Mettler-Toledo International (MTD) 10-Q 9 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	METTLER TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC/
Entity Central Index Key	1,037,646
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	25,045,028
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Public Float		$ 14,589,477,296

Interim Consolidated Statements

Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues	$ 734,846	$ 698,799	$ 2,117,663	$ 1,947,022
Gross profit	419,254	400,975	1,206,812	1,119,976
Research and development	34,838	32,203	104,866	95,985
Selling, general and administrative	202,451	207,033	611,149	588,313
Amortization	11,856	10,716	35,561	31,010
Interest expense	9,003	8,248	25,671	24,160
Restructuring Charges	2,222	3,385	13,956	8,840
Other charges (income), net	(1,479)	(237)	(5,795)	(8,654)
Earnings before taxes	160,363	139,627	421,404	380,322
Provision for taxes	33,710	34,677	89,979	81,326
Net earnings	$ 126,653	$ 104,950	$ 331,425	$ 298,996
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$ 5.04	$ 4.10	$ 13.10	$ 11.60
Weighted average number of common shares	25,126,061	25,613,433	25,296,680	25,764,472
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$ 4.93	$ 3.99	$ 12.81	$ 11.31
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares	25,683,365	26,303,529	25,877,979	26,446,677
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Note 9)	$ 108,845	$ 125,699	$ 313,302	$ 376,357
Product [Member]
Revenues	576,340	544,408	1,649,762	1,514,516
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	232,851	216,496	657,167	591,395
Service [Member]
Revenues	158,506	154,391	467,901	432,506
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	$ 82,741	$ 81,328	$ 253,684	$ 235,651

Interim Consolidated Balance Sh

Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,448	$ 148,687
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $16,515 at September 30, 2018 and $15,549 at December 31, 2017	494,887	528,615
Inventories	277,266	255,390
Other current assets and prepaid expenses	61,898	74,031
Total current assets	971,499	1,006,723
Property, plant and equipment, net	697,689	668,271
Goodwill	537,862	539,838
Other intangible assets, net	220,904	226,718
Non-current deferred tax assets, net	36,423	41,425
Other non-current assets	93,287	66,830
Total assets	2,557,664	2,549,805
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	156,447	167,627
Accrued and other liabilities	128,760	152,834
Accrued compensation and related items	142,500	170,159
Deferred revenue and customer prepayments	123,526	107,166
Taxes payable	90,483	72,210
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt	55,753	19,677
Total current liabilities	697,469	689,673
Long-term debt	988,894	960,170
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	50,216	51,230
Other non-current liabilities	289,470	301,452
Total liabilities	2,026,049	2,002,525
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 125,000,000 shares; issued 44,786,011 and 44,786,011 shares; outstanding 25,045,028 and 25,541,393 shares at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	448	448
Additional paid-in capital	759,643	747,138
Treasury stock at cost (19,740,983 shares at June 30, 2018 and 19,244,618 shares at December 31, 2017)	(3,708,805)	(3,368,182)
Retained earnings	3,763,858	3,433,282
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(283,529)	(265,406)
Total shareholders' equity	531,615	547,280
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,557,664	$ 2,549,805

Balance Sheet Parentheticals (P

Balance Sheet Parentheticals (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 16,515	$ 15,549
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	44,786,011	44,786,011
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	25,045,028	25,541,393
Treasury Stock, Shares	19,740,983	19,244,618

Interim Consolidated Statemen_2

Interim Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 434,943	$ 448	$ 730,556	$ (3,006,771)	$ 3,065,708	$ (354,998)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		26,020,234
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	28,649			38,586	9,937
Exercise of stock options and restricted stock units, shares		270,413
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	399,997			399,997
Repurchases of common stock, shares		(749,254)
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-Based Compensation	16,582		16,582
Net earnings	375,972				375,972
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	89,592					89,592
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 547,280	$ 448	747,138	(3,368,182)	3,433,282	(265,406)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	25,541,393	25,541,393
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	$ 1,539				1,539
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	$ 14,777			15,626	849
Exercise of stock options and restricted stock units, shares	102,174	102,174
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 356,249			356,249
Repurchases of common stock, shares	(598,539)	(598,539)
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-Based Compensation	$ 12,505		12,505
Net earnings	331,425				331,425
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	(18,123)					(18,123)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 531,615	$ 448	$ 759,643	$ (3,708,805)	$ 3,763,858	$ (283,529)
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2018	25,045,028	25,045,028

Interim Consolidated Statemen_3

Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 331,425	$ 298,996
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	27,889	24,421
Amortization	35,561	31,010
Deferred tax benefit	(11,901)	(7,754)
Share-based compensation	12,505	11,823
Gain on facility sale	0	(3,394)
Other	(2,706)	227
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:
Trade accounts receivable, net	26,017	1,891
Inventories	(26,224)	(23,596)
Other current assets	863	(2,526)
Trade accounts payable	(7,753)	(5,857)
Taxes payable	13,482	11,386
Accruals and other	(32,725)	14,608
Net cash provided by operating activities	366,433	351,235
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	7,809	10,437
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(96,665)	(85,826)
Acquisitions	(4,962)	(108,445)
Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities	(780)	3,716
Net cash used in investing activities	(94,598)	(180,118)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	772,274	985,694
Repayments of borrowings	(703,704)	(834,061)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	14,777	23,315
Repurchases of common stock	(356,249)	(334,998)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	(1,664)	(7,205)
Net cash used in financing activities	(274,566)	(167,255)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(8,508)	6,550
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,239)	10,412
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	148,687	158,674
End of period	$ 137,448	$ 169,086

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION Mettler-Toledo International Inc. ("Mettler-Toledo" or the "Company") is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services. The Company manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics and food retailing applications. The Company also manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development. In addition, the Company manufactures metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. The Company's primary manufacturing facilities are located in China, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company's principal executive offices are located in Columbus, Ohio and Greifensee, Switzerland. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all entities in which the Company has control, which are its wholly-owned subsidiaries. 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 U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2018 . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates. A discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Trade Accounts Receivable Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s best estimate of probable credit losses in its existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based upon a review of both specific accounts for collection and the age of the accounts receivable portfolio. Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost, which includes direct materials, labor and overhead, is generally determined using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The estimated net realizable value is based on assumptions for future demand and related pricing. Adjustments to the cost basis of the Company’s inventory are made for excess and obsolete items based on usage, orders and technological obsolescence. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, reductions in the value of inventory may be required. Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, December 31, Raw materials and parts $ 125,197 $ 118,790 Work-in-progress 50,546 43,035 Finished goods 101,523 93,565 $ 277,266 $ 255,390 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill, representing the excess of purchase price over the net asset value of companies acquired, and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. The annual evaluation for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are generally based on an assessment of qualitative and quantitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. Other intangible assets include indefinite-lived assets and assets subject to amortization. Where applicable, amortization is charged on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit. The straight-line method of amortization reflects an appropriate allocation of the cost of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained by the Company in each reporting period. The Company assesses the initial acquisition of intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC 805 "Business Combinations" and the continued accounting for previously recognized intangible assets and goodwill in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350 "Intangible - Goodwill and Other" and ASC 360 "Property, Plant and Equipment". Other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Intangibles, Net Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Intangibles, Net Customer relationships $ 198,042 $ (48,173 ) $ 149,869 $ 198,527 $ (41,794 ) $ 156,733 Proven technology and patents 74,732 (42,036 ) 32,696 70,311 (38,890 ) 31,421 Tradenames (finite life) 4,557 (2,904 ) 1,653 4,518 (2,807 ) 1,711 Tradenames (indefinite life) 35,536 — 35,536 35,562 — 35,562 Other 3,668 (2,518 ) 1,150 3,490 (2,199 ) 1,291 $ 316,535 $ (95,631 ) $ 220,904 $ 312,408 $ (85,690 ) $ 226,718 The Company recognized amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets of $3.6 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively and $10.7 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The annual aggregate amortization expense based on the current balance of other intangible assets is estimated at $14.2 million for 2018 , $13.9 million for 2019 , $13.5 million for 2020 , $12.9 million for 2021 , $12.4 million for 2022 and $12.2 million for 2023 . Purchased intangible amortization was $3.4 million , $2.5 million after tax, and $2.6 million , $1.7 million after tax, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively and $10.0 million , $7.5 million after tax, and $7.2 million , $4.7 million after tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. In addition to the above amortization, the Company recorded amortization expense associated with capitalized software of $8.2 million and $7.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively and $24.7 million and $22.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Revenue Recognition Product revenue is recognized from contracts with customers when a customer has obtained control of a product. The Company considers control to have transferred upon shipping terms. To the extent the Company’s contracts have a separate performance obligation, revenue related to any post-shipment performance obligation is deferred until completed. Shipping and handling costs charged to customers are included in total net sales and the associated expense is a component of cost of sales. Certain products are also sold through indirect distribution channels whereby the distributor assumes any further obligations to the end customer. Revenue is recognized on these distributor arrangements upon transfer of control to the distributor. Contracts do not contain variable pricing arrangements that are retrospective, except for rebate programs. Rebates are estimated based on expected sales volumes and offset against revenue at the time such revenue is recognized. The Company generally maintains the right to accept or reject a product return in its terms and conditions and also maintains appropriate accruals for outstanding credits. The provisions for estimated returns and rebates are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company’s product arrangements include separate performance obligations, primarily related to installation. Such performance obligations are accounted for separately when the deliverables have stand-alone value and the satisfaction of the undelivered performance obligations is probable and within the Company's control. The allocation of revenue between the performance obligations is based on the observable standalone selling prices at the time of the sale in accordance with a number of factors including service technician billing rates, time to install and geographic location. Software is generally not considered a distinct performance obligation with the exception of a few small software applications. The Company does not usually sell software products without the related hardware instrument as the software is embedded in the product. The Company’s products typically require no significant production, modification, or customization of the hardware or software that is essential to the functionality of the products. Service revenue not under contract is recognized upon the completion of the service performed. Revenue from spare parts sold on a stand-alone basis is recognized when control is transferred to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment or delivery. Revenue from service contracts is recognized ratably over the contract period using a time-based method. These contracts represent an obligation to perform repair and other services including regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification, and preventative maintenance on a customer’s pre-defined equipment over the contract period. Warranty The Company generally offers one -year warranties on most of its products. Product warranties are recorded at the time revenue is recognized. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, its warranty obligations are affected by product failure rates, material usage and service costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Employee Termination Benefits In situations where contractual termination benefits exist, the Company records accruals for employee termination benefits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability is reasonably estimable. All other employee termination arrangements are recognized and measured at their fair value at the communication date unless the employee is required to render additional service beyond the legal notification period, in which case the liability is recognized ratably over the future service period. Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense within selling, general and administrative in the consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income with a corresponding offset to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company recorded $4.3 million and $12.5 million of share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, compared to $4.0 million and $11.8 million for the corresponding periods in 2017 . Research and Development Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries, consulting and other costs. The Company expenses these costs as incurred. Recent Accounting Pronouncements On January 1, 2018 the Company retrospectively implemented ASU 2017-07 to ASC 715 "Compensation - Retirement Benefits," which requires the Company to report the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost (pension cost) in other charges (income), net. These amounts were previously reported in selling, general, and administrative, cost of sales and research and development in the consolidated statement of operations. Nonservice pension benefits were $1.6 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $4.7 million and $3.1 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In February 2016 and July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-11 to ASC 842 "Leases." The accounting guidance primarily requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet as a right to use asset and a lease liability, with the exception of short term leases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance as well as the election of certain practical expedients available within the ASU. The Company has identified its significant leases by geography and by asset class and made progress in developing accounting policies and future processes to ensure an effective adoption of the new standard. The ASU will be effective beginning the first quarter of 2019 and the Company will adopt using a modified retrospective approach without adjusting comparative periods. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income". The accounting update provided entities with guidance on how to reclassify certain stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was a tax bill enacted by the U.S. government in December 2017. The new guidance is effective for the year beginning January 1, 2019 and the Company is still evaluating the impact on the financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Cus

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	REVENUE On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" and all the related amendments using the modified retrospective method, whereby the adoption does not impact any prior periods. The effect of adopting the new standard did not require any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. There was no impact to our consolidated statements of operations, balance sheet, or statement of cash flows as of and for the period ended September 30, 2018. The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers by product, service, timing of revenue recognition and geography. A summary by the Company’s reportable segments follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018: Three months ended September 30, 2018 U.S. Operations Swiss Operations Western European Operations Chinese Operations Other Operations Total Product Revenue $ 195,554 $ 24,791 $ 124,412 $ 127,050 $ 104,533 $ 576,340 Service Revenue: Point in time 48,910 4,663 29,365 10,200 25,645 118,783 Over time 10,915 2,009 19,393 2,848 4,558 39,723 Total $ 255,379 $ 31,463 $ 173,170 $ 140,098 $ 134,736 $ 734,846 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 U.S. Operations Swiss Operations Western European Operations Chinese Operations Other Operations Total Product Revenue $ 559,566 $ 75,520 $ 365,680 $ 351,052 $ 297,944 $ 1,649,762 Service Revenue: Point in time 146,515 14,410 92,331 28,212 74,853 356,321 Over time 30,517 6,152 54,303 8,037 12,571 111,580 Total $ 736,598 $ 96,082 $ 512,314 $ 387,301 $ 385,368 $ 2,117,663 A summary of revenue by major geographic destination for the three and nine months ended September 30 follows: Three months ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 Americas $ 280,512 $ 807,119 Europe 216,956 643,514 Asia / Rest of World 237,378 667,030 Total $ 734,846 $ 2,117,663 The Company's global revenue mix by product category is laboratory ( 51% of sales), industrial ( 41% of sales) and retail ( 8% of sales). The Company's product revenue by reportable segment is proportionately similar to the Company's global mix except the Company's Swiss Operations is largely comprised of laboratory products while the Company's Chinese Operations has a slightly higher percentage of industrial products. A summary of the Company’s revenue by product category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows: Three months ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 Laboratory $ 368,967 $ 1,075,853 Industrial 305,248 873,181 Retail 60,631 168,629 Total $ 734,846 $ 2,117,663 The payment terms in the Company’s contracts with customers do not exceed one year and therefore contracts do not contain a significant financing component. In most cases, after appropriate credit evaluations, payments are due in arrears and are recognized as receivables. Unbilled revenue is recorded when performance obligations have been satisfied, but the Company does not have a right to receive payment. Unbilled revenue as of September 30, 2018 was $19.4 million and is included within accounts receivable. Deferred revenue and customer prepayments are recorded when cash payments are received or due in advance of the performance obligation being satisfied. Deferred revenue primarily includes prepaid service contracts, as well as deferred installation. Changes in the components of deferred revenue and customer prepayments during the period are as follows: Deferred Revenue and Customer Pre-payments Beginning balances as of December 31, 2017 $ 107,166 Customer pre-payments/deferred revenue 469,173 Revenue recognized (450,312 ) Foreign currency translation (2,501 ) Ending balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 123,526 The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period is one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, general, and administrative expenses. The Company has not disclosed the value of unsatisfied performance obligations other than customer prepayments and deferred revenue above as most contracts have an expected length of one year or less and amounts greater than one year are immaterial.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company has limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. The Company enters into certain interest rate swap agreements in order to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates. The amount of the Company's fixed obligation interest payments may change based upon the expiration dates of its interest rate swap agreements and the level and composition of its debt. The Company also enters into certain foreign currency forward contracts to limit the Company's exposure to currency fluctuations on the respective hedged items. As also mentioned in Note 7, the Company has designated its euro denominated debt as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in euro-denominated foreign subsidiaries. For additional disclosures on the fair value of financial instruments, see Note 5 to the interim consolidated financial statements. Cash Flow Hedges In June 2017, the Company entered into a cross currency swap arrangement designated as a cash flow hedge. The agreement converts $100 million of borrowings under the Company's credit facility into synthetic Swiss franc debt which allows the Company to effectively change the floating rate LIBOR-based interest payment to a fixed Swiss franc income of 0.01% . The swap began in June 2017 and matures in June 2019. In June 2013, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement designated as a cash flow hedge. The agreement is a swap which has the effect of changing the floating rate LIBOR-based interest payments associated with $50 million of borrowings under the Company’s credit facility to a fixed obligation of 2.52% . The swap began in October 2015 and matures in October 2020. In March 2015, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap agreement. The agreement is a swap which has the effect of changing the floating rate LIBOR-based interest payments associated with $100 million of borrowings under the Company's credit agreement to a fixed obligation of 2.25% beginning in February 2017 and matures in February 2022. The Company's cash flow hedges are recorded gross at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, and disclosed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. Amounts reclassified into other comprehensive income and the effective portions of the cash flow hedges are further disclosed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements. A derivative gain of $2.7 million based upon interest rates and foreign currency rates at September 30, 2018 , is expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings in the next twelve months. Through September 30, 2018 , no hedge ineffectiveness has occurred in relation to the cash flow hedges. Other Derivatives The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts in order to economically hedge short-term trade and non-trade intercompany balances largely denominated in Swiss franc, other major European currencies, and the Chinese Renminbi with its foreign businesses. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, these contracts are considered “derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.” Gains or losses on these instruments are reported in current earnings. The foreign currency forward contracts are recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, and disclosed in Note 5. The Company recognized in other charges (income), a net loss of $4.4 million and a net gain of $4.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and a net loss of $0.2 million and net gain of $6.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The gains and losses are primarily offset by the underlying transaction gains and losses on the related intercompany balances. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , these contracts had a notional value of $452.1 million and $394.8 million , respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had derivative assets totaling $3.0 million and $1.9 million , respectively, and derivative liabilities totaling $1.3 million and $2.4 million , respectively. The fair values of the interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges and foreign currency forward contracts that economically hedge short-term intercompany balances are estimated based upon inputs from current valuation information obtained from dealer quotes and priced with observable market assumptions and appropriate valuation adjustments for credit risk. The Company has evaluated the valuation methodologies used to develop the fair values by dealers in order to determine whether such valuations are representative of an exit price in the Company’s principal market. In addition, the Company uses an internally developed model to perform testing on the valuations received from brokers. The Company has also considered both its own credit risk and counterparty credit risk in determining fair value and determined these adjustments were insignificant at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had $15.3 million and $5.6 million of cash equivalents, respectively, the fair value of which is determined through quoted and corroborated prices in active markets. The fair value of cash equivalents approximates cost. The fair value of the Company's fixed interest rate debt was estimated using Level 2 inputs, primarily discounted cash flow models, based on estimated current rates offered for similar debt under current market conditions for the Company. The carrying value of the Company's debt exceeds the fair value by approximately $5.1 million as of September 30, 2018 . The fair value of the contingent consideration obligation of $30.9 million relating to the Biotix acquisition as of September 30, 2018 is based on the Company's forecast of future results. The fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement. Under U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement consists of observable and unobservable inputs that reflect the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. A fair value hierarchy has been established that categorizes these inputs into three levels: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities Level 3: Unobservable inputs The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 : September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash equivalents $ 15,310 $ — $ 15,310 $ — $ 5,616 $ — $ 5,616 $ — Interest rate swap agreements 2,404 — 2,404 — — — — — Cross currency swap agreement 185 — 185 — — — — — Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 442 — 442 — 1,912 — 1,912 — Total $ 18,341 $ — $ 18,341 $ — $ 7,528 $ — $ 7,528 $ — Liabilities: Interest rate swap agreements $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,292 $ — $ 1,292 $ — Cross currency swap agreement — — — — 106 — 106 — Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 1,287 — 1,287 — 986 — 986 — Total $ 1,287 $ — $ 1,287 $ — $ 2,384 $ — $ 2,384 $ —

