METTLER TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC/
424B1, 1998-06-30
MISC INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>

                                            Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)&(3)
                                            Registration No. 333-51925

PROSPECTUS                                                                [LOGO]
 
                              10,000,000 SHARES
                      METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                 COMMON STOCK

                           ------------------------
 
     All of the 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock of Mettler-Toledo
International Inc. ('Mettler-Toledo' or the 'Company') offered hereby are being
sold by certain shareholders (the 'Selling Shareholders') of the Company. See
'Principal and Selling Shareholders.' The Company is not selling shares of
Common Stock in this Offering and will not receive any of the proceeds from the
sale of Common Stock offered hereby.
 
     Of the 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 8,000,000 shares
are being offered for sale initially in the United States and Canada by the U.S.
Underwriters and 2,000,000 shares are being offered for sale initially in a
concurrent offering outside the United States and Canada by the International
Managers. The initial public offering price and the underwriting discount per
share will be identical for both Offerings. See 'Underwriting.'
 
     The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
'MTD.' On June 29, 1998, the last sale price of the Common Stock as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange was $20 3/8 per share. See 'Price Range of Common
Stock.'
 
     SEE 'RISK FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 11 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED
HEREBY.

                            ------------------------
 
   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
     AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS
        THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
           COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
         PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
                                   OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      PRICE TO                 UNDERWRITING                PROCEEDS TO
                       PUBLIC                   DISCOUNT(1)          SELLING SHAREHOLDERS(2)
<S>           <C>                        <C>                        <C>
Per Share...           $20.00                      $.83                      $19.17
Total(3)....        $200,000,000                $8,300,000                $191,700,000
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the
    several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including certain
    liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See
    'Underwriting.'
 
(2) The Company has agreed to pay certain expenses of the Selling Shareholders
    estimated at $650,000.
 
(3) The Selling Shareholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters and the
    International Managers options to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000
    shares and 300,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, in each case
    exercisable within 30 days after the date hereof, solely to cover
    over-allotments, if any. If such options are exercised in full, the total
    Price to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Selling Shareholders
    will be $230,000,000, $9,545,000 and $220,455,000, respectively. See
    'Underwriting.'
 
                            ------------------------
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the Underwriters and certain
other conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or
modify such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made in New York, New York on or
about July 6, 1998.

                            ------------------------
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

                   BT ALEX. BROWN

                          CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                                            GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

                                                            SALOMON SMITH BARNEY

                            ------------------------
 
                 The date of this Prospectus is June 29, 1998.

<PAGE>







                     [PICTURES OF PRODUCTS WITH CAPTIONS:]
 
     This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements. These statements are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the
Company's control. See 'Risk Factors--Forward-Looking Statements and Associated
Risks' and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.'
 
     Certain persons participating in the Offerings may engage in transactions
that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Common Stock. Such
transactions may include stabilizing, the purchase of Common Stock to cover
syndicate short positions and the imposition of penalty bids. For a description
of these activities, see 'Underwriting.'
 
     Mettler-Toledo(Registered), Mettler(Registered), Ingold(Registered),
Garvens(Registered), Ohaus(Registered), DeltaRange(Registered),
DigiTol(Registered), Mentor SC(Registered), PILAR(Registered),
Safeline(Registered), Spider(Registered), TrimWeigh(Registered) and
TRUCKMATE(Registered) are registered trademarks of the Company and
MonoBloc(Trademark), MultiRange(Trademark), Signature(Trademark) and
Powerphase(Trademark) are trademarks of the Company.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements,
including the related notes, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. Unless
otherwise indicated, industry data contained herein is derived from publicly
available industry trade journals, government reports and other publicly
available sources, which the Company has not independently verified but which
the Company believes to be reliable, and where such sources are not available,
from Company estimates, which the Company believes to be reasonable, but which
cannot be independently verified. As used in this Prospectus, '$' refers to U.S.
dollars, 'SFr' refers to Swiss francs, 'pounds ' refers to British pounds
sterling and 'CDN' refers to Canadian dollars. Unless otherwise stated or where
the context otherwise requires, (i) references herein to the 'Company' or
'Mettler-Toledo' refer to Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and its direct and
indirect subsidiaries and (ii) all information herein assumes no exercise of the
Underwriters' over-allotment options.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
GENERAL
 
     Mettler-Toledo is a leading global supplier of precision instruments. The
Company is the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments
for use in laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications. In addition,
the Company holds one of the top three market positions in several related
analytical instruments such as titrators, thermal analysis systems, pH meters,
automatic lab reactors and electrodes. Through its 1997 acquisition (the
'Safeline Acquisition') of Safeline Limited ('Safeline'), the Company is also
the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of metal detection systems for
companies that produce and package goods in the food processing, pharmaceutical,
cosmetics, chemicals and other industries. The Company focuses on high
value-added segments of its markets by providing innovative instruments, by
integrating these instruments into application-specific solutions for customers,
and by facilitating the processing of data gathered by its instruments and the
transfer of this data to customers' management information systems.
Mettler-Toledo services a worldwide customer base through its own sales and
service organization and has a global manufacturing presence in Europe, the
United States and Asia. The Company generated 1997 net sales of $878.4 million
which were derived 45% in Europe, 42% in North and South America and 13% in Asia
and other markets.
 
     The Company believes that in 1997 the global market for the Company's
products and services was approximately $6.0 billion. Weighing instruments are
among the most broadly used measuring devices, and their results are often used
as the basis of commercial transactions. Analytical instruments are critical to
the research and development and quality control efforts of end-users, while
metal detection systems provide important quality and safety checks in
production and packaging. The Company's products are used in laboratories as an
integral part of research and quality control processes, in industry for various
manufacturing processes such as quality control, materials preparation, filling,
counting and dimensioning, and in food retailing for preparation, portioning and
inventory control. Customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals,
cosmetics, food and beverage, metals, electronics, logistics, transportation and
food retailing businesses, as well as schools, universities and government
standards laboratories.
 
MARKET LEADERSHIP
 
     The Company believes that it maintains a leading position in each of its
markets. In the weighing instruments market, Mettler-Toledo is the only company
to offer products for laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications
throughout the world and believes that it holds a market share more than two
times greater than that of its nearest competitor. The Company believes that in
1997 it had an approximate 40% market share of the global market for laboratory
balances, including the largest market share in each of Europe, the United
States and Asia (excluding Japan), and the number two position in Japan. In the
industrial and food retailing market, the Company believes it has the largest
market share in Europe and in the United States. In Asia, the Company has a
substantial, rapidly growing industrial and food retailing business supported by
its established manufacturing presence in China. The Company also holds one of
the top three global market positions in several
 
                                       3

<PAGE>

analytical instruments such as titrators, thermal analysis systems, electrodes,
pH meters and automatic lab reactors. The Company recently enhanced its leading
positions in precision instruments through the addition of Safeline's market
leading metal detection products, which can be used in conjunction with the
Company's checkweighing instruments for important quality and safety checks in
the food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other industries.
Mettler-Toledo attributes its worldwide market leadership positions to the
following competitive strengths:
 
     Global Brand and Reputation.  The Mettler-Toledo brand name is identified
worldwide with accuracy, reliability and innovation. Customers value these
characteristics because precision instruments, particularly weighing and
analytical instruments, significantly impact customers' product quality,
productivity, costs and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, precision
instruments generally constitute a small percentage of customers' aggregate
expenditures. As a result, the Company believes customers tend to emphasize
accuracy, product reliability, technical innovation, service quality, reputation
and past experience with a manufacturer's products when making their purchasing
decisions for weighing and other precision instruments and experience high
switching costs if they attempt to change vendors. A recent independent survey
concluded that 'Mettler-Toledo' was one of the three most recognized brand names
in the laboratory. The Company's brand name is so well recognized that
laboratory balances are often generically referred to as 'Mettlers.' The
strength of this brand name has allowed the Company to successfully extend its
laboratory product line to include titrators, thermal analysis systems,
electrodes, pH meters and automatic lab reactors.
 
     Technological Innovation.  Mettler-Toledo has a long and successful track
record of innovation, as demonstrated by the invention of the single-pan
analytical balance in 1945 and the introduction of the first fully electronic
precision balance in 1973. The Company has continued to be at the forefront of
technology with recent innovations in both weighing and related instrumentation,
including its new digital load cell, its ID 20 terminal (the first personal
computer interface to be certified by weights and measures regulators), its
MonoBloc weighing sensor technology, its GOBI moisture determination instrument,
a new automatic lab reactor, the Zero Metal-Free Zone metal detector and its new
Parallel Infrared Laser Array ('PILAR') dimensioning equipment. As with many of
the Company's recent innovations, the Company's new MonoBloc weighing sensor
technology provides greater accuracy, while also significantly reducing
manufacturing costs and the time and expense of design changes by reducing from
approximately 100 to approximately 50 the number of parts in the sensor. The
Company believes it is the global leader in its industry in providing innovative
instruments, in integrating its instruments into application-specific solutions
for customers, and in facilitating the processing of data gathered by its
instruments and the transfer of this data to customers' management information
systems. Mettler-Toledo's technological innovation efforts benefit from the
Company's manufacturing expertise in sensor technology, precision machining and
electronics, as well as its strength in software development.
 
     Comprehensive, High Quality Product Range.  Mettler-Toledo manufactures a
more comprehensive range of weighing instruments than any of its competitors.
The Company's broad product line addresses a wide range of weighing applications
across and within many industries and regions. Furthermore, the Company's
analytical instruments and metal detection systems complement its weighing
products, enabling the Company to offer integrated solutions. The Company
manufactures its products in its modern manufacturing facilities, most of which
are ISO 9001 certified. Mettler-Toledo's broad range of high quality products
and the ability to provide integrated solutions allows the Company to leverage
its sales and service organization, product development activities and
manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
 
     Global Sales and Service.  The Company has the only global sales and
service organization among weighing instruments manufacturers. At March 31,
1998, this organization consisted of approximately 3,100 employees organized
into locally-based, customer-focused groups that provide prompt service and
support to the Company's customers and distributors in virtually all major
markets around the world. The local focus of the Company's sales and service
organization enables the Company to provide timely, responsive support to
customers worldwide and provides feedback for manufacturing and product
development. This global infrastructure also allows the Company to capitalize on
growth opportunities in emerging markets.
 
     Largest Installed Base.  The Company believes that it has the largest
installed base of weighing instruments in the world. From this installed base,
the Company obtains service contracts which provide a strong, stable source of
recurring service revenue. Service revenue represented approximately 16% of net
sales in 1997,
 
                                       4

<PAGE>

of which approximately 9% is derived solely from service contracts and repairs
with the remainder derived from the sale of spare parts. The Company believes
that its installed base of weighing instruments represents a competitive
advantage with respect to repeat purchases and purchases of related analytical
instruments and metal detection systems, because customers tend to remain with
an existing supplier that can provide accurate and reliable products and related
services. In addition, switching to a new instrument supplier entails additional
costs to the customer for training, spare parts, service and systems integration
requirements. Close relationships and frequent contact with its broad customer
base also provide the Company with sales leads and new product and application
ideas.
 
     Geographical, Product and Customer Diversification.  The Company's revenue
base is diversified by geographic region, product range and customer. The
Company's broad range of product offerings is utilized in many different
industries, including, among others, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food
processing, food retailing and transportation. The Company supplies customers in
over 100 countries, and no one customer accounted for more than 2.6% of 1997 net
sales. The Company's diverse revenue base reduces its exposure to regional or
industry-specific economic conditions, and its presence in many different
geographic markets, product markets and industries enhances its attractiveness
as a supplier to multinational customers.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     Prior to its acquisition on October 15, 1996 (the 'Acquisition') in a
transaction sponsored by management and AEA Investors Inc. ('AEA Investors'),
Mettler-Toledo operated as a division of Ciba-Geigy AG ('Ciba'). In connection
with the Acquisition, Mettler-Toledo began implementing a strategy to enhance
its position as global market leader by accelerating new product introductions,
capitalizing on market opportunities, focusing on expansion in emerging markets,
pursuing selected acquisitions and reengineering its operations in order to
reduce its overall cost structure. These initiatives have contributed to an
improvement in operating income (gross profit less research and development and
selling, general and administrative expenses) before amortization and non-
recurring costs ('Adjusted Operating Income') from $39.5 million (4.6% of net
sales) for 1995 to $81.5 million (9.3% of net sales) for 1997. Adjusted
Operating Income increased from $12.3 million (6.2% of net sales) for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 to $18.7 million (8.7% of net sales) for the three
months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of 52.6%.
 
     New Product Introductions.  The Company intends to continue to invest in
product innovation in order to provide technologically advanced products to its
customers for existing and new applications. Over the last three calendar years,
the Company invested more than $150 million in research and development and
customer engineering, which has resulted in a pipeline of innovative and new
products, significant reductions in product costs and reduced time to market for
new products. Examples of recent or upcoming product introductions include:
industrial and retail products that apply open-system architecture, a higher
performance titrator, a higher performance modular thermal analysis system, a
new density and refractometry measurement technology, a fully integrated metal
detector and checkweigher, and the first Chinese-designed and manufactured
laboratory balance. In addition, the Company is also focused on innovations that
reduce manufacturing costs. For example, the Company is extending the
utilization of its high-accuracy, low-cost MonoBloc weighing sensor technology
through much of its weighing instrument product line. The Company attributes a
significant portion of its recent margin improvement to its research and
development efforts.
 
     Capitalize on Market Opportunities.  Mettler-Toledo believes it is well
positioned to capitalize on potential market opportunities including: (i) the
integration of precision measurement instruments into data management software
systems to automate processes and/or improve process control; (ii) the
development of integrated solutions that combine measurement instruments and
related technologies directly into manufacturing processes; (iii) the
harmonization of national weighing standards among countries, particularly in
the European Union; and (iv) the standardization of manufacturing and laboratory
practices through programs such as ISO 9001, Good Laboratory Practices and Good
Manufacturing Practices. The Company believes that these trends, together with
the Company's brand name, global presence and the pipeline of planned new
products, will allow it to increase its penetration of developed markets such as
Europe, the United States and Japan.
 
     Further Expansion in Emerging Markets.  The Company believes that global
recognition of the Mettler-Toledo brand name and the Company's global sales,
service and manufacturing capabilities position it to take
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
advantage of continued growth opportunities in emerging markets. These growth
opportunities have been driven by economic development and global manufacturers'
utilization of additional and more sophisticated precision measurement
instruments as they shift production to these markets. The primary focus to date
of the Company's emerging market expansion has been in Asia. In Asia (excluding
Japan), the Company is the market leader in laboratory weighing instruments and
has substantial and rapidly growing industrial and food retailing businesses.
The Company maintains two profitable operations in China: first, a 60% owned
joint venture which manufactures and sells industrial and food retailing
products and, second, a wholly owned facility which manufactures and distributes
laboratory products. Both of these operations serve the domestic and export
markets. The Company has opened direct marketing organizations in Taiwan, Korea,
Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Eastern Europe. The Company's net sales in
Southeast Asia and Korea collectively represented approximately 3% of the
Company's net sales for 1997. The Company is also expanding its sales and
service presence in Latin America and other emerging markets. The Company
believes Asia and other emerging markets will continue to provide opportunities
for growth in the long term based upon the movement toward international quality
standards, the need to upgrade mechanical scales to electronic versions and the
establishment of local production facilities by the Company's multinational
client base. The Company believes that its brand name, its global marketing and
manufacturing infrastructure and its already substantial sales in Asia, Latin
America and Eastern Europe position it to take advantage of these growth
opportunities.
 
     Pursue Selected Acquisition Opportunities.  Mettler-Toledo plans to
actively pursue additional complementary product lines and distribution
channels. In the laboratory market, the Company intends to leverage its existing
laboratory distribution system through the acquisition of complementary product
lines and the development of integrated laboratory solutions. In the industrial
and food retailing markets, the Company plans to pursue the acquisition of
related products and technologies that allow for the integration of weighing
with other customer operations and information systems. The Company began
implementing this strategy through the May 1997 acquisition of Safeline, which
is the world's leading supplier of metal detection systems for companies that
produce and package goods in the food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics,
chemicals and other industries. Safeline's metal detection systems enable the
Company to offer integrated solutions for quality control and data management to
these industries. The Company believes that by taking advantage of its brand
name and global sales and service organization it can expand the distribution of
acquired product lines and operate acquired businesses more effectively.
 
     Reengineering and Cost Reductions.  The Company's recent increase in
profitability has been achieved in part through: (i) focusing research and
development efforts on product cost reductions; (ii) achieving greater
flexibility in, and a targeted reduction of, the Company's workforce, including
a planned further reduction of approximately 70 personnel in 1998; (iii)
consolidating manufacturing facilities, including the closure of the
Westerville, Ohio facility; and (iv) moving production to lower-cost
manufacturing facilities. The Company has also started implementing a number of
additional operational changes such as the restructuring of its ordering
process, product delivery and parts inventory management in Europe, the
consolidation of worldwide precision balance manufacturing, the realignment of
industrial product manufacturing in Europe and the consolidation of the
Company's North American laboratory, industrial and food retailing businesses
into a single marketing organization. The Company believes that these new
initiatives, as well as its continuing efforts to reduce product costs through
research and development and the move of production to lower-cost manufacturing
facilities, will place the Company in a position to build on its recent
improvement in profitability. Furthermore, the Company believes that it can
leverage its existing infrastructure, particularly the recent investments made
in Asia, to obtain continued sales growth without significant additions to its
overall cost base.
 
ACQUISITION AND SAFELINE ACQUISITION
 
     Acquisition.  On October 15, 1996, the Company acquired the Mettler-Toledo
Group from Ciba in a transaction sponsored by management and AEA Investors. As
of March 31, 1998, approximately 1,000 of the Company's employees, including
executive officers, key management employees and Company sponsored pension
funds, owned at least 2,875,000 shares of Common Stock and held options to
purchase 4,408,740 additional shares of Common Stock, collectively representing
on a fully diluted basis an aggregate ownership interest of approximately 18%.
See 'Management' and 'Principal and Selling Shareholders.'
 
                                       6

<PAGE>

     Safeline Acquisition.  On May 30, 1997, the Company acquired Safeline. The
purchase price was pounds 63.7 million (approximately $104.4 million at May 30,
1997), including a post-closing adjustment of pounds 1.9 million which was paid
in October 1997 and an earn-out of pounds 0.8 million which was paid in June
1998. Safeline, based in Manchester, U.K., is the world's largest manufacturer
and marketer of metal detection systems for companies that produce and package
goods in the food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other
industries. Safeline's metal detectors can also be used in conjunction with the
Company's checkweighing products for important quality and safety checks in
these industries.
 
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND REFINANCING
 
     During the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company completed its initial public
offering of 7,666,667 shares of Common Stock, including the underwriters'
over-allotment option (the 'IPO'), at a per share price equal to $14.00. The IPO
raised net proceeds, after underwriters' commission and expenses, of
approximately $97.3 million. In connection with the IPO, the Company effected a
merger by and between it and its direct wholly owned subsidiary, Mettler-Toledo
Holding Inc., whereby Mettler-Toledo Holding Inc. was merged with and into the
Company (the 'Merger'). In connection with the Merger, all classes of the
Company's previous outstanding common stock were converted into 30,669,347
shares of a single class of Common Stock. Concurrently with the IPO, the Company
refinanced its existing credit facility by entering into a new credit facility
(the 'Credit Agreement'), borrowings from which, along with the proceeds from
the IPO, were used to repay substantially all of the Company's then existing
debt, including all of the 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the
'Notes') of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Mettler-Toledo, Inc.
(collectively, the 'Refinancing'). In connection with the Refinancing, the
Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $31.6 million, net of tax,
principally for prepayment premiums on certain debt repaid and for the write-off
of existing deferred financing fees. At March 31, 1998 the Company had
borrowings of $374.2 million. Of these borrowings, $191.4 million are in the
form of a term loan and the remainder are outstanding under a revolving credit
facility and various other arrangements. The Company's revolving credit facility
commitment increased from $170.0 million to $420.0 million under the Credit
Agreement, including a $100.0 million acquisition facility commitment.
 
                                       7

<PAGE>

                                 THE OFFERINGS
 
     The offering of 8,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share, in the United States and Canada (the 'U.S. Offering') and the
offering of 2,000,000 shares of the Common Stock outside the United States and
Canada (the 'International Offering') are collectively referred to herein as the
'Offerings.'
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Common Stock Offered by the Selling
  Shareholders (1)
 
     U.S. Offering........................  8,000,000 shares
 
     International Offering...............  2,000,000 shares
 
Common Stock Outstanding Before and After
  the Offerings (2).......................  38,336,014 shares
 
Use of Proceeds...........................  All of the Common Stock offered hereby is being sold by the Selling
                                            Shareholders. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale
                                            of the shares offered hereby.
 
New York Stock Exchange Symbol............  'MTD'
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Excludes 1,500,000 shares which are subject to the over-allotment options
    granted by the Selling Shareholders to the Underwriters in connection with
    the Offerings.
 
(2) Excludes 4,408,740 shares that may be issued upon the exercise of
    outstanding options granted pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan (the
    'Stock Plan').
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective purchasers of the Common Stock should carefully consider all of
the information contained in this Prospectus before making an investment in the
Common Stock. In particular, prospective purchasers should carefully consider
the factors set forth herein under 'Risk Factors.' These risks include: the
effect of the Company's substantial indebtedness on operations and liquidity;
risks associated with currency fluctuations; risks associated with international
operations; risks associated with competition and improvements in technology by
competitors; risks due to significant sales to the pharmaceutical and chemicals
industries; risks relating to future acquisitions; risks associated with
reliance on key management; risks of liability under environmental laws; the
potentially adverse effect on market price due to shares eligible for future
sale; restrictions on payment of dividends; and certain anti-takeover provisions
in the Company's certificate of incorporation.
 
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The summary historical financial information set forth below for the years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, for the period from January 1, 1996 to
October 14, 1996, for the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and
for the year ended December 31, 1997 is derived from the Company's financial
statements, which were audited by KPMG Fides Peat, independent auditors. The
financial information for all periods prior to October 15, 1996, the date of the
Acquisition, is combined financial information of the Mettler-Toledo Group (the
'Predecessor Business'). The summary historical financial information at March
31, 1998 and for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 is derived from
the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company, which,
in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for the unaudited periods. Operating results for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 1998. The combined
historical data of the Predecessor Business and the consolidated historical data
of the Company are not comparable in many respects due to the Acquisition and
the Safeline Acquisition. See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations' and the Consolidated Financial Statements
and accompanying notes included herein. The financial information presented
below was prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles ('U.S. GAAP').
 
                                       8

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 PREDECESSOR BUSINESS                  METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                     --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------
                                                      JANUARY 1,   OCTOBER 15,        1996
                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,           TO            TO          PRO FORMA    YEAR ENDED
                     ------------------------------   OCTOBER 14,  DECEMBER 31,     (A)(B)(C)   DECEMBER 31,
                       1993       1994       1995        1996          1996          (D)(E)         1997
                     --------   --------   --------   -----------  ------------     ---------   ------------
                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS
  DATA:
Net Sales........... $728,958   $769,136   $850,415    $ 662,221    $  186,912      $889,567      $878,415
Cost of Sales.......  443,534    461,629    508,089      395,239       136,820(b)    523,783       493,480(d)
                     --------   --------   --------   -----------  ------------     ---------   ------------
Gross profit........  285,424    307,507    342,326      266,982        50,092       365,784       384,935
Research and
  development.......   46,438     47,994     54,542       40,244         9,805        50,608        47,551
Selling, general and
  administrative....  209,692    224,978    248,327      186,898        59,353       252,085       260,397
Amortization........    2,917      6,437      2,765        2,151         1,065         6,526         6,222
Purchased research
  and development...       --         --         --           --       114,070(c)         --        29,959(e)
Interest expense....   15,239     13,307     18,219       13,868         8,738        30,007        35,924
Other charges
  (income),
  net(f) ...........   14,110     (7,716)    (9,331)      (1,332)       17,137        14,036        10,834
                     --------   --------   --------   -----------  ------------     ---------   ------------
Earnings (loss)
  before taxes,
  minority interest
  and extraordinary
  items.............   (2,972)    22,507     27,804       25,153      (160,076)       12,522        (5,952)
Provision for
  taxes.............    3,041      8,676      8,782       10,055          (938)        6,956        17,489
Minority interest...    1,140        347        768          637           (92)          593           468
                     --------   --------   --------   -----------  ------------     ---------   ------------
Earnings (loss)
  before
  extraordinary
  items.............   (7,153)    13,484     18,254       14,461      (159,046)        4,973       (23,909)
Extraordinary
  items-debt
  extinguishments...       --         --         --           --            --            --       (41,197)(g)
                     --------   --------   --------   -----------  ------------     ---------   ------------
Net earnings
  (loss)............ $ (7,153)  $ 13,484   $ 18,254    $  14,461    $ (159,046)     $  4,973      $(65,106)
                     --------   --------   --------   -----------  ------------     ---------   ------------
                     --------   --------   --------   -----------  ------------     ---------   ------------
Diluted earnings
  (loss) per common
  share(h):
  Earnings (loss)
    per common share
    before
    extraordinary
    items...........                                                $    (5.18)                   $  (0.76)
  Extraordinary
    items...........                                                        --                       (1.30)
                                                                   ------------                 ------------
  Earnings (loss)
    per common
    share...........                                                $    (5.18)                   $  (2.06)
                                                                   ------------                 ------------
                                                                   ------------                 ------------
 
  Weighted average
    number of common
    shares..........                                                30,686,065                   31,617,071

OTHER DATA:
Local currency net
  sales growth(i)...                   7%         6%                                       3%           11%
Gross profit before
  non-recurring
  costs as a
  percentage of net
  sales(j)..........     39.2%      40.0%      40.3%        40.3%         44.0%         41.1%         44.1%
Adjusted Operating
  Income(k)......... $ 29,294   $ 34,535   $ 39,457    $  39,840    $   17,912      $ 67,875      $ 81,541
Adjusted Operating
  Income as a
  percentage of net
  sales(k)..........      4.0%       4.5%       4.6%         6.0%          9.6%          7.6%          9.3%
Depreciation and
  amortization
  expense........... $ 29,591   $ 34,118   $ 33,363    $  21,663    $    8,990      $ 34,393      $ 31,835
Capital
  expenditures......   25,122     24,916     25,858       16,649        11,928        29,417        22,251

<CAPTION>
                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                            MARCH 31,
                      ----------------------
                         1997        1998
                      ----------  ----------
<S>                   <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS
  DATA:
Net Sales...........  $ 197,402    $215,655
Cost of Sales.......    114,120     121,048
                      ----------  ----------
Gross profit........     83,282      94,607
Research and
  development.......     10,832      10,795
Selling, general and
  administrative....     60,193      65,112
Amortization........      1,157       1,818
Purchased research
  and development...         --          --
Interest expense....      9,446       5,879
Other charges
  (income),
  net(f) ...........      3,754         454
                      ----------  ----------
Earnings (loss)
  before taxes,
  minority interest
  and extraordinary
  items.............     (2,100)     10,549
Provision for
  taxes.............     (1,087)      3,692
Minority interest...        109          19
                      ----------  ----------
Earnings (loss)
  before
  extraordinary
  items.............     (1,122)      6,838
Extraordinary
  items-debt
  extinguishments...         --          --
                      ----------  ----------
Net earnings
  (loss)............  $  (1,122)   $  6,838
                      ----------  ----------
                      ----------  ----------

Diluted earnings
  (loss) per common
  share(h):
  Earnings (loss)
    per common share
    before
    extraordinary
    items...........  $   (0.04)   $   0.17
  Extraordinary
    items...........         --          --
                      ----------  ----------
  Earnings (loss)
    per common
    share...........  $   (0.04)   $   0.17
                      ----------  ----------
                      ----------  ----------

  Weighted average
    number of common
    shares..........  30,686,065  40,600,109

OTHER DATA:
Local currency net
  sales growth(i)...          4%         14%
Gross profit before
  non-recurring
  costs as a
  percentage of net
  sales(j)..........       42.2%       43.9%
Adjusted Operating
  Income(k).........  $  12,257    $ 18,700
Adjusted Operating
  Income as a
  percentage of net
  sales(k)..........        6.2%        8.7%
Depreciation and
  amortization
  expense...........  $   6,978    $  7,695
Capital
  expenditures......      3,063       7,417

<CAPTION>
                                  MARCH 31,
                                     1998
                                  ----------
<S>                               <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.....               $ 77,503
Total assets........                735,138
Long-term debt......                319,207
Other non-current li                 91,181
Shareholders' equity                 33,926
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
(a) Represents the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations of
    the Company for fiscal year 1996, assuming the Acquisition, the Safeline
    Acquisition, the IPO and the Refinancing occurred on January 1, 1996. The
    1996 pro forma data includes certain adjustments to historical results to
    reflect: (i) an increase in interest expense resulting from
    acquisition-related borrowings, which expense has been partially offset by
    reduced borrowings following application of IPO proceeds and a lower
    effective interest rate following the Refinancing, (ii) an increase in
    amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets following the
    Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition, and (iii) changes to the

                                              (Footnotes continued on next page)
 
                                       9

<PAGE>

(Footnotes continued from previous page)
 
    provision for taxes to reflect the Company's estimated effective income tax
    rate at a stated level of pro forma earnings before tax for the year ended
    December 31, 1996. Certain other one-time charges incurred during 1996 have
    not been excluded from the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of
    operations for the year ended December 31, 1996. See 'Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
    Operations--Results of Operations.'
 
 (b) In connection with the Acquisition, the Company allocated $32,194 of the
     purchase price to revalue certain inventories (principally work-in-progress
     and finished goods) to fair value (net realizable value). Substantially all
     such inventories were sold during the period October 15, 1996 to December
     31, 1996. The charges associated with this revaluation have been excluded
     from the 1996 pro forma financial information.
 
 (c) In connection with the Acquisition, the Company allocated, based upon
     independent valuations, $114,070 of the purchase price to purchased
     research and development in process. This amount was recorded as an expense
     immediately following the Acquisition. This expense has been excluded from
     the 1996 pro forma financial information.
 
 (d) In connection with the Safeline Acquisition, the Company allocated $2,054
     of the purchase price to revalue certain inventories (principally
     work-in-progress and finished goods) to fair value (net realizable value).
     Substantially all such inventories were sold during the second quarter of
     1997. The charges associated with this revaluation have been excluded from
     the 1996 pro forma financial information.
 
 (e) In connection with the Safeline Acquisition, the Company allocated, based
     upon independent valuations, $29,959 of the purchase price to purchased
     research and development in process. This amount was recorded as an expense
     immediately following the Safeline Acquisition. This expense has been
     excluded from the 1996 pro forma financial information.
 
 (f) Other charges (income), net generally includes interest income, foreign
     currency transactions (gains) losses, (gains) losses from sales of assets
     and other charges (income). In 1993, the amount shown includes costs
     associated with the closure of a manufacturing facility in Cologne,
     Germany, the restructuring of certain manufacturing operations and an early
     retirement program in the United States. For the period January 1, 1996 to
     October 14, 1996, the amount shown includes employee severance and other
     exit costs associated with the closing of the Company's Westerville, Ohio
     facility. For the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996, the amount
     shown includes employee severance benefits associated with the Company's
     general headcount reduction programs in Europe and North America and the
     realignment of the analytical and precision balance business in
     Switzerland. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the amount shown
     includes a restructuring charge of $6,300 to consolidate three facilities
     in North America. See Note 14 to the audited consolidated financial
     statements (the 'Audited Consolidated Financial Statements') included
     herein.
 
 (g) Represents charges for the write-off of capitalized debt issuance fees and
     related expenses associated with the Company's previous credit facilities
     as well as the prepayment premium on the Notes and the write-off of the
     related capitalized debt issuance fees.
 
 (h) Effective December 31, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
     Accounting Standards No. 128, 'Earnings per Share' ('SFAS 128').
     Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share data for each period
     presented have been determined in accordance with the provisions of SFAS
     128.
 
 (i) Local currency net sales growth is adjusted for the exit from certain
     systems businesses. Pro forma 1996 local currency net sales growth assumes
     that the Safeline Acquisition occurred on January 1, 1995. For 1997, local
     currency net sales increased 7% absent the Safeline Acquisition. For the
     three months ended March 31, 1998, local currency net sales increased 7%
     absent the Safeline Acquisition.
 
 (j) Non-recurring costs represent costs associated with selling inventories
     revalued to fair value in connection with the Acquisition and the Safeline
     Acquisition. See Notes (b) and (d) above.
 
 (k) Adjusted Operating Income is defined as operating income (gross profit less
     research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses)
     before amortization and non-recurring costs. Non-recurring costs which have
     been excluded are the costs set forth in Note (j) above and for the period
     from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996, and in pro forma 1996, advisory
     fees associated with the reorganization of the Company's structure of
     approximately $4,800. Non-recurring costs in 1997 includes a charge of
     $2,500 in connection with the termination of the Company's management
     services agreement with AEA Investors.
 
 (l) Consists primarily of obligations under various pension plans and plans
     that provide post-retirement medical benefits. See Note 12 to the Audited
     Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
 
                                       10

<PAGE>

                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus,
prospective investors should consider carefully the following risk factors
before purchasing the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. See
'--Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks' and 'Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.'
 
EFFECT OF SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS ON OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY
 
     In connection with the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition, the
Company incurred a significant amount of indebtedness. At March 31, 1998, the
Company's consolidated indebtedness (excluding unused commitments) was $374.2
million. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had additional borrowing capacity of
approximately $240.0 million on a revolving credit basis under the Credit
Agreement and under local working capital facilities for acquisitions and other
purposes. The Company is required to make scheduled principal payments on the
term loans under the Credit Agreement. The Company's ability to comply with the
terms of the Credit Agreement and its other debt obligations to make cash
payments with respect to such obligations and to satisfy its other debt or to
refinance any of such obligations will depend on the future performance of the
Company, which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic and competitive
conditions and certain financial, business and other factors beyond its control.
See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources.'
 
