UNITED STATES
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 1, 2007
 
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
(State of incorporation)
File No. 001-13595
(Commission File Number)
13-3668641
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
Im Langacher, 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland
and
1900 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio  43240
__________________________________________
 
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
 

 
+41 44 944 2211 and +1 614 438 4511
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 
Item 5.02    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
 
On November 1, 2007 , Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (“Mettler-Toledo”) announced that its Board of Directors had approved a management succession plan.  On November 1, 2007, the Board elected Robert F. Spoerry to the position of Executive Chairman of the Board and Olivier Filliol to the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer, in each case effective on January 1, 2008.
 
Oliver Filliol joined Mettler-Toledo in 1998 and has been responsible for the company’s Global Sales, Service and Marketing operations, as well as the company’s China operations, since 2004.  He has also been the Division Head for the Process Analytics business since 2000.  Before joining Mettler-Toledo, he worked with the international consulting firm Bain & Company.
 
Mr. Spoerry will remain an employee of Mettler-Toledo in the role of Executive Chairman of the Board.  In this function, he will initially help assure a smooth transition to the new CEO; on an ongoing basis, he will assist in strategic, organizational and corporate governance matters, as well as facilitate interaction between the Board of Directors and management and assist with other matters as determined from time to time in agreement with the Board of Directors and CEO.
 
New Employment Agreements .  In connection with this management succession the company entered into new employment agreements with Messrs. Filliol and Spoerry dated November 1, 2007.  The agreements are governed by Swiss law and replace the prior employment agreements.  The agreements call for base salaries for Mr. Filliol and Mr. Spoerry of CHF 750,000 and CHF 600,000, and target bonuses of CHF 375,000 and CHF 300,000, respectively.  The actual bonus earned depends on target achievement, pursuant to the regulations of the POBS Plus Incentive Plan for Members of Group Management.  This is the same bonus plan Mr. Filliol and Mr. Spoerry participated in previously.  The individuals are entitled to participate in the company’s equity incentive plan.  The company bears the cost of contributions to Mettler-Toledo Fonds (a type of Swiss pension plan), as well as the cost of accident and disability insurance.
 
The agreements may be terminated by either party on 12 months notice to the end of a month.  The individuals may not compete with the company for a period of 12 months after termination.  If the company terminates Mr. Filliol’s employment within the first two years without cause, it must make an additional payment to Mr. Filliol of CHF 1.125 million (equivalent to one year’s current target salary).  Mr. Filliol must acquire at least 15,000 MTD shares by the end of 2010, and must hold such shares until at least one year following his last day of employment.  Mr. Filliol may not serve on any third party board of directors through the end of 2010, after which third party board service is conditioned on prior approval by the Board.
 
This description of the employment agreements is qualified by reference to the full text of the agreements, which are attached to this report as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2.
 
In addition, a copy of the press release issued by the company on November 1, 2007 announcing the management succession plan is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.
 
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.                      Description
 
10.1
Employment Agreement between Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Olivier A. Filliol, dated November 1, 2007.
 
10.2
Employment Agreement between Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Robert F. Spoerry, dated November 1, 2007.
 
99.1
Press release regarding management succession plan, dated November 1, 2007 , issued by Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
 


 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 

 
 
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
 
 Dated:  November 1, 2007
By:
/s/ William P. Donnelly
 
William P. Donnelly
 
Chief Financial Officer
 

 

 
Exhibit Index

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.                      Description
 
10.1
Employment Agreement between Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Olivier A. Filliol, dated November 1, 2007.
 
10.2
Employment Agreement between Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Robert F. Spoerry, dated November 1, 2007.
 
99.1
Press release regarding management succession plan, dated November 1, 2007 , issued by Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
 

 
Exhibit 10.1        Employment Agreement between Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Olivier A. Filliol, dated November 1, 2007.
 
Personal/Confidential
Olivier A. Filliol
c/o Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Im Langacher
8606 Greifensee
Switzerland

Date: November 1, 2007

Employment Agreement

between Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Greifensee Branch, Im Langacher, 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland, and Olivier A. Filliol.  The parties enter into an employment agreement on the terms and conditions set forth below:

Function.  President and Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors.  Chairman of the Group Management Committee (GMC) of the METTLER TOLEDO Group

Employing Company / Position Location.  Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Greifensee Branch, 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland.  The principal place of work is Greifensee, Switzerland.  Given the international presence of the company, employee’s duties will require regular business travel to the Group’s various locations.  If not otherwise stipulated in this agreement, the general rules of employment ("Allgemeine arbeitsvertragliche Bestimmungen (AVB)" of our Swiss operations) apply.