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The Company's reported tax rate was 21% and 25% during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and 21% during both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The provision for taxes is based upon using the Company's projected annual effective tax rate of 21.5% before non-recurring discrete tax items for the three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2018. The difference between the Company's projected annual effective tax rate of 21.5% and the reported tax rate is related to the timing of excess tax benefits associated with stock option exercises. The three month period ended September 30, 2018 also includes a cumulative year-to-date benefit of $1.3 million from reducing our annual projected effective tax rate from 22.0% to 21.5% related to the first six months of 2018. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax law. The Act includes, among other things, a reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and the implementation of a modified territorial tax system that includes a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries ("Transition Tax") that is payable over a period of up to eight years. The Company's accounting for the Act is based upon reasonable estimates, however, the estimates may change upon the finalization of the Act's implementation and additional interpretive guidance from regulatory authorities. Among other things, the Company needs to complete its analysis of historical foreign earnings and related taxes paid and its analysis of foreign cash equivalents. In addition, the Company needs to complete its analysis of deemed repatriation of deferred foreign income and related

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT Debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2018 : September 30, 2018 U.S. Dollar Other Principal Trading Currencies Total 3.67% $50 million Senior Notes due December 17, 2022 50,000 — 50,000 4.10% $50 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2023 50,000 — 50,000 3.84% $125 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2024 125,000 — 125,000 4.24% $125 million Senior Notes due June 25, 2025 125,000 — 125,000 1.47% EUR 125 million Senior Notes due June 17, 2030 — 146,938 146,938 Debt issuance costs, net (950 ) (335 ) (1,285 ) Total Senior Notes 349,050 146,603 495,653 $1.1 billion Credit Agreement, interest at LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points 443,776 49,465 493,241 Other local arrangements 14 55,739 55,753 Total debt 792,840 251,807 1,044,647 Less: current portion (14 ) (55,739 ) (55,753 ) Total long-term debt $ 792,826 $ 196,068 $ 988,894 Credit Agreement On June 15, 2018 the Company entered into an amended $1.1 billion Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), which amended its $800 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Prior Credit Agreement"). As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had $601 million of availability remaining under its Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is provided by a group of financial institutions (similar to the Company's Prior Credit Agreement) and has a maturity date of June 15, 2023. It is a revolving credit facility and is not subject to any scheduled principal payments prior to maturity. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are unsecured. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at current market rates plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, which was set at LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points as of June 15, 2018. The Company must also pay facility fees that are tied to its leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement contains covenants that are the same as those contained in the Prior Credit Agreement, with which the Company was in compliance as of September 30, 2018. The Company is required to maintain a ratio of funded debt to Consolidated EBITDA of 3.5 to1.0 or less and an interest coverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0 or greater. The Credit Agreement also places certain limitations on the Company, including limiting the ability to incur liens or indebtedness at a subsidiary level. In addition, the Credit Agreement has several events of default. The Company incurred approximately $0.1 million of debt extinguishment costs during 2018 related to the Prior Credit Agreement. The Company capitalized $2.0 million in financing fees during 2018 associated with the Credit Agreement which will be amortized to interest expense through 2023. Other Local Arrangements In April 2018, two of the Company's non-U.S. pension plans issued loans totaling $39.6 million (Swiss franc 38 million) to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The loans have the same terms and conditions which include an interest rate of Swiss franc LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points, a maturity date of April 2019 and a one year renewal term and, as such, are classified as short-term debt on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The proceeds were used to repay outstanding amounts on the Company's credit facility. 1.47% Euro Senior Notes The Company has designated the 1.47% Euro Senior Notes as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in euro-denominated foreign subsidiaries to reduce foreign currency risk associated with the net investment in these operations. Changes in the carrying value of this debt resulting from fluctuations in the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate are recorded as foreign currency translation adjustments within other comprehensive income (loss). The unrealized gain (loss) recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) related to this net investment hedge was a loss of $1.8 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and a gain of $2.8 million and a loss $15.5 million for the nine months periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program and Tr

Share Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM AND TREASURY STOCK	SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM AND TREASURY STOCK As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $227.2 million of remaining availability under the Company's share repurchase program. On November 8, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional $2.0 billion to the share repurchase program. The share repurchases are expected to be funded from cash balances, borrowings and cash generated from operating activities. Repurchases will be made through open market transactions, and the amount and timing of purchases will depend on business and market conditions, the stock price, trading restrictions, the level of acquisition activity and other factors. The Company has purchased 27.3 million shares since the inception of the program in 2004 through September 30, 2018 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company spent $356.2 million and $335.0 million on the repurchase of 598,539 shares and 647,756 shares at an average price per share of $595.18 and $517.15 , respectively. The Company also reissued 102,174 shares and 206,646 shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Other Comprehensive Income (Not

Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 : Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Arrangements, Net of Tax Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Related Items, Net of Tax Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (31,340 ) $ (1,081 ) $ (232,985 ) $ (265,406 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized gains (losses) cash flow hedging arrangements — 6,523 — 6,523 Foreign currency translation adjustment (32,206 ) — (749 ) (32,955 ) Amounts recognized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — (2,528 ) 10,837 8,309 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (32,206 ) 3,995 10,088 (18,123 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ (63,546 ) $ 2,914 $ (222,897 ) $ (283,529 ) Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Arrangements, Net of Tax Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Related Items, Net of Tax Total Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (115,322 ) $ (2,232 ) $ (237,444 ) $ (354,998 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized gains (losses) cash flow hedging arrangements — (578 ) — (578 ) Foreign currency translation adjustment 78,447 — (12,054 ) 66,393 Amounts recognized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — 365 11,181 11,546 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 78,447 (213 ) (873 ) 77,361 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (36,875 ) $ (2,445 ) $ (238,317 ) $ (277,637 ) The following table presents amounts recognized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30 : Three months ended September 30, 2018 2017 Location of Amounts Recognized in Earnings Effective portion of (gains) / losses on cash flow hedging arrangements: Interest rate swap agreements $ 97 $ 424 Interest expense Cross currency swap agreement (3,559 ) (1,866 ) (a) Total before taxes (3,462 ) (1,442 ) Provision for taxes (252 ) 18 Provision for taxes Total, net of taxes $ (3,210 ) $ (1,460 ) Recognition of defined benefit pension and post-retirement items: Recognition of actuarial losses and prior service cost, before taxes $ 4,651 $ 5,053 (b) Provision for taxes 1,064 1,319 Provision for taxes Total, net of taxes $ 3,587 $ 3,716 (a) The cross currency swap reflects an unrealized gain of $2.9 million recorded in other charges (income) that was offset by the underlying unrealized loss on the hedged debt. The cross currency swap also reflects a realized gain of $0.8 million recorded in interest expense. (b) These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and post-retirement cost. See Note 11 for additional details for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . Nine months ended September 30, 2018 2017 Location of Amounts Recognized in Earnings Effective portion of (gains) / losses on cash flow hedging arrangements: Interest rate swap agreements $ 531 $ 1,273 Interest expense Cross currency swap agreement (3,171 ) (454 ) (a) Total before taxes (2,640 ) 819 Provision for taxes (112 ) 454 Provision for taxes Total, net of taxes $ (2,528 ) $ 365 Recognition of defined benefit pension and post-retirement items: Recognition of actuarial losses and prior service cost, before taxes $ 14,150 $ 15,128 (b) Provision for taxes 3,313 3,947 Provision for taxes Total, net of taxes $ 10,837 $ 11,181 (a) The cross currency swap reflects an unrealized gain of $1.0 million recorded in other charges (income) that was offset by the underlying unrealized loss on the hedged debt. The cross currency swap also reflects a realized gain of $2.2 million recorded in interest expense. (b) These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and post-retirement cost. See Note 12 for additional details for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax consisted of the following as of September 30 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net earnings $ 126,653 $ 104,950 $ 331,425 $ 298,996 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (17,808 ) 20,749 (18,123 ) 77,361 Comprehensive income, net of tax $ 108,845 $ 125,699 $ 313,302 $ 376,357

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE In accordance with the treasury stock method, the Company has included the following common equivalent shares in the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, relating to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units: 2018 2017 Three months ended 557,304 690,096 Nine months ended 581,299 682,205 Outstanding options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 54,708 and 17 shares of common stock for the three month period ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares as such options and restricted stock units would be anti-dilutive. Options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 55,775 and 35 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average of common and common equivalent shares as such options and restricted stock units would be anti-dilutive.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

Net Periodic Benefit Cost	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST	NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST Net periodic pension cost for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and U.S. post-retirement medical plan includes the following components for the three months ended September 30 : U.S. Pension Benefits Non-U.S. Pension Benefits Other U.S. Post-retirement Benefits Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost, net $ 273 $ 141 $ 3,752 $ 4,008 $ — $ — 4,025 4,149 Interest cost on projected benefit obligations 1,060 1,094 2,180 2,269 16 18 3,256 3,381 Expected return on plan assets (1,733 ) (1,684 ) (7,733 ) (7,910 ) — — (9,466 ) (9,594 ) Recognition of prior service cost — — (1,727 ) (1,611 ) (93 ) (195 ) (1,820 ) (1,806 ) Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains) 1,451 1,639 5,331 5,676 (311 ) (474 ) 6,471 6,841 Net periodic pension cost/(credit) $ 1,051 $ 1,190 $ 1,803 $ 2,432 $ (388 ) $ (651 ) $ 2,466 $ 2,971 Net periodic pension cost for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and U.S. post-retirement medical plan includes the following components for the nine months ended September 30 : U.S. Pension Benefits Non-U.S. Pension Benefits Other U.S. Post-retirement Benefits Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost, net $ 817 $ 423 $ 11,416 $ 12,086 $ — $ — 12,233 12,509 Interest cost on projected benefit obligations 3,182 3,282 6,534 6,294 48 54 9,764 9,630 Expected return on plan assets (5,197 ) (5,052 ) (23,408 ) (22,795 ) — — (28,605 ) (27,847 ) Recognition of prior service cost — — (5,248 ) (4,439 ) (279 ) (585 ) (5,527 ) (5,024 ) Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains) 4,353 4,917 16,261 16,657 (937 ) (1,422 ) 19,677 20,152 Net periodic pension cost/(credit) $ 3,155 $ 3,570 $ 5,555 $ 7,803 $ (1,168 ) $ (1,953 ) $ 7,542 $ 9,420 As previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company expects to make employer contributions of approximately $25.9 million to its non-U.S. pension plans during the year ended December 31, 2018. This estimate may change based upon several factors, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, actual returns on plan assets and changes in legal requirements.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES	RESTRUCTURING CHARGES For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company has incurred $2.2 million and $14.0 million of restructuring expenses, respectively, which primarily relates to employee and other costs associated with the consolidation of facilities. Liabilities related to restructuring activities are included in accrued and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. A roll forward of the Company’s accrual for restructuring activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows: Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 10,620 Restructuring charges 13,956 Cash payments and utilization (16,701 ) Impact of foreign currency (61 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 7,814