     The Company's high degree of leverage could have important consequences
including but not limited to the following: (i) the Company's ability to obtain
additional financing for acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital or
general corporate purposes may be impaired in the future; (ii) a substantial
portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated to the
payment of principal and interest on borrowings under the Credit Agreement and
the Company's other indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to the
Company for its operations and other purposes, including investments in research
and development and capital spending; (iii) certain of the Company's borrowings
are and will continue to be at variable rates of interest, which exposes the
Company to the risk of increased interest rates; and (iv) the Company may be
substantially more leveraged than certain of its competitors, which may place
the Company at a relative competitive disadvantage and may make the Company more
vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or its business or
changing market conditions and regulations.
 
     The Credit Agreement and the Company's other debt obligations contain a
number of covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the
Company to incur additional indebtedness, dispose of certain assets, make
capital expenditures and otherwise restrict corporate activities. The Company's
ability to comply with such covenants may be affected by events beyond its
control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. A
failure to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in the Credit
Agreement, the Company's other debt obligations or any agreements with respect
to any additional financing could result in an event of default under its debt
agreements.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS
 
     Swiss franc-denominated expenses represent a much greater percentage of the
Company's operating expenses than Swiss franc-denominated sales represent of
total net sales. Some of the Company's manufacturing costs in Switzerland relate
to products that are sold outside of Switzerland, including many technologically
sophisticated products requiring highly skilled personnel. Moreover, a
substantial percentage of the Company's research and development expenses and
general and administrative expenses are incurred in Switzerland. Appreciation of
the Swiss franc against the Company's major trading currencies (i.e., the U.S.
dollar, certain major European currencies and the Japanese yen) has a negative
impact on the Company's income from operations, whereas depreciation of the
Swiss franc has a positive impact.
 
     The Company's operations are conducted by subsidiaries in many countries,
and the results of operations and the financial position of each of those
subsidiaries is reported in the relevant foreign currency and then translated
into U.S. dollars at the applicable foreign currency exchange rate for inclusion
in the Company's consolidated financial statements. As exchange rates between
these foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar fluctuate, the translation effect
of such fluctuations may have a material adverse effect on the Company's results
 
                                       11

<PAGE>

of operations or financial position as reported in U.S. dollars. However, the
effect of these changes on income from operations generally offsets in part the
effect on income from operations of changes in the exchange rate between the
Swiss franc and other currencies described in the preceding paragraph.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
 
     The Company does business in numerous countries, including emerging markets
in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. In addition to currency risks
discussed above, the Company's international operations are subject to the risk
of new and different legal and regulatory requirements in local jurisdictions,
tariffs and trade barriers, potential difficulties in staffing and managing
local operations, credit risk of local customers and distributors, potential
difficulties in protecting intellectual property, risk of nationalization of
private enterprises, potential imposition of restrictions on investments,
potentially adverse tax consequences, including imposition or increase of
withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries,
and local economic, political and social conditions, including the possibility
of hyper-inflationary conditions, in certain countries. The Company is
increasing its presence in China, Latin America and Eastern Europe. As a result,
inflationary conditions in these countries could have an increasingly
significant effect on the Company's operating results. Recently, growth in net
sales in Southeast Asia and Korea (which collectively represented approximately
3% of the Company's total net sales in 1997) has slowed and the Company
anticipates this trend to continue for the near term.
 
     The conversion into foreign currency of funds earned in local currency
through the Company's operations in the People's Republic of China and the
repatriation of such funds require certain governmental approvals. Failure to
obtain such approvals could result in the Company being unable to convert or
repatriate earnings from its Chinese operations, which may become an
increasingly important part of the Company's international operations.
 
COMPETITION; IMPROVEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY
 
     The markets in which the Company operates are highly competitive. Weighing
instruments markets are fragmented both geographically and by application,
particularly the industrial and food retailing market. As a result, the Company
competes with numerous regional or specialized competitors, many of which are
well established in their respective markets. Some competitors are divisions of
larger companies with potentially greater financial and other resources than the
Company. The Company has, from time to time, experienced price pressures from
competitors in certain product lines and geographic markets.
 
     The Company's competitors can be expected to continue to improve the design
and performance of their products and to introduce new products with competitive
price and performance characteristics. Although the Company believes that it has
certain technological and other advantages over its competitors, realizing and
maintaining these advantages will require the continued productive investment by
the Company in research and development, sales and marketing and customer
service and support. There can be no assurance that the Company will have
sufficient resources to continue to make such investments or that the Company
will be successful in maintaining such advantages.
 
SIGNIFICANT SALES TO PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICALS INDUSTRIES
 
     The Company's products are used extensively in the pharmaceutical and
chemicals industries. Consolidation in these industries has had an adverse
impact on the Company's sales in prior years. A prolonged downturn or any
additional consolidation in these industries could adversely affect the
Company's operating results.
 
RISKS RELATING TO FUTURE ACQUISITIONS
 
     The Company may in the future pursue acquisitions of complementary product
lines, technologies or businesses. Future acquisitions by the Company may result
in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt
and contingent liabilities and amortization expenses related to goodwill and
other intangible assets, which could materially adversely affect the Company's
profitability. In addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including
difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, technologies and products of
the acquired companies, the diversion of management's attention from other
business concerns and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired
company. There are currently no understandings or agreements with respect to any
material acquisition, nor can there be any assurances that the Company will be
able to identify and
 
                                       12

<PAGE>

successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions in the future. In the
event that any such acquisition does occur, however, there can be no assurance
as to the effect thereof on the Company's business or operating results.
 
RELIANCE ON KEY MANAGEMENT
 
     Robert F. Spoerry, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and each of the
other key management employees of the Company have employment contracts with the
Company. In addition, various members of management own a portion of the shares
of Common Stock of the Company and have options to purchase additional shares of
such Common Stock. See 'Principal and Selling Shareholders.' Nonetheless, there
is no assurance that such individuals will remain with the Company. If, for any
reason, such key personnel do not continue to be active in the Company's
management, operations could be adversely affected. The Company has no key man
life insurance policies with respect to any of its senior executives.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     The Company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations in the
jurisdictions in which it operates, including those relating to air emissions,
wastewater discharges, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes
and the remediation of contamination associated with the use and disposal of
hazardous substances. The Company, like many of its competitors, has incurred,
and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other costs
in complying with such laws and regulations in both the United States and
abroad. The Company is currently involved in, or has potential liability with
respect to, the remediation of past contamination in certain of its presently
and formerly owned and leased facilities in both the United States and abroad.
In addition, certain of the Company's present and former facilities have or had
been in operation for many decades and, over such time, some of these facilities
may have used substances or generated and disposed of wastes which are or may be
considered hazardous. It is possible that such sites, as well as disposal sites
owned by third parties to which the Company has sent wastes, may in the future
be identified and become the subject of remediation. Accordingly, although the
Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable
environmental requirements, it is possible that the Company could become subject
to additional environmental liabilities in the future that could result in a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition. See 'Business--Environmental Matters.'
 
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET PRICE DUE TO SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock in the public
market or the perception that such sales could occur could adversely affect
prevailing market prices for the Common Stock. As of March 31, 1998, the Company
had outstanding 38,336,014 shares of Common Stock. All shares of Common Stock
are freely tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the 'Securities Act'), except to the extent such shares are subject to
the agreement with the Underwriters described below and for any such shares
which are held by an 'affiliate' of the Company. In connection with the
Offerings, the Company, the Company's executive officers and directors and the
Selling Shareholders, who will collectively hold, after the Offerings,
14,262,548 shares of Common Stock (assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option) will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose
of any shares of Common Stock for a period of 90 days from the date of this
Prospectus without the consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated ('Merrill Lynch') on behalf of the Underwriters. Upon expiration of
the lockup period, all shares will be eligible for sale in the public market,
with shares held by 'affiliates' (as such term is defined under the Securities
Act) of the Company subject to compliance with the volume limitations and other
restrictions of Rules 144 and 145 under the Securities Act. In addition, the
Company has filed a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the
sale of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance or sale under the Company's
Stock Plan. As of March 31, 1998, there were outstanding options to purchase a
total of 4,408,740 shares of Common Stock. The sale of such shares could have an
adverse effect on the Company's ability to raise equity capital in the public
markets. See 'Shares Eligible for Future Sale.'
 
                                       13

<PAGE>

RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS; ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
 
     The Credit Agreement restricts, among other things, the ability of the
Company to pay dividends. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash
dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. See 'Dividend Policy.'
 
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
     The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the
'Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation') and amended by-laws (the
'Amended By-laws') contain certain provisions that could make more difficult the
acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or
otherwise. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the
issuance of preferred stock without shareholder approval and upon such terms as
the Board of Directors may determine. The rights of the holders of Common Stock
are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of
preferred stock that may be issued in the future. In addition, the Amended
By-laws contain advance notice procedures for shareholders to nominate
candidates for election as directors and for shareholders to submit proposals
for consideration at shareholder meetings. Under certain circumstances, Section
203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law makes it more difficult for an
'interested stockholder' (generally a 15% stockholder) to effect various
business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS
 
     This Prospectus includes forward-looking statements that reflect the
Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance,
including capital expenditures, planned product introductions, research and
development expenditures, potential future growth, including potential
penetration of developed markets and potential growth opportunities in emerging
markets, potential future acquisitions, potential cost savings from planned
employee reductions and restructuring programs, estimated proceeds from and
timing of asset sales, planned operational changes and research and development
efforts, strategic plans and future cash sources and requirements. These
forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties,
including those identified in 'Risk Factors,' which could cause actual results
to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words
'believe,' 'expect,' 'anticipate' and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
 
                                       14

<PAGE>

                                  THE COMPANY
 
GENERAL
 
     Mettler-Toledo is a leading global supplier of precision instruments. The
Company is the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments
for use in laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications. In addition,
the Company holds one of the top three market positions in several related
analytical instruments such as titrators, thermal analysis systems, pH meters,
automatic lab reactors and electrodes. Through its 1997 acquisition of Safeline,
the Company is also the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of metal
detection systems for companies that produce and package goods in the food
processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other industries. The
Company focuses on high value-added segments of its markets by providing
innovative instruments, by integrating these instruments into
application-specific solutions for customers, and by facilitating the processing
of data gathered by its instruments and the transfer of this data to customers'
management information systems. Mettler-Toledo services a worldwide customer
base through its own sales and service organization and has a global
manufacturing presence in Europe, the United States and Asia. The Company
generated 1997 net sales of $878.4 million which were derived 45% in Europe, 42%
in North and South America and 13% in Asia and other markets.
 
     The mailing address of the Company's principal executive offices is Im
Langacher, P.O. Box MT-100, CH-8606, Greifensee, Switzerland. Its telephone
number is 41-1-944-22-11.
 
ACQUISITION AND SAFELINE ACQUISITION
 
     Acquisition.  The Company was incorporated in December 1991. It was
recapitalized in connection with the October 15, 1996 acquisition of the
Mettler-Toledo Group from Ciba in a transaction sponsored by management and AEA
Investors. The Company paid cash consideration of approximately SFr 505.0
million (approximately $402.0 million at October 15, 1996), including dividends
of approximately SFr 109.4 million (approximately $87.1 million at October 15,
1996), paid approximately $185.0 million to settle amounts due to Ciba and its
affiliates and incurred expenses in connection with the Acquisition and related
financing of approximately $29.0 million. The Company primarily financed the
Acquisition with (i) borrowings under a credit agreement in the amount of $307.0
million, (ii) the issuance of $135.0 million of the Notes and (iii) an equity
contribution of $190.0 million primarily from AEA Investors, its
shareholder-investors and executive officers and other employees of the Company.
 
     Safeline Acquisition.  On May 30, 1997, the Company acquired Safeline. The
purchase price was pounds 63.7 million (approximately $104.4 million at May 30,
1997), including a post-closing adjustment of pounds 1.9 million which was paid
in October 1997 and an earn-out of pounds 0.8 million which was paid in June
1998. Safeline, based in Manchester, U.K., is the world's largest manufacturer
and marketer of metal detection systems for companies that produce and package
goods in the food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other
industries. Safeline's metal detectors can also be used in conjunction with the
Company's checkweighing products for important quality and safety checks in
these industries.
 
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND REFINANCING
 
     During the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company completed its IPO of
7,666,667 shares of Common Stock, including the underwriters' over-allotment
option, at a per share price equal to $14.00. The IPO raised net proceeds, after
underwriters' commission and expenses, of approximately $97.3 million.
Concurrently with the IPO, the Company effected the Merger and the Refinancing.
In connection with the Refinancing, the Company recorded an extraordinary charge
of $31.6 million, net of tax, principally for prepayment premiums on certain
debt repaid and for the write-off of existing deferred financing fees. At March
31, 1998 the Company had borrowings of $374.2 million. Of these borrowings,
$191.4 million are in the form of a term loan and the remainder are outstanding
under a revolving credit facility and various other arrangements. The Company's
revolving credit facility commitment increased from $170.0 million to $420.0
million under the Credit Agreement, including a $100.0 million acquisition
facility commitment.
 
                                       15

<PAGE>

                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     All of the Common Stock offered hereby is being sold by the Selling
Shareholders. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the
Common Stock offered hereby. See 'Principal and Selling Shareholders.'
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company has never paid any dividends on its common stock and does not
anticipate paying any cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable
future. The current policy of the Company's Board of Directors is to retain
earnings to finance the operations and expansion of the Company's business. In
addition, the Company's Credit Agreement restricts the Company's ability to pay
dividends to its shareholders. Any future determination to pay dividends will
depend on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, capital
requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the
Board of Directors. See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources.'
 
                                       16

<PAGE>

                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company's Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on
November 14, 1997 under the symbol 'MTD.' The following table sets forth on a
per share basis the high and low sales prices for consolidated trading in the
Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape for the
quarters indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               COMMON STOCK
                                                                                                PRICE RANGE
                                                                                         -------------------------
                                                                                            HIGH           LOW
                                                                                         ----------    -----------
<S>                                                                                      <C>           <C>
1997
  Fourth Quarter (beginning November 14, 1997)........................................   $   18 3/4    $   14 1/16
1998
  First Quarter.......................................................................       22 3/8        16 9/16
  Second Quarter (through June 29, 1998)..............................................       22 1/4    18
</TABLE>
 
     For a recent reported last sale price for the Common Stock, see the cover
page of this Prospectus.
 
     As of May 31, 1998, there were 872 holders of record of the Company's
Common Stock, which excludes beneficial owners of Common Stock held in 'street
name.'
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the short-term debt and capitalization of
the Company at March 31, 1998. The information presented below should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes
thereto and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations' included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  MARCH 31, 1998
                                                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS,
                                                                                              EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                              -----------------------
<S>                                                                                           <C>
Short-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt(a):
  Short-term portion of term loans under credit agreements.................................          $  15,866
  Revolving credit facility under credit agreements(b).....................................             29,156
  Other short-term borrowings..............................................................              9,930
                                                                                                   -----------
     Total short-term debt.................................................................          $  54,952
                                                                                                   -----------
                                                                                                   -----------
Long-term debt(a):
  Term loans under credit agreements.......................................................          $ 175,514
  Revolving credit facility under credit agreements(b).....................................            127,732
  Other long-term debt.....................................................................             15,961
                                                                                                   -----------
     Total long-term debt..................................................................            319,207
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, par value $0.01, authorized 125,000,000 shares; issued
     38,336,014 (excluding 64,467 shares held in treasury)(c)..............................                383
  Additional paid-in capital...............................................................            284,630
  Accumulated deficit......................................................................           (217,314)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss.....................................................            (33,773)
                                                                                                   -----------
     Total shareholders' equity............................................................             33,926
                                                                                                   -----------
       Total capitalization................................................................          $ 353,133
                                                                                                   -----------
                                                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(a) At March 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries had total availability
    of approximately $240,000 (including a $100,000 acquisition facility) under
    the revolving credit facility of the Credit Agreement and local working
    capital facilities.
 
(b) The Company has the ability to refinance its short-term borrowings under its
    revolving facility for an uninterrupted period extending beyond one year.
    Accordingly, $127,732 of the Company's short-term borrowings at March 31,
    1998 have been reclassified to long-term.
 
(c) Does not include shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of
    options granted pursuant to the Stock Plan.
 
                                       17

<PAGE>

                   SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The selected historical financial information set forth below at December
31, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995, for the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, for the period
from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996, and for the year ended December 31,
1997 is derived from the Company's financial statements, which were audited by
KPMG Fides Peat, independent auditors. The financial information for all periods
prior to October 15, 1996, the date of the Acquisition, is combined financial
information of the Mettler-Toledo Group (the 'Predecessor Business'). The
selected historical financial information at March 31, 1997 and 1998 and for the
three months then ended is derived from the unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements of the Company, which, in the opinion of management,
include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the
unaudited periods. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1998
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year
ended December 31, 1998. The combined historical data of the Predecessor
Business and the consolidated historical data of the Company are not comparable
in many respects due to the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition. See
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations' and the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The financial information presented below
was prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
 
                                       18

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PREDECESSOR BUSINESS                           METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         -----------------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------------------
                                                              JANUARY 1      OCTOBER 15                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             TO              TO          YEAR ENDED          MARCH 31,
                         --------------------------------    OCTOBER 14,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    --------------------
                           1993        1994        1995         1996            1996            1997          1997        1998
                         --------    --------    --------    -----------    ------------    ------------    --------    --------
                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS DATA:
Net Sales.............   $728,958    $769,136    $850,415     $ 662,221      $  186,912       $878,415      $197,402    $215,655
Cost of sales.........    443,534     461,629     508,089       395,239         136,820(a)     493,480(c)    114,120     121,048
                         --------    --------    --------    -----------    ------------    ------------    --------    --------
Gross profit..........    285,424     307,507     342,326       266,982          50,092        384,935        83,282      94,607
Research and
  development ........     46,438      47,994      54,542        40,244           9,805         47,551        10,832      10,795
Selling, general and
  administrative......    209,692     224,978     248,327       186,898          59,353        260,397        60,193      65,112
Amortization..........      2,917       6,437       2,765         2,151           1,065          6,222         1,157       1,818
Purchased research and
  development.........         --          --          --            --         114,070(b)      29,959(d)         --          --
Interest expense......     15,239      13,307      18,219        13,868           8,738         35,924         9,446       5,879
Other charges
  (income), net(e)....     14,110      (7,716)     (9,331)       (1,332)         17,137         10,834         3,754         454
                         --------    --------    --------    -----------    ------------    ------------    --------    --------
Earnings (loss) before
  taxes, minority
  interest and
  extraordinary
  items...............     (2,972)     22,507      27,804        25,153        (160,076)        (5,952)       (2,100)     10,549
Provision for taxes...      3,041       8,676       8,782        10,055            (938)        17,489        (1,087)      3,692
Minority interest.....      1,140         347         768           637             (92)           468           109          19
                         --------    --------    --------    -----------    ------------    ------------    --------    --------
Earnings (loss) before
  extraordinary
  items...............     (7,153)     13,484      18,254        14,461        (159,046)       (23,909)       (1,122)      6,838
Extraordinary
  items-debt
  extinguishments.....         --          --          --            --              --        (41,197)(f)        --          --
                         --------    --------    --------    -----------    ------------    ------------    --------    --------
Net earnings (loss)...   $ (7,153)   $ 13,484    $ 18,254     $  14,461      $ (159,046)      $(65,106)     $ (1,122)   $  6,838
                         --------    --------    --------    -----------    ------------    ------------    --------    --------
                         --------    --------    --------    -----------    ------------    ------------    --------    --------
Basic earnings (loss)
  per common share(g):
  Earnings (loss) per
    common share
    before
    extraordinary
    items.............                                                       $    (5.18)      $  (0.76)     $  (0.04)   $   0.18
  Extraordinary
    items.............                                                               --          (1.30)           --          --
                                                                            ------------    ------------    --------    --------
  Earnings (loss) per
    common share......                                                       $    (5.18)      $  (2.06)     $  (0.04)   $   0.18
                                                                            ------------    ------------    --------    --------
                                                                            ------------    ------------    --------    --------
  Weighted average
    number of common
    shares............                                                       30,686,065     31,617,071      30,686,065  38,336,014
Diluted earnings
  (loss) per common
  share(g):
  Earnings (loss) per
    common share
    before
    extraordinary
    items.............                                                       $    (5.18)      $  (0.76)     $  (0.04)   $   0.17
  Extraordinary
    items.............                                                               --          (1.30)           --          --
                                                                            ------------    ------------    --------    --------
  Earnings (loss) per
    common share......                                                       $    (5.18)      $  (2.06)     $  (0.04)   $   0.17
                                                                            ------------    ------------    --------    --------
                                                                            ------------    ------------    --------    --------
  Weighted average
    number of common
    shares............                                                       30,686,065     31,617,071      30,686,065  40,600,109
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
  END OF PERIOD)(H):
Cash and cash
  equivalents ........               $ 63,802    $ 41,402                    $   60,696       $ 23,566      $ 40,599    $ 21,303
Working capital.......                132,586     136,911                       103,697         79,163       100,734      77,503
Total assets..........                683,198     724,094                       771,888        749,313       728,891     735,138
Long-term debt........                    862       3,621                       373,758        340,334       365,369     319,207
Net borrowing from
  Ciba and
  affiliates(i) ......                177,651     203,157                            --             --            --          --
Other non-current
  liabilities(j)......                 83,964      84,303                        96,810         91,011        92,177      91,181
Shareholders'
  equity(k)...........                228,194     193,254                        12,426         25,399         2,982      33,926
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------

<TABLE>
<S>   <C>
(a)   In connection with the Acquisition, the Company allocated $32,194 of the purchase price to revalue certain inventories
      (principally work-in-progress and finished goods) to fair value (net realizable value). Substantially all such
      inventories were sold during the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996.
</TABLE>
 
                                              (Footnotes continued on next page)
 
                                       19
<PAGE>

(Footnotes continued from previous page)
 
<TABLE>
<S>   <C>
(b)   In connection with the Acquisition, the Company allocated, based upon independent valuations, $114,070 of the purchase
      price to purchased research and development in process. This amount was recorded as an expense immediately following
      the Acquisition.
 
(c)   In connection with the Safeline Acquisition, the Company allocated $2,054 of the purchase price to revalue certain
      inventories (principally work-in-progress and finished goods) to fair value (net realizable value). Substantially all
      such inventories were sold during the second quarter of 1997.
 
(d)   In connection with the Safeline Acquisition, the Company allocated, based upon independent valuations, $29,959 of the
      purchase price to purchased research and development in process. This amount was recorded as an expense immediately
      following the Safeline Acquisition.
 
(e)   Other charges (income), net generally includes interest income, foreign currency transactions (gains) losses, (gains)
      losses from sales of assets and other charges (income). In 1993, the amount shown includes costs associated with the
      closure of a manufacturing facility in Cologne, Germany, the restructuring of certain manufacturing operations and an
      early retirement program in the United States. For the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, the amount shown
      includes employee severance and other exit costs associated with the closing of the Company's Westerville, Ohio
      facility. For the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996, the amount shown includes employee severance benefits
      associated with the Company's general headcount reduction programs, in Europe and North America and the realignment of
      the analytical and precision balance business in Switzerland. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the amount shown
      includes a restructuring charge of $6,300 to consolidate three facilities in North America. See Note 14 to the Audited
      Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
 
(f)   Represents charges for the write-off of capitalized debt issuance fees and related expenses associated with the
      Company's previous credit facilities as well as the prepayment premium on the Notes and the write-off of the related
      capitalized debt issuance fees.
 
(g)   Effective December 31, 1997, the Company adopted SFAS 128. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share data
      for each period presented have been determined in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 128.
 
(h)   Balance sheet information at December 31, 1993 is not available.
 
(i)   Includes notes payable and long-term debt payable to Ciba and affiliates less amounts due from Ciba and affiliates.
 
(j)   Consists primarily of obligations under various pension plans and plans that provide post-retirement medical benefits.
      See Note 12 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
 
(k)   Shareholders' equity for the Predecessor Business consists of the combined net assets of the Mettler-Toledo Group.
</TABLE>
 
                                       20

<PAGE>

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition
and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Audited
Consolidated Financial Statements and the unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements (the 'Interim Consolidated Financial Statements') included
herein.
 
GENERAL
 
     The financial statements for periods ended prior to October 15, 1996
reflect the combined operations of the Mettler-Toledo Group, while the financial
statements for periods after October 15, 1996 reflect the consolidated
operations of the Company after accounting for the Acquisition using the
purchase method of accounting. See Note 1 to the Audited Consolidated Financial
Statements. Operating results subsequent to the Acquisition and the Safeline
Acquisition are not comparable in many respects to the operating results prior
to the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition. Financial information is
presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America.
 
     The Company operates a global business, with net sales that are diversified
by geographic region, product range and customer. The Company believes that it
has achieved its market leadership positions through its continued investment in
product development, the maintenance and, in some instances, expansion, of its
existing position in established markets and its pursuit of new markets. Net
sales in local currency (adjusted for the exit in 1996 and 1995 from certain
systems businesses) have increased in both the laboratory and industrial and
food retailing product lines, increasing by 11% in 1997 and by 3% and 6% in 1996
and 1995, respectively. More recently, during the period ended March 31, 1998,
net sales in local currency increased by 14% compared to the corresponding
period in 1997. Similarly net sales in U.S. dollars increased 9% for the first
three months of 1998 compared to the first three months of 1997. For the full
year in 1997, net sales in U.S. dollars increased by 3%, as the strengthening of
the U.S. dollar versus the Company's major trading currencies reduced U.S.
dollar reported sales. Net sales in U.S. dollars were unchanged in 1996 and
increased by 11% in 1995. The Company's growth in 1997 and 1998 reflects
favorable sales trends in Europe, which began in the second half of 1997. In
addition, the Company has also benefited from recent investments to establish
distribution and manufacturing infrastructure in certain emerging markets,
particularly in Asia. For 1997, net sales in Asia and other emerging markets
increased by 30% over the prior year, despite the weakening economic conditions
in Asia. As a result of these weakening economic conditions, net sales in Asia
and other emerging markets in local currency decreased by 3% for the first three
months of 1998 compared to the first three months of 1997 primarily as a result
of a decline in net sales in Southeast Asia and Korea (which collectively
represented approximately 3% of the Company's total net sales for 1997).
However, the Company believes Asia and other emerging markets will continue to
provide opportunities for growth in the long term. The Company believes that its
growth over the next several years will come primarily from (i) the needs of
customers in developed markets to continue to automate their research and
development and manufacturing processes, (ii) the needs of customers in emerging
markets to continue modernizing these same processes through the use of
increasingly sophisticated instruments, and (iii) the pursuit of the Company's
acquisition strategy.
 
     The Company increased its gross profit margin before non-recurring
acquisition costs from 40.3% in 1995 to 44.1% in 1997 and increased its Adjusted
Operating Income (gross profit less research and development and selling,
general and administrative expenses before amortization and non-recurring costs)
as a percentage of net sales from 4.6% in 1995 to 9.3% in 1997. During the first
three months of 1998, the Company increased its gross profit margin to 43.9%
compared to 42.2% for the first three months of 1997. Similarly, Adjusted
Operating Income as a percentage of net sales improved from 6.2% during the
first three months of 1997 to 8.7% for the first three months of 1998. These
increases were achieved despite the Company's continued investments in product
development and in its distribution and manufacturing infrastructure. The
Company believes that a significant portion of these increases can be attributed
to its strategy to reduce costs and reengineer its operations. This strategy has
a number of key elements, such as ongoing efforts to direct more of its research
and development activities to the reduction of product costs, to reengineer
manufacturing, distribution, sales and administrative processes, and to
consolidate operations and re-deploy resources to lower cost facilities.
Examples of recent efforts to implement the different elements of this strategy
include the introduction of several products in 1997 with significantly reduced
manufacturing costs compared to their predecessors, the closure of the
 
                                       21

<PAGE>

Westerville, Ohio manufacturing facility in 1996, completion of a targeted
workforce reduction of approximately 170 personnel, the consolidation of three
North American facilities as described below and the opening of a new laboratory
manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China in 1997 with significant production
and research and development capabilities. The Company is currently implementing
several additional reengineering and cost reduction projects, including the
consolidation of worldwide precision balance manufacturing, the restructuring of
its ordering process, product delivery and parts inventory management in Europe,
the realignment of industrial product manufacturing in Europe and the
consolidation of the Company's North American laboratory, industrial and food
retailing businesses into a single marketing organization.
 
     On May 30, 1997, the Company acquired Safeline. The purchase price was
pounds 63.7 million (approximately $104.4 million at May 30, 1997), including a
post-closing adjustment of pounds 1.9 million which was paid in October 1997 and
an earn-out of pounds 0.8 million which was paid in June 1998. Safeline, based
in Manchester, U.K., is the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of metal
detection systems for companies that produce and package goods in the food
processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other industries.
Safeline's metal detectors can also be used in conjunction with the Company's
checkweighing products for important quality and safety checks in these
industries. From 1992 to 1996, Safeline's sales increased at a compounded annual
growth rate of approximately 30%, in part due to the introduction of new
products such as the first digital electronic and Zero Metal-Free Zone metal
detectors. Safeline had net sales and Adjusted Operating Income of $40.4 million
and $9.9 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
Safeline Acquisition was financed by borrowings under the Company's
then-existing credit facility together with the issuance of pounds 13.7 million
(approximately $22.4 million at May 30, 1997) of seller loan notes which mature
May 30, 1999. At March 31, 1998, pounds 4.5 million (approximately $7.5 million
at March 31, 1998) remained outstanding under the seller loan notes.
 
     In 1997, the Company recorded restructuring charges totaling approximately
$6.3 million in connection with the consolidation of three facilities in North
America. Such charges were comprised primarily of severance and other related
benefits and costs of exiting facilities, including lease termination costs and
write-down of existing assets to their expected net realizable value. The
Company expects these actions will be substantially completed during 1998 and
that the two owned facilities will be sold thereafter. In connection with the
closure of these facilities, the Company expects to terminate approximately 70
employees. The Company is undertaking these actions as part of its efforts to
reduce costs through reengineering. When complete, these actions will enable the
Company to close certain operations and realize cost savings estimated at
approximately $2.5 million on an annual basis. The Company also estimates that
it will receive, after 1998, upon the sale of the two facilities which the
Company owns proceeds in excess of $5.0 million. The Company believes that the
fair market value of these facilities approximates their respective book values.
 
     During the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company completed its IPO of
7,666,667 shares of Common Stock, including the underwriters' over-allotment
option, at a per share price equal to $14.00. The IPO raised net proceeds, after
underwriters' commission and expenses, of approximately $97.3 million. In
connection with the IPO, the Company effected the Merger and the Refinancing. In
connection with the Refinancing, the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of
$31.6 million, net of tax, principally for prepayment premiums on certain debt
repaid and for the write-off of existing deferred financing fees. The Company
also incurred a non-recurring termination fee of $2.5 million in connection with
the termination of its management consulting agreement with AEA Investors (the
'Termination Fee').
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth certain items from the consolidated
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 1995, for the period
from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, for the period from October 15, 1996
to December 31, 1996, pro forma for the year 1996, actual for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and actual for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998.
The pro forma 1996 information gives effect to the Acquisition, the Safeline
Acquisition, the IPO and the Refinancing as if such transactions had occurred on
January 1, 1996, and does not purport to represent the Company's actual results
if such transactions had occurred on such date. The pro forma 1996 information
reflects the historical results of operations of the Predecessor Business for
the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 and the historical results
of operations of the Company for the period from October 15, 1996 to December
31, 1996, together with certain pro
 
                                       22

<PAGE>

forma adjustments as described below. The consolidated statement of operations
data for the year ended December 31, 1997 include Safeline results from May 31,
1997. The pro forma 1996 information includes Safeline's historical results of
operations for all of 1996. The pro forma information is presented in order to
facilitate management's discussion and analysis.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                                             -------------------------------------------------
                               PREDECESSOR BUSINESS
                         --------------------------------    OCT. 15, 1996 TO         1996          YEAR ENDED
                          YEAR ENDED      JAN. 1, 1996 TO        DEC. 31,           PRO FORMA        DEC. 31,
                         DEC. 31, 1995     OCT. 14, 1996        1996(B)(C)       (A)(B)(C)(D)(E)    1997(B)(C)
                         -------------    ---------------    ----------------    ---------------    ----------
                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                      <C>              <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>
Net sales.............     $ 850,415         $ 662,221          $  186,912          $ 889,567        $878,415
Cost of sales.........       508,089           395,239             136,820            523,783         493,480
                         -------------    ---------------    ----------------    ---------------    ----------
Gross profit..........       342,326           266,982              50,092            365,784         384,935
Research and
  development.........        54,542            40,244               9,805             50,608          47,551
Selling, general and
  administrative......       248,327           186,898              59,353            252,085         260,397
Amortization..........         2,765             2,151               1,065              6,526           6,222
Purchased research and
  development.........            --                --             114,070                 --          29,959
Interest expense......        18,219            13,868               8,738             30,007          35,924
Other charges
  (income), net(f)....        (9,331)           (1,332)             17,137             14,036          10,834
                         -------------    ---------------    ----------------    ---------------    ----------
Earnings (loss) before
  taxes, minority
  interest and
  extraordinary
  items ..............     $  27,804         $  25,153          $ (160,076)         $  12,522        $ (5,952)
                         -------------    ---------------    ----------------    ---------------    ----------
                         -------------    ---------------    ----------------    ---------------    ----------
Adjusted Operating
  Income(g)...........     $  39,457         $  39,840          $   17,912          $  67,875        $ 81,541
                         -------------    ---------------    ----------------    ---------------    ----------
                         -------------    ---------------    ----------------    ---------------    ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                              MARCH 31,
                        ---------------------
                          1997         1998
                        ---------    --------
<S>                      <C>         <C>
Net sales.............  $ 197,402    $215,655
Cost of sales.........    114,120     121,048
                        ---------    --------
Gross profit..........     83,282      94,607
Research and
  development.........     10,832      10,795
Selling, general and
  administrative......     60,193      65,112
Amortization..........      1,157       1,818
Purchased research and
  development.........         --          --
Interest expense......      9,446       5,879
Other charges
  (income), net(f)....      3,754         454
                        ---------    --------
Earnings (loss) before
  taxes, minority
  interest and
  extraordinary
  items ..............  $  (2,100)   $ 10,549
                        ---------    --------
                        ---------    --------
Adjusted Operating
  Income(g)...........  $  12,257    $ 18,700
                        ---------    --------
                        ---------    --------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(a) In giving effect to the Acquisition, the Safeline Acquisition, the IPO and
    the Refinancing, the 1996 pro forma data includes certain adjustments to
    historical results to reflect: (i) an increase in interest expense resulting
    from acquisition-related borrowings, which expense has been partially offset
    by reduced borrowings following application of IPO proceeds and a lower
    effective interest rate following the Refinancing, (ii) an increase in
    amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets following the
    Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition, and (iii) changes to the provision
    for taxes to reflect the Company's estimated effective income tax rate at a
    stated level of pro forma earnings before tax for the year ended December
    31, 1996.
 
(b) In connection with the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition, the Company
    allocated $32,194 and $2,054, respectively, of the purchase prices to
    revalue certain inventories (principally work-in-progress and finished
    goods) to fair value (net realizable value). Substantially all such
    inventories revalued in connection with the Acquisition were sold during the
    period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996, and substantially all such
    inventories revalued in connection with the Safeline Acquisition were sold
    in the second quarter of 1997. The expense related to inventory revalued in
    connection with the Acquisition has been excluded from the 1996 pro forma
    information.
 
(c) In conjunction with the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition, the
    Company allocated, based upon independent valuations, $114,070 and $29,959,
    respectively, of the purchase prices to purchased research and development
    in process. These amounts were expensed immediately following the
    Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition, respectively. The amounts related
    to the Acquisition have been excluded from the 1996 pro forma information.
 
(d) Certain one-time charges incurred during 1996 have not been excluded from
    the 1996 pro forma information. These charges consist of certain
    non-recurring items for (i) advisory fees associated with the reorganization
    of the Company's structure of approximately $4,800 and (ii) restructuring
    charges of approximately $12,600.
 
(e) Selling, general and administrative expense has been adjusted to eliminate
    the AEA Investors annual management fee of $1,000, payment of which was
    discontinued upon consummation of the IPO.
 
(f) Other charges (income), net generally includes interest income, foreign
    currency transactions (gains) losses, (gains) losses from sales of assets
    and other charges (income). For the period January 1, 1996 to October 14,
    1996 the amount shown includes employee severance and other exit costs
    associated with the closing of its Westerville, Ohio facility. For the
    period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 the amount shown includes
    employee severance benefits associated with the Company's general headcount
    reduction programs in Europe and North America, and the realignment of the
    analytical and precision balance business in Switzerland. For the year ended
    December 31, 1997 the amount shown includes a
 
                                              (Footnotes continued on next page)
 
                                       23

<PAGE>

(Footnotes continued from previous page)

    restructuring charge of $6,300 to consolidate three facilities in North
    America. See Note 14 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
    included herein.
 
(g) Adjusted Operating Income is operating income (gross profit less research
    and development and selling, general and administrative expenses) before
    amortization and non-recurring costs. Non-recurring costs which have been
    excluded are those costs associated with selling inventories revalued to
    fair value in connection with the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition,
    fees associated with the termination of the Company's management consulting
    agreement with AEA Investors at the time of the IPO of $2,500 in 1997 and
    advisory fees associated with the reorganization of the Company's structure
    of approximately $4,800 in 1996.
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
 
     Net sales were $215.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998
compared to $197.4 million for the corresponding period in the prior year. This
reflected an increase of 14% in local currency (7% absent the Safeline
Acquisition). Results were negatively impacted by the strengthening of the U.S.
dollar against other currencies. Net sales in U.S. dollars during the three
month period increased 9%.
 
     Net sales in Europe increased 17% in local currencies during the three
months ended March 31, 1998 versus the corresponding period in the prior year.
The Company has continued to experience favorable sales trends in Europe, which
began in the second half of 1997, as a result of the strengthening of the
European economy. Net sales in local currencies during the three-month period in
the Americas increased 16% principally due to improved market conditions for
sales to industrial and food retailing customers. Net sales in local currencies
in the three month period in Asia and other markets decreased 3%. The Company's
business in Asia has deteriorated in the three months ending March 31, 1998
primarily as a result of a decline in net sales in Southeast Asia and Korea
(which collectively represented approximately 3% of the Company's total net
sales for 1997). The Company anticipates that market conditions in Asia will
adversely affect sales in 1998 and that margins in that region will be reduced.
The Company believes Asia and other emerging markets will continue to provide
opportunities for growth in the long term based upon the movement toward
international quality standards, the need to upgrade mechanical scales to
electronic versions and the establishment of local production facilities by the
Company's multinational client base.
 
     The operating results for Safeline (which were included in the Company's
results from May 31, 1997) would have had the effect of increasing the Company's
net sales by $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997.
Additionally, Safeline's operating results during the same period would have
increased the Company's Adjusted Operating Income (gross profit less research
and development and selling, general and administrative expenses before
amortization and non-recurring costs) by $2.4 million.
 
     Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 43.9% for the three
months ended March 31, 1998, compared to 42.2% for the corresponding period in
the prior year. The improved gross profit percentage reflects the benefits of
reduced product costs arising from the Company's research and development
efforts and ongoing productivity improvements.
 
     Research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to
5.0% for the three months ended March 31, 1998, compared to 5.5% for the
corresponding period in the prior year; however, the local currency spending
level remained relatively constant period to period.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales
decreased to 30.2% for the three months ended March 31, 1998, compared to 30.5%
for the corresponding period in the prior year. This decrease primarily reflects
the benefits of ongoing cost efficiency programs.
 
     Adjusted Operating Income was $18.7 million, or 8.7% of sales, for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 compared to $12.3 million, or 6.2% of sales,
for the three months ended March 31, 1997, an increase of 52.6%.
 
     Interest expense decreased to $5.9 million for the three months ended March
31, 1998, compared to $9.4 million for the corresponding period in the prior
year. The decrease was principally due to benefits received from the IPO, the
Refinancing and cash flow provided by operations.
 
                                       24

<PAGE>

     Other charges, net of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31,
1998 compared to other charges, net of $3.8 million for the corresponding period
in the prior year. The 1998 amount includes gains on asset sales and interest
income, offset by other charges. The 1997 period includes $4.8 million ($4.0
million after tax) relating to (i) certain derivative financial instruments
acquired in 1996 and closed in 1997 and (ii) foreign currency exchange losses
resulting from certain unhedged bank debt denominated in foreign currencies
(such derivative financial instruments and such unhedged bank debt are no longer
held pursuant to current Company policy).
 
     The provision for taxes is based upon the Company's projected annual
effective tax rate for the related period. The decrease in the projected annual
effective tax rate from 1997 to 1998 includes a benefit of approximately 5
percentage points based upon a change in Swiss tax law which will only benefit
the 1998 period.
 
     Net earnings of $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998
compared to net loss of $1.1 million for the corresponding period of the prior
year.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO PRO FORMA YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
     Net sales were $878.4 million for 1997, compared to pro forma 1996 net
sales of $889.6 million. As previously described, pro forma 1996 includes a full
year of Safeline's operating results, while 1997 only includes the operating
results of Safeline from May 31, 1997. Net sales in local currencies during the
year increased 11% (excluding Safeline results from pro forma 1996) and 7%
(excluding Safeline results from both pro forma 1996 and actual 1997).
 
     Net sales in local currencies in 1997 in Europe increased 6% as compared to
net sales in local currencies in pro forma 1996 (excluding Safeline results from
pro forma 1996). Net sales in local currencies during 1997 in the Americas
increased 11%, principally due to improved market conditions for sales to
industrial and food retailing customers. Net sales in local currencies in 1997
in Asia and other markets increased 30%, primarily as a result of the
establishment of additional direct marketing and distribution in the region.
During the six months ended December 31, 1997, sales trends in Europe were more
favorable compared to sales trends in the first two quarters of 1997. Overall,
the Company's business in Asia and other markets has remained solid. However,
growth in net sales in Southeast Asia and Korea (which collectively represent
approximately 3% of the Company's total net sales for 1997) slowed.
 
     The operating results for Safeline (which as previously noted were included
in the Company's results from May 31, 1997) had the effect of increasing the
Company's net sales by $28.5 million for 1997. Additionally, Safeline's
operating results had the effect of increasing the Company's Adjusted Operating
Income by $7.1 million for the same period. The Company recorded non-cash
purchase accounting adjustments for purchased research and development ($30.0
million) and the sale of inventories revalued to fair value ($2.1 million)
during such period.
 
     Gross profit before non-recurring acquisition costs as a percentage of net
sales increased to 44.1% for 1997, compared to 41.1% for pro forma 1996. Gross
profit in 1997 includes the previously noted $2.1 million non-cash charge
associated with the excess of the fair value over the historic value of
inventory acquired in the Safeline Acquisition. The improved gross profit
percentage reflects the benefits of reduced product costs arising from the
Company's research and development efforts, ongoing productivity improvements
and the depreciation of the Swiss franc against the Company's other principal
trading currencies.
 
     Research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to
5.4% for 1997, compared to 5.7% for pro forma 1996; however, the local currency
spending level remained relatively constant period to period.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales
increased to 29.6% for 1997, compared to 28.3% for pro forma 1996. This increase
is primarily a result of establishing additional direct marketing and
distribution in Asia.
 
     Adjusted Operating Income was $81.5 million, or 9.3% of net sales in 1997
compared to $67.9 million, or 7.6% of net sales in pro forma 1996, an increase
of 20.1% (28.4% excluding Safeline results from both pro forma
 
                                       25

<PAGE>

1996 and actual 1997). The 1997 period excludes non-recurring costs of $2.1
million for the revaluation of inventories to fair value in connection with the
Safeline Acquisition and $2.5 million for the Termination Fee.
 
     As previously noted, in connection with the Safeline Acquisition, $30.0
million of the purchase price was attributed to purchased research and
development in process. Such amount was expensed immediately following the
Safeline Acquisition. The technological feasibility of the products being
developed had not been established as of the date of the Safeline Acquisition.
The Company expects that the projects underlying these research and development
efforts will be substantially complete over the next two years.
 
     Interest expense was $35.9 million for 1997, compared to $30.0 million for
pro forma 1996. The difference is principally due to the fact that the pro forma
1996 information reflects a full year of the benefits of reduced borrowing costs
in connection with the Company's IPO and Refinancing which occurred in November
1997.
 
     Other charges, net of $10.8 million for 1997 includes restructuring related
charges of approximately $6.3 million and other charges of approximately $3.5
million relating to (i) certain financial derivative financial instruments
acquired in 1996 and closed in 1997 and (ii) foreign currency exchange losses
resulting from certain unhedged bank debt denominated in foreign currencies
(such derivative financial instruments and such unhedged bank debt are no longer
held pursuant to current Company policy). The decrease compared to other
charges, net of $14.0 million for pro forma 1996 is principally a result of
lower restructuring related charges in 1997 compared to pro forma 1996 ($6.3
million versus $12.6 million).
 
     The significant increase in the Company's effective tax rate in 1997 was
primarily attributable to the nondeductibility of goodwill and purchased
research and development charges incurred in connection with the Safeline
Acquisition.
 
     Net earnings before non-recurring items were $19.1 million in 1997. Such
non-recurring items in 1997 include the previously mentioned charges for
purchased research and development, the revaluation of inventories to fair
value, the Termination Fee, the restructuring of North American operations and
losses relating to derivative financial instruments and unhedged bank debt
denominated in foreign currencies. Including these charges of $43.0 million
after taxes, the net loss before extraordinary items was $23.9 million for 1997
compared to net earnings of $5.0 million for pro forma 1996.
 
     The extraordinary loss of $41.2 million in 1997 represents charges for the
early repayment premium on the senior subordinated notes and the write-off of
capitalized debt issuance fees associated with the senior subordinated notes and
previous credit facilities. See '--Liquidity and Capital Resources.'
 
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 1996 TO OCTOBER 14, 1996, THE PERIOD FROM 
OCTOBER 15, 1996 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND PRO FORMA 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR 
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     Net sales for the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 and for
the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 were $662.2 million and
$186.9 million, respectively. Pro forma 1996 net sales were $889.6 million, or
$849.1 million excluding Safeline results, compared to actual net sales of
$850.4 million in 1995. Net sales (pro forma excluding Safeline) in local
currency increased 3%, excluding the impact of reductions of the systems
business, but were offset by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar, the Company's
reporting currency, relative to the local currencies of the Company's
operations. The flat sales (pro forma excluding Safeline) in 1996 compared to
actual 1995 resulted from slightly lower sales from products in the industrial
and food retailing markets, offset by strong performance by the product lines in
the laboratory market. The growth in the laboratory market was across
substantially all product lines and geographical regions as sales in local
currency (excluding Safeline) increased 7% compared to the previous year. In
particular, new product introductions in titration, thermal and reaction
calorimetry as well as new Ohaus products for the education, laboratory and
light industrial market helped to increase laboratory market sales. The slight
decline in industrial and food retailing sales resulted from overall weakness in
the European market where the Company has been able to retain its market share.
This market weakness has persisted in early 1997.
 
     Net sales (pro forma excluding Safeline) in Europe in local currency
decreased 2% in 1996 compared to actual 1995 due to a weaker second half of the
year in 1996 in all major markets, and especially in key countries such as
Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Net sales (pro forma excluding Safeline)
in the Americas in local currency increased by 5% over actual 1995 due to growth
in the United States and Latin America and
 
                                       26

<PAGE>

double digit expansion in laboratory measurement instruments other than balances
and in related service. Net sales (pro forma excluding Safeline) in Asia and
other markets in local currency increased by 8% over actual 1995, primarily as a
result of significantly increased sales in the Shanghai operation and strong
sales in Japan and Australia.
 
     Gross profit for the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 and
for the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 was $267.0 million and
$50.1 million, respectively. Pro forma 1996 gross profit was $365.8 million or
$349.3 million (excluding Safeline results). This compares to $342.3 million in
actual 1995. Pro forma gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 41.1%
in 1996 from 40.3% in actual 1995. The increased gross profit margin resulted
principally from operational improvements and the depreciation of the Swiss
franc against the Company's other principal trading currencies. See '--Effect of
Currency on Results of Operations.'
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development
expenses for the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 and for the
period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 were $227.1 million and $69.2
million, respectively. Pro forma 1996 selling, general and administrative and
research and development expenses totaled $302.7 million or $296.1 million
excluding Safeline. This compares to $302.9 million in actual 1995. Pro forma
selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development
expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to an aggregate of 34.0% in 1996
from 35.6% in actual 1995. The cost decreases resulted primarily from the
currency effect of the depreciation of the Swiss franc against the Company's
other major trading currencies and the Company's cost control efforts. These
cost decreases were partially offset by non-recurring legal and advisory fees of
$4.8 million.
 
     In connection with the Acquisition, the Company allocated, based upon
independent valuations, $114.1 million of the purchase price to purchased
research and development in process. Such amount was expensed immediately
following the Acquisition.
 
     Interest expense for the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996
and for the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 was $13.9 million
and $8.7 million, respectively. Pro forma interest expense increased to $30.0
million in 1996 from $18.2 million in actual 1995, principally due to a higher
debt level as a result of the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition. Interest
expense since the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition is materially
different. See '--Liquidity and Capital Resources.'
 
     Other income, net for the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 of
$1.3 million includes interest income of $3.4 million and severance and other
exit costs of $1.9 million associated with the closing of its Westerville, Ohio
facility. Other charges, net for the period October 15, 1996 to December 31,
1996 of $17.1 million principally represent (i) losses on foreign currency
transactions of $8.3 million of which $5.7 million were incurred in connection
with the Acquisition, (ii) employee severance benefits associated with the
Company's general headcount reduction programs in Europe and North America of
$4.6 million which were announced during such period, and (iii) the realignment
of the analytical and precision balance business in Switzerland of $6.2 million
which was internally announced in December 1996. In connection with such
programs the Company reduced its workforce by approximately 170 employees in
1996 and intends to further reduce its workforce by approximately 70 employees
in 1997. The Company anticipates that as a result of the foregoing it will
achieve cost savings consisting primarily of lower employee salary and benefit
costs and fixed manufacturing costs. In addition, at the time of the
Acquisition, the Company estimated it would incur additional selling, general
and administrative expenses of $1.3 million annually as a result of the
Acquisition.
 
     Earnings before taxes and minority interest for the period from January 1,
1996 to October 14, 1996 was $25.2 million. Loss before taxes and minority
interest for the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 was $160.1
million. This loss includes non-recurring costs of $114.1 million for the
allocation of purchase price to in-process research and development projects,
$32.2 million for the revaluation of inventories to fair value, $9.9 million of
other charges (an additional $1.9 million of other charges was incurred by the
Predecessor Business in 1996) and $4.8 million for non-recurring legal and
advisory fees. Pro forma earnings before taxes and minority interest would have
been $12.5 million in 1996. Pro Forma Adjusted Operating Income would have been
$67.9 million in 1996, or $58.0 million (excluding Safeline), compared to $39.5
million in actual 1995.
 
                                       27

<PAGE>

     Net earnings for the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 were
$14.5 million. The net loss for the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31,
1996 was $159.0 million. Pro forma net earnings of $5.0 million in 1996 compared
to net earnings of $18.3 million in actual 1995.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     In November 1997, the Company refinanced its previous credit agreement and
purchased all of its 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the 'Notes')
pursuant to a tender offer with proceeds from the IPO and additional borrowings
under the Credit Agreement. The Notes were originally issued in October 1996 at
the time of the Acquisition.
 
     The Credit Agreement provides for term loan borrowings in aggregate
principal amounts of $99.7 million, SFr 83.9 million (approximately $55.9
million at March 31, 1998) and pounds 21.3 million (approximately $35.8 million
at March 31, 1998) that are scheduled to mature in 2004, a Canadian revolver
with availability of CDN $26.3 million (approximately CDN $19.5 million of which
was drawn as of March 31, 1998) which is scheduled to mature in 2004, and a
multi-currency revolving credit facility with availability of $400.0 million
(approximately $240.0 million of which was available at March 31, 1998) which is
also scheduled to mature in 2004. The Company had borrowings of $348.3 million
under the Credit Agreement and $25.9 million under various other arrangements as
of March 31, 1998. Under the Credit Agreement, amounts outstanding under the
term loans amortize in quarterly installments. In addition, the Credit Agreement
obligates the Company to make mandatory prepayments in certain circumstances
with the proceeds of asset sales or issuance of capital stock or indebtedness
and with certain excess cash flow. The Credit Agreement imposes certain
restrictions on the Company and its subsidiaries, including restrictions on the
ability to incur indebtedness, make investments, grant liens, sell financial
assets and engage in certain other activities. The Company must also comply with
certain financial covenants. The Credit Agreement is secured by certain assets
of the Company. The Credit Agreement imposes certain restrictions on the
Company's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders.
 
     In connection with the Refinancing, the Company recorded an extraordinary
charge amounting to $31.6 million, principally for prepayment premiums on its
Notes and the write-off of capitalized debt issuance fees. In addition, with the
May 29, 1997 refinancing of its previous credit facility, the Company recorded
an extraordinary charge of $9.6 million, representing a charge for the write-off
of capitalized debt issuance fees and related expenses associated with the
previous credit facility.
 
     At March 31, 1998, approximately $106.7 million of the borrowings under the
Credit Agreement were denominated in U.S. dollars. The balance of the borrowings
under the Credit Agreement and under local working capital facilities were also
denominated in certain of the Company's other principal trading currencies
amounting to approximately $267.5 million at March 31, 1998. Changes in exchange
rates between the currencies in which the Company generates cash flow and the
currencies in which its borrowings are denominated will affect the Company's
liquidity. In addition, because the Company borrows in a variety of currencies,
its debt balances will fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates. See '--Effect
of Currency on Results of Operations.'
 
     The Acquisition was financed principally through capital contributions of
$190.0 million before related expenses from the Company, borrowings under a
previous credit agreement of $307.0 million and $135.0 million from the issuance
of the Notes. The Safeline Acquisition was financed by borrowings under the
Company's then-existing credit facility together with the issuance of
pounds 13.7 million ($22.4 million at May 30, 1997) of seller loan notes which
mature May 30, 1999.
 
     Prior to the Acquisition, the Company's cash and other liquidity was used
principally to fund capital expenditures, working capital requirements, debt
service and dividends to Ciba. Following the Acquisition and the Safeline
Acquisition, the annual interest expense associated with increased borrowings,
as well as scheduled principal payments of term loans under the Credit
Agreement, have significantly increased the Company's liquidity requirements.
 
     The Company's capital expenditures totaled $25.9 million in 1995, $29.4
million in pro forma 1996 and $22.3 million in actual 1997. Capital expenditures
are primarily for machinery, equipment and the purchase and expansion of
facilities, including the purchase of land for, and construction of, the
Company's Shanghai
 
                                       28

<PAGE>

manufacturing facility. Capital expenditures for 1998 are expected to increase
over 1997 levels, but should remain consistent with earlier periods.
 
     The Company's cash provided by operating activities increased from $8.1
million in the three months ended March 31, 1997 to $12.2 million in the three
months ended March 31, 1998. The increase resulted principally from improved
Adjusted Operating Income and lower interest costs resulting from the IPO and
Refinancing. For the year ended December 31, 1997, cash provided by operating
activities was $55.6 million as compared to $62.5 million for the period January
1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 and $9.6 million for the period October 15, 1996 to
December 31, 1996. The 1997 results include higher interest costs resulting from
the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition.
 
     At March 31, 1998, consolidated debt, net of cash, was $352.9 million.
 
     The Company continues to explore potential acquisitions to expand its
product portfolio and improve its distribution capabilities. In connection with
any acquisition, the Company may incur additional indebtedness.
 
     The Company currently believes that cash flow from operating activities,
together with borrowings available under the Credit Agreement and local working
capital facilities, will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated working
capital needs and capital spending requirements as well as debt service
requirements for at least several years, but there can be no assurance that this
will be the case.
 
EFFECT OF CURRENCY ON RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's operations are conducted by subsidiaries in many countries,
and the results of operations and the financial position of each of those
subsidiaries are reported in the relevant foreign currency and then translated
into U.S. dollars at the applicable foreign exchange rate for inclusion in the
Company's consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the results of
operations of such subsidiaries as reported in U.S. dollars can vary as a result
of changes in currency exchange rates. Specifically, a strengthening of the U.S.
dollar versus other currencies reduces net sales and earnings as translated into
U.S. dollars, whereas a weakening of the U.S. dollar has the opposite effect.
 
     Swiss franc-denominated costs represent a much greater percentage of the
Company's total expenses than Swiss franc-denominated sales represent of total
sales. In general, an appreciation of the Swiss franc versus the Company's other
major trading currencies, especially the principal European currencies, has a
negative impact on the Company's results of operations and a depreciation of the
Swiss franc versus the Company's other major trading currencies, especially the
principal European currencies has a positive impact on the Company's results of
operations. The effect of these changes generally offsets in part the
translation effect on earnings before interest and taxes of changes in exchange
rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies described in the preceding
paragraph.
 
TAXES
 
     The Company is subject to taxation in many jurisdictions throughout the
world. The Company's effective tax rate and tax liability will be affected by a
number of factors, such as the amount of taxable income in particular
jurisdictions, the tax rates in such jurisdictions, tax treaties between
jurisdictions, the extent to which the Company transfers funds between
jurisdictions and income is repatriated, and future changes in law. Generally,
the tax liability for each legal entity is determined either (i) on a
non-consolidated/combined basis or (ii) on a consolidated/combined basis only
with other eligible entities subject to tax in the same jurisdiction, in either
case without regard to the taxable losses of non-consolidated/combined
affiliated entities. As a result, the Company may pay income taxes to certain
jurisdictions even though the Company on an overall basis incurs a net loss for
the period.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     The Company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations in the
jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company, like many of its competitors,
has incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and
other costs in complying with such laws and regulations in both the United
States and abroad. The Company does not currently anticipate any material
capital expenditures for environmental control
 
                                       29

<PAGE>

technology. Some risk of environmental liability is inherent in the Company's
business, and there can be no assurance that material environmental costs will
not arise in the future. However, the Company does not anticipate any material
adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition as a result
of future costs of environmental compliance.
 
INFLATION
 
     Inflation can affect the costs of goods and services used by the Company.
The competitive environment in which the Company operates limits somewhat the
Company's ability to recover higher costs through increased selling prices.
Moreover, there may be differences in inflation rates between countries in which
the Company incurs the major portion of its costs and other countries in which
the Company sells its products, which may limit the Company's ability to recover
increased costs, if not offset by future increase of selling prices. The
Company's growth strategy includes expansion in China, Latin America and Eastern
Europe, which have experienced inflationary conditions. To date, inflationary
conditions have not had a material effect on the Company's operating results.
However, as the Company's presence in China, Latin America and Eastern Europe
increases, these inflationary conditions could have a greater impact on the
Company's operating results.
 
SEASONALITY
 
     The Company's business has historically experienced a slight amount of
seasonal variation, with sales in the first fiscal quarter slightly lower than,
and sales in the fourth fiscal quarter slightly higher than, sales in the second
and third fiscal quarters. This trend has a somewhat greater effect on income
from operations than on net sales due to the effect of fixed costs.
 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS
 
     Prior to 1997, the Company entered into currency forward and option
contracts primarily as a hedge against anticipated foreign currency exposures
and not for speculative purposes. Such contracts, which are types of financial
derivatives, limit the Company's exposure to both favorable and unfavorable
currency fluctuations. These contracts are adjusted to reflect market values as
of each balance sheet date, with the resulting unrealized gains and losses being
recognized in financial income or expense, as appropriate. At December 31, 1997,
all remaining derivative instruments met the requirements of hedge accounting.
 
     During 1997, the Company entered into certain interest rate swap and cap
agreements. See Note 5 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included
herein. The Company has not entered any such agreements during 1998.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 ('SFAS 131'), 'Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information.' This statement will change the way
public companies report information about segments of their business in annual
financial statements and requires them to report selected financial information
in their quarterly reports issued to shareholders. It also requires entity-wide
disclosures about products and services an entity provides, the material
countries in which it holds assets and reports revenues, and its major
customers. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1997. Management has not determined the effect of the adoption of SFAS 131.
 
     In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position ('SOP') 98-1, 'Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.' SOP 98-1 provides guidance on
accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal
use. This SOP requires entities to capitalize certain internal-use software
costs once certain criteria are met, and is effective for financial statements
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. Management has not
determined the effect of the adoption of SOP 98-1.
 
     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 ('SFAS 133'), 'Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities.' This
 
                                       30

<PAGE>

statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities.
It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or
liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments
at fair value. This statement is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal
years beginning after June 15, 1999. Management has not determined the effect of
the adoption of SFAS 133.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS
 
     This Prospectus includes forward-looking statements that reflect the
Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance,
including capital expenditures, planned product introductions, research and
development expenditures, potential future growth, including potential
penetration of developed markets and potential growth opportunities in emerging
markets, potential future acquisitions, potential cost savings from planned
employee reductions and restructuring programs, estimated proceeds from and
timing of asset sales, planned operational changes and research and development
efforts, strategic plans and future cash sources and requirements. These
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties,
including those identified in 'Risk Factors,' which could cause actual results
to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words
'believe,' 'expect,' 'anticipate' and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
 
                                    INDUSTRY
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company believes that in 1997 the global market for the Company's
products and services was approximately $6.0 billion. Weighing instruments are
among the most broadly used measuring devices, and their results are often used
as the basis of commercial transactions. Analytical instruments are critical to
the research and development and quality control efforts of end-users, while
metal detection systems provide important quality and safety checks in
production and packaging. The Company's products are used in laboratories as an
integral part of research and quality control processes, in industry for various
manufacturing processes such as quality control, materials preparation, filling,
counting and dimensioning, and in food retailing for preparation, portioning and
inventory control. Customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals,
cosmetics, food and beverage, metals, electronics, logistics, transportation and
food retailing businesses, as well as schools, universities and government
standards laboratories. The Company does not manufacture or sell household
weighing products, bulkweigh fillers or continuous weighing products, and those
markets are not discussed herein.
 
     Weighing instruments often comprise a relatively small component of a
customer's aggregate expenditures but perform important functions in quality
control, process control and research and can improve productivity. As a result,
the Company believes customers tend to emphasize accuracy, product reliability,
technical innovation, service quality, reputation and past experience with a
manufacturer's products when making their purchasing decisions for weighing and
other precision instruments. Weighing equipment manufacturers also provide a
significant amount of service and support to their customers, including repair,
calibration, certification and preventive maintenance, which generate recurring
revenues. The Company believes that customers often continue to purchase from
their existing vendor due to the additional costs for training, spare parts,
service and systems integration associated with switching to or adding other
brands of weighing equipment to their operations. The market for weighing
instruments, particularly those used in industrial and food retailing
applications, has traditionally been fragmented both geographically and by type
of application. Many manufacturers have a strong market position in their home
countries but a much smaller presence in other markets. Similarly, manufacturers
have tended to be focused on a particular application or group of applications.
 
     The Company believes that the developed markets (Europe, North America and
Japan) that it serves have recently experienced modest growth rates in demand
for weighing instruments. Laboratory market growth has been influenced by demand
in the principal end-user industries and customer replacement of older products
with
 
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new products designed to be integrated into an automated laboratory environment.
In the industrial and food retailing market, growth has been driven by the
increasing use of weighing applications in the control and regulation of
manufacturing and logistics processes, customers' needs to upgrade to
network-ready weighing equipment, and general growth in end-user industries.
Emerging markets, such as Asia (excluding Japan), have experienced higher growth
rates than the overall market. Growth in these markets has come from the
establishment and growth of industries requiring additional and more
sophisticated weighing instruments and systems.
 
     End-users of laboratory analytical instruments require exceptionally high
levels of performance and reliability due to the application of these
instruments in critical steps of research and development and quality control.
In addition, analytical instruments in most cases constitute a small percentage
of customers' aggregate expenditures, are material to customers' development
efforts and can have a significant impact on users' overall productivity. As a
result, the Company believes reputation, technical leadership, service and
proven results are critical to end-user decisions to choose an equipment
supplier. In many cases, once a manufacturer's equipment is adopted in the
laboratory and test methods are established using a particular instrument, the
costs and/or risks of switching to a different manufacturer of instruments can
be high. Customers are therefore reluctant to switch suppliers and are more
likely to buy replacement products from the manufacturer of the initial system,
which leads to stable customer relationships and a potential recurring revenue
stream for the vendor. The Company believes that there are significant potential
growth opportunities in its analytical instruments markets, including: growth in
end-use markets such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, consumer products,
environmental testing and chemicals; increased research and development spending
in major customer segments such as the pharmaceutical and biotech industries;
and increased customer emphasis on productivity and automation.
 
     The end-users of metal detection equipment are typically companies in the
food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other industries that
must ensure that their products are free from contamination by metal particles.
Selling product that is contaminated by metal can have severe consequences for
these companies, resulting in potential litigation and product recalls.
Consequently, the Company believes that purchasers of metal detectors value
accuracy and stability of their detectors. The Company believes that there is
also a high degree of brand loyalty from customers, as switching brands requires
retraining line operators in the use of new equipment and altering quality
assurance and calibration routines. The Company believes these characteristics
lead to a high level of recurring and follow-on revenues from existing
customers. The Company believes that in developed markets, demand for metal
detectors is experiencing substantial growth as a result of both increasing
consumer and regulatory focus on product safety. Furthermore, the Company
believes exports of food products to industrialized nations from lesser
developed countries will contribute to growth in demand for metal detectors in
emerging markets.
 
INDUSTRY TRENDS
 
     Over the last five years, the markets for the Company's precision
instruments have experienced increasing customer demand for products with
sophisticated data handling and storage capabilities that can be integrated into
management information systems. In the laboratory market, weighing and
analytical instruments are now capable of storing a large number of results,
performing statistical analyses and transmitting results to computers and
laboratory information management systems. Laboratory customers have also
demanded instruments that improve research productivity by adding automation.
For example, titrators have been increasingly paired with auto-samplers, which
allow a technician to set up dozens of samples for testing automatically. The
industrial and food retailing market has experienced a similar trend, as small
groceries are replaced by supermarkets and hypermarkets. Retail counter-top
scales (for the weighing of perishable goods) now include database and network
functions. This enables the scale to download price information from the store's
master price database and provide information on sales by article, which can be
integrated into the store's inventory control system. The store's master
ordering system is then able to calculate shrinkage and store inventory levels
based on the weight of goods processed and automatically reorder perishable
goods via electronic data interchange when inventory levels reach a pre-set
reorder point. In manufacturing, weighing instruments also have become
integrated into manufacturing plants' information systems as the primary means
for the tracking and control of inventory. As they have become more integrated
into the manufacturing process, weighing instruments also have been combined
with dimensioning equipment as well as with multiple input/output devices:
bar-code readers, printers
 
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and data-storage devices. Similarly, metal detection systems can be integrated
with checkweighers to provide important safety and quality checks of consumer
products and are linked to customers' management information systems to provide
key process control data.
 
     Another trend in the weighing instruments market is regional and global
harmonization of weighing and measurement standards. Weights and measures were
historically regulated at the national level. As a result, products had to meet
numerous different national regulatory requirements. More recently, certain
European national requirements have been harmonized by the European Union, and
many other national requirements have been harmonized by the Organisation
Internationale de Metrologie Legale, which sets international weights and
measures standards. Harmonization has facilitated the ability of multinational
weighing instrument manufacturers to manufacture products that meet all relevant
regulatory requirements and the development of broader-based markets for their
product lines. In recent years, some governments have begun to privatize the
inspection of weighing instruments used in commercial transactions.
ISO-certified manufacturers of weighing instruments, such as Mettler-Toledo,
whose after-sales service technicians already perform similar services for
customers, are well situated to take over the inspection process from
governments wishing to privatize this function.
 
     As laboratory and manufacturing requirements and standards become more
widely adopted, the accuracy of weighing instruments, analytical instruments and
metal detection systems and the ability to certify the accuracy of results
become increasingly important to purchasers. For example, ISO 9001 standards and
Good Laboratory Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices, which are
voluntarily adopted by participating companies, require the development of
compliance procedures that must be adhered to throughout the relevant laboratory
or production process. These procedures include periodic calibration and
certification of measurement instruments. Certified instruments must be utilized
throughout the process, and each step in the process must be accurately recorded
in accordance with specified procedures so that results can be accurately traced
and reproduced. An example of this trend is the increasing adoption of ISO 9001
quality guidelines by food processors, which require all production processes to
be properly monitored for contamination by metal and other foreign substances.
 
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                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
     Mettler-Toledo is a leading global supplier of precision instruments. The
Company is the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments
for use in laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications. In addition,
the Company holds one of the top three market positions in several related
analytical instruments such as titrators, thermal analysis systems, pH meters,
automatic lab reactors and electrodes. Through its 1997 acquisition of Safeline,
the Company is also the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of metal
detection systems for companies that produce and package goods in the food
processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other industries. The
Company focuses on high value-added segments of its markets by providing
innovative instruments, by integrating these instruments into
application-specific solutions for customers, and by facilitating the processing
of data gathered by its instruments and the transfer of this data to customers'
management information systems. Mettler-Toledo services a worldwide customer
base through its own sales and service organization and has a global
manufacturing presence in Europe, the United States and Asia. The Company
generated 1997 net sales of $878.4 million which were derived 45% in Europe, 42%
in North and South America and 13% in Asia and other markets. For additional
financial information by geographic segment, see Note 16 to the Audited
Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
HISTORY
 
     The Company traces its roots to the invention of the single-pan analytical
balance by Dr. Erhard Mettler and the formation of Mettler Instruments AG
('Mettler') in 1945. During the 1970s and 1980s, Mettler expanded from
laboratory balances into industrial and food retailing products, and it
introduced the first fully electronic precision balance in 1973. The Toledo
Scale Company ('Toledo Scale') was founded in 1901 and developed a leading
market position in the industrial weighing market in the United States. During
the 1970s, Toledo Scale expanded into the food retailing market. Following the
1989 acquisition of Toledo Scale by Mettler, the name of the Company was changed
to Mettler-Toledo to reflect the combined strengths of the two companies and to
capitalize on their historic reputations for quality and innovation. During the
past 15 years, the Company has grown through other acquisitions that
complemented the Company's existing geographic markets and products. In 1986,
Mettler acquired the Ingold Group of companies, manufacturers of electrodes, and
Garvens Kontrollwaagen AG, a maker of dynamic checkweighers. Toledo Scale
acquired Hi-Speed Checkweigher Co., in 1981. In 1990, the Company acquired Ohaus
Corporation, a manufacturer of laboratory balances.
 
     The Company was incorporated in December 1991, and was recapitalized in
connection with the October 15, 1996 acquisition of the Mettler-Toledo Group
from Ciba in a transaction sponsored by management and AEA Investors. See Note 1
to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further
information with respect to the Acquisition. On May 30, 1997, the Company
acquired Safeline, the world's leading supplier of metal detection systems for
companies that produce and package goods in the food processing, pharmaceutical,
cosmetics, chemicals and other industries.
 
     In November 1997, the Company completed its IPO at a price per share equal
to $14.00. The IPO, in which 7,666,667 shares (including the underwriters'
over-allotment option) were sold, raised net proceeds, after underwriters'
commission and expenses, of approximately $97.3 million. The net proceeds from
the IPO, together with additional borrowings under the Company's Credit
Agreement, were used to repurchase the Notes and to pay related premiums and
fees and expenses.
 
MARKET LEADERSHIP
 
     The Company believes that it maintains a leading position in each of its
markets. In the weighing instruments market, Mettler-Toledo is the only company
to offer products for laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications
throughout the world and believes that it holds a market share more than two
times greater than that of its nearest competitor. The Company believes that in
1997 it had an approximate 40% market share of the global market for laboratory
balances including the largest market share in each of Europe, the United States
and Asia (excluding Japan), and the number two position in Japan. In the
industrial and food retailing markets, the Company believes it has the largest
market share in Europe and the United States. In Asia, the
 
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Company has a substantial, rapidly growing industrial and food retailing
business supported by its established manufacturing presence in China. The
Company also holds one of the top three global market positions in several
analytical instruments such as titrators, thermal analysis systems, electrodes,
pH meters and automatic lab reactors. The Company recently enhanced its leading
positions in precision instruments through the addition of Safeline's market
leading metal detection products, which can be used in conjunction with the
Company's checkweighing instruments for important quality and safety checks in
the food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other industries.
Mettler-Toledo attributes its worldwide market leadership positions to the
following competitive strengths:
 
     Global Brand and Reputation.  The Mettler-Toledo brand name is identified
worldwide with accuracy, reliability and innovation. Customers value these
characteristics because precision instruments, particularly weighing and
analytical instruments, significantly impact customers' product quality,
productivity, costs and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, precision
instruments generally constitute a small percentage of customers' aggregate
expenditures. As a result, the Company believes customers tend to emphasize
accuracy, product reliability, technical innovation, service quality, reputation
and past experience with a manufacturer's products when making their purchasing
decisions for weighing and other precision instruments and experience high
switching costs if they attempt to change vendors. A recent independent survey
concluded that 'Mettler-Toledo' was one of the three most recognized brand names
in the laboratory. The Company's brand name is so well recognized that
laboratory balances are often generically referred to as 'Mettlers.' The
strength of this brand name has allowed the Company to successfully extend its
laboratory product line to include titrators, thermal analysis systems,
electrodes, pH meters and automatic lab reactors.
 
     Technological Innovation.  Mettler-Toledo has a long and successful track
record of innovation, as demonstrated by the invention of the single-pan
analytical balance in 1945 and the introduction of the first fully electronic
precision balance in 1973. The Company has continued to be at the forefront of
technology with recent innovations in both weighing and related instrumentation,
including its new digital load cell, its ID 20 terminal (the first personal
computer interface to be certified by weights and measures regulators), its
MonoBloc weighing sensor technology, its GOBI moisture determination instrument,
a new automatic lab reactor, the Zero Metal-Free Zone metal detector and its new
PILAR dimensioning equipment. As with many of the Company's recent innovations,
the Company's new MonoBloc weighing sensor technology provides greater accuracy
while also significantly reducing manufacturing costs and the time and expense
of design changes by reducing from approximately 100 to approximately 50 the
number of parts in the sensor. The Company believes it is the global leader in
its industry in providing innovative instruments, in integrating its instruments
into application-specific solutions for customers, and in facilitating the
processing of data gathered by its instruments and the transfer of this data to
customers' management information systems. Mettler-Toledo's technological
innovation efforts benefit from the Company's manufacturing expertise in sensor
technology, precision machining and electronics, as well as its strength in
software development.
 
     Comprehensive, High Quality Product Range.  Mettler-Toledo manufactures a
more comprehensive range of weighing instruments than any of its competitors.
The Company's broad product line addresses a wide range of weighing applications
across and within many industries and regions. Furthermore, the Company's
analytical instruments and metal detection systems complement its weighing
products, enabling the Company to offer integrated solutions. The Company
manufactures its products in its modern manufacturing facilities, most of which
are ISO 9001 certified. Mettler-Toledo's broad range of high quality products
and the ability to provide integrated solutions allows the Company to leverage
its sales and service organization, product development activities and
manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
 
     Global Sales and Service.  The Company has the only global sales and
service organization among weighing instruments manufacturers. At March 31,
1998, this organization consisted of approximately 3,100 employees organized
into locally-based, customer-focused groups that provide prompt service and
support to the Company's customers and distributors in virtually all major
markets around the world. The local focus of the Company's sales and service
organization enables the Company to provide timely, responsive support to
customers worldwide and provides feedback for manufacturing and product
development. This global infrastructure also allows the Company to capitalize on
growth opportunities in emerging markets.
 
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     Largest Installed Base.  The Company believes that it has the largest
installed base of weighing instruments in the world. From this installed base,
the Company obtains service contracts which provide a strong, stable source of
recurring service revenue. Service revenue represented approximately 16% of net
sales in 1997, of which approximately 9% is derived solely from service
contracts and repairs with the remainder derived from the sale of spare parts.
The Company believes that its installed base of weighing instruments represents
a competitive advantage with respect to repeat purchases and purchases of
related analytical instruments and metal detection systems, because customers
tend to remain with an existing supplier that can provide accurate and reliable
products and related services. In addition, switching to a new instrument
supplier entails additional costs to the customer for training, spare parts,
service and systems integration requirements. Close relationships and frequent
contact with its broad customer base also provide the Company with sales leads
and new product and application ideas.
 
     Geographical, Product and Customer Diversification.  The Company's revenue
base is diversified by geographic region, product range and customer. The
Company's broad range of product offerings is utilized in many different
industries, including, among others, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food
processing, food retailing and transportation. The Company supplies customers in
over 100 countries, and no one customer accounted for more than 2.6% of 1997 net
sales. The Company's diverse revenue base reduces its exposure to regional or
industry-specific economic conditions, and its presence in many different
geographic markets, product markets and industries enhances its attractiveness
as a supplier to multinational customers.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     Prior to its acquisition on October 15, 1996 in a transaction sponsored by
management and AEA Investors, Mettler-Toledo operated as a division of Ciba. In
connection with the Acquisition, Mettler-Toledo began implementing a strategy to
enhance its position as global market leader by accelerating new product
introductions, capitalizing on market opportunities, focusing on expansion in
emerging markets, pursuing selected acquisitions and reengineering its
operations in order to reduce its overall cost structure. These initiatives have
contributed to an improvement in Adjusted Operating Income from $39.5 million
(4.6% of net sales) for 1995 to $81.5 million (9.3% of net sales) for 1997.
Adjusted Operating Income increased from $12.3 million (6.2% of net sales) for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 to $18.7 million (8.7% of net sales) for
the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of 52.6%.
 
     New Product Introductions.  The Company intends to continue to invest in
product innovation in order to provide technologically advanced products to its
customers for existing and new applications. Over the last three calendar years,
the Company invested more than $150 million in research and development and
customer engineering, which has resulted in a pipeline of innovative and new
products, significant reductions in product costs and reduced time to market for
new products. Examples of recent or upcoming product introductions include:
industrial and retail products that apply open-system architecture, a higher
performance titrator, a higher performance modular thermal analysis system, a
new density and refractometry measurement technology, a fully integrated metal
detector and checkweigher and the first Chinese-designed and manufactured
laboratory balance. In addition, the Company is also focused on innovations that
reduce manufacturing costs. For example, the Company is extending the
utilization of its high-accuracy, low-cost MonoBloc weighing sensor technology
through much of its weighing instrument product line. The Company attributes a
significant portion of its recent margin improvement to its research and
development efforts.
 
     Capitalize on Market Opportunities.  Mettler-Toledo believes it is well
positioned to capitalize on potential market opportunities including: (i) the
integration of precision measurement instruments into data management software
systems to automate processes and/or improve process control; (ii) the
development of integrated solutions that combine measurement instruments and
related technologies directly into manufacturing processes; (iii) the
harmonization of national weighing standards among countries, particularly in
the European Union; and (iv) the standardization of manufacturing and laboratory
practices through programs such as ISO 9001, Good Laboratory Practices and Good
Manufacturing Practices. The Company believes that these trends, together with
the Company's brand name, global presence and the pipeline of planned new
products, will allow it to increase its penetration of developed markets such as
Europe, the United States and Japan.
 
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     Further Expansion in Emerging Markets.  The Company believes that global
recognition of the Mettler-Toledo brand name and the Company's global sales,
service and manufacturing capabilities position it to take advantage of
continued growth opportunities in emerging markets. These growth opportunities
have been driven by economic development and global manufacturers' utilization
of additional and more sophisticated precision measurement instruments as they
shift production to these markets. The primary focus to date of the Company's
emerging market expansion has been in Asia. In Asia (excluding Japan), the
Company is the market leader in laboratory weighing instruments and has
substantial and rapidly growing industrial and food retailing businesses. The
Company maintains two profitable operations in China: first, a 60% owned joint
venture which manufactures and sells industrial and food retailing products and,
second, a wholly owned facility which manufactures and distributes laboratory
products. Both of these operations serve the domestic and export markets. The
Company has opened direct marketing organizations in Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong,
Thailand, Malaysia and Eastern Europe. The Company's net sales in Southeast Asia
and Korea collectively represented approximately 3% of the Company's net sales
for 1997. The Company is also expanding its sales and service presence in Latin
America and other emerging markets. The Company believes Asia and other emerging
markets will continue to provide opportunities for growth in the long term based
upon the movement toward international quality standards, the need to upgrade
mechanical sales to electronic versions and the establishment of local
production facilities by the Company's multinational client base. The Company
believes that its brand name, its global marketing and manufacturing
infrastructure and its already substantial sales in Asia, Latin America and
Eastern Europe position it to take advantage of these growth opportunities.
 
     Pursue Selected Acquisition Opportunities.  Mettler-Toledo plans to
actively pursue additional complementary product lines and distribution
channels. In the laboratory market, the Company intends to leverage its existing
laboratory distribution system through the acquisition of complementary product
lines and the development of integrated laboratory solutions. In the industrial
and food retailing markets, the Company plans to pursue the acquisition of
related products and technologies that allow for the integration of weighing
with other customer operations and information systems. The Company began
implementing this strategy through the May 1997 acquisition of Safeline, which
is the world's leading supplier of metal detection systems for companies that
produce and package goods in the food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics,
chemicals and other industries. Safeline's metal detection systems enable the
Company to offer integrated solutions for quality control and data management to
these industries. The Company believes that by taking advantage of its brand
name and global sales and service organization it can expand the distribution of
acquired product lines and operate acquired businesses more effectively.
 
     Reengineering and Cost Reductions.  The Company's recent increase in
profitability has been achieved in part through: (i) focusing research and
development efforts on product cost reductions; (ii) achieving greater
flexibility in, and a targeted reduction of, the Company's workforce, including
a planned further reduction of approximately 70 personnel in 1998; (iii)
consolidating manufacturing facilities, including the closure of the
Westerville, Ohio facility; and (iv) moving production to lower-cost
manufacturing facilities. The Company has also started implementing a number of
additional operational changes such as the restructuring of its ordering
process, product delivery and parts inventory management in Europe, the
consolidation of worldwide precision balance manufacturing, the realignment of
industrial product manufacturing in Europe and the consolidation of the
Company's North American laboratory, industrial and food retailing businesses
into a single marketing organization. The Company believes that these new
initiatives, as well as its continuing efforts to reduce product costs through
research and development and the move of production to lower-cost manufacturing
facilities, will place the Company in a position to build on its recent
improvement in profitability. Furthermore, the Company believes that it can
leverage its existing infrastructure, particularly the recent investments made
in Asia, to obtain continued sales growth without significant additions to its
overall cost base.
 
PRODUCTS
 
  Laboratory
 
     The Company manufactures and markets a complete range of laboratory
balances, as well as other selected laboratory measurement instruments, such as
titrators, thermal analysis systems, electrodes, pH meters and automatic lab
reactors, for laboratory applications in research and development, quality
assurance, production and
 
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education. Laboratory products accounted for approximately 38% of the Company's
net sales in 1997 (including revenues from related after-sale service). The
Company believes that it has an approximate 40% share of the global market for
laboratory balances and is among the top three producers worldwide of titrators,
thermal analysis systems, electrodes, pH meters and automatic lab reactors. The
Company believes it has the leading market share for laboratory balances in each
of Europe, the United States and Asia (excluding Japan) and the number two
position in Japan.
 
     Balances.  The balance is the most common piece of equipment in the
laboratory. The Company believes that it sells the highest performance
laboratory balances available on the market, with weighing ranges up to 32
kilograms and down to one ten-millionth of a gram. The Mettler-Toledo name is
identified worldwide with accuracy, reliability and innovation. The Company's
brand name is so well recognized that laboratory balances are often generically
referred to as 'Mettlers.' This reputation, in management's judgment,
constitutes one of the Company's principal competitive strengths.
 
     In order to cover a wide range of customer needs and price points,
Mettler-Toledo markets precision balances, semimicrobalances, microbalances and
ultramicrobalances in three principal product tiers offering different levels of
functionality. High-end balances provide maximum automation of calibration,
application support and additional functions. Mid-level balances provide a more
limited but still extensive set of automated features and software applications,
while basic level balances provide simple operations and a limited feature set.
The Company also manufactures mass comparators, which are used by weights and
measures regulators as well as laboratories to ensure the accuracy of reference
weights. Due to the wide range of functions and features offered by the
Company's products, prices vary significantly. A typical mid-range precision
balance is priced at approximately $2,500 and a typical microbalance is priced
at approximately $14,000.
 
     The Company regularly introduces new features and updated models in its
lines of balances. For example, the Company's DeltaRange models permit weighing
of light and heavy samples on the same balance without the need for difficult
adjustments, a function particularly useful in dispensing and formula weighing.
High-end balances are equipped with fully automatic calibration technology.
These balances are carefully calibrated many times in controlled environments,
with the results of the calibrations incorporated into built-in software, so
that adjustments to ambient temperature and humidity can automatically be made
at any time. The Company also offers universal interfaces that offer
simultaneous connection of up to five peripheral devices. The customer can then
interface one balance with, for example, a computer for further processing of
weighing data, a printer for automatically printing results and a bar-code
reader for sample identification.
 
     In addition to Mettler-Toledo branded products, the Company also
manufactures and sells balances under the brand name 'Ohaus.' Ohaus branded
products include mechanical balances and electronic balances for the educational
market and other markets in which customers are interested in lower cost, a more
limited set of features and less comprehensive support and service.
 
     Titrators.  Titrators measure the chemical composition of samples. The
Company's high-end titrators are multi-tasking models, which can perform two
determinations simultaneously. They permit high sample throughputs and have
extensive expansion capability and flexibility in calculations, functions and
parameters. Lower-range models permit common determinations to be stored in a
database for frequent use. Titrators are used heavily in the food and beverage
industry. A typical titrator is priced at approximately $12,000.
 
     Thermal Analysis Systems.  Thermal analysis systems measure different
properties, such as weight, dimension and energy flow, at varying temperatures.
The Company's thermal analysis products include full computer integration and a
significant amount of proprietary software. Thermal analysis systems are used
primarily in the plastics and polymer industries. A typical thermal analysis
system is priced at approximately $50,000.
 
     pH Meters.  A pH meter measures acidity in a laboratory sample and is the
second most widely used measurement instrument in the laboratory, after the
balance. The Company manufactures desktop models and portable models. Desktop
models are microprocessor-based instruments, offering a wide range of features
and self-diagnostic functions. Portable models are waterproof, ultrasonically
welded and ergonomically designed, and permit later downloading of data to a
computer or printer using an interface kit and custom software. pH meters are
used in a wide range of industries. A typical pH meter is priced at
approximately $1,200.
 
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     Automatic Lab Reactors and Reaction Calorimeters.  Automatic lab reactors
and reaction calorimeters are used to simulate an entire chemical manufacturing
process in the laboratory before proceeding to production, in order to ensure
the safety and feasibility of the process. The Company's products are fully
computer-integrated, with a significant software component, and offer wide
flexibility in the structuring of experimental processes. Automatic lab reactors
and reaction calorimeters are typically used in the chemical and pharmaceutical
industries. A typical lab reactor is priced at approximately $140,000.
 
     Electrodes.  The Company manufactures electrodes for use in a variety of
laboratory instruments and in-line process applications. Laboratory electrodes
are consumable goods used in pH meters and titrators, which may be replaced many
times during the life of the instrument. In-line process electrodes are used to
monitor production processes, for example, in the beverage industry. A typical
in-line process electrode is priced at approximately $160.
 
     Other Instruments.  The Company sells density and refractometry
instruments, which measure chemical concentrations in solutions. These
instruments are sourced through a marketing joint venture with a third-party
manufacturer, but are sold under the Mettler-Toledo brand name. In addition, the
Company manufactures and sells moisture analyzers, which precisely determine the
moisture content of a sample by utilizing an infrared dryer to evaporate
moisture.
 
  Industrial and Food Retailing
 
     Weighing instruments are among the most broadly used measurement devices in
industry and food retailing. The Company's industrial and food retailing
weighing and related products include bench and floor scales for standard
industrial applications, truck and railcar scales for heavy industrial
applications, checkweighers (which determine the weight of goods in motion),
metal detectors, dimensioning equipment and scales for use in food retailing
establishments and specialized software systems for industrial and perishable
goods management processes. Increasingly, many of the Company's industrial and
food retailing products can integrate weighing data into process controls and
information systems. The Company's industrial and food retailing products are
also sold to original equipment manufacturers ('OEMs'), which incorporate the
Company's products into larger process solutions and comprehensive food
retailing checkout systems. At the same time, the Company's products themselves
include significant software content and additional functions including
networking, printing and labeling capabilities and the incorporation of other
measuring technologies such as dimensioning. The Company works with customer
segments to create specific solutions to their weighing needs. The Company has
also recently worked closely with the leading manufacturer of postal meters to
develop a new generation of postal metering systems.
 
     Industrial and food retailing products accounted for approximately 62% of
the Company's net sales in 1997 (including revenues from related after-sale
service). The Company believes that it has the largest market share in the
industrial and food retailing market in each of Europe and in the United States.
In Asia, the Company has a substantial, rapidly growing industrial and food
retailing business supported by an established manufacturing presence in China.
The Company believes that it is the only company with a true global presence
across industrial and food retailing weighing applications.
 
     Standard Industrial Products.  The Company offers a complete line of
standard industrial scales, such as bench scales and floor scales, for weighing
loads from a few grams to loads of several thousand kilograms in applications
ranging from measuring materials in chemical production to weighing mail and
packages. Product lines include the 'Spider' range of scales, often used in
receiving and shipping departments in counting applications; 'TrimWeigh' scales,
which determine whether an item falls within a specified weight range, and are
used primarily in the food industry; 'Mentor SC' scales, for counting parts; and
precision scales for formulating and mixing ingredients. The Company's
'MultiRange' products include standardized software which uses the weight data
obtained to calculate other parameters, such as price or number of pieces. The
modular design of these products facilitates the integration of the Company's
weighing equipment into a computer system performing other functions, like
inventory control or batch management. Prices vary significantly with the size
and functions of the scale, generally ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.
 
     Heavy Industrial Products.  The Company's primary heavy industrial products
are scales for weighing trucks or railcars (i.e., weighing bulk goods as they
enter a factory or at a toll station). The Company's truck
 
                                       39

<PAGE>

scales, such as the 'DigiTol TRUCKMATE,' generally have digital load cells,
which offer significant advantages in serviceability over analog load cells.
Heavy industrial scales are capable of measuring weights up to 500 tons and
permit accurate weighing under extreme environmental conditions. The Company
also offers advanced computer software that can be used with its heavy
industrial scales to permit a broad range of applications. Truck scale prices
generally range from $20,000 to $50,000.
 
     Dynamic Checkweighing.  The Company offers solutions to checkweighing
requirements in the food processing, pharmaceutical, chemicals and cosmetic
industries, where accurate filling of packages is required, and in the
transportation and package delivery industries, where tariffs are levied based
on weight. Customizable software applications utilize the information generated
by checkweighing hardware to find production flaws, packaging and labeling
errors and nonuniform products, as well as to sort rejects and record the
results. Mettler-Toledo checkweighing equipment can accurately determine weight
in dynamic applications at speeds of up to several hundred units per minute.
Checkweighers generally range in price from $8,000 to $40,000.
 
     Metal Detection Systems.  Metal detection systems control the removal of
product that is identified as contaminated by metal during the manufacturing
process in the food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and other
industries. Metal detectors therefore provide manufacturers with vital
protection against metal contamination arising from their own production
processes or from use of contaminated raw materials. Metal detectors are most
commonly utilized in conjunction with checkweighers as components of integrated
packaging lines in the food processing, pharmaceutical and other industries.
Prices for metal detection systems generally range from $5,000 to $20,000.
 
     Dimensioning Equipment.  The Company recently introduced automated
dimensioning equipment that is utilized in the shipping industry to measure
package volumes. These products employ the patented PILAR technology and are
integrated with industrial scales to combine volume-based and weight-based
tariff calculations. Prices for integrated dimensioning/weighing systems range
from $5,000 to $20,000.
 
     Food Retailing Products.  Supermarkets, hypermarkets and other food retail
establishments make use of multiple weighing applications for the handling of
perishable goods from backroom to checkout counter. For example, perishable
goods are weighed on arrival to determine payment to suppliers and some of these
goods are repackaged, priced and labeled for sale to customers. Other goods are
kept loose and selected by customers and either weighed at the produce or
delicatessen counter or at the checkout counter.
 
     The Company offers stand-alone scales for basic counter weighing and
pricing, price finding, and printing. In addition, the Company offers network
scales and software, which can integrate backroom, counter, self-service and
checkout functions, and can incorporate weighing data into a supermarket's
overall perishable goods management system. Backroom products include dynamic
weighing products, labeling and wrapping machines, perishable goods management
and data processing systems. In some countries in Europe, the Company also sells
slicing and mincing equipment. Prices for food retailing scales generally range
from $800 to $5,000, but are often sold as part of comprehensive weighing
solutions.
 
     Systems.  The Company's systems business consists of software applications
for drum filling in the food and chemical industries and batching systems in the
glass industry. The software systems control or modify the manufacturing
process.
 
CUSTOMERS AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company's business is geographically diversified, with 1997 net sales
derived 45% in Europe, 42% in North and South America and 13% in Asia and other
markets. The Company's customer base is also diversified by industry and by
individual customer. The Company's largest single customer accounted for no more
than 2.6% of 1997 net sales.
 
  Laboratory
 
     Principal customers for laboratory products include chemical,
pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturers; food and beverage makers; the
metals, electronics, plastics, transportation, packaging, logistics and rubber
industries; the jewelry and precious metals trade; educational institutions; and
government standards labs.
 
                                       40

<PAGE>

Balances and pH meters are the most widely used laboratory measurement
instruments and are found in virtually every laboratory across a wide range of
industries. Other products have more specialized uses.
 
     The Company's laboratory products are sold in more than 100 countries
through a worldwide distribution network. The Company's extensive direct
distribution network and its dealer support activities enable the Company to
maintain a significant degree of control over the distribution of its products.
In markets where there are strong laboratory distributors, such as the United
States, the Company uses them as the primary marketing channel for lower- and
mid-price point products. This strategy allows the Company to leverage the
strength of both the Mettler-Toledo brand and the laboratory distributors'
market position into sales of other laboratory measurement instruments. The
Company provides its distributors with a significant amount of technical and
sales support. High-end products are handled by the Company's own sales force.
There has been recent consolidation among distributors in the United States
market. While this consolidation could adversely affect the Company's U.S.
distribution, the Company believes its leadership position in the market gives
it a competitive advantage when dealing with its U.S. distributors. Asian
distribution is primarily through distributors, while European distribution is
primarily through direct sales. European and Asian distributors are generally
fragmented on a country-by-country basis. The Company negotiated a transfer of
the laboratory business in Japan from its former agent to a subsidiary of the
Company effective January 1, 1997. In addition, the Company began to distribute
laboratory products directly in certain other Asian countries.
 
     Ohaus branded products are generally positioned in alternative distribution
channels to those of Mettler-Toledo branded products. In this way, the Company
is able to fill a greater number of distribution channels and increase
penetration of its existing markets. Since the acquisition of Ohaus in 1990, the
Company has expanded the Ohaus brand beyond its historical U.S. focus. Ohaus
branded products are sold exclusively through distributors.
 
  Industrial and Food Retailing
 
     Customers for Mettler-Toledo industrial products include chemical companies
(e.g., formulating, filling and bagging applications), food companies (e.g.,
packaging and filling applications), electronics and metal processing companies
(e.g., piece counting and logistical applications), pharmaceutical companies
(e.g., formulating and filling applications), transportation companies (e.g.,
sorting, dimensioning and vehicle weighing applications) and auto body paint
shops, which mix paint colors based on weight. The Company's products for these
industries share weighing technology, and often minor modifications of existing
products can make them useful for applications in a variety of industrial
processes. The Company also sells to OEMs which integrate the Company's modules
into larger process control applications, or comprehensive packaging lines. OEM
applications often include software content and technical support, as the
Company's modules must communicate with a wide variety of other process modules
and data management functions. The Company's products are also purchased by
engineering firms, systems integrators and vertical application software
companies.
 
     Customers for metal detection systems are typically food processing,
pharmaceutical, cosmetics and chemicals manufacturers that must ensure that
their products are free from contamination by metal particles. Selling product
that is contaminated by metal can have severe consequences for these companies,
resulting in potential litigation and product recalls. Metal detection systems
are most commonly utilized in conjunction with checkweighers as components of
integrated packaging lines as important safety checks before food and other
products are delivered to customers. Other applications of metal detection
systems include pipeline detectors for dairy and other liquids, gravity fall
systems for grains and sugar and throat detection systems for raw material
monitoring.
 
     Customers for food retailing products include supermarkets, hypermarkets
and smaller food retailing establishments. The North American and European
markets include many large supermarket chains. In most of the Company's markets,
food retailing continues to shift to supermarkets and hypermarkets from 'mom and
pop' grocery stores. While supermarkets and hypermarkets generally buy less
equipment per customer, they tend to buy more advanced products that require
more electronic and software content. In emerging markets, however, the highest
growth is in basic scales. As with industrial products, the Company also sells
food retailing products to OEMs for inclusion in more comprehensive checkout
systems. For example, the Company's checkout scales
 
                                       41

<PAGE>

are incorporated into scanner-scales, which can both weigh perishable goods and
also read bar codes on other items. Scanner-scales are in turn integrated with
cash registers to form a comprehensive checkout system.
 
     The Company's industrial products are sold in more than 100 countries and
its food retailing products in 20 countries. In the industrial and food
retailing market, the Company distributes directly to customers (including OEMs)
and through distributors. In the United States, direct sales slightly exceed
distribution sales. Distributors are highly fragmented in the U.S. In Europe,
direct sales predominate, with distributors used in certain cases. As in its
laboratory distribution, the Company provides significant support to its
distributors.
 
SALES AND SERVICE
 
  Market Organizations
 
     The Company has over 30 geographically focused market organizations ('MOs')
around the world that are responsible for all aspects of the Company's sales and
service. The MOs are local marketing and service organizations designed to
maintain close relationships with the Company's customer base. Each MO has the
flexibility to adapt its marketing and service efforts to account for different
cultural and economic conditions. MOs also work closely with the Company's
producing organizations (described below) by providing feedback on manufacturing
and product development initiatives and relaying innovative product and
application ideas.
 
     The Company has the only global sales and service organization among
weighing instruments manufacturers. At March 31, 1998, this organization
consisted of approximately 3,100 employees in sales, marketing and customer
service (including related administration) and after-sales technical service.
This field organization has the capability to provide service and support to the
Company's customers and distributors in virtually all major markets across the
globe. Sales managers and representatives interact across product lines and
markets in order to serve customers that have a wide range of weighing needs,
such as pharmaceutical companies that purchase both laboratory and industrial
products. The Company classifies customers according to their potential for
sales and the appropriate distribution channel is selected to service the
customer as efficiently as possible. Larger accounts tend to have dedicated
sales representatives. Other representatives are specialized by product line.
Sales representatives call directly on end-users either alone or, in regions
where sales are made through distributors, jointly with distributors. The
Company utilizes a variety of advertising media, including trade journals,
catalogs, exhibitions and trade shows. The Company also sponsors seminars,
product demonstrations and customer training programs. An extensive database on
markets helps the Company to gauge growth opportunities, target its message to
appropriate customer groups and monitor competitive developments.
 
  After-Sales Service
 
     The Company employs service technicians who provide contract and repair
services in all countries in which the Company's products are sold. Service
(representing service contracts, repairs and replacement parts) accounted for
approximately 16% of the Company's total net sales in 1997 (service revenue is
included in the laboratory and industrial and food retailing sales percentages
given above). Management believes that service is a key part of its product
offering and helps significantly in generating repeat sales. Moreover, the
Company believes that it has the largest installed base of weighing instruments
in the world. The close relationships and frequent contact with its large
customer base provide the Company with sales opportunities and innovative
product and application ideas. A global service network also is an important
factor in the ability to expand in emerging markets. Widespread adoption of
quality laboratory and manufacturing standards and the privatization of weights
and measures certification represent favorable trends for the Company's service
business, as they tend to increase demand for on-site calibration services.
 
     The Company's service contracts provide for repair services within various
guaranteed response times, depending on the level of service selected. Many
contracts also include periodic calibration and testing. Contracts are generally
one year in length, but may be longer. The Company's own employees directly
provide all service on the Company's products. If the service contract also
includes products of other manufacturers, the Company will generally perform
calibration, testing and basic repairs directly, and contract out more
significant repair work. As application software becomes more complex, the
Company's service efforts increasingly include installation and customer
training programs as well as product service.
 
                                       42

<PAGE>

     Warranties on Mettler-Toledo products are generally one year. Based on past
experience, the Company believes its reserves for warranty claims are adequate.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; MANUFACTURING
 
  Producing Organizations
 
     The Company is organized into a number of producing organizations ('POs'),
which are specialized centers responsible for product development, research and
manufacturing. At March 31, 1998, POs included approximately 3,800 employees
worldwide, and consisted of product development teams whose members are from
marketing, development, research, manufacturing, engineering and purchasing. POs
also often seek customer input to ensure that the products developed are
tailored to market needs. The Company has organized POs in order to reduce
product development time, improve its customer focus, reduce costs and maintain
technological leadership. The POs work together to share ideas and best
practices. Some employees are in both MOs and POs. The Company is currently
implementing a number of projects that it believes will result in increased
productivity and lower costs. For example, the Company is restructuring the
order and product delivery process in Europe to enable the Company to deliver
many of its products to its customers directly from the manufacturing facility
within several days, which minimizes the need to store products in decentralized
warehouses. In addition, the Company is centralizing its European spare parts
inventory management system.
 
  Research and Product Development
 
     The Company closely integrates research and development with marketing,
manufacturing and product engineering. The Company has nearly 600 professionals
in research and development and product engineering. The Company's principal
product development activities involve applications improvements to provide
enhanced customer solutions, systems integration and product cost reduction.
However, the Company also actively conducts research in basic weighing
technologies. As part of its research and development activities, the Company
has frequent contact with university experts, industry professionals and the
governmental agencies responsible for weights and measures, analytical
instruments and metal detectors. In addition, the Company's in-house development
is complemented by technology and product development alliances with customers
and OEMs.
 
     A recent example of innovation at the Company is the MonoBloc weighing
sensor technology, which eliminates many of the complex mechanical linkages in a
weighing sensor and reduces the number of parts in the sensor from approximately
100 to approximately 50. The MonoBloc sensor permits more accurate weighing,
lower manufacturing costs and cheaper and faster design changes. MonoBloc
technology has been incorporated into certain of the Company's products, and the
Company is extending the utilization of its MonoBloc technology through much of
its weighing instrument product lines.
 
     The Company has been spending an increasing proportion of its research and
development budget on software development. Software development for weighing
applications includes application-specific software, as well as software
utilized in sensor mechanisms, displays, and other common components, which can
be leveraged across the Company's broad product lines.
 
     The Company has spent more than $150 million on research and development
during the last three fiscal years (excluding research and development purchased
in connection with the Acquisition and the Safeline Acquisition). Including
costs associated with customer-specific engineering projects, which are included
in cost of sales for financial reporting purposes, the Company spent
approximately 5.7% of net sales on research and development in 1997.
 
  Manufacturing
 
     The Company's manufacturing strategy is to produce directly those
components that require its specific technical competence, or for which
dependable, high quality suppliers cannot be found. The Company contracts out
the manufacture of its other component requirements. Consequently, much of the
Company's manufacturing capability consists of assembly of components sourced
from others. The Company utilizes a wide range of suppliers and it believes its
supply arrangements to be adequate. From time to time the Company relies on one
 
                                       43

<PAGE>

supplier for all of its requirements of a particular component, but in such
cases the Company believes adequate alternative sources would be available if
necessary. Supply arrangements for electronics are generally made globally. For
mechanical components, the Company generally uses local sources to optimize
materials flow.
 
     The Company's manufacturing operations emphasize product quality. Most of
its products require very strict tolerances and exact specifications. The
Company utilizes an extensive quality control system that is integrated into
each step of the manufacturing process. This integration permits field service
technicians to trace important information about the manufacture of a particular
unit, which facilitates repair efforts and permits fine-tuning of the
manufacturing process. Many of the Company's measuring instruments are subjected
to an extensive calibration process that allows the software in the unit to
automatically adjust for the impact of temperature and humidity.
 
     The Company has seven manufacturing plants in the United States, four in
Switzerland, two in Germany, one in the United Kingdom and two in China, of
which one is a joint venture in which the Company owns a 60% interest and the
other, the Shanghai facility, was completed and commenced production of
laboratory products at the end of 1996. Laboratory products are produced mainly
in Switzerland and to a lesser extent in the United States and China, while
industrial and food retailing products are produced in all five countries. The
Company's metal detectors are produced in the United Kingdom. The Company has
manufacturing expertise in sensor technology, precision machining and
electronics, as well as strength in software development. Furthermore, most of
the Company's manufacturing facilities have achieved ISO 9001 certification. The
Company believes its manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet its present
and currently anticipated needs.
 
  Backlog
 
     Manufacturing turnaround time is generally sufficiently short so as to
permit the Company to manufacture to fill orders for most of its products, which
helps to limit inventory costs. Backlog is therefore generally a function of
requested customer delivery dates and is typically no longer than one to two
months.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of March 31, 1998, the Company had approximately 6,900 employees
throughout the world, including more than 3,500 in Europe, more than 2,600 in
North and South America, and approximately 800 in Asia and other countries.
Management believes that its relations with employees are good. The Company has
not suffered any material employee work stoppage or strike in its worldwide
operations during the last five years. Labor unions do not represent a
meaningful number of the Company's employees.
 
     In certain of its facilities, the Company has instituted a flexible
workforce environment, in which hours vary depending on the quantity of
workload. The Company believes that this flexible working environment enhances
employees' involvement, thus increasing productivity, and improves efficient
payroll management by permitting the Company to adjust staffing to match
workload to a greater degree without changing the size of the overall workforce.
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
     The Company holds more than 1,100 patents and trademarks, primarily in the
United States, Switzerland, Germany and Japan and, to a lesser extent, in China.
The Company's products generally incorporate a wide variety of technological
innovations, many of which are protected by patents and many of which are not.
Moreover, products are generally not protected as a whole by individual patents.
Accordingly, no one patent or group of related patents is material to the
Company's business. The Company also has numerous trademarks and considers the
Mettler-Toledo name and logo to be material to its business. The Company
regularly protects against infringement of its intellectual property.
 
REGULATION
 
     The Company's products are subject to regulatory standards and approvals by
weights and measures regulatory authorities in the countries in which it sells
its products. Weights and measures regulation has been harmonized across the
European Union. The Company's food processing and food retailing products are
subject
 
                                       44

<PAGE>

to regulation and approvals by relevant governmental agencies, such as the
United States Food and Drug Administration. Products used in hazardous
environments may also be subject to special requirements. All of the Company's
electrical components are subject to electrical safety standards. The Company
believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with applicable
regulations.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     The Company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations in the
jurisdictions in which it operates, including those relating to air emissions,
wastewater discharges, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes
and the remediation of contamination associated with the use and disposal of
hazardous substances. The Company wholly or partly owns, leases or holds a
direct or indirect equity interest in a number of properties and manufacturing
facilities around the world, including the United States, Europe, Canada,
Mexico, Brazil, Australia and China. The Company, like many of its competitors,
has incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and
other costs in complying with such laws and regulations in both the United
States and abroad.
 
     The Company is currently involved in, or has potential liability with
respect to, the remediation of past contamination in certain of its presently
and formerly owned and leased facilities in both the United States and abroad.
In addition, certain of the Company's present and former facilities have or had
been in operation for many decades and, over such time, some of these facilities
may have used substances or generated and disposed of wastes which are or may be
considered hazardous. It is possible that such sites, as well as disposal sites
owned by third parties to which the Company has sent wastes, may in the future
be identified and become the subject of remediation. Accordingly, although the
Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable
environmental requirements and the Company to date has not incurred material
expenditures in connection with environmental matters, it is possible that the
Company could become subject to additional environmental liabilities in the
future that could result in a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.
 
     The Company is involved in litigation concerning remediation of hazardous
substances at its operating facility in Landing, New Jersey. On or about July
1988, an affiliate of Ciba ('AGP') purchased 100% of the outstanding stock of
Metramatic Corporation ('Metramatic'), a manufacturer of checkweighing equipment
located in Landing, from GEI International Corporation ('GEI'). GEI agreed to
indemnify and hold harmless AGP for certain pre-closing environmental
conditions, including those resulting in cleanup responsibilities required by
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ('NJDEP') pursuant to the
New Jersey Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act ('ECRA'). ECRA is now the
Industrial Site Recovery Act. Pursuant to a 1988 NJDEP administrative consent
order naming GEI and Metramatic as respondents, GEI has spent approximately $2
million in the performance of certain investigatory and remedial work addressing
groundwater contamination at the site. However, implementation of a final remedy
has not yet been completed, and, therefore, future remedial costs are currently
unknown. In 1992, GEI filed a suit against various parties including Hi-Speed
Checkweigher Co., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that currently
owns the facility, to recover certain costs incurred by GEI in connection with
the site. Based on currently available information and the Company's rights of
indemnification from GEI, the Company believes that its ultimate allocation of
costs associated with the past and future investigation and remediation of this
site will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.
 
     In addition, the Company is aware that Toledo Scale, the former owner of
Toledo Scale or the Company has been named a potentially responsible party under
CERCLA or analogous state statutes at the following third-party owned sites with
respect to the alleged disposal at the sites by Toledo Scale during the period
it was owned by such former owner: Granville Solvents Site, Granville, Ohio;
Aqua-Tech Environmental, Inc. Site, Greer, South Carolina; Seaboard Chemical
Company Site, Jamestown, North Carolina; and the Stickney and Tyler Landfills in
Toledo, Ohio. The former owner has also been named in a lawsuit seeking
contribution pursuant to CERCLA with respect to the Caldwell Trucking Site, New
Jersey based on the alleged disposal at the site by Toledo Scale during the
former owner's period of ownership. Pursuant to the terms of the stock purchase
agreement between Mettler and the former owner of Toledo Scale, the former owner
is obligated to indemnify Mettler for various environmental liabilities. To
date, with respect to each of the foregoing sites, the former owner has
undertaken or taken steps to undertake the defense and indemnification of Toledo
Scale. Based on
 
                                       45

<PAGE>

currently available information and the Company's contractual rights of
indemnification, the Company believes that the costs associated with the
investigation and remediation of these sites will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The markets in which the Company operates are highly competitive. Because
of the fragmented nature of certain of the Company's weighing instruments
markets, particularly the industrial and food retailing weighing instruments
market, both geographically and by application, the Company competes with
numerous regional or specialized competitors, many of which are well-established
in their markets. Some competitors are less leveraged than the Company and/or
are divisions of larger companies with potentially greater financial and other
resources than the Company. Although the Company believes that it has certain
competitive advantages over its competitors, realizing and maintaining these
advantages will require continued investment by the Company in research and
development, sales and marketing and customer service and support. The Company
has, from time to time, experienced price pressures from competitors in certain
product lines and geographic markets.
 
     In the United States, the Company believes that the principal competitive
factors in its markets on which purchasing decisions are made are accuracy and
durability, while in Europe accuracy and service are the most important factors.
In emerging markets, where there is greater demand for less sophisticated
products, price is a more important factor than in developed markets.
Competition in the United States laboratory market is also influenced by the
presence of large distributors through which the Company and its competitors
sell many of their products.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
     Where necessary, the Company is in the process of modifying, upgrading, or
replacing its computer software applications and internal information systems to
accommodate the 'year 2000' dating changes necessary to permit correct recording
of year dates for 2000 and later years. The Company does not expect that the
cost of its year 2000 compliance program will be material to its business,
financial condition or results of operations. The Company believes that it will
be able to achieve compliance by the end of 1999, and does not currently
anticipate any material disruption in its operations as the result of any
failure by the Company to be in compliance. If any of the Company's significant
suppliers or customers do not successfully and timely achieve year 2000
compliance, the Company's business or operations could be adversely affected.
 
                                       46

<PAGE>

PROPERTIES
 
     The following table lists the Company's principal operating facilities,
indicating the location, primary use and whether the facility is owned or
leased.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   LOCATION                               PRINCIPAL USE(1)                               OWNED/LEASED
- ----------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------   ----------------
<S>                                       <C>                                        <C>
   Europe:
     Greifensee/Nanikon, Switzerland....  Production, Corporate Headquarters                    Owned
     Uznach, Switzerland................  Production                                            Owned
     Urdorf, Switzerland................  Production                                            Owned
     Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.........  Production                                           Leased
     Albstadt, Germany..................  Production                                            Owned
     Giesen, Germany....................  Production                                            Owned
     Giessen, Germany...................  Sales and Service                                     Owned
     Steinbach, Germany.................  Sales and Service                                     Owned
     Viroflay, France...................  Sales and Service                                     Owned
     Beersel, Belgium...................  Sales and Service                                     Owned
     Tiel, Netherlands..................  Sales and Service                                     Owned
     Leicester, England.................  Sales and Service                                    Leased
     Manchester, England................  Production, Sales and Service                        Leased
   Americas:
     Worthington, Ohio..................  Production                                            Owned
     Spartanburg, South Carolina........  Production                                            Owned
     Franksville, Wisconsin.............  Production                                            Owned
     Ithaca, New York...................  Production                                            Owned
     Wilmington, Massachusetts..........  Production                                           Leased
     Florham Park, New Jersey...........  Production                                           Leased
     Tampa, Florida.....................  Production, Sales and Service                        Leased
     Hightstown, New Jersey.............  Sales and Service                                     Owned
     Burlington, Canada.................  Sales and Service                                     Owned
     Mexico City, Mexico................  Sales and Service                                    Leased
   Other:
     Shanghai, China....................  Production                                  Building Owned;
                                                                                          Land Leased
     Changzhou, China(2)................  Production                                  Building Owned;
                                                                                          Land Leased
     Melbourne, Australia...............  Sales and Service                                    Leased
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) The Company also conducts research and development activities at certain of
    the listed facilities in Switzerland, Germany, the United States and, to a
    lesser extent, China.
 
(2) Held by a joint venture in which the Company owns a 60% interest.
 
The Company believes its facilities are adequate for its current and reasonably
anticipated future needs.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is subject to routine litigation incidental to its business.
The Company is currently not involved in any legal proceeding that it believes
could have a material adverse effect upon its financial condition or results of
operations. See '--Environmental Matters' for information concerning legal
proceedings relating to certain environmental claims.
 
     The Company has received a Notice of Proposed Adjustment from the Internal
Revenue Service disallowing $20.4 million of intercompany interest deductions
taken by the Company in its 1994 and 1995 tax returns when the Company was a
subsidiary of Ciba. The Company is indemnified under the acquisition agreement
with Ciba against any loss that may arise from the proposed adjustment. However,
the Company believes that such deductions were properly made and intends to
assist Ciba in contesting the proposed adjustment.
 
                                       47

<PAGE>

                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The directors and executive officers of the Company are set forth below.
All directors hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders following
their election or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion
thereof.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                         AGE   POSITION
- ------------------------------------------   ---   ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>   <C>
Robert F. Spoerry.........................   42    President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                                     Chairman of the Board of Directors
William P. Donnelly.......................   36    Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
Karl M. Lang..............................   51    Head, Laboratory Division
Lukas Braunschweiler......................   42    Head, Industrial and Retail (Europe)
John D. Robechek..........................   49    Head, Industrial and Retail (Americas)
Peter Burker..............................   52    Head, Human Resources
Thomas Rubbe..............................   44    Head, Logistics and Information Systems
Philip Caldwell...........................   78    Director
Reginald H. Jones.........................   80    Director
John D. Macomber..........................   70    Director
John M. Manser............................   50    Director
Laurence Z. Y. Moh........................   72    Director
Thomas P. Salice..........................   37    Director
</TABLE>
 
     Robert F. Spoerry has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since 1993. He served as Head, Industrial and Retail (Europe) of the
Company from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Spoerry has been a Director since October 1996.
Effective May 18, 1998, Mr. Spoerry assumed the additional office of Chairman of
the Board of Directors.
 
     William P. Donnelly has been Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Assistant Secretary of the Company since April 1, 1997. From 1993 until joining
the Company, he held various senior financial and management positions,
including most recently Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, with
Elsag Bailey Process Automation, a global manufacturer of instrumentation and
analytical products, and developer of distributed control systems. Prior to
1993, Mr. Donnelly was associated with the international accounting firm of
Price Waterhouse.
 
     Karl M. Lang has been Head, Laboratory Division of the Company since 1994.
From 1991 to 1994 he was based in Japan as a representative of senior management
with responsibility for expansion of the Asian operations.
 
     Lukas Braunschweiler has been Head, Industrial and Retail (Europe) of the
Company since 1995. From 1992 until 1995 he held various senior management
positions with the Landis & Gyr Group, a manufacturer of electrical meters.
Prior to August 1992 he was a Vice President in the Technology Group of Saurer
Group, a manufacturer of textile machinery.
 
     John D. Robechek has been Head, Industrial and Retail (Americas) of the
Company and President of Mettler-Toledo, Inc., a U.S.-based subsidiary of the
Company, since 1995. From 1990 through 1994 he served as Senior Vice President
and managed all of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries.
 
     Peter Burker has been Head, Human Resources of the Company since 1994. From
1992 to 1994 he was Mettler-Toledo's General Manager in Spain, and from 1989 to
1991 he headed the Company's operations in Italy.
 
     Thomas Rubbe has been Head, Logistics and Information Systems of the
Company since 1995. From 1990 to 1995 he was head of Controlling, Finance and
Administration with the Company's German marketing organization.
 
                                       48

<PAGE>

     Philip Caldwell has been a Director since October 1996. Prior to May 18,
1998, Mr. Caldwell served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Caldwell
spent 32 years at Ford Motor Company, where he served as Chairman of the Board
of Directors and Chief Executive Officer from 1980 to 1985 and a Director from
1973 to 1990. He served as a Director and Senior Managing Director of Lehman
Brothers Inc. and its predecessor, Shearson Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. from
1985 to February 1998. Mr. Caldwell is also a Director of Waters Corporation,
Zurich Holding Company of America, Inc., American Guarantee & Liability
Insurance Company, The Mexico Fund, and Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. He has
served as a Director of the Chase Manhattan Corporation, the Chase Manhattan
Bank, N.A., Digital Equipment Corporation, Federated Department Stores Inc., the
Kellogg Company, Shearson Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., CasTech Aluminum Group
Inc., Specialty Coatings International Inc., and Zurich Reinsurance Centre
Holdings, Inc.
 
     Reginald H. Jones has been a Director since October 1996. Mr. Jones retired
as Chairman of the Board of Directors of General Electric Company ('General
Electric') in April 1981. At General Electric, he served as Chairman of the
Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer from December 1972 through April
1981, President from June 1972 to December 1972 and a Director from August 1971
to April 1981. Mr. Jones is also a Director of ASA Limited and Birmingham Steel
Corporation.
 
     John D. Macomber 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 Textron
Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Xerox Corporation, Lehman Brothers Holdings
Inc., Pilkington plc and Brown Group, Inc.
 
     John M. Manser has been a Director since August 1997. He is the Treasurer
of the Worldwide Life Science Group of Novartis, which has its headquarters in
Switzerland. He has been with Novartis (and its predecessor Ciba-Geigy) since
1981.
 
     Laurence Z. Y. Moh has been a Director since October 1996. At present, he
is Chairman and CEO of Plantation Timber Products Limited (CHINA), which he
founded in 1996. He is Chairman Emeritus of Universal Furniture Limited, which
he founded in 1959.
 
     Thomas P. Salice has been a Director since October 1996. Mr. Salice is a
Managing Director of AEA Investors and has been associated with AEA Investors
since June 1989. Mr. Salice is also a Director of Waters Corporation.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 the compensation paid to or accrued for services performed by the Chief
Executive Officer, each of the four other most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company who were serving as executive officers at December 31,
1997 and one other highly compensated employee who is no longer an executive
officer (collectively, the 'Named Executive Officers').
 
                                       49

<PAGE>

                         SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE(1)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          LONG TERM
                                                                                         COMPENSATION
                                                        ANNUAL COMPENSATION              ------------
                                             -----------------------------------------    SECURITIES
                                                                          OTHER ANNUAL    UNDERLYING     ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                  YEAR    SALARY    BONUS(2)   COMPENSATION    OPTIONS(#)    COMPENSATION
- -------------------------------------------  ----   --------   --------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                          <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>
Robert F. Spoerry .........................  1997   $386,074   $427,113     $ 36,212(3)      125,839      $112,816(5)
  President and Chief Executive              1996    435,135    276,521        8,857(3)    1,047,976       124,431(5)
  Officer                                    1995    289,343     85,871           --             300(4)     54,346(5)
 
William P. Donnelly(6) ....................  1997    124,095    208,464       18,614(7)      195,050        36,768(5)
  Chief Financial Officer                    1996         --         --           --              --            --
                                             1995         --         --           --              --            --
 
Karl M. Lang ..............................  1997    170,424    134,209           --          37,751        55,319(5)
  Head, Laboratory                           1996    212,997     88,375           --         209,597        61,901(5)
                                             1995    228,427     38,071           --              --        60,321(5)
 
Lukas Braunschweiler ......................  1997    168,218    201,676           --          37,751        49,145(5)
  Head, Industrial and                       1996    210,893     66,162           --         209,597        62,482(5)
  Retail (Europe)                            1995    228,427     25,381           --              --        50,460(5)
 
John D. Robechek ..........................  1997    220,000    193,886           --          37,751         7,754(8)
  Head, Industrial and Retail                1996    233,754     88,137           --         209,597         6,215(8)
  (Americas)                                 1995    225,000     40,563           --              --         6,168(8)
 
Fred Ort ..................................  1997    164,633    177,061           --              --        55,452(5)
  Corporate Controller                       1996    207,221     99,325           --          78,599        52,745(5)
                                             1995    227,284     69,701           --              --        70,804(5)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Amounts paid in Swiss francs (all amounts except those paid to Mr. Robechek)
    converted to U.S. dollars at a rate of SFr 1.182 to $1.00 for 1995, SFr
    1.2355 to $1.00 for 1996 and SFr 1.4505 to $1.00 for 1997, in each case the
    average exchange rate during such year.
 
(2) Does not include Ciba bonuses to Messrs. Spoerry, Braunschweiler, Lang,
    Robechek and Ort for services rendered to Ciba in connection with its
    efforts to sell the Company.
 
(3) Represents additional compensation paid to fully offset, after payment of
    all taxes and social security contributions, interest charged to Mr. Spoerry
    on a loan to Mr. Spoerry from Mettler-Toledo GmbH, a subsidiary of the
    Company. See 'Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.'
 
(4) Option to purchase the specified number of shares of Ciba common stock at an
    exercise price of SFr 750 ($665 at the date of grant) per share. The fair
    market value at the date of grant was SFr 764 ($678) per share.
 
(5) Represents Company contributions to the Mettler-Toledo Fonds (a Swiss
    pension plan similar to a defined contribution plan under U.S. law). Fifty
    percent of the amount shown is a required employee contribution under the
    plan which the Company has contributed on behalf of the Named Executive
    Officers, and the other 50% is a required matching employer contribution.
 
(6) Mr. Donnelly's employment commenced on April 1, 1997.
 
(7) Represents allowances associated with Mr. Donnelly's status as an expatriate
    in Switzerland.
 
(8) Includes: (i) the value of group life insurance over $50,000 of $1,024 for
    1995, $1,071 for 1996 and $1,036 in 1997; (ii) the Company's contribution to
    Mr. Robechek's 401(k) plan account of $4,500 in 1995 and 1996 and $4,750 in
    1997; and (iii) Mr. Robechek's profit sharing payout under the Company's
    Performance Dividend Plan of $644 in 1995 and 1996 and $1,968 in 1997.
 
                                       50

<PAGE>

STOCK OPTIONS
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning the grant of stock
options under the Company's Stock Plan to the individuals named in the Summary
Compensation Table.
 
                     OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                                         VALUE
                                                                                                   AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
                                                                                                         RATES
                                   NUMBER OF       % OF TOTAL                                        OF STOCK PRICE
                                   SECURITIES     OPTIONS/SARS                                      APPRECIATION FOR
                                   UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO     EXERCISE/BASE                    OPTION/SAR TERM(1)
                                  OPTIONS/SARS    EMPLOYEES IN        PRICE        EXPIRATION    ----------------------
NAME                                GRANTED       FISCAL YEAR        ($/SH)           DATE         5%($)       10%($)
- -------------------------------   ------------    ------------    -------------    ----------    ---------    ---------
<S>                               <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>           <C>          <C>
Robert F. Spoerry..............      125,839          12.23           15.89           2007       1,257,526    3,186,818
William P. Donnelly............       37,751           3.67           15.89           2007         377,251      956,028
                                     157,299          15.29            7.95           2007         786,450    1,993,018
Karl M. Lang...................       37,751           3.67           15.89           2007         377,251      956,028
Lukas Braunschweiler...........       37,751           3.67           15.89           2007         377,251      956,028
John D. Robechek...............       37,751           3.67           15.89           2007         377,251      956,028
Fred Ort.......................           --             --              --             --              --           --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) The assumed annual rates of appreciation over the term of the option are set
    forth in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and
    Exchange Commission and do not represent the Company's estimate of stock
    price appreciation.
 
OPTION EXERCISE TABLE
 
     No options to purchase Common Stock were exercised by the Named Executive
Officers in 1997. The following table sets forth information with respect to the
aggregate number of unexercised options to purchase Common Stock granted to the
Named Executive Officers and held by them as of December 31, 1997, and the value
of unexercised in-the-money options (i.e., options that had a positive spread
between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Common Stock) as of
December 31, 1997.
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                 AND OPTION/SAR VALUES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                                  UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED           VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                      SHARES                      OPTIONS/SARS AT FISCAL        IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS
                                    ACQUIRED ON     VALUE              YEAR-END(#)               AT FISCAL YEAR-END($)(1)
                                     EXERCISE      REALIZED    ----------------------------    ----------------------------
NAME                                    (#)          ($)       EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE    EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------------------------   -----------    --------    -----------    -------------    -----------    -------------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>
Robert F. Spoerry................        0             0         209,595         964,220       $ 1,949,234     $ 7,968,084
William P. Donnelly..............        0             0               0         195,050                 0       1,514,222
Karl M. Lang.....................        0             0          41,919         205,429           389,847       1,610,747
Lukas Braunschweiler.............        0             0          41,919         205,429           389,847       1,610,747
John D. Robechek.................        0             0          41,919         205,429           389,847       1,610,747
Fred Ort.........................        0             0          15,719          62,880           146,187         584,784
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Sets forth values for 'in the money' options that represent the positive
    spread between the respective exercise/base prices of outstanding stock
    options and the closing price of $17.25 per share at December 31, 1997, as
    reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
                                       51

<PAGE>

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     Mettler-Toledo GmbH, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an
employment agreement (the 'Agreement') with Robert F. Spoerry (the 'Executive')
dated as of October 30, 1996. The Agreement provides for annual base salary of
SFr 560,000 (approximately $386,074 at December 31, 1997), which may be
increased from time to time in accordance with the Company's normal business
practices, and for participation in the Company's bonus plan. In addition, the
Agreement provides for payment of the amount necessary, after payment of all
taxes and social security contributions, to fully offset the interest charged to
the Executive on a certain loan to the Executive. See 'Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions' for a description of the loan. The Agreement prohibits the
Executive 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 the Executive is entitled to full compensation
under the Agreement.
 
     Mettler-Toledo GmbH also has entered into employment agreements with Lukas
Braunschweiler, William P. Donnelly and Karl Lang, and Mettler-Toledo, Inc., a
subsidiary of the Company, entered into an employment agreement with John D.
Robechek. The employment agreements provide for a base salary subject to
adjustment and participation in the Company's bonus plan and participation in
the Company's other employee benefit plans. Each agreement prohibits the
executive from competing with the Company for a period of twelve months after
termination of employment. Each agreement may be terminated without cause, on
twelve months notice during which period the executive is entitled to full
compensation under the agreement.
 
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
     Members of the Board of Directors of the Company who are officers of the
Company or employees of AEA Investors have not received additional compensation
for being on the Board or its committees. The non-executive directors were given
a one-time opportunity to purchase stock in the Company upon their election to
the Board. Mr. Caldwell purchased 35,940 shares of common stock and each of
Messrs. Jones, Macomber and Moh purchased 23,972 shares of common stock. Members
of the Board of Directors of the Company have received reimbursement for
traveling costs and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending board and
committee meetings. Effective May 18, 1998, members of the Board of Directors
who are not employees of the Company will receive an annual fee of $17,500
(payable quarterly in advance), $1,000 for each Board meeting attended and $500
for each meeting of a committee of the Board attended, plus reimbursement for
traveling costs and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending such
meetings. In addition, each member of the Board of Directors who is not an
employee of the Company will receive a stock option grant of 1,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock per year.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
     Mr. Robechek is covered under two pension plans, the Mettler-Toledo
Retirement Plan and the Mettler-Toledo Supplemental Retirement Income Plan.
Benefits under these plans are determined by career average compensation rather
than final compensation. The annual accrual for each year under both plans is
the difference of 2% of annual compensation in a plan year and 0.6% of the
lesser of annual compensation or covered compensation (defined under the plans
as the average of the Social Security Taxable Wage Bases in effect for each
calendar year during the 35-year period ending on the last day of a given plan
year). The Mettler-Toledo Retirement Plan includes all compensation up to the
qualified plan limitations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
($160,000 per year in 1997), and the Mettler-Toledo Supplemental Retirement
Income Plan pays for benefits in excess of these limits. The accrued annual
benefit payable to Mr. Robechek under the Mettler-Toledo Retirement Plan is
$48,717 and the accrued annual benefit under the Mettler-Toledo Supplemental
Plan is $14,292, for a total annual retirement benefit of $63,009.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The following directors served on the Company's Compensation Committee
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997: Reginald H. Jones, Laurence Z.
Y. Moh and Thomas P. Salice. Mr. Salice also served as an officer of the Company
and certain of its subsidiaries during such fiscal year. Mr. Salice is an
officer of AEA Investors, a shareholder of the Company. AEA Investors provided
certain management, consulting and financial
 
                                       52

<PAGE>

services to the Company for professional service fees and was reimbursed for
out-of-pocket expenses. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, payments for
such management fee and reimbursement for expenses totaled approximately $1
million. Such services included, but were not necessarily limited to, advice and
assistance concerning the strategy, planning and financing of the Company, as
needed from time to time. Such arrangement with AEA Investors was terminated in
November 1997 and AEA Investors was paid a termination fee of $2.5 million in
connection therewith. The Company receives the benefit of volume discounts for
certain office services and supplies made available to various companies
associated with AEA Investors pursuant to arrangements managed by a subsidiary
of AEA Investors. Mr. Salice currently is a director of Mettler-Toledo and a
Managing Director of AEA Investors.
 
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     At the time of the Acquisition, AEA Investors and the Company entered into
a management agreement (the 'Management Agreement') pursuant to which AEA
Investors provided management, consulting and financial services to the Company.
Such services included such areas as the preparation and evaluation of
strategic, operating, financial and capital plans and the development and
implementation of compensation and other incentive programs. The services were
provided by the executive staff of AEA Investors. In consideration of such
services, AEA Investors received an annual fee of $1.0 million, plus
reimbursement for certain expenses and indemnification against certain
liabilities. The Company believes that the terms of these management
arrangements were as favorable as could be obtained from an unaffiliated third
party. The Management Agreement was terminated upon consummation of the IPO. In
consideration of services by AEA Investors in arranging, structuring and
negotiating the terms of the Acquisition, the Company paid AEA Investors
transaction fees of $5.5 million and reimbursed AEA Investors for certain
related expenses. In connection with the termination of the Management
Agreement, the Company paid AEA Investors $2.5 million and reimbursed AEA
Investors for certain related expenses.
 
     Management and other employees of the Company have contributed
approximately $20 million of the equity of the Company. For information
regarding the number of shares owned each Named Executive Officer, see
'Principal and Selling Shareholders.'
 
     On October 7, 1996, in order to fund a portion of the purchase price for
the shares purchased by Mr. Spoerry, Mettler-Toledo GmbH entered into a loan
agreement with Mr. Spoerry, in the amount of SFr 1.0 million (approximately
$689,417 at December 31, 1997). The loan bears interest at a rate of 5% and is
payable upon demand, which may not be made until seven years after the date of
the loan.
 
                                       53

<PAGE>

                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the Offerings and
as adjusted to reflect the sale of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to the
Offerings, by (a) each person who is known to the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than five percent of the Company's Common Stock, (b) each director
of the Company, (c) each of the Named Executive Officers, (d) all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group and (e) each other Selling
Shareholder participating in the Offerings. Except as otherwise indicated, the
persons or entities listed below have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares of Common Stock owned by them, except to the extent such
power may be shared with a spouse.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SHARES BENEFICIALLY                     SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                           OWNED PRIOR TO                            OWNED AFTER
                                                            THE OFFERINGS         NUMBER OF       THE OFFERINGS(1)
                                                       -----------------------     SHARES      -----------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                NUMBER      PERCENT(2)     OFFERED      NUMBER      PERCENT(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------   ---------    ----------    ---------    ---------    ----------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
5% SHAREHOLDERS:
  Finlayson Fund Investments PTE LTD
     Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited
     8 Shenton Way
     #38-03 Treasury Building
     Singapore 0106.................................   2,900,919        7.57%     1,722,163    1,178,756       3.07%

  National Union Fire Insurance
     Company of Pittsburgh, PA
     c/o AIG Global Investment Corp.
     175 Water Street-24th Floor
     New York, NY 10038.............................   2,239,609        5.84%       731,262    1,508,347       3.93%

DIRECTORS:
  Robert F. Spoerry(3)..............................     704,717        1.84%        --          704,717       1.84%
  Philip Caldwell(4)................................      98,901       *             --           98,901       *
  Reginald H. Jones.................................      46,596       *             --           46,596       *
  John D. Macomber..................................      43,740       *             --           43,740       *
  John M. Manser....................................          --       *             --           --           *
  Laurence Z. Y. Moh................................     356,778       *             --          356,778       *
  Thomas P. Salice(4)...............................     618,550        1.61%        --          618,550       1.61%

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:
  William P. Donnelly(4)(5).........................      92,994       *             --           92,994       *
  Karl M. Lang(6)...................................     121,378       *             --          121,378       *
  Lukas Braunschweiler(7)...........................     118,378       *             --          118,378       *
  John D. Robechek(4)(8)............................     107,529       *             --          107,529       *
  All directors and executive officers as a group
     (14 persons)(9)................................   2,617,905        6.76%        --        2,617,905       6.76%

OTHER SELLING STOCKHOLDERS:
  Nassau Capital Funds L.P..........................   1,586,202        4.14%       941,666      644,536       1.68%
  Novartis AG.......................................   1,537,037        4.01%       912,479      624,558       1.63%
  Investor International (U.S.), Inc................   1,158,034        3.02%       687,479      470,555       1.23%
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute...................     792,799        2.07%       470,653      322,146       *
  Storebrand Skadeforsikring AS.....................     682,161        1.78%       404,973      277,188       *
  Yale University...................................     634,707        1.66%       376,801      257,906       *
  Carnegie Corporation of New York..................     634,719        1.66%       282,606      352,113       *
  The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation...................     475,445        1.24%       282,253      193,192       *
  The Rockefeller Foundation........................     475,445        1.24%       282,253      193,192       *
  Massachusetts Institute of Technology.............     475,445        1.24%       282,253      193,192       *
  Duke University...................................     396,103        1.03%       235,151      160,952       *
  FORMA Investments Limited.........................   1,705,385        4.45%       160,289    1,545,096       4.03%
  74 other Selling Stockholders, each of whom is
  selling less than 150,000 shares in the Offerings
  or beneficially owns less than 1% of the
  outstanding Common Stock prior to the Offerings...   6,042,307       15.76%     2,227,719    3,814,588       9.95%
</TABLE>
 
                                                        (Footnotes on next page)
 
                                       54

<PAGE>

(Footnotes from previous page)
- ------------------
 
* The percentage of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned does not exceed
  one percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
(1) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment options.
 
(2) Calculations of percentage of beneficial ownership are based on 38,336,014
    shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the Offerings. Calculations
    assume the exercise by only the named shareholder of all options for the
    purchase of Common Stock held by such shareholder which are exercisable
    within 60 days of the date hereof.
 
(3) Mr. Spoerry is also a Named Executive Officer. Includes 209,595 shares of
    Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within
    60 days from the date hereof.
 
(4) Includes shares held by, or in trust for, members of such individual's
    family for which Messrs. Caldwell, Donnelly, Salice and Robechek disclaim
    beneficial ownership. Does not include shares held by certain members of Mr.
    Caldwell's family who are selling a total of 3,474 shares in the Offerings
    or shares held by AEA Investors, of which Mr. Salice is an officer.
 
(5) Includes 31,459 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
    that are exercisable within 60 days from the date hereof.
 
(6) Includes 41,919 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
    that are exercisable within 60 days from the date hereof.
 
(7) Includes 41,919 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
    that are exercisable within 60 days from the date hereof.
 
(8) Includes 41,919 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
    that are exercisable within 60 days from the date hereof.
 
(9) Includes Fred Ort, who ceased to be an executive officer on April 1, 1997.
 
                                       55

<PAGE>

                        DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
     The following statements are brief summaries of certain provisions of the
Credit Agreement. A copy of the Credit Agreement is incorporated by reference as
exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The
following description does not purport to be complete and is subject in all
respects to applicable Delaware law and to the provisions of the Credit
Agreement.
 
  General
 
     The Credit Agreement provides for a variety of floating rate loans with
interest based on LIBOR. The Company's wholly owned subsidiaries Mettler-Toledo,
Inc. ('M-T, Inc.'), Mettler-Toledo Holding AG, Mettler-Toledo (Canada) Inc. and
Safeline Holding Company are borrowers under the Credit Agreement, and the
Company is a guarantor under the Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 1998, the
Company had borrowings under the Credit Agreement of $348.3 million and
borrowings of $25.9 million under various other credit arrangements. Of the
borrowings under the Credit Agreement, $191.4 million are in the form of a term
loan and the remainder are outstanding under a revolving credit facility. The
Company's revolving credit facility commitment increased from $170.0 million to
$420.0 million under the Credit Agreement, including a $100.0 million
acquisition facility commitment. Merrill Lynch served as the Arranger and
Documentation Agent and an affiliate of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
served as co-agent in connection with the Company's previous credit facility in
November 1996 and May 1997 and acted in similar roles in connection with the
Credit Agreement. See 'Underwriting.'
 
  Maturity, Amortization and Mandatory Prepayments
 
     The term loans and the revolving credit facility will mature in May 2004.
Beginning in 1998, amounts outstanding under the term loan will amortize on a
quarterly basis in annual amounts ranging from $15.0 million to a maximum of
$40.0 million.
 
     The term loans will be subject to mandatory prepayments in an amount equal
to, subject to certain exceptions, (i) 75% of annual Excess Cash Flow (as
defined in the Credit Agreement), (ii) the net proceeds received from certain
sales of assets, (iii) the net proceeds from the issuance of debt, and (iv) 50%
of the net proceeds from the issuance of equity.
 
  Security and Guarantees
 
     The obligations of the Mettler-Toledo Holding AG under the New Credit
Agreement are (i) secured by a first priority security interest in all of the
material assets of the Mettler-Toledo Holding AG, (ii) guaranteed, to the extent
permitted by applicable law by all of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of
the Mettler-Toledo Holding AG, with certain exceptions, and each such guarantee
is, to the extent permitted by applicable law and with certain exceptions,
secured by a first priority security interest in all of the material assets of
each such guarantor, and (iii) guaranteed by the Company and its direct and
indirect U.S. subsidiaries, and each such guarantee is secured by a first
priority security interest in all of the material assets of each such guarantor,
except that each such guarantor has pledged only 65% of the stock of any
non-U.S. subsidiary held by it. The obligations of M-T, Inc. under the Credit
Agreement are (i) secured by a first priority security interest in all of the
material assets of M-T, Inc., except that M-T, Inc. has pledged only 65% of the
stock of each non-U.S. subsidiary held by it, (ii) guaranteed by each direct and
indirect U.S. subsidiary of M-T, Inc., and each such guarantee is secured by a
first priority security interest in all of the material assets of each such
guarantor, and (iii) guaranteed by the Company, and such guarantee is secured by
a first priority security interest in all of the stock of M-T, Inc. held by the
Company. The obligations of Safeline Holding Company are also secured by limited
guarantees and pledges.
 
  Covenants and Events of Default
 
     The Credit Agreement contains covenants that, among other things, limit the
Company's and its subsidiaries' ability to incur liens; merge, consolidate or
dispose of assets; make loans and investments; incur indebtedness; engage in
certain transactions with affiliates; incur certain contingent obligations; pay
dividends and other distributions; or make capital expenditures. The Credit
Agreement also requires the Company to
 
                                       56

<PAGE>

maintain a minimum net worth and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, and to
maintain a ratio of total debt to EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement)
below a specified maximum.
 
     The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including,
without limitation, nonpayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts
when due; violation of covenants; breach of any representation or warranty;
cross-default and cross-acceleration; Change in Control (as defined in the
Credit Agreement); bankruptcy events; material judgments; certain ERISA matters;
and invalidity of loan documents or security interests.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The following statements are brief summaries of certain provisions with
respect to the Company's capital stock which are contained in the Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-laws, copies of which are
incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part. The following description does not purport to be
complete and is subject in all respects to applicable Delaware law and to the
provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended
By-laws.
 
     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 125,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $.01 per share (the 'Preferred Stock'). As of March 31, 1998,
there were 38,336,014 shares of Common Stock outstanding, 4,408,740 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and no shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding. As of May 31, 1998, there were 872 holders of
record of the Company's Common Stock.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on all matters to be submitted to a vote of the shareholders (including
the election of directors) and have no preemptive, subscription or redemption
rights. Holders of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights, and
therefore holders of a majority of the shares voting for the election of
directors can elect all of the directors. In such event, the holders of the
remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
 
     Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such
dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of
Directors of the Company out of funds legally available therefor. All
outstanding shares of Common Stock are, fully paid and nonassessable. In the
event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the
Company, holders of Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in the assets
of the Company remaining after payment or provision for payment of all of the
Company's debts and obligations and liquidation payments to holders of
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Board of Directors, without further shareholder authorization, is
authorized to issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to
determine and fix the rights, preferences and privileges of each series,
including dividend rights and preferences over dividends on the Common Stock and
one or more series of the Preferred Stock, conversion rights, voting rights (in
addition to those provided by law), redemption rights and the terms of any
sinking fund therefor, and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
including preferences over the Common Stock and one or more series of the
Preferred Stock. Although the Company has no present plans to issue any shares
of Preferred Stock, the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock, or the issuance
of rights to purchase such shares, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of the Company or an unsolicited acquisition
proposal.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION, AMENDED BY-LAWS AND DELAWARE LAW
 
     The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended By-laws and
Delaware law contain provisions that could make more difficult the acquisition
of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise. Such
provisions could have the effect of discouraging open market purchases of the
 
                                       57

<PAGE>

Common Stock because they may be considered disadvantageous by a shareholder who
desires to participate in a business combination or elect a new director.
 
     Section 203 of Delaware Law.  The Company is a Delaware corporation and is
subject to Section 203 ('Section 203') of the Delaware General Corporation Law
(the 'DGCL'). In general, Section 203 prevents an 'interested stockholder'
(defined as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially
owns, or if an affiliate or associate of the corporation did beneficially own
within the last three years, 15% or more of a corporation's outstanding voting
stock) from engaging in a 'business combination' (as defined) with a Delaware
corporation for three years following the time such person became an interested
stockholder unless (i) before such person became an interested stockholder, the
board of directors of the corporation approved the transaction in which the
interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business
combination; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the
interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation
outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding shares owned by
persons who are both officers and directors of the corporation, and shares held
by certain employee stock ownership plans in which employee participants do not
have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the
plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or (iii) following the
transaction in which such person became an interested stockholder, the business
combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and
authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not
owned by the 'interested stockholder.' A 'business combination' generally
includes mergers, stock or asset sales involving 10% or more of the market value
of the corporation's assets or stock, certain stock transactions and certain
other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder or an increase in their proportionate share of any class or series
of a corporation. The existence of Section 203 of the DGCL could have the effect
of discouraging an acquisition of the Company or stock purchasers in furtherance
of an acquisition.
 
     Limitation on Directors' Liabilities and Indemnification.  The Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that to the fullest extent
permitted by the DGCL as it currently exists, a director of the Company shall
not be liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director. Under the current DGCL, liability of a director
may not be limited (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Company or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in
respect of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or
repurchases and (iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an
improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision of the Company's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is to eliminate the rights of the
Company and its shareholders (through shareholders' derivative suits on behalf
of the Company) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the
fiduciary duty of care as director (including breaches resulting from negligent
or grossly negligent behavior) except in the situations described in clauses (i)
through (iv) above. The provision does not exonerate the directors from
liability under federal securities laws or limit or eliminate the rights of the
Company or any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or
rescission in the event of a breach of a director's duty of care. In addition,
the Amended By-laws provide that the Company shall indemnify its directors,
officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by DGCL.
 
     Advance Notice for Shareholder Nomination of Directors and Shareholder
Proposals.  The Amended By-laws establish an advance notice procedure with
regard to the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or a committee thereof, of candidates for election as directors (the
'Nomination Procedure') and with regard to other matters to be brought by
shareholders before an annual meeting of shareholders of the Company (the
'Business Procedure').
 
     The Nomination Procedure requires that a shareholder give prior written
notice, in proper form, of a planned nomination for the Board of Directors to
the Secretary of the Company. The requirements as to the form and timing of that
notice are specified in the Amended By-laws. If the Chairman of the Board of
Directors determines that a person was not nominated in accordance with the
Nomination Procedure, such person will not be eligible for election as a
director.
 
                                       58

<PAGE>

     Under the Business Procedure, a shareholder seeking to have any business
conducted at an annual meeting must give prior written notice, in proper form,
to the Secretary of the Company. The requirements as to the form and timing of
that notice are specified in the Amended By-laws. If the Chairman of the Board
of Directors determines that the other business was not properly brought before
such meeting in accordance with the Business Procedure, such business will not
be conducted at such meeting.
 
     Although the Amended By-laws do not give the Board of Directors any power
to approve or disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors
or of any business desired by shareholders to be conducted at an annual meeting,
the Amended By-laws (i) may have the effect of precluding a nomination for the
election of directors or precluding the conduct of business at a particular
annual meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or (ii) may discourage
or deter a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its
own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company,
even if the conduct of such solicitation or such attempt might be beneficial to
the Company and its shareholders.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     Holders of the Company's Common Stock that purchased shares prior to the
IPO have rights to require the Company to register such shares of Common Stock
for resale pursuant to subscription agreements pursuant to which they acquired
their shares. Upon the request of persons owning at least 25% of the sum of all
outstanding shares of Common Stock which are then 'restricted securities' (as
defined by Rule 144 under the Securities Act) and which have a value of at least
$5,000,000, the Company is required to register the sale of such securities,
subject to certain limitations and requirements. The Company is not required to
file any registration statement within six months of the effective date of any
earlier registration statement and is not required to file more than three
registration statements pursuant to such requests. In addition, under certain
circumstances, should the Company file a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission registering shares of the Common Stock of the
Company, the owners of restricted securities would be entitled to include their
restricted securities in such registration.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services L.L.C.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     As of March 31, 1998, the Company has 38,336,014 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. Except to the extent such shares are subject to the agreement with
the Underwriters described below, shares of Common Stock are freely tradable
without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless
held by an 'affiliate' of the Company as that term is defined in the Securities
Act, which shares will be subject to the resale limitations of Rules 144 and 145
under the Securities Act.
 
     In general, under Rules 144 and 145 as currently in effect, a shareholder
(or shareholders whose shares are aggregated) who is an 'affiliate' of the
Company is entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares
that does not exceed the greater of one percent of the outstanding Common Stock
or the average weekly trading volume in the Common Stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of such sale is filed pursuant
to Rule 144. The holder may only sell such shares through unsolicited brokers'
transactions. Sales under Rules 144 and 145 are also subject to certain
provisions regarding the manner of sale, notice requirements and the
availability of current public information about the Company. A shareholder (or
shareholders whose shares are aggregated) who is not an affiliate of the Company
for at least 90 days prior to a proposed transaction is entitled to sell such
shares under Rule 144 without regard to the limitations described above. Holders
which were affiliates of the Company at the time of the Merger may sell free of
restrictions one year from the date of the Merger.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the Offerings, the
Company, the Company's executive officers and directors and the Selling
Shareholders, who will collectively hold, after the Offerings, 14,262,548 shares
of Common Stock (assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment
option) will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to directly or indirectly
(i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to
 
                                       59

<PAGE>

purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for
the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of Common Stock or
any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock,
or file any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any
of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement or any
transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the
economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock whether any such swap or
transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in
cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch on behalf
of the Underwriters for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus,
other than (i) the sale to the Underwriters of the shares of Common Stock in
connection with the Offerings, (ii) upon the exercise of outstanding stock
options, (iii) the issuance of options pursuant to the Stock Plan, or (iv) the
filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act relating
to Common Stock of the Company issued pursuant to the Company's Stock Plan.
 
     The Company has filed a registration statement on Form S-8 (Reg. No.
333-52661) under the Securities Act to register 6,368,445 shares of Common Stock
which are reserved for issuance under the Company's Stock Plan. The Form S-8
includes, in some cases, shares for which an exemption under Rule 144 or Rule
701 under the Securities Act would also be available, thus permitting the resale
of shares issued under the Stock Plan by non-affiliates in the public market,
without restriction under the Securities Act. Such registration statement became
effective immediately upon filing whereupon shares registered thereunder became
eligible for sale in the public market, subject to vesting and, in certain
cases, subject to the lock-up agreements described above. At the date of this
Prospectus, options to purchase 4,408,740 shares of Common Stock are outstanding
under the Stock Plan.
 
                CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
                         FOR NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain U.S. federal income and
estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common Stock
applicable to Non-U.S. Holders of such Common Stock. A 'Non-U.S. Holder' is a
person other than (i) and individual who is a citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in
the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any state (other
than any partnership treated as foreign under U.S. Treasury regulations), (iii)
an estate whose income is includable in gross income for United States federal
income tax purposes regardless of source, or (iv) a trust subject to the primary
supervision of a court within the United States and the control one or more U.S.
persons.
 
     An individual may, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to be a
resident alien (as opposed to a non-resident alien) by virtue of being present
in the United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an
aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current
calendar year (counting for such purposes all of the days present in the current
year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year, and
one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year). Resident aliens are
subject to tax as if they were U.S. citizens.
 
     This discussion does not consider specific facts and circumstances that may
be relevant to a particular Non-U.S. Holder's tax position (including the fact
that in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a partnership, the U.S. tax
consequences of holding and disposing of shares of Common Stock may be affected
by certain determinations made at the partner level) and does not consider U.S.
state and local or non-U.S. tax consequences. This discussion also does not
consider the tax consequences for any person who is a shareholder, partner or
beneficiary of a holder of the Common Stock. Further, it does not consider
Non-U.S. Holders subject to special tax treatment under the federal tax laws
(including but not limited to banks and insurance companies, dealers in
securities and holders of securities held as part of a 'straddle,' 'hedge,' or
'conversion transaction'). The following discussion is based on provisions of
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), the applicable
Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder, and administrative and
judicial interpretations as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change either retroactively or prospectively. The following summary is included
herein for general information. ACCORDINGLY, EACH PROSPECTIVE NON-U.S. HOLDER IS
URGED TO CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF
 
                                       60

<PAGE>

COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THE LAWS OF
ANY U.S. STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER U.S. OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     In general, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock will be
subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower
rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. Non-U.S. Holders
should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under
a relevant income tax treaty.
 
     Dividends that are effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder's conduct
of a trade or business in the United States or, if an income tax treaty applies,
attributable to a permanent establishment, or, in the case of an individual, a
'fixed base,' in the United States ('U.S. trade or business income') are
generally subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular
graduated rates, but are not generally subject to the 30% withholding tax if the
Non-U.S. Holder files the appropriate U.S. Internal Revenue Service ('IRS') form
with the payor (which form, under U.S. Treasury regulations generally effective
for payments made after December 31, 1999 (the 'Final Regulations'), will
require the Non-U.S. Holder to provide a U.S. taxpayer identification number).
Any U.S. trade or business income received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a
corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional
'branch profits tax' at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an
applicable income tax treaty.
 
     Under currently applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, dividends paid to an
address in a foreign country are presumed (absent actual knowledge to the
contrary) to be paid to a resident of such country for purposes of the
withholding discussed above and for purposes of determining the applicability of
a tax treaty rate. Under the Final Regulations, however, a Non-U.S. Holder of
Common Stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate
generally will be required to satisfy applicable certification and other
requirements. In addition, under the Final Regulations, in the case of Common
Stock held by a foreign partnership, (x) the certification requirement will
generally be applied to the partners of the partnership and (y) the partnership
will be required to provide certain information, including a United States
taxpayer identification number. The Final Regulations also provide look-through
rules for tiered partnerships.
 
     A Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock that is eligible for a reduced rate of
U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any
excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the
IRS.
 
DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax
in respect of gain recognized on a disposition of Common Stock unless: (i) the
gain is U.S. trade or business income (in which case, the branch profits tax
described above may also apply to a corporate Non-U.S. Holder), (ii) the
Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who holds the Common Stock as a capital asset
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, is present in the United States
for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and meets certain
other requirements, (iii) the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the
provision of the U.S. tax law applicable to certain United States expatriates or
(iv) the Company is or has been a 'U.S. real property holding corporation' for
federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year
period ending on the date of disposition and such period that the Common Stock
was held. The tax with respect to stock in a 'U.S. real property holding
corporation' does not apply to a Non-U.S. Holder whose holdings, direct and
indirect, at all times during the applicable period, constitute 5% or less of
the Common Stock, provided that the Common Stock is regularly traded on an
established securities market. Generally, a corporation is a 'U.S. real property
holding corporation' if the fair market value of its 'U.S. real property
interests' equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its
worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in
a trade or business. The Company is not, and does not anticipate becoming, a
'U.S. real property holding corporation' for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
                                       61

<PAGE>

FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
 
     Common Stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a Non-U.S.
Holder at the time of death will be included in the individual's gross estate
for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty
provides otherwise. Such individual's estate may be subject to U.S. federal
estate tax on the property includable in the gross estate for U.S. federal
estate tax purposes.
 
U.S. INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX
 
     Under U.S. Treasury Regulations, the Company may be required to report
annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of dividends paid to
such holder and any tax withheld with respect to such dividends. The information
reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding is required.
Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may
also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non
U.S.-Holder is a resident under the provisions of an applicable income tax
treaty or agreement.
 
     Under certain circumstances, the IRS requires 'information reporting' and
'backup withholding' at a rate of 31% with respect to certain payments on Common
Stock. Under currently applicable law, Non-U.S. Holders of Common Stock
generally will be exempt from IRS reporting requirements and U.S. backup
withholding with respect to dividends payable on Common Stock. Under the Final
Regulations, however, a Non-U.S Holder of Common Stock that fails to certify its
Non-U.S. Holder status in accordance with the requirements of the Final
Regulations may be subject to U.S. backup withholding at a rate of 31% on
payments of dividends.
 
     The payment of the proceeds of the disposition of Common Stock by a holder
to or through the U.S. office of a broker or through a non-U.S. branch of a U.S.
broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding
at a rate of 31% unless the holder either certifies its status as a Non-U.S.
Holder under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. The
payment of the proceeds of the disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock
to or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker will not be subject to
backup withholding or information reporting unless the non-U.S. broker has
certain U.S. relationships. In the case of the payment of proceeds from the
disposition of Common Stock effected by a foreign office of a broker that is a
U.S. person or a 'U.S. related person,' existing regulations require information
reporting on the payment unless the broker receives a statement from the owner,
signed under penalty of perjury, certifying its non-U.S. status or the broker
has documentary evidence in its files as to the Non-U.S. Holder's foreign status
and the broker has no actual knowledge to the contrary. For this purpose, a
'U.S. related person' is (i) a 'controlled foreign corporation' for U.S. federal
income tax purposes or (ii) a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income
from all sources for the three-year period ending with the close of its taxable
year preceding the payment (or for such part of the period that the broker has
been in existence) is derived from activities that are effectively connected
with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
Non-U.S. Holder will be refunded (or credited against the holder's U.S. federal
income tax liability, if any) provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
 
                                       62

<PAGE>

                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ('Merrill Lynch'), BT
Alex. Brown Incorporated, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Goldman, Sachs
& Co. and Smith Barney Inc. are acting as Underwriters (the 'U.S. Underwriters')
for the U.S. Offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a U.S.
purchase agreement (the 'U.S. Purchase Agreement') among the Company, the
Selling Shareholders and the U.S. Underwriters, and concurrently with the sale
of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock to the International Managers (as defined
below), the Selling Shareholders have agreed to sell to the U.S. Underwriters,
and each of the U.S. Underwriters severally and not jointly has agreed to
purchase from the Selling Shareholders the number of shares of Common Stock set
forth opposite its name below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NUMBER
             U.S. UNDERWRITER                                                                OF SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>                                                                                          <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated.................................................................    1,800,000
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated...............................................................    1,800,000
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation....................................................    1,800,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co.......................................................................    1,800,000
Smith Barney Inc..........................................................................      800,000
                                                                                             ----------
             Total........................................................................    8,000,000
                                                                                             ----------
                                                                                             ----------
</TABLE>
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholders have also entered into an
international purchase agreement (the 'International Purchase Agreement') with
certain underwriters outside the United States and Canada (the 'International
Managers' and, together with the U.S. Underwriters, the 'Underwriters') for whom
Merrill Lynch International, BT Alex. Brown International, a Division of Bankers
Trust International PLC, Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited, Goldman
Sachs International and Smith Barney Inc. are acting as lead managers (the 'Lead
Managers'). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the International
Purchase Agreement, and concurrently with the sale of 8,000,000 shares of Common
Stock to the U.S. Underwriters pursuant to the U.S. Purchase Agreement, the
Selling Shareholders have agreed to sell to the International Managers, and the
International Managers severally have agreed to purchase from the Selling
Shareholders, an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The initial
public offering price per share and the total underwriting discount per share of
Common Stock are identical under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the
International Purchase Agreement.
 
     In the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement,
the several U.S. Underwriters and the several International Managers,
respectively, have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
therein, to purchase all of the shares of Common Stock being sold pursuant to
each such agreement if any of the shares of Common Stock being sold pursuant to
such agreement are purchased. Under certain circumstances, under the U.S.
Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, the commitments of
non-defaulting Underwriters may be increased. The closings with respect to the
sale of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers are conditioned upon one another.
 
     The U.S. Underwriters have advised the Company and the Selling Shareholders
that the U.S. Underwriters propose initially to offer the shares of Common Stock
to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus, and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not
in excess of $.47 per share of Common Stock. The U.S. Underwriters may allow,
and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $.10 per share of
Common Stock on sales to certain other dealers. After the initial public
offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.
 
     The Selling Shareholders have granted options to the U.S. Underwriters,
exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an
aggregate of 1,200,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the initial public
offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, less the
underwriting discount. The U.S. Underwriters may exercise these options solely
to cover over-allotments, if any, made on the sale of the Common Stock offered
hereby. To the extent that the U.S. Underwriters exercise these options, each
U.S. Underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase a
number of additional shares of Common Stock proportionate to such U.S.
Underwriter's initial amount reflected in the foregoing table. The
 
                                       63

<PAGE>

Selling Shareholders also have granted options to the International Managers,
exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an
aggregate of 300,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments,
if any, on terms similar to those granted to the U.S. Underwriters.
 
     The Company, the Company's executive officers and directors and the Selling
Shareholders, who will collectively hold, after the Offerings, 14,262,548 shares
of Common Stock (assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment
option) will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to directly or indirectly
(i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to
purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or
warrant for the sale of or otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of Common
Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common
Stock, whether now owned or thereafter acquired by the person executing the
agreement or with respect to which the person executing the agreement thereafter
acquires the power of disposition, or file a registration statement under the
Securities Act with respect to the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or
other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of
ownership of the Common Stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be
settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise,
without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch on behalf of the Underwriters
for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus. See 'Shares Eligible
for Future Sale.'
 
     The U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers have entered into an
intersyndicate agreement (the 'Intersyndicate Agreement') that provides for the
coordination of their activities. Pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement, the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers are permitted to sell shares of
Common Stock to each other for purposes of resale at the initial public offering
price, less an amount not greater than the selling concession. Under the terms
of the Intersyndicate Agreement, the U.S. Underwriters and any dealer to whom
they sell shares of Common Stock will not offer to sell or sell shares of Common
Stock to persons who are non-U.S. or non-Canadian persons or to persons they
believe intend to resell to persons who are non-U.S. or non-Canadian persons,
and the International Managers and any dealer to whom they sell shares of Common
Stock will not offer to sell or sell shares of Common Stock to U.S. persons or
to Canadian persons or to persons they believe intend to resell to U.S. or
Canadian persons, except in the case of transactions pursuant to the
Intersyndicate Agreement.
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the U.S.
Underwriters and the International Managers against certain liabilities,
including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers may be required to
make in respect thereof.
 
     Until the distribution of the Common Stock is completed, rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the Underwriters and
certain selling group members to bid for and purchase the Common Stock. As an
exception to these rules, the U.S. Underwriters are permitted to engage in
certain transactions that stabilize the price of the Common Stock. Such
transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or
maintaining the price of the Common Stock.
 
     If the Underwriters create a short position in the Common Stock in
connection with the Offerings, i.e., if they sell more shares of Common Stock
than are set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, the U.S. Underwriters
may reduce that short position by purchasing Common Stock in the open market.
The U.S. Underwriters may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising
all or part of the over-allotment option described above.
 
     The U.S. Underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on certain Underwriters
and selling group members. This means that if the U.S. Underwriters purchase
shares of Common Stock in the open market to reduce the Underwriters' short
position or to stabilize the price of the Common Stock, they may reclaim the
amount of the selling concession from the Underwriters and selling group members
who sold those shares as part of the Offerings.
 
     In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than
it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid
might also have an effect on the price of the Common Stock to the extent that it
discourages resales of the Common Stock.
 
                                       64

<PAGE>

     None of the Company, the Selling Shareholders nor any of the Underwriters
makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any
effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Common
Stock. In addition, none of the Company, the Selling Shareholders nor any of the
Underwriters makes any representation that the U.S. Underwriters will engage in
such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be
discontinued without notice.
 
     The Underwriters have from time to time provided investment banking
financial advisory services to the Company and AEA Investors and its affiliates,
for which they have received customary compensation, and may continue to do so
in the future. Merrill Lynch served as lead manager and Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation served as a co-manager of the offering of the Notes in
October 1996, Merrill Lynch served as the Arranger and Documentation Agent and
an affiliate of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation served as co-agent in
connection with the Company's previous credit facility and the Credit Agreement
for which they received customary compensation. An affiliate of Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation and Merrill Lynch and its affiliates were lenders under
the Company's previous credit facility and are lenders under the Credit
Agreement. Merrill Lynch, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and certain of their affiliates
acted as underwriters in connection with the IPO.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the Common Stock
offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Fried, Frank, Harris,
Shriver & Jacobson (a partnership including professional corporations), London,
England. Certain legal matters relating to the Offerings will be passed upon for
the Underwriters by Debevoise & Plimpton, New York, New York. A partnership in
which partners of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson are partners is a
shareholder of the Company.
 
                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
and subsidiaries (as defined in Note 1 to the Audited Consolidated Financial
Statements) as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and for the year ended December 31,
1995, for the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, for the period October
15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1997, included
herein and incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by
KPMG Fides Peat, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports appearing
elsewhere and have been so included and incorporated in reliance upon such
reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
'Commission') a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with respect to the Common
Stock offered hereby under the Securities Act. This Prospectus, which
constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain items of which are
omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information pertaining to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto
and the financial statements, notes and schedules filed as a part thereof.
Statements contained in this Prospectus regarding the contents of any contract
or other document referred to herein or therein are not necessarily complete,
and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or such other
document, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected,
without charge, at the public reference facility maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and
at the Commission's regional offices located at Seven World Trade Center, New
 
                                       65

<PAGE>

York, New York 10048 and Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material may also be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Such materials can
also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005 or on the Commission's site on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant
to the Exchange Act (File No. 0-22493) are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          (1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     December 31, 1997;
 
          (2) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
     period ended March 31, 1998; and
 
          (3) The description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's
     Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, filed with the Commisson on
     December 16, 1997, which incorporates by reference the description of the
     Company's Common Stock contained in its Registration Statement, as amended,
     on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-35597) filed with the Commission on November 10,
     1997.
 
     All other documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of
this Prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the respective
dates of the filing of such reports and documents.
 
     Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extend that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to any person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any and all information incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, other than exhibits to such information (unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents).
Such requests should be directed to William P. Donnelly, Mettler-Toledo
International Inc., Im Langacher, P.O. Box MT-100, CH 8606 Greifensee,
Switzerland (telephone 011-41-1-944-22-11).
 
                                       66

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                                              ----
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent Auditors' Report...............................................................................    F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997...............................................    F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the period January 1,
  1996 to October 14, 1996 and for the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and for the year ended
  December 31, 1997........................................................................................    F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets / Shareholders' Equity for the year ended December 31,
  1995 and for the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 and for the period October 15, 1996 to
  December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1997...............................................    F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the period January 1,
  1996 to October 14, 1996 and for the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and for the year ended
  December 31, 1997........................................................................................    F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................    F-7
 
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998.............................   F-27
Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998...........   F-28
Interim Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
  1998.....................................................................................................   F-29
Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998...........   F-30
Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.....................................................   F-31
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1

<PAGE>

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mettler-Toledo
International Inc. (formerly 'MT Investors Inc.') and subsidiaries (as defined
in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements) as of December 31, 1996 and
1997, and the related consolidated statements of operations, net assets /
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for
the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, the Predecessor periods, and for
the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996, and for the year ended
December 31, 1997, the Successor periods. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and
1997, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the period January 1, 1996 to October
14, 1996, the Predecessor periods, and for the period October 15, 1996 to
December 31, 1996, and for the year ended December 31, 1997, the Successor
periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America.
 
As more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements,
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. acquired the Mettler-Toledo Group as of
October 15, 1996 in a business combination accounted for as a purchase. As a
result of the acquisition, the consolidated financial statements for the
Successor periods are presented on a different basis of accounting than that of
the Predecessor periods, and therefore are not directly comparable.
 
KPMG Fides Peat

Zurich, Switzerland
February 6, 1998
 
                                      F-2

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         SUCCESSOR       SUCCESSOR
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            1996            1997
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>             <C>
                                       ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..........................................................    $   60,696      $   23,566
  Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $8,388 in 1996
     and $7,669 in 1997..............................................................       151,161         153,619
  Inventories........................................................................       102,526         101,047
  Deferred taxes.....................................................................         7,565           7,584
  Other current assets and prepaid expenses..........................................        17,268          24,066
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
     Total current assets............................................................       339,216         309,882
Property, plant and equipment, net...................................................       255,292         235,262
Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net of accumulated amortization of
  $982 in 1996 and $6,427 in 1997....................................................       135,490         183,318
Non-current deferred taxes...........................................................         3,916           5,045
Other assets.........................................................................        37,974          15,806
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
     Total assets....................................................................    $  771,888      $  749,313
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
                        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable.............................................................    $   32,797      $   39,342
  Accrued and other liabilities......................................................        79,857          80,844
  Accrued compensation and related items.............................................        35,457          43,214
  Taxes payable......................................................................        17,580          33,267
  Deferred taxes.....................................................................         9,132          10,486
  Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt.....................        80,446          56,430
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
     Total current liabilities.......................................................       255,269         263,583
Long-term debt.......................................................................       373,758         340,334
Non-current deferred taxes...........................................................        30,467          25,437
Other non-current liabilities........................................................        96,810          91,011
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
     Total liabilities...............................................................       756,304         720,365
Minority interest....................................................................         3,158           3,549
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares...........            --              --
  Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 125,000,000 shares; issued
     38,336,014 (excluding 64,467 shares held in treasury) at December 31, 1997......            --             383
  Class A, B and C common stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 2,775,976
     shares; issued 2,438,514 at December 31, 1996...................................            25              --
  Additional paid-in capital.........................................................       188,084         284,630
  Accumulated deficit................................................................      (159,046)       (224,152)
  Currency translation adjustment....................................................       (16,637)        (35,462)
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
     Total shareholders' equity......................................................        12,426          25,399
Commitments and contingencies........................................................
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity...........................................    $  771,888      $  749,313
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
      See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

                                      F-3

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PREDECESSOR                           SUCCESSOR
                                                 -------------------------------     ---------------------------------
                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD       FOR THE PERIOD
                                                  YEAR ENDED     JANUARY 1, 1996     OCTOBER 15, 1996      YEAR ENDED
                                                 DECEMBER 31,    TO OCTOBER 14,      TO DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 31,
                                                     1995             1996                 1996               1997
                                                 ------------    ---------------     ----------------     ------------
<S>                                              <C>             <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Net sales.....................................     $850,415         $ 662,221           $  186,912          $878,415
Cost of sales.................................      508,089           395,239              136,820           493,480
                                                 ------------    ---------------     ----------------     ------------
  Gross profit................................      342,326           266,982               50,092           384,935
Research and development......................       54,542            40,244                9,805            47,551
Selling, general and administrative...........      248,327           186,898               59,353           260,397
Amortization..................................        2,765             2,151                1,065             6,222
Purchased research and development............           --                --              114,070            29,959
Interest expense..............................       18,219            13,868                8,738            35,924
Other charges (income), net...................       (9,331)           (1,332)              17,137            10,834
                                                 ------------    ---------------     ----------------     ------------
  Earnings (loss) before taxes, minority
     interest and extraordinary items.........       27,804            25,153             (160,076)           (5,952)
Provision for taxes...........................        8,782            10,055                 (938)           17,489
Minority interest.............................          768               637                  (92)              468
                                                 ------------    ---------------     ----------------     ------------
  Net earnings (loss) before extraordinary
     items....................................       18,254            14,461             (159,046)          (23,909)
Extraordinary items-debt extinguishments, net
  of tax......................................           --                --                   --           (41,197)
                                                 ------------    ---------------     ----------------     ------------
  Net earnings (loss).........................     $ 18,254         $  14,461           $ (159,046)         $(65,106)
                                                 ------------    ---------------     ----------------     ------------
                                                 ------------    ---------------     ----------------     ------------
 
Basic and diluted loss per common share:
  Loss before extraordinary items.............                                          $    (5.18)         $  (0.76)
  Extraordinary items.........................                                                  --             (1.30)
                                                                                     ----------------     ------------
  Net loss....................................                                          $    (5.18)         $  (2.06)
                                                                                     ----------------     ------------
                                                                                     ----------------     ------------
  Weighted average number of common shares....                                          30,686,065        31,617,071
</TABLE>
 
      See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
 
                                      F-4

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS / SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PREDECESSOR
                                                                                ----------------------------------
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                                        AND FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                  JANUARY 1, 1996 TO OCTOBER 14,
                                                                                               1996
                                                                                ----------------------------------
                                                                                             CURRENCY
                                                                                CAPITAL     TRANSLATION
                                                                                EMPLOYED    ADJUSTMENT     TOTAL
                                                                                --------    ----------    --------
<S>                                                                             <C>         <C>           <C>
Net assets at December 31, 1994..............................................   $218,129     $ 10,065     $228,194
Capital transactions with Ciba and affiliates................................    (73,779)          --      (73,779)
Net earnings.................................................................     18,254           --       18,254
Change in currency translation adjustment....................................         --       20,585       20,585
                                                                                --------    ----------    --------
Net assets at December 31, 1995..............................................    162,604       30,650      193,254
Capital transactions with Ciba and affiliates................................    (88,404)          --      (88,404)
Net earnings.................................................................     14,461           --       14,461
Change in currency translation adjustment....................................         --       (6,538)      (6,538)
                                                                                --------    ----------    --------
Net assets at October 14, 1996...............................................   $ 88,661     $ 24,112     $112,773
                                                                                --------    ----------    --------
                                                                                --------    ----------    --------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          SUCCESSOR
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  FOR THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 15, 1996 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                          AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             COMMON STOCK
                                             ALL CLASSES         ADDITIONAL                    CURRENCY
                                         --------------------     PAID-IN      ACCUMULATED    TRANSLATION
                                           SHARES      AMOUNT     CAPITAL        DEFICIT      ADJUSTMENT     TOTAL
                                         ----------    ------    ----------    -----------    ----------    --------
<S>                                      <C>           <C>       <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>
Balance at October 15, 1996...........        1,000     $  1      $      --     $      --      $     --     $      1
New issuance of Class A and C
  shares..............................    2,437,514       24        188,084            --            --      188,108
Net loss..............................           --       --             --      (159,046)           --     (159,046)
Change in currency translation
  adjustment..........................           --       --             --            --       (16,637)     (16,637)
                                         ----------    ------    ----------    -----------    ----------    --------
Balance at December 31, 1996..........    2,438,514       25        188,084      (159,046)      (16,637)      12,426
New issuance of Class A and C
  shares..............................        3,857       --            300            --            --          300
Purchase of Class A and C treasury
  stock...............................       (5,123)      (1)          (668)           --            --         (669)
Common stock conversion...............   28,232,099      282           (282)           --            --           --
Proceeds from stock offering..........    7,666,667       77         97,196            --            --       97,273
Net loss..............................           --       --             --       (65,106)           --      (65,106)
Change in currency translation
  adjustment..........................           --       --             --            --       (18,825)     (18,825)
                                         ----------    ------    ----------    -----------    ----------    --------
Balance at December 31, 1997..........   38,336,014     $383      $ 284,630     $(224,152)     $(35,462)    $ 25,399
                                         ----------    ------    ----------    -----------    ----------    --------
                                         ----------    ------    ----------    -----------    ----------    --------
</TABLE>
 
      See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

                                      F-5

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PREDECESSOR                        SUCCESSOR
                                                       ------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                      FOR THE PERIOD     FOR THE PERIOD
                                                        YEAR ENDED    JANUARY 1, 1996   OCTOBER 15, 1996    YEAR ENDED
                                                       DECEMBER 31,   TO OCTOBER 14,    TO DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                           1995            1996               1996             1997
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>               <C>                <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings (loss)................................    $ 18,254         $14,461          $ (159,046)       $(65,106)
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net
    cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation.....................................      30,598          19,512               7,925          25,613
    Amortization.....................................       2,765           2,151               1,065           6,222
    Write-off of purchased research and development
      and cost of sales associated with revaluation
      of inventories.................................          --              --             146,264          32,013
    Extraordinary items..............................          --              --                  --          41,197
    Net loss (gain) on disposal of long-term
      assets.........................................      (1,053)           (768)                 --              33
    Deferred taxes and adjustments to goodwill.......        (551)         (1,934)             (4,563)         (4,244)
    Minority interest................................         768             637                 (92)            468
  Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes
    in:
    Trade accounts receivable, net...................      (9,979)          9,569             (10,159)         (8,113)
    Inventories......................................        (607)          1,276               3,350          (2,740)
    Other current assets.............................      (3,058)         14,748             (10,605)         (7,177)
    Trade accounts payable...........................       1,437          (3,065)              3,415           4,936
    Accruals and other liabilities, net..............      13,095           5,948              32,030          32,547
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities......      51,669          62,535               9,584          55,649
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
    equipment........................................       4,000           1,606                 736          15,913
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment..........     (25,858)        (16,649)            (11,928)        (22,251)
  Acquisition of Mettler-Toledo from Ciba............          --              --            (314,962)             --
  Acquisition, net of seller financing...............          --              --                  --         (80,469)
  Other investing activities.........................      (7,484)         (1,632)              4,857          (9,184)
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
      Net cash used in investing activities..........     (29,342)        (16,675)           (321,297)        (95,991)
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from borrowings...........................       3,983              --             414,170         614,245
  Repayments of borrowings...........................          --         (13,464)                 --        (703,201)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock.............          --              --             188,108          97,573
  Purchase of treasury stock.........................          --              --                  --            (669)
  Ciba and affiliates borrowings (repayments)........     (15,693)        (26,589)           (184,666)             --
  Capital transactions with Ciba and affiliates......     (37,361)         (7,716)            (80,687)             --
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
      Net cash provided by (used in) financing
         activities..................................     (49,071)        (47,769)            336,925           7,948
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
  equivalents........................................       4,344          (3,394)               (615)         (4,736)
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents........................................     (22,400)         (5,303)             24,597         (37,130)
Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning of period................................      63,802          41,402              36,099          60,696
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
  End of period......................................    $ 41,402         $36,099          $   60,696        $ 23,566
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
                                                       ------------   ---------------   ----------------   ------------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the year for:
    Interest.........................................    $ 18,927         $ 6,524          $   17,874        $ 38,345
    Taxes............................................       9,970           9,385               2,470           6,140
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
  Due to Ciba for capital transactions...............      36,418              --                  --              --
  Seller financing on acquisition....................          --              --                  --          22,514
</TABLE>
 
      See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

                                      F-6

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                 NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
1. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     Mettler-Toledo International Inc. ('Mettler Toledo,' the 'Company' or
'Successor'), formerly MT Investors Inc., is a global supplier of precision
instruments and is a manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments for use
in laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications. The Company also
manufactures and sells certain related analytical and measurement technologies.
The Company's manufacturing facilities are located in Switzerland, the United
States, Germany, the United Kingdom and China. The Company's principal executive
offices are located in Greifensee, Switzerland.
 
     The Company was incorporated by AEA Investors Inc. ('AEA') and
recapitalized to effect the acquisition (the 'Acquisition') of the
Mettler-Toledo Group ('Predecessor') from Ciba-Geigy AG ('Ciba') and its wholly
owned subsidiary, AG fur Prazisionsinstrumente ('AGP') on October 15, 1996. The
Company acquired the Mettler-Toledo Group for cash consideration of SFr. 504,996
(approximately $402,000) including dividends of SFr. 109,406 (approximately
$87,100) which were paid to Ciba by the Company in conjunction with the
Acquisition. In addition, the Company incurred expenses in connection with the
Acquisition and related financing of approximately $29,000, including
approximately $5,500 paid to AEA Investors, and paid approximately $185,000 to
settle amounts due to Ciba and affiliates. The Company has accounted for the
Acquisition using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the costs of
the Acquisition were allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
based upon their respective fair values.
 
     In connection with the Acquisition, the Company allocated, based upon
independent valuations, $114,070 of the purchase price to purchased research and
development in process. Such amount was recorded as an expense in the period
from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996. Additionally, the Company allocated
approximately $32,200 of the purchase price to revalue certain inventories
(principally work-in-process and finished goods) to fair value (net realizable
value). Substantially all of such inventories were sold during the period from
October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996. The excess of the cost of the Acquisition
over the fair value of the net assets acquired of approximately $137,500 is
being amortized over 32 years. Because of this purchase price allocation, the
accompanying financial statements of the Successor are not directly comparable
to those of the Predecessor.
 
     The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and
include all entities in which the Company has control, including its majority
owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been
eliminated. Investments in which the Company has voting rights between 20% to
50% are generally accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Certain
amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to
conform with current year presentation.
 
     The combined financial statements of the Predecessor include the combined
historical assets and liabilities and combined results of operations of the
Mettler-Toledo Group. All intergroup transactions have been eliminated as part
of the combination process.
 
     The preparation of financial statements requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, as well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those
estimates.
 
                                      F-7

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original
maturity dates of three months or less.
 
     Inventories
 
     Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost, which includes
direct materials, labor and overhead plus indirect overhead, is determined using
the first in, first out (FIFO) or weighted average cost methods and to a lesser
extent the last in, first out (LIFO) method.
 
     Property, Plant and Equipment
 
     Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis over the
estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>
Buildings and improvements...............  15 to 50 years
Machinery and equipment..................  3 to 12 years
Computer software........................  3 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements...................  Shorter of useful life or lease term
</TABLE>
 
     Beginning January 1, 1996 the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 121 ('SFAS 121'), 'Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.' SFAS 121
requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held
and used by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. In addition, SFAS 121 requires that long-lived assets and certain
identifiable intangibles to be disposed of be reported at the lower of carrying
amount or fair value less cost to sell. Adoption of SFAS 121 had no material
effect on the consolidated financial statements.
 
     Excess of Cost over Net Assets Acquired
 
     The excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired is
amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited. The
Company assesses the recoverability of such amount by determining whether the
amortization of the balance over its remaining life can be recovered from the
undiscounted future operating cash flows of the acquired operation. The amount
of impairment, if any, is measured based on projected discounted future
operating cash flows using a discount rate reflecting the Company's average cost
of funds. The assessment of the recoverability of the excess of cost over net
assets acquired will be impacted if estimated future operating cash flows are
not achieved.
 
     Deferred Financing Costs
 
     Debt financing costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the
underlying indebtedness using the interest method.
 
     Taxation
 
     The Company files tax returns in each jurisdiction in which it operates.
Prior to the Acquisition discussed in Note 1, in certain jurisdictions the
Company filed its tax returns jointly with other Ciba subsidiaries. The Company
had a tax sharing arrangement with Ciba in these countries to share the tax
burden or benefits. Such arrangement resulted in each company's tax burden or
benefit equating to that which it would have incurred or received if it had been
filing a separate tax return.
 
                                      F-8

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)

     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in the respective jurisdictions
in which the Company operates that are expected to apply to taxable income in
the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
     Generally, deferred taxes are not provided on the unremitted earnings of
subsidiaries outside of the United States because it is expected that these
earnings are permanently reinvested and such determination is not practicable.
Such earnings may become taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these
subsidiaries or upon the remittance of dividends. Deferred taxes are provided in
situations where the Company's subsidiaries plan to make future dividend
distributions.
 
     Research and Development
 
     Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and
development costs, including customer engineering (which represents research and
development charged to customers and, accordingly, is included in cost of
sales), amounted to approximately $62,400, $45,100, $11,100 and $50,200 for the
year ended December 31, 1995, for the period from January 1, 1996 to October 14,
1996, for the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and for the year
ended December 31, 1997, respectively.
 
     Currency Translation and Transactions
 
     The reporting currency for the consolidated financial statements of the
Company is the United States dollar (USD). The functional currency for the
Company's operations is generally the applicable local currency. Accordingly,
the assets and liabilities of companies whose functional currency is other than
the USD are included in the consolidation by translating the assets and
liabilities into the reporting currency at the exchange rates applicable at the
end of the reporting year. The statements of operations and cash flows of such
non-USD functional currency operations are translated at the monthly average
exchange rates during the year. Translation gains or losses are accumulated as a
separate component of net assets/shareholders' equity.
 
     The Company has designated certain of its Swiss franc debt as a hedge of
its net investments. Any gains and losses due to changes on the debt are
recorded to currency translation adjustment and offset the net investments which
they hedge.
 
     Derivative Financial Instruments
 
     The Company has only limited involvement with derivative financial
instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. The Company enters into
foreign currency forward contracts to hedge short-term intercompany transactions
with its foreign businesses. Such contracts limit the Company's exposure to both
favorable and unfavorable currency fluctuations. These contracts are adjusted to
reflect market values as of each balance sheet date, with the resulting
unrealized gains and losses being recognized in other charges (income), net.
 
     The Company enters into certain interest rate cap and swap agreements in
order to reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates. The differential paid
or received on interest rate swap agreements is recognized over the life of the
agreements. Realized and unrealized gains on interest rate cap agreements are
recognized as adjustments to interest expense as incurred.
 
                                      F-9

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)

     Stock Based Compensation
 
     The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 'Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees' and related interpretations in accounting for its
stock option plan.
 
     Loss per Common Share
 
     Effective December 31, 1997, the Company adopted the Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 128, 'Earnings per Share' ('SFAS 128'). Accordingly,
basic and diluted loss per common share data for each period presented have been
determined in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 128. Outstanding options to
purchase shares of common stock, as described in Note 11, were not included in
the computation of diluted loss per common share for the periods ended December
31, 1996 and 1997, as the effect is antidilutive. The Company retroactively
adjusted its weighted average common shares for the purpose of the basic and
diluted loss per common share computations for the 1996 and 1997 periods
pursuant to SFAS 128 and Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 98 issued in February 1998.
 
     Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     The Company's revenue base is widely diversified by geographic region and
by individual customer. The Company's products are utilized in many different
industries, although extensively in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial
condition and, generally, requires no collateral from its customers.
 
     Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenue is recognized when title to a product has transferred or services
have been rendered. Revenues from service contracts are recognized over the
contract period.
 
3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
     On May 30, 1997, the Company purchased the entire issued share capital of
Safeline Limited ('Safeline'), a manufacturer of metal detection systems based
in Manchester in the United Kingdom, for approximately pounds 61,000
(approximately $100,000), plus up to an additional pounds 6,000 (approximately
$10,000) for a contingent earn-out payment. In October 1997, the Company made an
additional payment, representing a post-closing adjustment, of pounds 1,900
(approximately $3,100). Such amount has been accounted for as additional
purchase price. Under the terms of the agreement the Company paid approximately
pounds 47,300 (approximately $77,400) of the purchase price in cash, provided by
amounts loaned under its Credit Agreement, with the remaining balance of
approximately pounds 13,700 (approximately $22,400) paid in the form of seller
loan notes which mature May 30, 1999. In connection with the acquisition the
Company incurred expenses of approximately $2,200 which have been accounted for
as part of the purchase price.
 
     The Company has accounted for the acquisition using the purchase method of
accounting. Accordingly, the costs of the acquisition were allocated to the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values.
Approximately $30,000 of the purchase price was attributed to purchased research
and development in process. Such amount was expensed immediately in the second
quarter of 1997. The technological feasibility of the products being developed
had not been established as of the date of the acquisition. The Company expects
that the projects underlying these research and development efforts will be
substantially complete over the next two years. In addition, the Company
allocated approximately $2,100 of the purchase price to revalue certain finished
goods inventories to fair value. Substantially all of such inventories were sold
in the second quarter of 1997. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over
the fair value of the net assets acquired of approximately
 
                                      F-10

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS--(CONTINUED)

$65,000 is being amortized over 30 years. The results of operations and cash
flows of Safeline have been consolidated with those of the Company from the date
of the acquisition.
 
     The following unaudited pro forma summary presents the consolidated results
of operations of the Company as if the Acquisition (see Note 1) and Safeline
acquisition had been completed as of the beginning of each of the periods
presented, after giving effect to certain adjustments, including Safeline's
historical results of operations prior to the acquisition date, depreciation and
amortization of the assets acquired based upon their fair values, increased
interest expense from the financing of the acquisitions and income tax effects.
The Company allocated a portion of the purchase prices to (i) in-process
research and development projects, that have economic value and (ii) the
revaluation of inventories. These adjustments have not been reflected in the
following pro forma summary due to their unusual and non-recurring nature. This
pro forma summary does not necessarily reflect the results of operations as they
would have been if the acquisitions had been completed as of the beginning of
such periods and is not necessarily indicative of the results which may be
obtained in the future.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
                                                               ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  PREDECESSOR                     SUCCESSOR
                                                               ------------------    ------------------------------------
                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD         FOR THE PERIOD        YEAR ENDED
                                                               JANUARY 1, 1996 TO    OCTOBER 15, 1996 TO     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                OCTOBER 14, 1996      DECEMBER 31, 1996          1997
                                                               ------------------    --------------------    ------------
<S>                                                            <C>                   <C>                     <C>
Net sales...................................................        $694,231               $195,336            $897,448
Earnings (loss) before extraordinary items..................             826                 (2,128)              9,565
Net earnings (loss).........................................        $    826               $ (2,128)           $(31,632)
                                                               ------------------       -----------          ------------
                                                               ------------------       -----------          ------------
Basic and diluted loss per common share.....................                               $  (0.07)           $  (1.00)
                                                                                        -----------          ------------
                                                                                        -----------          ------------
</TABLE>
 
4. INVENTORIES
 
     Inventories consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 SUCCESSOR
                                                                                        ----------------------------
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            1996            1997
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>             <C>
Raw materials and parts..............................................................     $ 41,015        $ 42,435
Work-in-progress.....................................................................       31,534          29,746
Finished goods.......................................................................       29,982          28,968
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
                                                                                           102,531         101,149
LIFO reserve.........................................................................           (5)           (102)
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
                                                                                          $102,526        $101,047
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
                                                                                        ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1996 and 1997, 13.2% and 12.7%, respectively, of the
Company's inventories (certain U.S. companies only) were valued using the LIFO
method of accounting. There were no material liquidations of LIFO inventories
during the periods presented.
 
5. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS
 
     At December 31, 1996, the Company had forward contracts maturing during
1997 to sell the equivalent of approximately $135,000 in various currencies in
exchange for Swiss francs. These contracts were used to limit its exposure to
currency fluctuations on anticipated future cash flows.
 
     In July 1997, the Company entered into three year interest rate cap
agreements to limit the impact of increases in interest rates on its U.S. dollar
based debt. These agreements 'cap' the effects of an increase in three month
LIBOR above 8.5%. In addition, the Company has entered into three year interest
rate swap
 
                                      F-11

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
5. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS--(CONTINUED)

agreements which swap the interest obligation associated with $100,000 of U.S.
dollar based debt from variable to fixed. The fixed rate associated with the
swap is 6.09% plus the Company's normal interest margin. The swap is effective
at three month LIBOR rates up to 7.00%.
 
     In August 1997, the Company entered into certain three year interest rate
swap agreements that fix the interest obligation associated with SFr. 112,500 of
Swiss franc based debt at rates varying between 2.17% and 2.49% plus the
Company's normal interest margin. The swaps are effective at one month LIBOR
rates up to 3.5%.
 
     The Company may be exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance
by the counterparties to its derivative financial instrument contracts.
Counterparties are established banks and financial institutions with high credit
ratings. The Company has no reason to believe that such counterparties will not
be able to fully satisfy their obligations under these contracts.
 
     At December 31, 1996 and 1997, the fair value of such financial instruments
was approximately $(5,100) and $(1,064), respectively. The fair values of all
derivative financial instruments are estimated based on current settlement
prices of comparable contracts obtained from dealer quotes. The values represent
the estimated amount the Company would pay to terminate the agreements at the
reporting date, taking into account current creditworthiness of the
counterparties.
 
6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
 
     Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SUCCESSOR
                                                                              ----------------------------
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                  1996            1997
                                                                              ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
Land.......................................................................     $ 63,514        $ 58,226
Buildings and leasehold improvements.......................................      120,173         111,065
Machinery and equipment....................................................       75,675          93,418
Computer software..........................................................        3,067           3,948
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                                 262,429         266,657
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.............................       (7,137)        (31,395)
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                                $255,292        $235,262
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                              ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
7. OTHER ASSETS
 
     Other assets include deferred financing fees of $22,015 and $4,101, net of
accumulated amortization of $820 and $76 at December 31, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. During 1997, the Company wrote off deferred financing costs
associated with its previous credit facilities and its Senior Subordinated Notes
as further discussed in Note 9. Also included in other assets are restricted
bank deposits of $5,960 and $1,756 at December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Other assets at December 31, 1996 and 1997 also included a loan due from the
Company's Chief Executive Officer of approximately $740 and $690, respectively.
Such loan bears an interest rate of 5% and is payable upon demand, which may not
be made until 2003.
 
                                      F-12

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
8. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND CURRENT MATURITIES OF LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt consisted of
the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SUCCESSOR
                                                                              ----------------------------
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                  1996            1997
                                                                              ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
Current maturities of long-term debt.......................................     $  8,968        $ 14,915
Borrowings under revolving credit facility.................................       51,928          33,320
Other short-term borrowings................................................       19,550           8,195
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                                $ 80,446        $ 56,430
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                              ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
9. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SUCCESSOR
                                                                              ----------------------------
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                  1996            1997
                                                                              ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 1, 2006........................     $135,000        $     --
Credit Agreement:
  Term A USD Loans, interest at LIBOR plus 1.125% (7.03% at December 31,
     1997) payable in quarterly installments beginning March 31, 1998 due
     May 19, 2004..........................................................           --         101,573
  Term A SFr. Loans, interest at LIBOR plus 1.125% (2.57% at December 31,
     1997) payable in quarterly installments beginning March 31, 1998 due
     May 19, 2004..........................................................           --          58,991
  Term A GBP Loans, interest at LIBOR plus 1.125% (8.71% at December 31,
     1997) payable in quarterly installments beginning March 31, 1998 due
     May 19, 2004..........................................................           --          36,198
  Seller Notes, interest at LIBOR plus 0.26% (7.84% at December 31, 1997)
     due in full May 30, 1999..............................................           --          22,946
  Term A SFr. Loans, interest at LIBOR plus 2.5% (4.38% at December 31,
     1996) payable in quarterly installments beginning March 31, 1997 due
     December 31, 2002.....................................................       92,730              --
  Term B USD Loans, interest at LIBOR plus 3.00% (8.53% at December 31,
     1996) payable in quarterly installments beginning March 31, 1997 due
     December 31, 2003.....................................................       75,000              --
  Term C USD Loans, interest at LIBOR plus 3.25% (8.78% at December 31,
     1996) payable in quarterly installments beginning March 31, 1997 due
     December 31, 2004.....................................................       72,000              --
  Revolving credit facilities..............................................       51,928         160,862
Other......................................................................       27,546          16,194
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                                 454,204         396,764
Less current maturities....................................................       80,446          56,430
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                                $373,758        $340,334
                                                                              ------------    ------------
                                                                              ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
9. LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)

     To provide a portion of the financing required for the Acquisition and for
working capital and for general corporate purposes thereafter, in October 1996
Mettler-Toledo Holding Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered
into a credit agreement with various banks.
 
     At December 31, 1996, loans under the credit agreement consisted of: (i)
Term A Loans in an aggregate principal amount of SFr. 125,000 ($92,730 at
December 31, 1996), (ii) Term B Loans in an aggregate principal amount of
$75,000, (iii) Term C loans in an aggregate principal amount of $72,000 and (iv)
a multi-currency revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of
$140,000, which included letter of credit and swingline subfacilities available
to certain subsidiaries.
 
     On May 29, 1997, the Company refinanced its previous credit facility and
entered into a new credit facility. This credit facility provided for term loan
borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $133,800, SFr.
171,500 and pounds 26,700, that were scheduled to mature between 2002 and 2004,
a Canadian revolving credit facility with availability of CDN $26,300 and a
multi-currency revolving credit facility with availability of $151,000. The
revolving credit facilities were scheduled to mature in 2002. The Company
recorded an extraordinary loss of approximately $9,600 representing a charge for
the write-off of capitalized debt issuance fees and related expenses associated
with the Company's previous credit facility.
 
     On November 19, 1997, in connection with the initial public offering, the
Company refinanced its existing credit facility by entering into a new credit
facility (the 'Credit Agreement') with certain financial institutions. At
December 31, 1997, loans under the Credit Agreement consisted of: (i) Term A
Loans in aggregate principal amount of $101,573, SFr. 85,467 ($58,991 at
December 31, 1997) and pounds 21,661 ($36,198 at December 31, 1997); (ii) a
Canadian revolving credit facility with availability of CDN $26,300 and (iii) a
multi-currency revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of
$400,000 including a $100,000 acquisition facility.
 
     Concurrent with the initial public offering and refinancing, the Company
consummated a tender offer to repurchase the Senior Subordinated Notes. The
aggregate purchase price in connection with the tender offer was approximately
$152,500. In connection with the refinancing and the note repurchase, the
Company recorded an extraordinary loss of $31,600 representing primarily the
premium paid in connection with the early extinguishment of the notes of $17,900
and the write-off of capitalized debt issuance fees associated with the Senior
Subordinated Notes and the Company's previous credit facility.
 
     The Company's weighted average interest rate at December 31, 1997 was
approximately 6.3%.
 
     Loans under the Credit Agreement may be repaid and reborrowed and are due
in full on May 19, 2004. The Company is required to pay a facility fee based
upon certain financial ratios per annum on the amount of the revolving facility
and letter of credit fees on the aggregate face amount of letters of credit
under the revolving facility. The facility fee at December 31, 1997 was equal to
0.3%. At December 31, 1997, the Company had available approximately $220,000 of
additional borrowing capacity under its Credit Agreement. The Company has the
ability to refinance its short-term borrowings through its revolving facility
for an uninterrupted period extending beyond one year. Accordingly,
approximately $128,000 of the Company's short-term borrowings at December 31,
1997 have been reclassified to long-term. At December 31, 1997, borrowings under
the Company's revolving facility carried an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.825%.
 
     The Credit Agreement contains covenants that, among other things, limit the
Company's ability to incur liens; merge, consolidate or dispose of assets; make
loans and investments; incur indebtedness; engage in certain transactions with
affiliates; incur certain contingent obligations; pay dividends and other
distributions; or make certain capital expenditures. The Credit Agreement also
requires the Company to maintain a minimum net worth
 
                                      F-14

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
9. LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)

and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, and to maintain a ratio of total debt
to EBITDA below a specified maximum.
 
     The aggregate maturities of long-term obligations during each of the years
1999 through 2002 are approximately $42,748, $32,691, $34,531 and $34,531,
respectively.
 
     The estimated fair value of the Company's obligations under the Credit
Agreement approximate fair value due to the variable rate nature of the
obligations.
 
10. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     Common Stock
 
     At December 31, 1996, the authorized capital stock of the Company consisted
of 2,775,976 shares of common stock, $.01 par value of which 2,233,117 shares
were designated as Class A common stock, 1,000 shares were designated as Class B
common stock and 541,859 shares were designated as Class C common stock. All
general voting power was vested in the holders of the Class B common stock. At
December 31, 1996, the Company had outstanding 1,899,779 shares of Class A
common stock, 1,000 shares of Class B common stock and 537,735 shares of Class C
common stock.
 
     In November 1997, pursuant to a merger with its wholly owned subsidiary
Mettler-Toledo Holding Inc., each share of the Company's existing Class A, Class
B and Class C common stock converted into 12.58392 shares of common stock and
increased the number of authorized shares to 125,000,000 shares with a par value
of $0.01 per share. Concurrent therewith, the Company completed an underwritten
initial public offering of 7,666,667 shares at a public offering price of $14.00
per share. The net proceeds from the offerings of approximately $97,300 were
used to repay a portion of the Company's 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes (see
Note 9). As part of the offering the Company sold approximately 287,000 shares
of its common stock to Company sponsored benefit plans at the public offering
price. Holders of the Company's common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
 
     At December 31, 1997, 6,368,445 shares of the Company's common stock were
reserved for the Company's stock option plan.
 
     Preferred Stock
 
     The Board of Directors, without further shareholder authorization, is
authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01
per share in one or more series and to determine and fix the rights, preferences
and privileges of each series, including dividend rights and preferences over
dividends on the common stock and one or more series of the preferred stock,
conversion rights, voting rights (in addition to those provided by law),
redemption rights and the terms of any sinking fund therefor, and rights upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, including preferences over the common
stock and one or more series of the preferred stock. The issuance of shares of
preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase such shares, may have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company
or an unsolicited acquisition proposal.
 
                                      F-15

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
11. STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     Effective October 15, 1996, the Company adopted a stock option plan to
provide certain key employees and/or directors of the Company additional
incentive to join and/or remain in the service of the Company as well as to
maintain and enhance the long-term performance and profitability of the Company.
 
     Under the terms of the plan, options granted shall be nonqualified and the
exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the
common stock on the date of grant. Options vest equally over a five year period
from the date of grant.
 
     Stock option activity is shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
                                                            NUMBER OF SHARES     EXERCISE PRICE
                                                            ----------------    ----------------
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>
Granted during the period October 15, 1996 to December
  31, 1996...............................................       3,510,747            $ 7.95
Exercised................................................              --                --
Forfeited................................................              --                --
                                                            ----------------        -------
Outstanding at December 31, 1996.........................       3,510,747              7.95
Granted..................................................       1,028,992             14.68
Exercised................................................              --                --
Forfeited................................................        (130,999)            (7.95)
                                                            ----------------        -------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997.........................       4,408,740            $ 9.75
                                                            ----------------        -------
                                                            ----------------        -------
Shares exercisable at December 31, 1997..................         675,950            $ 7.95
                                                            ----------------        -------
                                                            ----------------        -------
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1997, there were 3,537,047 and 871,693 options outstanding
to purchase shares of common stock with exercise prices of $7.95 and $15.89,
respectively. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of such options
was 8.7 and 9.7 years, respectively.
 
     As of the date granted, the weighted-average grant-date fair value of the
options granted during the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and
for the year ended December 31, 1997 was approximately $1.99 and $3.37 per
share, respectively. Such weighted-average grant-date fair value was determined
using an option pricing model which incorporated the following assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SUCCESSOR
                                                        -----------------------------------------
                                                           FOR THE PERIOD
                                                          OCTOBER 15, 1996         YEAR ENDED
                                                        TO DECEMBER 31, 1996    DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                        --------------------    -----------------
<S>                                                     <C>                     <C>
Risk-free interest rate..............................            4.0%                  5.4%
Expected life, in years..............................              7                     4
Expected volatility..................................             --                    26%
Expected dividend yield..............................             --                    --
</TABLE>
 
     The Company applies Accounting Standards Board Opinion No. 25 and related
interpretations in accounting for its plans. Had compensation cost for the
Company 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' ('SFAS
123'), the Company's net loss and
 
                                      F-16

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
11. STOCK OPTION PLAN--(CONTINUED)

basic and diluted net loss per common share for the twelve months ended December
31, 1997 would have been as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
Net loss:
  As reported..................................................   $(65,106)
  Pro forma....................................................    (66,417)
                                                                  --------
                                                                  --------
Basic and diluted loss per common share:
  As reported..................................................   $  (2.06)
  Pro forma....................................................      (2.10)
                                                                  --------
                                                                  --------
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's net loss for the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996
would not have been materially different had compensation cost been determined
consistent with SFAS 123.
 
12. BENEFIT PLANS
 
     Mettler-Toledo maintains a number of retirement plans for the benefit of
its employees.
 
     Certain companies sponsor defined contribution plans. Benefits are
determined and funded annually based upon the terms of the plans. Contributions
under these plans amounted to $9,413, $9,484, $2,496 and $8,925 in 1995, for the
period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, for the period October 15, 1996 to
December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1997, respectively.
 
     Certain companies sponsor defined benefit plans. Benefits are provided to
employees primarily based upon years of service and employees' compensation for
certain periods during the last years of employment. The following table sets
forth the funded status and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial
statements for the Company's principal defined benefit plans at December 31,
1996 and 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          SUCCESSOR
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        DECEMBER 31,                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                            1996                              1997
                                               ------------------------------    ------------------------------
                                               ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED     ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED
                                                ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS        ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS
                                                 BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS      BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS
                                               -------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated
  benefit obligations:
  Vested benefits...........................      $10,211          $97,639          $11,712         $  98,974
  Non-vested benefits.......................           16            2,280               20             3,574
                                               -------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
                                                   10,227           99,919           11,732           102,548
                                               -------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
Projected benefit obligations...............       12,458          108,504           13,350           111,608
Plan assets at fair value...................       13,336           50,609           14,899            58,176
                                               -------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
Projected benefit obligations in excess of
  (less than) plan assets...................         (878)          57,895           (1,549)           53,432
Unrecognized net (losses) gains.............           22            1,479              544               561
                                               -------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
(Prepaid) accrued pension costs.............      $  (856)         $59,374          $(1,005)        $  53,993
                                               -------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
                                               -------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
</TABLE>
 
     The (prepaid) accrued pension costs are recognized in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements as other long-term assets and other long term
liabilities, respectively.
 