Remuneration.  Base Salary of CHF 750’000.-- gross per annum, effective January 1, 2008 and to be evaluated annually, payable in twelve equal monthly installments of
CHF 62'500.--.  Participation in the Incentive Plan POBS Plus for Members of the Group Management of METTLER TOLEDO pursuant to the then-current plan and regulations.  Under this plan employee is eligible to earn a Bonus based upon achievement of various financial and personal targets.  For 100% target achievement, the bonus is currently CHF 375’000.-- gross (50% of base salary).  The scaling of the bonus system, and selection and weighting of targets, including personal targets, are at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Expenses.  Expense Allowance according to then-current regulations of CHF 15'600.-- per annum, payable in twelve monthly installments of CHF 1’300.--. No commuting or vehicle allowance will be paid.

Equity Incentive Plan.  Participation in the METTLER TOLEDO Equity Incentive Plan as may be amended from time to time.

Share Ownership Requirement.  Employee is required to acquire at least 15’000 MTD shares by the end of 2010.  Employee agrees to hold such shares until at least one year following his last day of employment.

Personnel Insurance.  Additional Accident Insurance and Disability Insurance (coverage of salary in case of illness and accident), at METTLER TOLEDO’s expense.  Participation in the Mettler-Toledo Fonds (pension plan for GMC members) as might be amended from time to time, at METTLER TOLEDO’s expense for the “Standard plan minus”.  The insured salary in the Mettler-Toledo Fonds and other personnel insurances is 77.2727% of Target Salary, subject to limits applicable under Swiss law.

Vacation.  30 working days per calendar year, including compensation for overtime ("Zeitregelung mit pauschaler Abgeltung").  Unused vacation days in a given year will not be carried forward.

Duration / Notice Period .  This employment agreement starts on January 1, 2008 and is of unlimited duration.  The notice period is 12 months to the end of a month for both parties.  If METTLER TOLEDO terminates the agreement before January 1, 2010 (except for a termination pursuant to Article 337 of the Swiss Code of Obligations), employee will be entitled to an additional termination payment of CHF 1’125’000.-- gross, to be paid within 30 days after such termination.

Limitation on Outside Board Service.  Employee shall not serve on any third party board of directors through the end of 2010, after which third party board service shall be possible subject to prior approval by the Board of Directors.

Non-Competition.  While employee is employed by METTLER TOLEDO, and for a period of twelve months after his termination, employee shall not directly or indirectly (a) engage in or be employed in any business anywhere in the world which competes with the businesses of METTLER TOLEDO, or (b) solicit for hire or hire any METTLER TOLEDO employee.

Previous Employment Agreements.  With the effectiveness of this employment agreement, all previous employment agreements with METTLER TOLEDO shall be considered cancelled. The acquired years of service since May 1, 1998 are taken into consideration where applicable.

Applicable Law and Jurisdiction.  This agreement shall be governed by Swiss law.  All disputes concerning the terms and conditions of this agreement shall be brought before the ordinary courts in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland.


Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

Robert F. Spoerry                                          Peter Bürker

 
The Employee

Olivier A. Filliol
Exhibit 10.2     Employment Agreement between Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Robert F. Spoerry, dated November 1, 2007.

Personal/Confidential
Robert F. Spoerry
c/o Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Im Langacher
8606 Greifensee
Switzerland

Date: November 1, 2007

Employment Agreement

between Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Greifensee Branch, Im Langacher, 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland, and Robert F. Spoerry.  The parties enter into an employment agreement on the terms and conditions set forth below:

Function.  Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Duties.  Initially, to help assure a smooth transition to the new CEO; on an ongoing basis, assisting in strategic, organizational and corporate governance matters, as well as facilitating interaction between the Board of Directors and management and assisting with other matters as determined from time to time in agreement with the Board of Directors and CEO.

Employing Company / Position Location.  Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Greifensee Branch, 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland.  The principal place of work is Greifensee, Switzerland.  If not otherwise stipulated in this agreement, the general rules of employment ("Allgemeine arbeitsvertragliche Bestimmungen (AVB)" of our Swiss operations) apply.

Remuneration.  Base Salary of CHF 600’000.-- gross per annum, effective January 1, 2008 and to be evaluated annually, payable in twelve equal monthly installments of CHF 50'000.--.  Participation in the Incentive Plan POBS Plus for Members of the Group Management of METTLER TOLEDO pursuant to the then-current plan and regulations.  Under this plan employee is eligible to earn a Bonus based upon achievement of various financial and personal targets.  For 100% target achievement, the bonus is currently CHF 300’000.-- gross (50% of base salary).  The scaling of the bonus system, and selection and weighting of targets, including personal targets, are at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Expenses / Company Car.  Expense Allowance according to then-current regulations of CHF 15'600.-- per annum, payable in twelve monthly installments of CHF 1’300.--. Employee shall be provided with the company car that he has been provided to date, and METTLER TOLEDO will pay or reimburse employee for all reasonable expenses associated with the operation of the car.

Equity Incentive Plan.  Participation in the METTLER TOLEDO Equity Incentive Plan as may be amended from time to time.

Personnel Insurance.  Additional Accident Insurance and Disability Insurance (coverage of salary in case of illness and accident), at METTLER TOLEDO’s expense.  Participation in the Mettler-Toledo Fonds (pension plan for GMC members) as might be amended from time to time, at METTLER TOLEDO’s expense.  The insured salary in the Mettler-Toledo Fonds and other personnel insurances shall be the maximum amount applicable under Swiss law.

Vacation.  30 working days per calendar year, including compensation for overtime ("Zeitregelung mit pauschaler Abgeltung").  Unused vacation days in a given year will not be carried forward.

Duration / Notice Period .  This employment agreement starts on January 1, 2008 and is of unlimited duration.  The notice period is 12 months to the end of a month for both parties.

Non-Competition.  While employee is employed by METTLER TOLEDO, and for a period of twelve months after his termination, employee shall not directly or indirectly (a) engage in or be employed in any business anywhere in the world which competes with the businesses of METTLER TOLEDO, or (b) solicit for hire or hire any METTLER TOLEDO employee.

Previous Employment Agreements.  With the effectiveness of this employment agreement, all previous employment agreements with METTLER TOLEDO shall be considered cancelled. The acquired years of service since September 1, 1983 are taken into consideration where applicable.

Applicable Law and Jurisdiction.  This agreement shall be governed by Swiss law.  All disputes concerning the terms and conditions of this agreement shall be brought before the ordinary courts in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland.


Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

James T. Bellerjeau                                          Peter Bürker


The Employee

Robert F. Spoerry
Exhibit 99.1     Press release regarding management succession plan, dated November 1, 2007, issued by Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

 
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION

- - Robert F. Spoerry to Become Executive Chairman of the Board - -
- - Olivier Filliol Named Chief Executive Officer - -

COLUMBUS, Ohio, USA – November 1, 2007 – Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE: MTD) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a management succession plan.  Robert F. Spoerry will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board and Olivier Filliol will become Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2008.

Olivier Filliol joined METTLER TOLEDO in 1998 and is currently responsible for the Company’s Global Sales, Service and Marketing operations, as well as the Company’s operations in China.  He also is the Division Head for the Process Analytics business.  Before joining METTLER TOLEDO, he worked with the international consulting firm Bain & Company.

Robert Spoerry, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “It is with great confidence and enthusiasm that we are entrusting the CEO responsibilities to Olivier.  He has broad experience across many of our businesses.  During his 10 years with us, he has delivered excellent business results, made significant improvements in many of our operations and strongly contributed to the development of our business strategies.  Olivier led the Process Analytics business to an outstanding performance level.  He has also been the principal architect behind project Spinnaker, one of our key growth initiatives in the last few years.  He is a proven leader with particular strengths in both strategy development and  execution.  Olivier is well prepared to assume his new role.”

Spoerry, as Executive Chairman of METTLER TOLEDO, will oversee and support the Company’s leadership transition and assist in strategic, organizational and corporate governance matters.

Spoerry further commented, “I look forward to my new role and believe that this is an opportune time to enact a management transition. METTLER TOLEDO’s solid performance over many years, the strengths of the franchise, our well-defined and proven business strategies and, last but not least, the dedication and capabilities of our people provide a strong foundation.  The Board and I are convinced that under Olivier’s leadership, METTLER TOLEDO will continue its track record of significant growth and financial success into the future.”

METTLER TOLEDO is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services.  The Company is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications.  The Company also holds top-three market positions in several related analytical instruments and is a leading provider of automated chemistry systems used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development.  In addition, the Company is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and holds a leading position in certain process analytics applications.  Additional information about METTLER TOLEDO can be found at “www.mt.com.”

Statements in this discussion which are not historical facts may be considered "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that future events will occur in the manner or in the exact time frames foreseen.