Other Charges (Income), Net

Other Charges (Income), Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
OTHER CHARGES (INCOME), NET	OTHER CHARGES (INCOME), NET Other charges (income), net includes non-service pension costs (benefits), (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions and related hedging activities, interest income and other items. Nonservice pension benefits were $1.6 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $4.7 million and $3.1 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Other charges (income), net for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 also includes a one-time gain of $3.4 million relating to the sale of a facility in Switzerland in connection with the Company's initiative to consolidate certain Swiss operations into a new facility.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT REPORTING	SEGMENT REPORTING As disclosed in Note 17 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company has determined there are five reportable segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The Company evaluates segment performance based on Segment Profit (gross profit less research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses, before amortization, interest expense, restructuring charges, other charges (income), net and taxes). The following tables show the operations of the Company’s operating segments: Net Sales to Net Sales to As of September 30, For the three months ended External Other Total Net Segment 2018 September 30, 2018 Customers Segments Sales Profit Goodwill U.S. Operations $ 255,379 $ 25,050 $ 280,429 $ 41,890 $ 410,022 Swiss Operations 31,463 148,418 179,881 44,542 22,404 Western European Operations 173,170 41,923 215,093 30,046 89,915 Chinese Operations 140,098 64,079 204,177 75,762 644 Other (a) 134,736 1,334 136,070 19,179 14,877 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (280,804 ) (280,804 ) (29,454 ) — Total $ 734,846 $ — $ 734,846 $ 181,965 $ 537,862 Net Sales to Net Sales to For the nine months ended External Other Total Net Segment September 30, 2018 Customers Segments Sales Profit U.S. Operations $ 736,598 $ 72,203 $ 808,801 $ 118,141 Swiss Operations 96,082 440,959 537,041 138,254 Western European Operations 512,314 128,076 640,390 75,661 Chinese Operations 387,301 183,074 570,375 201,199 Other (a) 385,368 4,436 389,804 50,702 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (828,748 ) (828,748 ) (93,160 ) Total $ 2,117,663 $ — $ 2,117,663 $ 490,797 (a) Other includes reporting units in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and other countries. (b) Eliminations and Corporate includes the elimination of inter-segment transactions and certain corporate expenses and intercompany investments, which are not included in the Company’s operating segments. Net Sales to Net Sales to As of September 30, For the three months ended External Other Total Net Segment 2017 September 30, 2017 Customers Segments Sales Profit Goodwill U.S. Operations $ 239,221 $ 24,187 $ 263,408 $ 43,004 $ 409,172 Swiss Operations 33,923 136,960 170,883 39,212 22,252 Western European Operations 171,722 40,287 212,009 32,519 90,832 Chinese Operations 125,067 68,625 193,692 69,086 673 Other (a) 128,866 1,754 130,620 16,754 15,489 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (271,813 ) (271,813 ) (38,836 ) — Total $ 698,799 $ — $ 698,799 $ 161,739 $ 538,418 Net Sales to Net Sales to For the nine months ended External Other Total Net Segment September 30, 2017 Customers Segments Sales Profit U.S. Operations $ 693,405 $ 69,692 $ 763,097 $ 126,973 Swiss Operations 95,957 395,859 491,816 113,181 Western European Operations 470,206 127,112 597,318 81,946 Chinese Operations 323,940 178,593 502,533 167,873 Other (a) 363,514 5,481 368,995 45,043 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (776,737 ) (776,737 ) (99,338 ) Total $ 1,947,022 $ — $ 1,947,022 $ 435,678 (a) Other includes reporting units in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and other countries. (b) Eliminations and Corporate includes the elimination of inter-segment transactions and certain corporate expenses and intercompany investments, which are not included in the Company’s operating segments. A reconciliation of earnings before taxes to segment profit for the three and nine month periods ended September 30 follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2018 2017 2018 2017 Earnings before taxes $ 160,363 $ 139,627 $ 421,404 $ 380,322 Amortization 11,856 10,716 35,561 31,010 Interest expense 9,003 8,248 25,671 24,160 Restructuring charges 2,222 3,385 13,956 8,840 Other charges (income), net (1,479 ) (237 ) (5,795 ) (8,654 ) Segment profit $ 181,965 $ 161,739 $ 490,797 $ 435,678 During the three months ended September 30, 2018 , restructuring charges of $2.2 million were recognized, of which $0.6 million , $0.7 million , $0.7 million , $0.1 million and $0.1 million related to the Company’s U.S., Swiss, Western European, Chinese and Other Operations, respectively. Restructuring charges of $3.4 million were recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2017 , of which $1.7 million , $0.2 million , $1.3 million and $0.2 million , related to the Company’s U.S., Swiss, Western European, and Chinese Operations, respectively. Restructuring charges of $14.0 million were recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , of which $10.6 million , $1.5 million , $1.6 million , $0.1 million and $0.2 million related to the Company’s U.S., Swiss, Western European, Chinese and Other Operations, respectively. Restructuring charges of $8.8 million were recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , of which $4.7 million , $1.1 million , $2.0 million , $0.3 million and $ 0.8 million related to the Company’s U.S., Swiss, Western European, Chinese and Other Operations, respectively.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
CONTINGENCIES	CONTINGENCIES 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, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Trade Accounts Receivable	Trade Accounts Receivable Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s best estimate of probable credit losses in its existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based upon a review of both specific accounts for collection and the age of the accounts receivable portfolio.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost, which includes direct materials, labor and overhead, is generally determined using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The estimated net realizable value is based on assumptions for future demand and related pricing. Adjustments to the cost basis of the Company’s inventory are made for excess and obsolete items based on usage, orders and technological obsolescence. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, reductions in the value of inventory may be required. Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, December 31, Raw materials and parts $ 125,197 $ 118,790 Work-in-progress 50,546 43,035 Finished goods 101,523 93,565 $ 277,266 $ 255,390
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill, representing the excess of purchase price over the net asset value of companies acquired, and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. The annual evaluation for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are generally based on an assessment of qualitative and quantitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. Other intangible assets include indefinite-lived assets and assets subject to amortization. Where applicable, amortization is charged on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit. The straight-line method of amortization reflects an appropriate allocation of the cost of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained by the Company in each reporting period. The Company assesses the initial acquisition of intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC 805 "Business Combinations" and the continued accounting for previously recognized intangible assets and goodwill in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350 "Intangible - Goodwill and Other" and ASC 360 "Property, Plant and Equipment". Other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Intangibles, Net Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Intangibles, Net Customer relationships $ 198,042 $ (48,173 ) $ 149,869 $ 198,527 $ (41,794 ) $ 156,733 Proven technology and patents 74,732 (42,036 ) 32,696 70,311 (38,890 ) 31,421 Tradenames (finite life) 4,557 (2,904 ) 1,653 4,518 (2,807 ) 1,711 Tradenames (indefinite life) 35,536 — 35,536 35,562 — 35,562 Other 3,668 (2,518 ) 1,150 3,490 (2,199 ) 1,291 $ 316,535 $ (95,631 ) $ 220,904 $ 312,408 $ (85,690 ) $ 226,718 The Company recognized amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets of $3.6 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively and $10.7 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The annual aggregate amortization expense based on the current balance of other intangible assets is estimated at $14.2 million for 2018 , $13.9 million for 2019 , $13.5 million for 2020 , $12.9 million for 2021 , $12.4 million for 2022 and $12.2 million for 2023 . Purchased intangible amortization was $3.4 million , $2.5 million after tax, and $2.6 million , $1.7 million after tax, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively and $10.0 million , $7.5 million after tax, and $7.2 million , $4.7 million after tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. In addition to the above amortization, the Company recorded amortization expense associated with capitalized software of $8.2 million and $7.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively and $24.7 million and $22.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Product revenue is recognized from contracts with customers when a customer has obtained control of a product. The Company considers control to have transferred upon shipping terms. To the extent the Company’s contracts have a separate performance obligation, revenue related to any post-shipment performance obligation is deferred until completed. Shipping and handling costs charged to customers are included in total net sales and the associated expense is a component of cost of sales. Certain products are also sold through indirect distribution channels whereby the distributor assumes any further obligations to the end customer. Revenue is recognized on these distributor arrangements upon transfer of control to the distributor. Contracts do not contain variable pricing arrangements that are retrospective, except for rebate programs. Rebates are estimated based on expected sales volumes and offset against revenue at the time such revenue is recognized. The Company generally maintains the right to accept or reject a product return in its terms and conditions and also maintains appropriate accruals for outstanding credits. The provisions for estimated returns and rebates are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company’s product arrangements include separate performance obligations, primarily related to installation. Such performance obligations are accounted for separately when the deliverables have stand-alone value and the satisfaction of the undelivered performance obligations is probable and within the Company's control. The allocation of revenue between the performance obligations is based on the observable standalone selling prices at the time of the sale in accordance with a number of factors including service technician billing rates, time to install and geographic location. Software is generally not considered a distinct performance obligation with the exception of a few small software applications. The Company does not usually sell software products without the related hardware instrument as the software is embedded in the product. The Company’s products typically require no significant production, modification, or customization of the hardware or software that is essential to the functionality of the products. Service revenue not under contract is recognized upon the completion of the service performed. Revenue from spare parts sold on a stand-alone basis is recognized when control is transferred to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment or delivery. Revenue from service contracts is recognized ratably over the contract period using a time-based method. These contracts represent an obligation to perform repair and other services including regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification, and preventative maintenance on a customer’s pre-defined equipment over the contract period.
Warranty	Warranty The Company generally offers one -year warranties on most of its products. Product warranties are recorded at the time revenue is recognized. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, its warranty obligations are affected by product failure rates, material usage and service costs incurred in correcting a product failure.
Employee Termination Benefits	Employee Termination Benefits In situations where contractual termination benefits exist, the Company records accruals for employee termination benefits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability is reasonably estimable. All other employee termination arrangements are recognized and measured at their fair value at the communication date unless the employee is required to render additional service beyond the legal notification period, in which case the liability is recognized ratably over the future service period.
Share - Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense within selling, general and administrative in the consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income with a corresponding offset to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company recorded $4.3 million and $12.5 million of share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, compared to $4.0 million and $11.8 million for the corresponding periods in 2017 .
Research and Development	Research and Development Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries, consulting and other costs. The Company expenses these costs as incurred.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements On January 1, 2018 the Company retrospectively implemented ASU 2017-07 to ASC 715 "Compensation - Retirement Benefits," which requires the Company to report the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost (pension cost) in other charges (income), net. These amounts were previously reported in selling, general, and administrative, cost of sales and research and development in the consolidated statement of operations. Nonservice pension benefits were $1.6 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $4.7 million and $3.1 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In February 2016 and July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-11 to ASC 842 "Leases." The accounting guidance primarily requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet as a right to use asset and a lease liability, with the exception of short term leases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance as well as the election of certain practical expedients available within the ASU. The Company has identified its significant leases by geography and by asset class and made progress in developing accounting policies and future processes to ensure an effective adoption of the new standard. The ASU will be effective beginning the first quarter of 2019 and the Company will adopt using a modified retrospective approach without adjusting comparative periods. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income". The accounting update provided entities with guidance on how to reclassify certain stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was a tax bill enacted by the U.S. government in December 2017. The new guidance is effective for the year beginning January 1, 2019 and the Company is still evaluating the impact on the financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Components of inventories	Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, December 31, Raw materials and parts $ 125,197 $ 118,790 Work-in-progress 50,546 43,035 Finished goods 101,523 93,565 $ 277,266 $ 255,390
Components of other intangible assets	Other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Intangibles, Net Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Intangibles, Net Customer relationships $ 198,042 $ (48,173 ) $ 149,869 $ 198,527 $ (41,794 ) $ 156,733 Proven technology and patents 74,732 (42,036 ) 32,696 70,311 (38,890 ) 31,421 Tradenames (finite life) 4,557 (2,904 ) 1,653 4,518 (2,807 ) 1,711 Tradenames (indefinite life) 35,536 — 35,536 35,562 — 35,562 Other 3,668 (2,518 ) 1,150 3,490 (2,199 ) 1,291 $ 316,535 $ (95,631 ) $ 220,904 $ 312,408 $ (85,690 ) $ 226,718

Revenue from Contracts with C_2

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]	Three months ended September 30, 2018 U.S. Operations Swiss Operations Western European Operations Chinese Operations Other Operations Total Product Revenue $ 195,554 $ 24,791 $ 124,412 $ 127,050 $ 104,533 $ 576,340 Service Revenue: Point in time 48,910 4,663 29,365 10,200 25,645 118,783 Over time 10,915 2,009 19,393 2,848 4,558 39,723 Total $ 255,379 $ 31,463 $ 173,170 $ 140,098 $ 134,736 $ 734,846 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 U.S. Operations Swiss Operations Western European Operations Chinese Operations Other Operations Total Product Revenue $ 559,566 $ 75,520 $ 365,680 $ 351,052 $ 297,944 $ 1,649,762 Service Revenue: Point in time 146,515 14,410 92,331 28,212 74,853 356,321 Over time 30,517 6,152 54,303 8,037 12,571 111,580 Total $ 736,598 $ 96,082 $ 512,314 $ 387,301 $ 385,368 $ 2,117,663 A summary of revenue by major geographic destination for the three and nine months ended September 30 follows: Three months ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 Americas $ 280,512 $ 807,119 Europe 216,956 643,514 Asia / Rest of World 237,378 667,030 Total $ 734,846 $ 2,117,663 The Company's global revenue mix by product category is laboratory ( 51% of sales), industrial ( 41% of sales) and retail ( 8% of sales). The Company's product revenue by reportable segment is proportionately similar to the Company's global mix except the Company's Swiss Operations is largely comprised of laboratory products while the Company's Chinese Operations has a slightly higher percentage of industrial products. A summary of the Company’s revenue by product category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows: Three months ended September 30, 2018 Nine months ended September 30, 2018 Laboratory $ 368,967 $ 1,075,853 Industrial 305,248 873,181 Retail 60,631 168,629 Total $ 734,846 $ 2,117,663
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]	Deferred Revenue and Customer Pre-payments Beginning balances as of December 31, 2017 $ 107,166 Customer pre-payments/deferred revenue 469,173 Revenue recognized (450,312 ) Foreign currency translation (2,501 ) Ending balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 123,526

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 : September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cash equivalents $ 15,310 $ — $ 15,310 $ — $ 5,616 $ — $ 5,616 $ — Interest rate swap agreements 2,404 — 2,404 — — — — — Cross currency swap agreement 185 — 185 — — — — — Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 442 — 442 — 1,912 — 1,912 — Total $ 18,341 $ — $ 18,341 $ — $ 7,528 $ — $ 7,528 $ — Liabilities: Interest rate swap agreements $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,292 $ — $ 1,292 $ — Cross currency swap agreement — — — — 106 — 106 — Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 1,287 — 1,287 — 986 — 986 — Total $ 1,287 $ — $ 1,287 $ — $ 2,384 $ — $ 2,384 $ —

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2018 : September 30, 2018 U.S. Dollar Other Principal Trading Currencies Total 3.67% $50 million Senior Notes due December 17, 2022 50,000 — 50,000 4.10% $50 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2023 50,000 — 50,000 3.84% $125 million Senior Notes due September 19, 2024 125,000 — 125,000 4.24% $125 million Senior Notes due June 25, 2025 125,000 — 125,000 1.47% EUR 125 million Senior Notes due June 17, 2030 — 146,938 146,938 Debt issuance costs, net (950 ) (335 ) (1,285 ) Total Senior Notes 349,050 146,603 495,653 $1.1 billion Credit Agreement, interest at LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points 443,776 49,465 493,241 Other local arrangements 14 55,739 55,753 Total debt 792,840 251,807 1,044,647 Less: current portion (14 ) (55,739 ) (55,753 ) Total long-term debt $ 792,826 $ 196,068 $ 988,894

Other Comprehensive Income (Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 : Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Arrangements, Net of Tax Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Related Items, Net of Tax Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (31,340 ) $ (1,081 ) $ (232,985 ) $ (265,406 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized gains (losses) cash flow hedging arrangements — 6,523 — 6,523 Foreign currency translation adjustment (32,206 ) — (749 ) (32,955 ) Amounts recognized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — (2,528 ) 10,837 8,309 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (32,206 ) 3,995 10,088 (18,123 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ (63,546 ) $ 2,914 $ (222,897 ) $ (283,529 )
Disclosure of Reclassification Amount [Text Block]	The following table presents amounts recognized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30 : Three months ended September 30, 2018 2017 Location of Amounts Recognized in Earnings Effective portion of (gains) / losses on cash flow hedging arrangements: Interest rate swap agreements $ 97 $ 424 Interest expense Cross currency swap agreement (3,559 ) (1,866 ) (a) Total before taxes (3,462 ) (1,442 ) Provision for taxes (252 ) 18 Provision for taxes Total, net of taxes $ (3,210 ) $ (1,460 ) Recognition of defined benefit pension and post-retirement items: Recognition of actuarial losses and prior service cost, before taxes $ 4,651 $ 5,053 (b) Provision for taxes 1,064 1,319 Provision for taxes Total, net of taxes $ 3,587 $ 3,716
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax consisted of the following as of September 30 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net earnings $ 126,653 $ 104,950 $ 331,425 $ 298,996 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (17,808 ) 20,749 (18,123 ) 77,361 Comprehensive income, net of tax $ 108,845 $ 125,699 $ 313,302 $ 376,357

Earnings Per Common Share (Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding	In accordance with the treasury stock method, the Company has included the following common equivalent shares in the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, relating to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units: 2018 2017 Three months ended 557,304 690,096 Nine months ended 581,299 682,205

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Tabl

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	Net periodic pension cost for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and U.S. post-retirement medical plan includes the following components for the three months ended September 30 : U.S. Pension Benefits Non-U.S. Pension Benefits Other U.S. Post-retirement Benefits Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost, net $ 273 $ 141 $ 3,752 $ 4,008 $ — $ — 4,025 4,149 Interest cost on projected benefit obligations 1,060 1,094 2,180 2,269 16 18 3,256 3,381 Expected return on plan assets (1,733 ) (1,684 ) (7,733 ) (7,910 ) — — (9,466 ) (9,594 ) Recognition of prior service cost — — (1,727 ) (1,611 ) (93 ) (195 ) (1,820 ) (1,806 ) Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains) 1,451 1,639 5,331 5,676 (311 ) (474 ) 6,471 6,841 Net periodic pension cost/(credit) $ 1,051 $ 1,190 $ 1,803 $ 2,432 $ (388 ) $ (651 ) $ 2,466 $ 2,971 Net periodic pension cost for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and U.S. post-retirement medical plan includes the following components for the nine months ended September 30 : U.S. Pension Benefits Non-U.S. Pension Benefits Other U.S. Post-retirement Benefits Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost, net $ 817 $ 423 $ 11,416 $ 12,086 $ — $ — 12,233 12,509 Interest cost on projected benefit obligations 3,182 3,282 6,534 6,294 48 54 9,764 9,630 Expected return on plan assets (5,197 ) (5,052 ) (23,408 ) (22,795 ) — — (28,605 ) (27,847 ) Recognition of prior service cost — — (5,248 ) (4,439 ) (279 ) (585 ) (5,527 ) (5,024 ) Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains) 4,353 4,917 16,261 16,657 (937 ) (1,422 ) 19,677 20,152 Net periodic pension cost/(credit) $ 3,155 $ 3,570 $ 5,555 $ 7,803 $ (1,168 ) $ (1,953 ) $ 7,542 $ 9,420

Restructuring Charges (Tables)

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Company's accrual for restructuring activities	A roll forward of the Company’s accrual for restructuring activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows: Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 10,620 Restructuring charges 13,956 Cash payments and utilization (16,701 ) Impact of foreign currency (61 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 7,814

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Operations of the Company's operating segments	The following tables show the operations of the Company’s operating segments: Net Sales to Net Sales to As of September 30, For the three months ended External Other Total Net Segment 2018 September 30, 2018 Customers Segments Sales Profit Goodwill U.S. Operations $ 255,379 $ 25,050 $ 280,429 $ 41,890 $ 410,022 Swiss Operations 31,463 148,418 179,881 44,542 22,404 Western European Operations 173,170 41,923 215,093 30,046 89,915 Chinese Operations 140,098 64,079 204,177 75,762 644 Other (a) 134,736 1,334 136,070 19,179 14,877 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (280,804 ) (280,804 ) (29,454 ) — Total $ 734,846 $ — $ 734,846 $ 181,965 $ 537,862 Net Sales to Net Sales to For the nine months ended External Other Total Net Segment September 30, 2018 Customers Segments Sales Profit U.S. Operations $ 736,598 $ 72,203 $ 808,801 $ 118,141 Swiss Operations 96,082 440,959 537,041 138,254 Western European Operations 512,314 128,076 640,390 75,661 Chinese Operations 387,301 183,074 570,375 201,199 Other (a) 385,368 4,436 389,804 50,702 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (828,748 ) (828,748 ) (93,160 ) Total $ 2,117,663 $ — $ 2,117,663 $ 490,797 (a) Other includes reporting units in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and other countries. (b) Eliminations and Corporate includes the elimination of inter-segment transactions and certain corporate expenses and intercompany investments, which are not included in the Company’s operating segments. Net Sales to Net Sales to As of September 30, For the three months ended External Other Total Net Segment 2017 September 30, 2017 Customers Segments Sales Profit Goodwill U.S. Operations $ 239,221 $ 24,187 $ 263,408 $ 43,004 $ 409,172 Swiss Operations 33,923 136,960 170,883 39,212 22,252 Western European Operations 171,722 40,287 212,009 32,519 90,832 Chinese Operations 125,067 68,625 193,692 69,086 673 Other (a) 128,866 1,754 130,620 16,754 15,489 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (271,813 ) (271,813 ) (38,836 ) — Total $ 698,799 $ — $ 698,799 $ 161,739 $ 538,418 Net Sales to Net Sales to For the nine months ended External Other Total Net Segment September 30, 2017 Customers Segments Sales Profit U.S. Operations $ 693,405 $ 69,692 $ 763,097 $ 126,973 Swiss Operations 95,957 395,859 491,816 113,181 Western European Operations 470,206 127,112 597,318 81,946 Chinese Operations 323,940 178,593 502,533 167,873 Other (a) 363,514 5,481 368,995 45,043 Eliminations and Corporate (b) — (776,737 ) (776,737 ) (99,338 ) Total $ 1,947,022 $ — $ 1,947,022 $ 435,678 (a) Other includes reporting units in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and other countries. (b) Eliminations and Corporate includes the elimination of inter-segment transactions and certain corporate expenses and intercompany investments, which are not included in the Company’s operating segments.
Reconciliation of earnings before taxes to segment profit	A reconciliation of earnings before taxes to segment profit for the three and nine month periods ended September 30 follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2018 2017 2018 2017 Earnings before taxes $ 160,363 $ 139,627 $ 421,404 $ 380,322 Amortization 11,856 10,716 35,561 31,010 Interest expense 9,003 8,248 25,671 24,160 Restructuring charges 2,222 3,385 13,956 8,840 Other charges (income), net (1,479 ) (237 ) (5,795 ) (8,654 ) Segment profit $ 181,965 $ 161,739 $ 490,797 $ 435,678

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Components of inventory
Raw materials and parts	$ 125,197	$ 118,790
Work-in-progress	50,546	43,035
Finished goods	101,523	93,565
Total Inventory, Net	$ 277,266	$ 255,390

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 316,535	$ 312,408
Accumulated Amortization	(95,631)	(85,690)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	220,904	226,718
Tradename (indefinite life) [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount, Tradename (indefinite life)	35,536	35,562
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	35,536	35,562
Customer Relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	198,042	198,527
Accumulated Amortization	(48,173)	(41,794)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	149,869	156,733
Proven technology and patents [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	74,732	70,311
Accumulated Amortization	(42,036)	(38,890)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	32,696	31,421
Tradename (indefinite life) [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	4,557	4,518
Accumulated Amortization	(2,904)	(2,807)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,653	1,711
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	3,668	3,490
Accumulated Amortization	(2,518)	(2,199)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,150	$ 1,291

Summary of Significant Accoun_6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textuals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 3.6	$ 2.9	$ 10.7	$ 7.9
Future Amortization Expense Current Year			14.2
Aggregate amortization expense for 2019	13.9		13.9
Aggregate amortization expense for 2020	13.5		13.5
Aggregate amortization expense for 2021	12.9		12.9
Aggregate amortization expense for 2022	12.4		12.4
Aggregate amortization expense for 2023	12.2		12.2
Purchased Intangible Amortization, Gross	3.4	2.6	10	7.2
Purchased intangible amortization, net of tax	2.5	1.7	7.5	4.7
Amortization expense associated with capitalized software	8.2	7.7	$ 24.7	22.9
Standard Warranty Period			one
Share - based compensation expense	4.3	4	$ 12.5	11.8
Impact of Adopting ASU 2017-07 ASC 715 Compensation Retirement Benefit	$ 1.6	$ 1.2	$ 4.7	$ 3.1

Revenue from Contracts with C_3

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Rate	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Rate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 734,846	$ 2,117,663
Americas [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	280,512	807,119
Europe [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	216,956	643,514
Asia [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	237,378	667,030
Product [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	576,340	1,649,762
Service [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	118,783	356,321
Service [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 39,723	$ 111,580
Laboratory products and services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of Disaggregated Revenue in Relationship to Segments | Rate	50.82213%	50.82213%
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 368,967	$ 1,075,853
Industrial products and services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of Disaggregated Revenue in Relationship to Segments | Rate	41.41485%	41.41485%
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 305,248	$ 873,181
Retail products and services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of Disaggregated Revenue in Relationship to Segments | Rate	7.96302%	7.96302%
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 60,631	$ 168,629
US Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	255,379	736,598
US Operations [Member] | Product [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	195,554	559,566
US Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	48,910	146,515
US Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	10,915	30,517
Swiss Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	31,463	96,082
Swiss Operations [Member] | Product [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	24,791	75,520
Swiss Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	4,663	14,410
Swiss Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,009	6,152
Western European Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	173,170	512,314
Western European Operations [Member] | Product [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	124,412	365,680
Western European Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	29,365	92,331
Western European Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	19,393	54,303
Chinese Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	140,098	387,301
Chinese Operations [Member] | Product [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	127,050	351,052
Chinese Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	10,200	28,212
Chinese Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,848	8,037
Other Operations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	134,736	385,368
Other Operations [Member] | Product [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	104,533	297,944
Other Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	25,645	74,853
Other Operations [Member] | Service [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 4,558	$ 12,571

Revenue from Contracts with C_4

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net	$ 19,400
Deferred Revenue and Credits, Current	123,526	$ 107,166
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue	469,173
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	(450,312)
Temporary Equity, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	$ (2,501)

Business Combinations (Details)

Business Combinations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 4,962	$ 108,445

Financial Instruments Financial

Financial Instruments Financial Instruments Textual (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months			$ 2,700
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cross Currency Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Forecasted Borrowing Amount	$ 100,000		$ 100,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	0.01%		0.01%
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness	$ 0		$ 0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | 2.52% $50 Million Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Forecasted Borrowing Amount	$ 50,000		$ 50,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.52%		2.52%
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness	$ 0		$ 0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | 2.25% $100 Million Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility Forecasted Borrowing Amount	$ 100,000		$ 100,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.25%		2.25%
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness	$ 0		$ 0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	452,100		452,100		$ 394,800
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	$ (4,400)	$ 4,500	$ (200)	$ 6,300

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Cash Equivalents	$ 15,310	$ 5,616
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	2,404	0
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	185	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Asset At Fair Value	442	1,912
Total Assets at Fair Value	18,341	7,528
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	1,292
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	106
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Liability At Fair Value	1,287	986
Liabilities at Fair Value	1,287	2,384
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Cash Equivalents	0	0
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Asset At Fair Value	0	0
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Liability At Fair Value	0	0
Liabilities at Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Cash Equivalents	15,310	5,616
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	2,404	0
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	185	0
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Asset At Fair Value	442	1,912
Total Assets at Fair Value	18,341	7,528
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	1,292
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	106
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Liability At Fair Value	1,287	986
Liabilities at Fair Value	1,287	2,384
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Cash Equivalents	0	0
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Asset At Fair Value	0	0
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	0	0
Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Liability At Fair Value	0	0
Liabilities at Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements (Deta_2

Fair Value Measurements (Details Textuals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Asset	$ 3,000	$ 1,900
Cash Equivalents	15,310	5,616
Change in Carrying Value Verse Fair Value of Long Term Debt	5,100
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	30,900
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities at Fair Value	$ 1,287	$ 2,384

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018Rate	Sep. 30, 2017Rate	Sep. 30, 2018Rate	Sep. 30, 2017Rate
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	21.02%	24.80%	21.35%
Projected Annual Effective Tax Rate			21.50%	22.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation,Other Reconciling Items, Percent	100000000.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent			35.00%
US Federal Corporate Income Tax Rate			21.00%

Debt (Details)

Debt (Details) € in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Rate	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Rate	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018EUR (€)Rate
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 495,653,000		$ 495,653,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	(1,285,000)		(1,285,000)
Total debt	1,044,647,000		1,044,647,000
Debt, Current	55,753,000		55,753,000
Long-term Debt	988,894,000		988,894,000
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Used in Net Investment Hedge, after Tax	(10,100,000)	$ 7,100,000	(4,600,000)	$ 10,500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	601,000,000		601,000,000
Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	349,050,000		349,050,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	(950,000)		(950,000)
Total debt	792,840,000		792,840,000
Debt, Current	14,000		14,000
Long-term Debt	792,826,000		792,826,000
Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	146,603,000		146,603,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	(335,000)		(335,000)
Total debt	251,807,000		251,807,000
Debt, Current	55,739,000		55,739,000
Long-term Debt	$ 196,068,000		$ 196,068,000
3.67% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate	3.67%		3.67%		3.67%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Dec. 17, 2022
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 50,000,000		$ 50,000,000
3.67% Senior Notes [Member] | Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	50,000,000		50,000,000
3.67% Senior Notes [Member] | Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 0		$ 0
4.10% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate	4.10%		4.10%		4.10%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Sep. 19, 2023
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 50,000,000		$ 50,000,000
4.10% Senior Notes [Member] | Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	50,000,000		50,000,000
4.10% Senior Notes [Member] | Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 0		$ 0
3.84% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate	3.84%		3.84%		3.84%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Sep. 19, 2024
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 125,000,000		$ 125,000,000
3.84% Senior Notes [Member] | Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	125,000,000		125,000,000
3.84% Senior Notes [Member] | Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 0		$ 0
4.24% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate	4.24%		4.24%		4.24%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Jun. 25, 2025
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 125,000,000		$ 125,000,000
4.24% Senior Notes [Member] | Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	125,000,000		125,000,000
4.24% Senior Notes [Member] | Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 0		$ 0
1.47% EURO Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate	1.47%		1.47%		1.47%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Jun. 17, 2030
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 146,938,000		$ 146,938,000		€ 125,000
1.47% EURO Senior Notes [Member] | Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	0		0
1.47% EURO Senior Notes [Member] | Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 146,938,000		$ 146,938,000
Credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate	0.875%		0.875%		0.875%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Jun. 15, 2023
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Senior Notes	$ 1,100,000,000		$ 1,100,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	493,241,000		$ 493,241,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant Description			Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at current market rates plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, which was set at LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points as of June 15, 2018. The Company must also pay facility fees that are tied to its leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement contains covenants that are the same as those contained in the prior Credit Agreement, with which the Company was in compliance as of June 30, 2018. The Company is required to maintain a ratio of funded debt to Consolidated EBITDA of 3.5 to1.0 or less and an interest coverage ration of 3.5 to 1.0 or greater. The Credit Agreement also places certain limitations on the Company, including limiting the ability to incur liens or indebtedness at a subsidiary level. In addition, the Credit Agreement has several events of default.
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost			$ 0.1
Debt Issuance Costs, Line of Credit Arrangements, Gross	2		2
Credit facility [Member] | Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	443,776,000		443,776,000
Credit facility [Member] | Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	49,465,000		49,465,000
Other local arrangements [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Other Borrowings	55,753,000		55,753,000
Other local arrangements [Member] | Us Dollar Amounts Member
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Other Borrowings	14,000		14,000
Other local arrangements [Member] | Other Principal Trading Currencies [Member]
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Other Borrowings	$ 55,739,000		$ 55,739,000
Swiss Pension Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate	0.875%		0.875%		0.875%
Long-Term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent, and Short-Term Debt
Swiss Pension Loans (local currency)	$ 38		$ 38
Notes Payable, Related Parties	$ 39.6		$ 39.6

Share Repurchase Program and _2

Share Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock (Textuals) [Abstract]
Remaining Amount to Repurchase under the program	$ 227,200
Treasury Stock Acquired, Repurchase Authorization	2,000,000,000
Shares Purchased Under Share Repurchase Program	27,300,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 356,249	$ 335,000	$ 399,997
Number of shares repurchased	(598,539)	(647,756)
Average price of share repurchased, per share	$ 595.18	$ 517.15
Exercise of stock options and restricted stock units, shares reissued	102,174	206,646

Other Comprehensive Income (Det

Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (283,529)	$ (277,637)	$ (265,406)	$ (354,998)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	6,523	(578)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(32,955)	66,393
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	8,309	11,546
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(18,123)	77,361
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(63,546)	(36,875)	(31,340)	(115,322)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(32,206)	78,447
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(32,206)	78,447
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,914	(2,445)	(1,081)	(2,232)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	6,523	(578)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(2,528)	365
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	3,995	(213)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(222,897)	(238,317)	$ (232,985)	$ (237,444)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(749)	(12,054)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	10,837	11,181
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ 10,088	$ (873)

Other Comprehensive Income Deta

Other Comprehensive Income Details 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax	$ (3,462)	$ (1,442)	$ (2,640)	$ 819
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	(252)	18	(112)	454
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	(3,210)	(1,460)	(2,528)	365
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	4,651	5,053	14,150	15,128
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	1,064	1,319	3,313	3,947
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	3,587	3,716	10,837	11,181
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	97	424	531	1,273
Cross Currency Swap [Member]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net	(3,559)	$ (1,866)	(3,171)	$ (454)
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized	2,900		1,000
Interest Income, Other	$ 800		$ 2,200

Other Comprehensive Income De_2

Other Comprehensive Income Details 3 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Net earnings	$ 126,653	$ 104,950	$ 331,425	$ 298,996	$ 375,972
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	(17,808)	20,749	(18,123)	77,361	$ 89,592
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Note 9)	$ 108,845	$ 125,699	$ 313,302	$ 376,357

Earnings Per Common Share (Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Incremental Weighted Average Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total	557,304	690,096	581,299	682,205
Antidilutive Shares Outstanding
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Antidilutive, Total	54,708	17	55,775	35

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Deta

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost, net	$ 4,025	$ 4,149	$ 12,233	$ 12,509
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	3,256	3,381	9,764	9,630
Expected return on plan assets	(9,466)	(9,594)	(28,605)	(27,847)
Recognition of prior service cost	(1,820)	(1,806)	(5,527)	(5,024)
Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains)	6,471	6,841	19,677	20,152
Net periodic pension cost/(credit)	2,466	2,971	7,542	9,420
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost, net	273	141	817	423
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	1,060	1,094	3,182	3,282
Expected return on plan assets	(1,733)	(1,684)	(5,197)	(5,052)
Recognition of prior service cost	0	0	0	0
Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains)	1,451	1,639	4,353	4,917
Net periodic pension cost/(credit)	1,051	1,190	3,155	3,570
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost, net	3,752	4,008	11,416	12,086
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	2,180	2,269	6,534	6,294
Expected return on plan assets	(7,733)	(7,910)	(23,408)	(22,795)
Recognition of prior service cost	(1,727)	(1,611)	(5,248)	(4,439)
Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains)	5,331	5,676	16,261	16,657
Net periodic pension cost/(credit)	1,803	2,432	$ 5,555	7,803
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Current Fiscal Year, Description			25,900
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost, net	0	0	$ 0	0
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	16	18	48	54
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Recognition of prior service cost	(93)	(195)	(279)	(585)
Recognition of actuarial losses/(gains)	(311)	(474)	(937)	(1,422)
Net periodic pension cost/(credit)	$ (388)	$ (651)	$ (1,168)	$ (1,953)

Restructuring Charges (Details)

Restructuring Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Company's accrual for restructuring activities:-
Beginning Restructuring Accrual Balance, as of December 31, 2016			$ 10,620
Restructuring Charges	$ 2,222	$ 3,385	13,956	$ 8,840
Restructuring Cash Payments			(16,701)
Impact of foreign currency on restructuring reserve			(61)
Ending Restructuring Accrual Balance, as of June 30, 2017	$ 7,814		$ 7,814

Restructuring Charges Restructu

Restructuring Charges Restructuring Charges (textuals) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	$ 2,222	$ 3,385	$ 13,956	$ 8,840

Other Charges , Net Other Charg

Other Charges , Net Other Charges, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Impact of Adopting ASU 2017-07 ASC 715 Compensation Retirement Benefit	$ (1,600)	$ (1,200)	$ (4,700)	$ (3,100)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment			$ 0	$ 3,394

Segment Reporting (Details)

Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Operations of the Company's operating segments
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 734,846	$ 698,799	$ 2,117,663	$ 1,947,022
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments	0	0	0	0
Net Sales	734,846	698,799	2,117,663	1,947,022
Segment Profit	181,965	161,739	490,797	435,678
Goodwill	537,862	538,418	537,862	538,418	$ 539,838
US Operations [Member]
Operations of the Company's operating segments
Net Sales to External Customers	255,379	239,221	736,598	693,405
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments	25,050	24,187	72,203	69,692
Net Sales	280,429	263,408	808,801	763,097
Segment profit	41,890	43,004	118,141	126,973
Goodwill	410,022	409,172	410,022	409,172
Swiss Operations [Member]
Operations of the Company's operating segments
Net Sales to External Customers	31,463	33,923	96,082	95,957
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments	148,418	136,960	440,959	395,859
Net Sales	179,881	170,883	537,041	491,816
Segment profit	44,542	39,212	138,254	113,181
Goodwill	22,404	22,252	22,404	22,252
Western European Operations [Member]
Operations of the Company's operating segments
Net Sales to External Customers	173,170	171,722	512,314	470,206
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments	41,923	40,287	128,076	127,112
Net Sales	215,093	212,009	640,390	597,318
Segment profit	30,046	32,519	75,661	81,946
Goodwill	89,915	90,832	89,915	90,832
Chinese Operations [Member]
Operations of the Company's operating segments
Net Sales to External Customers	140,098	125,067	387,301	323,940
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments	64,079	68,625	183,074	178,593
Net Sales	204,177	193,692	570,375	502,533
Segment profit	75,762	69,086	201,199	167,873
Goodwill	644	673	644	673
Other Operations [Member]
Operations of the Company's operating segments
Net Sales to External Customers	134,736	128,866	385,368	363,514
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments	1,334	1,754	4,436	5,481
Net Sales	136,070	130,620	389,804	368,995
Segment profit	19,179	16,754	50,702	45,043
Goodwill	14,877	15,489	14,877	15,489
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operations of the Company's operating segments
Net Sales to External Customers	0	0	0	0
Revenue Transactions With Other Operating Segments	(280,804)	(271,813)	(828,748)	(776,737)
Net Sales	(280,804)	(271,813)	(828,748)	(776,737)
Segment profit	(29,454)	(38,836)	(93,160)	(99,338)
Goodwill	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Reporting (Details 1)

Segment Reporting (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reconciliation of earnings before taxes to segment profit
Earnings before taxes	$ 160,363	$ 139,627	$ 421,404	$ 380,322
Amortization	11,856	10,716	35,561	31,010
Interest expense	9,003	8,248	25,671	24,160
Restructuring Charges	2,222	3,385	13,956	8,840
Other charges (income), net	(1,479)	(237)	(5,795)	(8,654)
Segment Profit Information	$ 181,965	$ 161,739	$ 490,797	$ 435,678

Segment Reporting (Details Text

Segment Reporting (Details Textuals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	$ 2,222	$ 3,385	$ 13,956	$ 8,840
US Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	600	1,700	10,600	4,700
Swiss Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	700	200	1,500	1,100
Western European Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	700	1,300	1,600	2,000
Chinese Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	100	$ 200	100	300
Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	$ 100		$ 200	$ 800