                                      F-17

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
12. BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)

     The assumed discount rates and rates of increase in future compensation
level used in calculating the projected benefit obligations vary according to
the economic conditions of the country in which the retirement plans are
situated. The range of rates used for the purposes of the above calculations are
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1996            1997
                                                               ------------    ------------
<S>                                                            <C>             <C>
Discount rate...............................................   6.0% to 8.5%    6.0% to 8.5%
Compensation increase rate..................................   2.0% to 6.5%    2.0% to 6.5%
</TABLE>
 
     The expected long term rates of return on plan assets ranged between 9.5%
and 10.0% for 1995, 7.0% and 10.0% for 1996, and 6.0% and 9.5% in 1997. The
assumptions used above have a significant effect on the reported amounts of
projected benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost. For example,
increasing the assumed discount rate would have the effect of decreasing the
projected benefit obligation and increasing unrecognized net gains. Increasing
the assumed compensation increase rate would increase the projected benefit
obligation and decrease unrecognized net gains. Increasing the expected
long-term rate of return on investments would decrease unrecognized net gains.
 
     Plan assets relate principally to the Company's U.S. companies and consist
of equity investments, obligations of the U.S. Treasury or other governmental
agencies, and other interest-bearing investments.
 
     Net periodic pension cost for all of the plans above includes the following
components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PREDECESSOR                         SUCCESSOR
                                            -------------------------------    -------------------------------
                                                            FOR THE PERIOD     FOR THE PERIOD
                                             YEAR ENDED     JANUARY 1, 1996      OCTOBER 15        YEAR ENDED
                                            DECEMBER 31,    TO OCTOBER 14,     TO DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                1995             1996               1996              1997
                                            ------------    ---------------    ---------------    ------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>                <C>                <C>
Service cost (benefits earned during the
  period)................................      $3,668           $ 3,850            $ 1,013           $5,655
Interest cost on projected benefit
  obligations............................       7,561             6,540              1,721            8,020
Actual gain on plan assets...............      (8,653)           (6,079)            (1,600)          (8,543)
Net amortization and deferral............       5,137             2,485                 --            2,516
                                            ------------        -------            -------        ------------
Net periodic pension expense.............      $7,713           $ 6,796            $ 1,134           $7,648
                                            ------------        -------            -------        ------------
                                            ------------        -------            -------        ------------
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's U.S. operations provide postretirement medical benefits to
their employees. Employee contributions for medical benefits are related to
employee years of service.
 
     The following table sets forth the status of the U.S. postretirement plans
and amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             SUCCESSOR
                                                                    ----------------------------
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1996            1997
                                                                    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligations:
  Retired........................................................     $ 25,894        $ 26,702
  Fully eligible.................................................        3,033           4,154
  Other..........................................................        3,098           5,256
                                                                    ------------    ------------
                                                                        32,025          36,112
Unrecognized net loss............................................         (540)         (4,465)
                                                                    ------------    ------------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost..............................     $ 31,485        $ 31,647
                                                                    ------------    ------------
                                                                    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-18

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
12. BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)

     Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the above plans includes the
following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PREDECESSOR                           SUCCESSOR
                                         -------------------------------    -----------------------------------
                                                         FOR THE PERIOD       FOR THE PERIOD
                                          YEAR ENDED     JANUARY 1, 1996    OCTOBER 15, 1996 TO     YEAR ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,    TO OCTOBER 14,        DECEMBER 31,        DECEMBER 31,
                                             1995             1996                 1996                1997
                                         ------------    ---------------    -------------------    ------------
<S>                                      <C>             <C>                <C>                    <C>
Service cost (benefits earned during
  the period).........................      $  285           $   431               $ 114              $  440
Interest cost on projected benefit
  obligations.........................       2,371             1,795                 472               2,296
Net amortization and deferral.........          99               343                  --                  33
                                         ------------        -------              ------           ------------
Net periodic postretirement benefit
  cost................................      $2,755           $ 2,569               $ 586              $2,769
                                         ------------        -------              ------           ------------
                                         ------------        -------              ------           ------------
</TABLE>
 
     The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic
postretirement benefit cost were principally determined using discount rates of
7.3% in 1995, 7.6% in 1996 and 7.0% in 1997 and health care cost trend rates
ranging from 9.5% to 12.25% in 1995, 1996 and 1997 decreasing to 5.0% in 2006.
 
     The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic postretirement
benefit cost. For example, in 1997 the effect of a one-percentage-point increase
in the assumed health care cost trend rate would be an increase of $3,611 on the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligations and an increase of $464 on the
aggregate of the service and interest cost components of the net periodic
benefit cost.
 
13. TAXES
 
     The sources of the Company's earnings (loss) before taxes, minority
interest and extraordinary items were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PREDECESSOR
                                                               ----------------------------------
                                                                YEAR ENDED       FOR THE PERIOD
                                                               DECEMBER 31,    JANUARY 1, 1996 TO
                                                                   1995         OCTOBER 14, 1996
                                                               ------------    ------------------
<S>                                                            <C>             <C>
Switzerland.................................................     $ 11,431           $ 21,241
Non-Switzerland.............................................       16,373              3,912
                                                               ------------       ----------
Earnings before taxes, minority interest and extraordinary
  items.....................................................     $ 27,804           $ 25,153
                                                               ------------       ----------
                                                               ------------       ----------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           SUCCESSOR
                                                              -----------------------------------
                                                                FOR THE PERIOD        YEAR ENDED
                                                              OCTOBER 15, 1996 TO    DECEMBER 31,
                                                               DECEMBER 31, 1996         1997
                                                              -------------------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>                    <C>
United States..............................................        $ (37,293)          $(14,178)
Non-United States..........................................         (122,783)             8,226
                                                              -------------------    ------------
Loss before taxes, minority interest and extraordinary
  items....................................................        $(160,076)          $ (5,952)
                                                              -------------------    ------------
                                                              -------------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-19

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
13. TAXES--(CONTINUED)

     The provision (benefit) for taxes consists of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    ADJUSTMENTS
                                                                                        TO          
                                                             CURRENT    DEFERRED     GOODWILL      TOTAL  
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    ------- 
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>
Predecessor:
  Year ended December 31, 1995:
     Switzerland Federal..................................   $   513    $    (92)     $    --      $   421
     Switzerland Canton (State) and Local.................       481        (505)          --          (24)
     Non-Switzerland......................................     8,339          46           --        8,385
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             $ 9,333    $   (551)     $    --      $ 8,782
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
  For the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996:
     Switzerland Federal..................................   $ 2,152    $   (172)     $    --      $ 1,980
     Switzerland Canton (State) and Local.................     4,305        (344)          --        3,961
     Non-Switzerland......................................     5,532      (1,418)          --        4,114
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             $11,989    $ (1,934)     $    --      $10,055
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
Successor:
  For the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996:
     United States Federal................................   $   475    $ (1,556)     $    --      $(1,081)
     United States State and Local........................       696        (183)          --          513
     Non-United States....................................     2,454      (2,824)          --         (370)
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             $ 3,625    $ (4,563)     $    --      $  (938)
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
  Year ended December 31, 1997:
     United States Federal................................   $    --    $   (351)     $    --      $  (351)
     State and Local......................................       466         (41)         107          532
     Non-United States....................................    12,779       2,600        1,929       17,308
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             $13,245    $  2,208      $ 2,036      $17,489
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
                                                             -------    --------    -----------    -------
</TABLE>

     The adjustments to goodwill during the year ending December 31, 1997 relate
to tax benefits received on amounts which were included in the purchase price
allocation pertaining to the Acquisition of the Company described in Note 1.
 
     The provision for tax expense for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for
the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996 where the Company operated as a
group of businesses owned by Ciba differed from the
 
                                      F-20

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
13. TAXES--(CONTINUED)

amounts computed by applying the Switzerland federal income tax rate of 9.8% to
earnings before taxes and minority interest as a result of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PREDECESSOR
                                                               ----------------------------------
                                                                YEAR ENDED       FOR THE PERIOD
                                                               DECEMBER 31,    JANUARY 1, 1996 TO
                                                                   1995         OCTOBER 14, 1996
                                                               ------------    ------------------
<S>                                                            <C>             <C>
Expected tax................................................      $2,725            $  2,465
Switzerland Canton (state) and local income taxes, net of
  federal income tax benefit................................         (21)              3,573
Non-deductible intangible amortization......................         248                 205
Change in valuation allowance...............................       1,603               1,235
Non-Switzerland income taxes in excess of 9.8%..............       4,968               2,291
Other, net..................................................        (741)                286
                                                               ------------       ----------
Total provision for taxes...................................      $8,782            $ 10,055
                                                               ------------       ----------
                                                               ------------       ----------
</TABLE>
 
     The provision for tax expense (benefit) for the period October 15, 1996 to
December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1997, subsequent to the
Acquisition described in Note 1, differed from the amounts computed by applying
the United States Federal income tax rate of 35% to the loss before taxes,
minority interest and extraordinary items as a result of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           SUCCESSOR
                                                              -----------------------------------
                                                                FOR THE PERIOD        YEAR ENDED
                                                              OCTOBER 15, 1996 TO    DECEMBER 31,
                                                               DECEMBER 31, 1996         1997
                                                              -------------------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>                    <C>
Expected tax...............................................        $ (56,027)          $ (2,083)
United States state and local income taxes, net of federal
  income tax benefit.......................................              333                276
Non-deductible purchased research and development..........           39,925             10,486
Non-deductible intangible amortization.....................              336              2,073
Change in valuation allowance..............................            4,662                263
Non-United States income taxes at other than a 35% rate....           10,037              5,545
Other, net.................................................             (204)               929
                                                                  ----------         ------------
Total provision for taxes..................................        $    (938)          $ 17,489
                                                                  ----------         ------------
                                                                  ----------         ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
13. TAXES--(CONTINUED)

     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented
below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             SUCCESSOR
                                                                    ----------------------------
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1996            1997
                                                                    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Inventory........................................................     $  7,974        $  7,552
  Accrued and other liabilities..................................        7,046           9,278
  Deferred loss on sale of subsidiaries..........................        7,907           7,907
  Accrued postretirement benefit and pension costs...............       19,043          19,161
  Net operating loss carryforwards...............................       15,817          27,345
  Other..........................................................          408             678
                                                                    ------------    ------------
Total deferred tax assets........................................       58,195          71,921
Less valuation allowance.........................................      (46,714)        (59,292)
                                                                    ------------    ------------
Total deferred tax assets less valuation allowance...............       11,481          12,629
                                                                    ------------    ------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Inventory......................................................        5,618           6,177
  Property, plant and equipment..................................       31,123          24,081
  Other..........................................................        2,858           5,665
                                                                    ------------    ------------
Total deferred tax liabilities...................................       39,599          35,923
                                                                    ------------    ------------
Net deferred tax liability.......................................     $ 28,118        $ 23,294
                                                                    ------------    ------------
                                                                    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
     The Company has established valuation allowances primarily for net
operating losses, deferred losses on the sale of subsidiaries as well as
postretirement and pension costs as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             SUCCESSOR
                                                                    ----------------------------
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1996            1997
                                                                    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>
Summary of valuation allowances:
  Cumulative net operating losses................................     $ 15,817        $ 27,345
  Deferred loss on sale of subsidiaries..........................        7,907           7,907
  Accrued postretirement and pension benefit costs...............       18,122          17,104
  Other..........................................................        4,868           6,936
                                                                    ------------    ------------
Total valuation allowance........................................     $ 46,714        $ 59,292
                                                                    ------------    ------------
                                                                    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
     The total valuation allowances relating to acquired businesses amount to
$38,785 and $35,524 at December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Future
reductions of these valuation allowances will be credited to goodwill.
 
     At December 31, 1997, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for
income tax purposes of (i) $45,939 related to U.S. Federal net operating losses
of which $4,376 expires in 2011 and $41,563 expires in 2012, (ii) $51,832
related to U.S. State net operating losses which expire in varying amounts
through 2012, (iii) $15,595 related to foreign net operating losses with no
expiration date and (iv) $14,205 related to foreign net operating losses which
expire in varying amounts through 2003.
 
                                      F-22

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
14. OTHER CHARGES (INCOME), NET
 
     Other charges (income), net consists primarily of foreign currency
transactions, interest income and charges related to the Company's restructuring
programs. Foreign currency transactions, net for the year ended December 31,
1995, for the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, for the period October
15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1997 were
$(3,242), $(220), $8,324 and $4,235, respectively. Interest income for the year
ended December 31, 1995, for the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, for
the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December
31, 1997 was $(5,388), $(3,424), $(1,079) and $(1,832), respectively.
 
     Severance and other exit costs for the period January 1, 1996 to October
14, 1996 of $1,872 represent employee severance of $1,545 and other exit costs
of $327 associated with the closing of its Westerville, Ohio facility. Severance
costs for the period October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 principally represent
employee severance benefits associated with (i) the Company's general headcount
reduction programs in Europe and North America of $4,557 which were announced
during such period, and (ii) the realignment of the analytical and precision
balance business in Switzerland of $6,205 which was announced in December 1996.
In connection with such programs the Company reduced its workforce by 168
employees in 1996.
 
     The Company recorded further restructuring charges of $6,300 during 1997.
Such charges are in connection with the closure of three facilities in North
America and are comprised primarily of severance and other related benefits and
costs of exiting facilities, including lease termination costs and write-down of
existing assets to their expected net realizable value. In connection with the
closure of these facilities, the Company expects to involuntarily terminate
approximately 70 employees. The Company is undertaking these actions as part of
its efforts to reduce costs through reengineering.
 
     A rollforward of the components of the Company's accrual for restructuring
activities is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
Balance at December 31, 1996...................................   $10,762
1997 Activities:
  Restructuring accrual for North American operations..........     6,300
  Reductions in workforce and other cash outflows..............    (7,182)
  Non-cash write-downs of property, plant and equipment........      (540)
  Impact of foreign currency...................................      (582)
                                                                  -------
Balance at December 31, 1997...................................   $ 8,758
                                                                  -------
                                                                  -------
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's accrual for restructuring activities of $8,758 at December
31, 1997 primarily consisted of $6,544 for severance and other related benefits
with the remaining balance for lease termination and other costs of exiting
facilities. Such programs are expected to be substantially complete in 1998.
 
                                      F-23

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     Operating Leases
 
     The Company leases certain of its facilities and equipment under operating
leases. The future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases
are as follows at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
1998...........................................................   $12,006
1999...........................................................     8,565
2000...........................................................     5,771
2001...........................................................     4,023
2002...........................................................     3,296
Thereafter.....................................................     1,856
                                                                  -------
  Total........................................................   $35,517
                                                                  -------
                                                                  -------
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for operating leases amounted to $13,034, $3,430 and $16,420
for the period January 1, 1996 to October 14, 1996, for the period October 15,
1996 to December 31, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1997,
respectively.
 
     Legal
 
     The Company is party to various legal proceedings, including certain
environmental matters, incidental to the normal course of business. Management
does not expect that any of such proceedings will have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
 
16. GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
     The tables below show the Company's operations by geographic region.
Transfers between geographic regions are priced to reflect consideration of
market conditions and the regulations of the countries in which the transferring
entities are located.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   TRANSFERS
                                                                    BETWEEN                       EARNINGS (LOSS)
         TWELVE MONTHS ENDED            NET SALES BY   NET SALES   GEOGRAPHIC   TOTAL NET SALES       BEFORE
          DECEMBER 31, 1995             DESTINATION    BY ORIGIN     AREAS         BY ORIGIN           TAXES
- --------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>               <C>               <C>
Switzerland(1)........................    $ 41,820     $ 102,712    $159,453       $ 262,165         $  11,431
Germany...............................     151,974       158,393      47,379         205,772             9,626
Other Europe..........................     247,802       228,939         799         229,738             1,780
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
Total Europe..........................     441,596       490,044     207,631         697,675            22,837
United States.........................     263,945       298,053      29,578         327,631            (1,353)
Other Americas........................      52,966        32,732         131          32,863               905
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
Total Americas........................     316,911       330,785      29,709         360,494              (448)
Asia and other........................      91,908        29,586          97          29,683             1,861
Eliminations..........................          --            --    (237,437)       (237,437)            3,554
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
Totals................................    $850,415     $ 850,415    $     --       $ 850,415         $  27,804
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-24

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
16. GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT INFORMATION--(CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   TRANSFERS
            FOR THE PERIOD                                          BETWEEN                       EARNINGS (LOSS)
          JANUARY 1, 1996 TO            NET SALES BY   NET SALES   GEOGRAPHIC   TOTAL NET SALES       BEFORE
           OCTOBER 14, 1996             DESTINATION    BY ORIGIN     AREAS         BY ORIGIN           TAXES
- --------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>               <C>               <C>
Switzerland(1)........................    $ 32,282     $  74,303    $126,423       $ 200,726         $  21,241
Germany...............................     104,961       114,015      35,583         149,598             8,292
Other Europe..........................     186,823       171,061         840         171,901               591
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
Total Europe..........................     324,066       359,379     162,846         522,225            30,124
United States.........................     217,636       246,180      22,753         268,933            (1,577)
Other Americas........................      47,473        25,925           3          25,928             1,078
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
Total Americas........................     265,109       272,105      22,756         294,861              (499)
Asia and other........................      73,046        30,737         265          31,002               686
Eliminations..........................          --            --    (185,867)       (185,867)           (5,158)
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
Totals................................    $662,221     $ 662,221    $     --       $ 662,221         $  25,153
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   TRANSFERS
            FOR THE PERIOD                                          BETWEEN                       EARNINGS (LOSS)
         OCTOBER 15, 1996 TO            NET SALES BY   NET SALES   GEOGRAPHIC   TOTAL NET SALES       BEFORE
          DECEMBER 31, 1996             DESTINATION    BY ORIGIN     AREAS         BY ORIGIN         TAXES(2)       TOTAL ASSETS
- --------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>               <C>               <C>
Switzerland(1)........................    $  8,415     $  15,892    $ 39,570       $  55,462         $(108,865)       $432,387
Germany...............................      29,688        29,117      10,965          40,082            (6,041)        170,845
Other Europe..........................      58,598        59,688         485          60,173            (5,809)        126,063
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
Total Europe..........................      96,701       104,697      51,020         155,717          (120,715)        729,295
United States.........................      56,405        64,109       6,731          70,840           (37,293)        477,762
Other Americas........................      13,436         7,371           3           7,374              (446)         17,730
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
Total Americas........................      69,841        71,480       6,734          78,214           (37,739)        495,492
Asia and other........................      20,370        10,735          28          10,763            (2,267)         48,245
Eliminations..........................          --            --     (57,782)        (57,782)              645        (501,144)
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
Totals................................    $186,912     $ 186,912    $     --       $ 186,912         $(160,076)       $771,888
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   TRANSFERS
                                                                    BETWEEN                       EARNINGS (LOSS)
         TWELVE MONTHS ENDED            NET SALES BY   NET SALES   GEOGRAPHIC   TOTAL NET SALES       BEFORE
          DECEMBER 31, 1997             DESTINATION    BY ORIGIN     AREAS         BY ORIGIN           TAXES        TOTAL ASSETS
- --------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>               <C>               <C>
Switzerland(1)........................    $ 34,555     $  69,700    $186,292       $ 255,992         $  31,621        $430,436
Germany...............................     115,665       123,382      51,502         174,884             5,519         144,660
Other Europe..........................     245,945       232,105      10,857         242,962           (16,441)        337,720
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
Total Europe..........................     396,165       425,187     248,651         673,838            20,699         912,816
United States.........................     297,688       335,630      32,009         367,639           (14,176)        589,775
Other Americas........................      71,403        37,330         165          37,495            (3,245)         32,941
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
Total Americas........................     369,091       372,960      32,174         405,134           (17,421)        622,716
Asia and other........................     113,159        80,268       1,834          82,102             1,413          63,453
Eliminations..........................          --            --    (282,659)       (282,659)          (10,643)       (849,672)
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
Totals................................    $878,415     $ 878,415    $     --       $ 878,415         $  (5,952)       $749,313
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
                                        ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                        (Footnotes on next page)
 
                                      F-25

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
16. GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT INFORMATION--(CONTINUED)

- ------------------
(1) Includes Corporate.
 
(2) The effect of non-recurring Acquisition charges arising from in-process
    research and development projects ($114,100) and the revaluation of
    inventories to fair value ($32,200) by region are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
Europe....................................................   $108,100
Americas..................................................     36,000
Asia/Rest of World........................................      2,200
</TABLE>
 
17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
     Quarterly financial data for the years 1996 and 1997 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           FIRST        SECOND       THIRD        FOURTH
                                                          QUARTER     QUARTER(1)    QUARTER     QUARTER(2)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
1996
Net sales..............................................   $201,373     $ 222,429    $200,391     $ 224,940
Gross profit...........................................     80,394        91,204      79,013        66,463
Net income (loss)......................................        929         9,078       3,129      (157,721)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
1997
Net sales..............................................   $197,402     $ 220,412    $215,929     $ 244,672
Gross profit...........................................     83,282        97,016      94,365       110,272
Net income (loss) before extraordinary items...........     (1,122)      (25,613)       (284)        3,110
Extraordinary items....................................         --        (9,552)         --       (31,645)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
Net income (loss)......................................   $ (1,122)    $ (35,165)   $   (284)    $ (28,535)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
  Earnings (loss) before extraordinary items...........   $  (0.04)    $   (0.84)   $  (0.01)    $    0.09
  Extraordinary items..................................         --         (0.31)         --         (0.92)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
  Net loss.............................................   $  (0.04)    $   (1.15)   $  (0.01)    $   (0.83)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
  Earnings (loss) before extraordinary items...........   $  (0.04)    $   (0.84)   $  (0.01)    $    0.09
  Extraordinary items..................................         --         (0.31)         --         (0.88)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
  Net loss.............................................   $  (0.04)    $   (1.15)   $  (0.01)    $   (0.79)
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
                                                          --------    ----------    --------    ----------
Market price per share(3):
  High.................................................         --            --          --     $ 18 3/4
  Low..................................................         --            --          --     $ 14 1/16
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) The financial data for the second quarter of 1997 includes charges in
    connection with the Safeline Acquisition, as discussed in Note 3, for the
    sale of inventories revalued to fair value of $2,054 and in-process research
    and development of $29,959. The second quarter also includes extraordinary
    charges for the write-off of capitalized debt issuance fees of $9,552 as
    discussed in Note 9.
(2) The financial data for the fourth quarter of 1996 represents the Company's
    combined results of operations for the period from October 1, 1996 to
    October 14, 1996 and for the period from October 15, 1996 to December 31,
    1996. The period from October 15, 1996 to December 31, 1996 includes charges
    in connection with the Acquisition, as discussed in Note 1, for the sale of
    inventories revalued to fair value of $32,194 and in-process research and
    development of $114,070. The fourth quarter 1997 data includes charges for
    the early extinguishment of debt and the write-off of capitalized debt
    issuance fees totaling $31,645 as further discussed in Note 9.
(3) The Company's shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on
    November 14, 1997.
 
                                      F-26

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                      INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND MARCH 31, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         DECEMBER 31,      MARCH 31,
                                                                                             1997            1998
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
                                                                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                      <C>             <C>
                                        ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................................................     $ 23,566        $ 21,303
  Trade accounts receivable, net......................................................      153,619         152,396
  Inventories.........................................................................      101,047         101,020
  Deferred taxes......................................................................        7,584           7,628
  Other current assets and prepaid expenses...........................................       24,066          24,602
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
     Total current assets.............................................................      309,882         306,949
Property, plant and equipment, net....................................................      235,262         224,230
Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net..........................................      183,318         182,323
Non-current deferred taxes............................................................        5,045           5,228
Other assets..........................................................................       15,806          16,408
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
     Total assets.....................................................................     $749,313        $735,138
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
                         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable..............................................................     $ 39,342        $ 32,166
  Accrued and other liabilities.......................................................       80,844          94,389
  Accrued compensation and related items..............................................       43,214          38,938
  Taxes payable.......................................................................       33,267          32,557
  Deferred taxes......................................................................       10,486          10,093
  Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt......................       56,430          54,952
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
     Total current liabilities........................................................      263,583         263,095
Long-term debt........................................................................      340,334         319,207
Non-current deferred taxes............................................................       25,437          24,142
Other non-current liabilities.........................................................       91,011          91,181
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
     Total liabilities................................................................      720,365         697,625
Minority interest.....................................................................        3,549           3,587
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares............           --              --
  Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 125,000,000 shares; issued
     38,336,014 shares (excluding 64,467 shares held in treasury).....................          383             383
  Additional paid-in capital..........................................................      284,630         284,630
  Accumulated deficit.................................................................     (224,152)       (217,314)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income..............................................      (35,462)        (33,773)
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
     Total shareholders' equity.......................................................       25,399          33,926
Commitments and contingencies
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.......................................     $749,313        $735,138
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
                                                                                         ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
  See the accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements

                                      F-27

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                 INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       MARCH 31,      MARCH 31,
                                                                                         1997           1998
                                                                                      -----------    -----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
Net sales.........................................................................    $   197,402    $   215,655
Cost of sales.....................................................................        114,120        121,048
                                                                                      -----------    -----------
     Gross profit.................................................................         83,282         94,607
Research and development..........................................................         10,832         10,795
Selling, general and administrative...............................................         60,193         65,112
Amortization......................................................................          1,157          1,818
Interest expense..................................................................          9,446          5,879
Other charges, net................................................................          3,754            454
                                                                                      -----------    -----------
     Earnings (loss) before taxes and minority interest...........................         (2,100)        10,549
Provision (benefit) for taxes.....................................................         (1,087)         3,692
Minority interest.................................................................            109             19
                                                                                      -----------    -----------
     Net earnings (loss)..........................................................    $    (1,122)   $     6,838
                                                                                      -----------    -----------
                                                                                      -----------    -----------
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
     Net earnings (loss)..........................................................    $     (0.04)   $      0.18
     Weighted average number of common shares.....................................     30,686,065     38,336,014
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
     Net earnings (loss)..........................................................    $     (0.04)   $      0.17
     Weighted average number of common shares.....................................     30,686,065     40,600,109
</TABLE>
 
  See the accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements
 
                                      F-28

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
            INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              COMMON STOCK                                   ACCUMULATED
                                               ALL CLASSES       ADDITIONAL                     OTHER
                                           -------------------    PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED   COMPREHENSIVE
                                             SHARES     AMOUNT    CAPITAL       DEFICIT        INCOME        TOTAL
                                           ----------   ------   ----------   -----------   -------------   -------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>
Balance at December 31, 1996..............  2,438,514    $ 25     $ 188,084    $(159,046)     $ (16,637)    $12,426
Comprehensive income:
  Net loss................................         --      --            --       (1,122)            --      (1,122)
  Change in currency translation
     adjustment...........................         --      --            --           --         (8,322)     (8,322)
                                                                                                            -------
Comprehensive income......................                                                                   (9,444)
                                           ----------   ------   ----------   -----------   -------------   -------
Balance at March 31, 1997.................  2,438,514    $ 25     $ 188,084    $(160,168)     $ (24,959)    $ 2,982
                                           ----------   ------   ----------   -----------   -------------   -------
                                           ----------   ------   ----------   -----------   -------------   -------
 
Balance at December 31, 1997.............. 38,336,014    $383     $ 284,630    $(224,152)     $ (35,462)    $25,399
Comprehensive income:
  Net earnings............................         --      --            --        6,838             --       6,838
  Change in currency translation
     adjustment...........................         --      --            --           --          1,689       1,689
                                                                                                            -------
Comprehensive income......................                                                                    8,527
                                           ----------   ------   ----------   -----------   -------------   -------
Balance at March 31, 1998................. 38,336,014    $383     $ 284,630    $(217,314)     $ (33,773)    $33,926
                                           ----------   ------   ----------   -----------   -------------   -------
                                           ----------   ------   ----------   -----------   -------------   -------
</TABLE>
 
  See the accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements

                                      F-29

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
                 INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            MARCH 31,      MARCH 31,
                                                                                              1997           1998
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                        <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings (loss)...................................................................     $(1,122)       $ 6,838
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation.......................................................................       5,821          5,877
     Amortization.......................................................................       1,157          1,818
     Net gain on disposal of long-term assets...........................................         (53)        (2,142)
     Deferred taxes.....................................................................      (1,446)          (611)
     Minority interest..................................................................         109             19
  Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:
     Trade accounts receivable, net.....................................................      (8,557)          (164)
     Inventories........................................................................      (7,819)        (1,121)
     Other current assets...............................................................      (2,405)        (2,247)
     Trade accounts payable.............................................................      (1,436)        (6,729)
     Accruals and other liabilities, net................................................      23,832         10,623
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.....................................       8,081         12,161
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment...................................         431         12,183
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment.............................................      (3,063)        (7,417)
  Acquisitions..........................................................................          --         (2,573)
  Other investing activities............................................................         (98)            --
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities...........................      (2,730)         2,193
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from borrowings..............................................................       1,055          3,447
  Repayments of borrowings..............................................................     (23,160)       (19,922)
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
          Net cash used in financing activities.........................................     (22,105)       (16,475)
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents............................      (3,343)          (142)
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents...............................................     (20,097)        (2,263)
Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning of period...................................................................      60,696         23,566
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
  End of period.........................................................................     $40,599        $21,303
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
                                                                                           -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
  See the accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements

                                      F-30

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
             NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     Mettler-Toledo International Inc. ('Mettler Toledo' or the 'Company'),
formerly MT Investors Inc., is a global supplier of precision instruments and is
a manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments for use in laboratory,
industrial and food retailing applications. The Company also manufactures and
sells certain related analytical and measurement technologies. The Company's
manufacturing facilities are located in Switzerland, the United States, Germany,
the U.K. and China. The Company's principal executive offices are located in
Greifensee, Switzerland.
 
     The Company was incorporated by AEA Investors Inc. ('AEA') and
recapitalized to effect the acquisition (the 'Acquisition') of the
Mettler-Toledo Group from Ciba-Geigy AG ('Ciba') and its wholly owned
subsidiary, AG fur Prazisionsinstrumente ('AGP') on October 15, 1996. The
Company has accounted for the Acquisition using the purchase method of
accounting. Accordingly, the costs of the Acquisition were allocated to the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values.
 
     The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America on a basis which reflects the interim consolidated
financial statements of the Company. The interim consolidated financial
statements have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and
footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or
omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim consolidated
financial statements as of March 31, 1998 and for the three month periods ended
March 31, 1997 and 1998 should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 1996
and 1997 consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
     The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements reflect all
adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) which, in the
opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of the
interim periods presented. Operating results for the three months ended March
31, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full year ending December 31, 1998.
 
     The preparation of financial statements requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, as well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those
estimates.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     Inventories
 
     Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost, which includes
direct materials, labor and overhead plus indirect overhead, is determined using
either the first in, first out (FIFO) or weighted average cost methods and to a
lesser extent the last in, first out (LIFO) method.
 
                                      F-31

<PAGE>

                       METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         (FORMERLY 'MT INVESTORS INC.')
      NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)

     Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 1997 and March 31,
1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,
                                                                          1997          1998
                                                                      ------------    ---------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>
Raw materials and parts............................................     $ 42,435      $  39,760
Work in progress...................................................       29,746         32,602
Finished goods.....................................................       28,968         28,763
                                                                      ------------    ---------
                                                                         101,149        101,125
LIFO reserve.......................................................         (102)          (105)
                                                                      ------------    ---------
                                                                        $101,047      $ 101,020
                                                                      ------------    ---------
                                                                      ------------    ---------
</TABLE>
 
     Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
 
     Effective December 31, 1997, the Company adopted the Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 128, 'Earnings per Share' ('SFAS 128'). Accordingly,
basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share data for each period
presented have been determined in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 128. In
accordance with the treasury stock method, the Company has included 2,264,095
equivalent shares related to 4,408,740 outstanding options to purchase shares of
common stock, as described in Note 11 in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, in the calculation of diluted
weighted average number of common shares for the period ended March 31, 1998.
Such common stock equivalents were not included in the computation of diluted
loss per common share for the period ended March 31, 1997, as the effect is
antidilutive. The Company retroactively adjusted its weighted average common
shares for the purpose of the basic and diluted loss per common share
computations for the 1997 period pursuant to SFAS 128 and Securities and
Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98 issued in February 1998.
 
     Reporting Comprehensive Income
 
     Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 130 ('SFAS 130'), 'Reporting Comprehensive Income.'
SFAS 130 requires that changes in the amounts of certain items, including
foreign currency translation adjustments, be shown in the financial statements.
The Company has displayed comprehensive income and its components in the Interim
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity. Prior year financial statements
have been restated to reflect the application of SFAS 130 as required by the
standard. The adoption of SFAS 130 did not have a material effect on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-32


<PAGE>

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     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY, THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS OR THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, THE
COMMON STOCK IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PAGE
                                                               ----
<S>                                                            <C>
Prospectus Summary..........................................     3
Risk Factors................................................    11
The Company.................................................    15
Use of Proceeds.............................................    16
Dividend Policy.............................................    16
Price Range of Common Stock.................................    17
Capitalization..............................................    17
Selected Historical Financial Information...................    18
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
  and Results of Operations.................................    21
Industry....................................................    31
Business....................................................    34
Management..................................................    48
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............    53
Principal and Selling Shareholders..........................    54
Description of Credit Agreement.............................    56
Description of Capital Stock................................    57
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.............................    59
Certain United States Federal Tax Considerations for
  Non-United States Holders.................................    60
Underwriting................................................    63
Legal Matters...............................................    65
Independent Auditors........................................    65
Available Information.......................................    65
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.............    66
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements..................   F-1
</TABLE>

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                               10,000,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                 METTLER-TOLEDO
                               INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                          ---------------------------
                              P R O S P E C T U S
                          ---------------------------
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

                                 BT ALEX. BROWN

                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

                              SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
 


                                 JUNE 29, 1998
 
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