The Mettler-Toledo company, a world leader in the production of precision instruments, boosted profits in 2000 to over $70 million (SFr115.7 million), a rise of 45.8 per cent.

Mettler-Toledo's profits rise by half¶

The Mettler-Toledo company, a world leader in the production of precision instruments, boosted profits in 2000 to over $70 million (SFr115.7 million), a rise of 45.8 per cent.

However, in a statement from its headquarters in Greifensee in canton Zurich, the company said turnover had risen only slightly, by 2.9 per cent to $1.096 billion.

The company, which is renowned for its weighing instruments, reported local currency sales growth in 2000 of 11 per cent in Europe, six per cent in the Americas and 13 per cent in Asia and the rest of the world.

Commenting on the figures, the chairman, president and chief executive officer, Robert Spoerry, said another set of strong financial results in the fourth quarter had allowed the company to once again exceed its annual financial targets.

He said Mettler-Toledo had during the year reinforced its technological leadership with many new products as well as increased productivity and a stronger management team.

Sperry added that several strategic acquisitions were made to reinforce key business lines of drug discovery, packaging and process analytics.

"With these many accomplishments, we enter 2001 with a stronger franchise than ever. Although the economic environment may be more uncertain today, our diversity of products, end-markets and geography helps to insulate us from this risk," he said.

swissinfo with agencies

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative