			0.85	%		1.03	%		1.61	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	6.75	%		7.25	%		7.50	%		4.09	%		4.58	%		4.82	%

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]

Net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit for the defined benefit plans and U.S. post-retirement plan include the following components for the years ended December 31:

	U.S.												Non-U.S.												Other Benefits												Total
	2017				2016				2015				2017				2016				2015				2017				2016				2015				2017				2016				2015
Service cost, net	$	565			$	432			$	837			$	16,341			$	16,804			$	18,664			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	16,906			$	17,236			$	19,501
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	4,374				4,428				6,431				8,511				10,664				14,071				70				76				139				12,955				15,168				20,641
Expected return on plan assets	(6,737		)		(7,781		)		(9,575		)		(30,349		)		(33,168		)		(36,832		)		—				—				—				(37,086		)		(40,949		)		(46,407		)
Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains) and prior service costs	6,556				7,606				7,626				16,247				12,923				10,639				(2,674		)		(4,567		)		(5,247		)		20,129				15,962				13,018
Settlement charge	—				7,963				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				7,963				—
Net periodic pension cost / (benefit)	$	4,758			$	12,648			$	5,319			$	10,750			$	7,223			$	6,542			$	(2,604	)		$	(4,491	)		$	(5,108	)		$	12,904			$	15,380			$	6,753

Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year

	U.S. Pension Benefits				Non-U.S. Pension Benefits				Other Benefits				Total
Plan amendments and prior service costs	$	—			$	(6,966	)		$	(372	)		$	(7,338	)
Actuarial losses (gains)	5,804				21,620				(1,250		)		26,174
Total	$	5,804			$	14,654			$	(1,622	)		$	18,836

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets

	December 31, 2017																December 31, 2016
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Observable Inputs for Identical Assets (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Observable Inputs for Identical Assets (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total
Asset Category:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	154,751			$	—			$	—			$	154,751			$	131,468			$	—			$	—			$	131,468
Equity Securities:
Mettler-Toledo Stock	3,154				—				—				3,154				2,846				—				—				2,846
Equity Mutual Funds:
U.S.(1)	6,011				27,984				—				33,995				5,860				24,257				—				30,117
International(2)	80,836				61,341				—				142,177				54,760				52,404				—				107,164
Emerging Markets(3)	100,346				1,096				—				101,442				78,999				793				—				79,792
Fixed Income Securities:
Corporate/Government Bonds(4)	72,334				—				—				72,334				69,578				—				—				69,578
Fixed Income Mutual Funds:
Insurance Contracts(5)	—				23,421				1,514				24,935				—				19,955				1,300				21,255
Core Bond(6)	136,157				57,499				—				193,656				121,884				52,955				—				174,839
Real Asset Mutual Funds:
Real Estate(7)	79,218				8,836				—				88,054				69,284				—				—				69,284
Commodities(8)	37,302				—				—				37,302				22,964				—				5,594				28,558
Other Types of Investments:
Global Allocation Funds(9)	11,781				12,545				—				24,326				11,981				11,285				—				23,266
Insurance Linked Securities(10)	12,147				—				—				12,147				—				—				—				—
Total assets in fair value hierarchy	$	694,037			$	192,722			$	1,514			$	888,273			$	569,624			$	161,649			$	6,894			$	738,167
Investments measured at net asset value:
Emerging Markets (3)													5,950																4,407
Multi-Strategy Fund of Hedge Funds (11)													25,559																77,698
Total pension assets at fair value													$	919,782															$	820,272

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation

	Commodities				Insurance Contract				Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	33,505			$	1,367			$	34,872
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets held at end of year	—				25				25
Related to assets sold during the year	(2,857		)		—				(2,857		)
Sales	(21,278		)		(38		)		(21,316		)
Impact of foreign currency	(3,776		)		(54		)		(3,830		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	5,594			$	1,300			$	6,894
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets held at end of year	—				21				21
Related to assets sold during the year	—				—				—
Sales	(5,711		)		(98		)		(5,809		)
Purchases	—				108				108
Impact of foreign currency	117				183				300
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	—			$	1,514			$	1,514

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments

	U.S. Pension Benefits				Non-U.S. Pension Benefits				Other Benefits Net of Subsidy				Total
2018	$	7,972			$	45,118			$	411			$	53,501
2019	8,140				43,125				400				51,665
2020	8,344				45,352				265				53,961
2021	8,453				42,561				249				51,263
2022	8,641				43,990				227				52,858
2023-2028	43,855				219,011				769				263,635

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the assumptions used to determine for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans the benefit obligation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mtd_ScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedInComputingBenefitObligationTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the assumptions used to determine for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans the net benefit cost, including assumed discount rates, rate increase in compensation increase, and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mtd_ScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedInComputingPensionCostTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPensionPlansAndDefinedBenefitPostretirementPlansDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the fair value measurement of assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes during the period attributable to the following: (1) total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), segregating those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets) and gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), and a description of where those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets) are reported in the statement of income (or activities); (2) purchases, sales, issues, and settlements (each type disclosed separately); and (3) transfers in and transfers out of Level 3 (for example, transfers due to changes in the observability of significant inputs), by class of asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19279-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the major categories of plan assets of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans. This information may include, but is not limited to, the target allocation of plan assets, the fair value of each major category of plan assets, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(5)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAllocationOfPlanAssetsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the amounts related to pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year, including the net gain (loss), net prior service cost or credit, and net transition asset or obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (s)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAmountsInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossToBeRecognizedOverNextFiscalYearTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the amounts that are recognized in the balance sheet (or statement of financial position) for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans, showing separately the assets and current and noncurrent liabilities (if applicable) recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the change in the accumulated postemployment benefit obligation from the beginning to the end of the period, showing separately, if applicable, the effects of the following: service cost, interest cost, contributions by plan participants, actuarial gains and losses, foreign currency exchange rate changes, benefits paid, plan amendments, business combinations, divestitures, curtailments, settlements, and special and contractual termination benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangesInAccumulatedPostemploymentBenefitObligationsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of one or more of the entity's defined benefit pension plans or one or more other defined benefit postretirement plans, separately for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans including the entity's schedule of fair value of plan assets for defined benefit or other postretirement plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e2439-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e2417-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e2410-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77993564&loc=d3e4179-114921

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of benefits expected to be paid by pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfExpectedBenefitPaymentsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the components of net benefit costs for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans including service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) recognized due to settlements or curtailments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (h)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfNetBenefitCostsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the amounts related to pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, such as the net gain (loss), net prior service cost or credit, and net transition asset or obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (j)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostNotYetRecognizedTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration