Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

General

Our interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2024.

Changes in local currencies exclude the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Local currency amounts are determined by translating current and previous year consolidated financial information at an index utilizing historical currency exchange rates. We believe local currency information provides a helpful assessment of business performance and a useful measure of results between periods. We do not, nor do we suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. We present non-GAAP financial measures in reporting our financial results to provide investors with an additional analytical tool to evaluate our operating results.

We also include in the discussion below disclosures of immaterial qualitative factors that are not quantified. Although the impact of such factors is not considered material, we believe these disclosures can be useful in evaluating our operating results.

Results of Operations – Consolidated

The following tables set forth items from our interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (amounts in thousands).

			Three months ended March 31,
			2024												2023
			(unaudited)						%						(unaudited)						%
Net sales			$	925,949					100.0						$	928,738					100.0
Cost of sales			377,816						40.8						382,172						41.1
Gross profit			548,133						59.2						546,566						58.9
Research and development			46,415						5.0						45,477						4.9
Selling, general and administrative			234,390						25.3						234,638						25.3
Amortization			18,228						2.0						17,779						1.9
Interest expense			19,232						2.1						18,184						2.0
Restructuring charges			9,664						1.0						4,274						0.4
Other charges (income), net			(343)						—						(396)						—
Earnings before taxes			220,547						23.8						226,610						24.4
Provision for taxes			43,038						4.6						38,184						4.1
Net earnings			$	177,509					19.2						$	188,426					20.3

Net sales

Net sales were $925.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $928.7 million for the corresponding period in 2023. Sales in U.S. dollars were flat for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations, or in local currencies, net sales were also flat for the three months ended March 31, 2024. We estimate that net sales benefited by approximately 6% from the recovery of our previously disclosed shipping delays in 2023 related to a new external European logistics service provider. We also continued to experience reduced market demand, particularly in China. We continue to benefit from the execution

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of our global sales and marketing programs and our innovative product portfolio. However, there is uncertainty in the economic environment and our end markets, including the risk of recession in many countries, and market conditions may change quickly. The ongoing developments related to Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and inflation also present several risks to our business as further described in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. These topics could adversely impact our financial results and could have a greater impact on our operating results in future periods.

Net sales by geographic destination for the three months ended March 31, 2024 in U.S. dollars increased 3% in the Americas and 8% in Europe, and decreased 12% in Asia/Rest of World. In local currencies, our net sales by geographic destination increased 3% in the Americas, and 6% in Europe, and decreased 8% in Asia/Rest of World, including a 19% decrease in China, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Excluding the benefit of delayed fourth quarter 2023 shipments, local currency sales decreased 5% in Europe, 1% in the Americas, and 12% in Asia/Rest of World, with 21% in China, during the three months ended March 31, 2024. A discussion of sales by operating segment is included below.

As described in Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, our net sales comprise product sales of precision instruments and related services. Service revenues are primarily derived from repair and other services, including regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification, preventative maintenance and spare parts.

Net sales of products decreased 2% in U.S. dollars and 1% in local currency for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period. Service revenue (including spare parts) increased 6% in both U.S. dollars and local currency during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Net sales of our laboratory product and services, which represented approximately 57% of our total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, increased 1% in U.S. dollars and 2% in local currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Laboratory net sales benefited approximately 8% from the previously disclosed shipping delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, the local currency net sales decrease in our laboratory-related products includes a decline in most products, particularly in China.

Net sales of our industrial products and services, which represented approximately 38% of our total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased 1% in U.S. dollars and were flat in local currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Industrial net sales benefited approximately 3% from the previously disclosed shipping delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, the local currency net sales decrease in our industrial-related products includes a decline in core-industrial products, particularly in China, which was partially offset by strong project activity in the Americas.

Net sales in our food retailing products and services, which represented approximately 5% of our total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased 8% in U.S. dollars and 9% in local currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Retail net sales benefited approximately 6% from the previously disclosed shipping delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, the local currency net sales decrease in food retailing products primarily reflects the timing of project activity related to especially strong growth in the prior year.

Gross profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 59.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 58.9% for the corresponding period in 2023.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for products was 61.2% and 60.1% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for services (including spare parts) was 52.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 54.7% for the corresponding period in 2023.

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The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily reflects favorable price realization and business mix, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency.

Research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales was 5.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 4.9% in the corresponding period of 2023. Research and development expenses increased 2% in U.S. dollars and were flat in local currencies, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 25.3% for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the corresponding period during 2023. Selling, general and administrative expense was flat in U.S. dollars and decreased 1% in local currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The local currency decrease includes benefits from our cost savings programs.

Amortization, interest expense, restructuring charges, other charges (income), net and taxes

Amortization expense was $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $17.8 million for the corresponding period in 2023.

Interest expense was $19.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $18.2 million for the corresponding period in 2023. The increase in interest expense is primarily related to higher variable interest rates.

Restructuring charges were $9.7 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Restructuring expenses are primarily comprised of employee-related costs.

Other charges (income), net includes non-service pension costs (benefits), net (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions and hedging activities, interest income and other items. Non-service pension benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were $2.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Our reported tax rate was 19.5% and 16.9% during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The provision for taxes is based upon using our projected annual effective tax rate of 19.0% and 18.5% before non-recurring discrete tax items for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The difference between our projected annual effective tax rate and the reported tax rate is related to the timing of excess tax benefits associated with stock option exercises.

Results of Operations – by Operating Segment

The following is a discussion of the financial results of our operating segments. We currently have five reportable segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. A more detailed description of these segments is outlined in Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

U.S. Operations (amounts in thousands)

			Three months ended March 31,
			2024						2023						%
Total net sales			$	383,541					$	370,650					3		%
Net sales to external customers			$	346,123					$	337,402					3		%
Segment profit			$	93,636					$	81,796					14		%

Total net sales and net sales to external customers each increased 3% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared with the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited by approximately 3% from the previously disclosed shipping delays during the

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three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, net sales to external customers includes strong growth in core-industrial products offset by a significant decline in food retailing related to strong project activity in the prior year, as well as a decline in laboratory products.

Segment profit increased $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Segment profit during the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes benefits from our margin expansion and cost savings initiatives.

Swiss Operations (amounts in thousands)

			Three months ended March 31,
			2024						2023						%1)
Total net sales			$	277,622					$	248,503					12		%
Net sales to external customers			$	54,251					$	46,369					17		%
Segment profit			$	59,086					$	76,422					(23)		%

1. Represents U.S. dollar growth.

Total net sales increased 12% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers increased 17% in U.S. dollars and 13% in local currency during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited by approximately 14% from our previously disclosed shipping delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, the local currency net sales to external customers decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes a decline in food retailing related to strong project activity in the prior year, partially offset by modest growth in laboratory products.

Segment profit decreased $17.3 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Segment profit during the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes unfavorable inter-segment pricing, increased costs, unfavorable foreign currency translation and mix.

Western European Operations (amounts in thousands)

			Three months ended March 31,
			2024						2023						%1)
Total net sales			$	262,503					$	244,300					7		%
Net sales to external customers			$	214,765					$	199,424					8		%
Segment profit			$	50,311					$	44,523					13		%

1. Represents U.S. dollar growth.

Total net sales increased 7% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers increased 8% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales benefited by approximately 10% from our previously disclosed shipping delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, the local currency net sales to external customers decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes declines in most categories.

Segment profit increased $5.8 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Segment profit increased during the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to higher volume from our previously disclosed shipping delays, benefits from our margin expansion and cost savings initiatives.

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Chinese Operations (amounts in thousands)

			Three months ended March 31,
			2024						2023						%1)
Total net sales			$	223,839					$	246,219					(9)		%
Net sales to external customers			$	143,198					$	185,767					(23)		%
Segment profit			$	75,823					$	81,241					(7)		%

1. Represents U.S. dollar growth.

Total net sales decreased 9% in U.S. dollars and 5% in local currency for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers by origin decreased 23% in U.S. dollars and 20% in local currency for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited by approximately 2% from our previously disclosed shipping delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, the decrease in local currency net sales to external customers during the three months ended March 31, 2024 reflects a significant decline in market demand in most product categories. Uncertainties continue to exist and market conditions may change quickly.

Segment profit decreased $5.4 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The decrease in segment profit for the three month period ended March 31, 2024 primarily relates to lower sales volume and unfavorable currency, offset in part by benefits from our margin expansion and cost savings initiatives.

Other (amounts in thousands)

			Three months ended March 31,
			2024						2023						%1)
Total net sales			$	170,943					$	160,733					6		%
Net sales to external customers			$	167,612					$	159,776					5		%
Segment profit			$	25,182					$	24,243					4		%

1. Represents U.S. dollar growth.

Total net sales increased 6% in U.S. dollars and 9% in local currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers by origin increased 5% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales to external customers benefited by approximately 9% from our previously disclosed shipping delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Excluding this impact, the decrease in net sales to external customers includes a decline in most product categories.

Segment profit increased $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The increase in segment profit is primarily related to our increased sales volume and margin expansion initiatives, offset in part by unfavorable foreign currency translation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes available borrowings under our Credit Agreement, the ability to obtain appropriate financing and our cash and cash equivalent balances. Currently, our liquidity needs are primarily driven by working capital requirements, capital expenditures, share repurchases and acquisitions. Global market conditions can be uncertain, and our ability to generate cash flows could be reduced by a deterioration in global markets.

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We currently believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with liquidity available under our Credit Agreement, local working capital facilities, and cash balances, will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated working capital needs and spending requirements for at least the foreseeable future.

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $190.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $153.3 million in the corresponding period in 2023. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year is primarily related to working capital, including lower cash incentive payments of approximately $35 million.

Capital expenditures are made primarily for investments in information systems and technology, machinery, equipment and the purchase and expansion of facilities. Our capital expenditures totaled $17.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $23.2 million in the corresponding period in 2023.

In September 2021, we entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to increase domestic production capacity of pipette tips and enhance manufacturing automation and logistics. We have received the maximum allowable funding of $35.8 million related to the agreement during prior years, which offset associated capital expenditures.

We continue to explore potential acquisitions. In connection with any acquisition, we may incur additional indebtedness.

Cash flows used in financing activities are primarily comprised of share repurchases. In accordance with our share repurchase program, we spent $212.5 million and $250.0 million on the repurchase of 173,700 shares and 166,628 shares, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was enacted on August 16, 2022. The IRA includes provisions imposing a 1% excise tax on net share repurchases that occur after December 31, 2022, and introduces a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on adjusted financial statement income. The financial impact of the IRA is immaterial to our financial statements.

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Senior Notes and Credit Facility Agreement

Our debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2024:

			U.S. Dollar						Other Principal Trading Currencies						Total
3.84% $125 million ten-year Senior Notes due September 19, 2024			125,000						—						125,000
4.24% $125 million ten-year Senior Notes due June 25, 2025			125,000						—						125,000
3.91% $75 million ten-year Senior Notes due June 25, 2029			75,000						—						75,000
5.45% $150 million ten-year Senior Notes due March 1, 2033			150,000						—						150,000
2.83% $125 million twelve-year Senior Notes due July 22, 2033			125,000						—						125,000
3.19% $50 million fifteen-year Senior Notes due January 24, 2035			50,000						—						50,000
2.81% $150 million fifteen-year Senior Notes due March 17, 2037			150,000						—						150,000
2.91% $150 million fifteen-year Senior Notes due September 1, 2037			150,000						—						150,000
1.47% Euro 125 million fifteen-year Senior Notes due June 17, 2030			—						135,303						135,303
1.30% Euro 135 million fifteen-year Senior Notes due November 6, 2034			—						146,127						146,127
1.06% Euro 125 million fifteen-year Senior Notes due March 19, 2036			—						135,303						135,303
Senior notes debt issuance costs, net			(2,573)						(1,323)						(3,896)
Total Senior Notes			947,427						415,410						1,362,837
$1.25 billion Credit Agreement, interest at SOFR plus 87.5 basis points			446,920						214,704						661,624
Other local arrangements			8,534						53,752						62,286
Total debt			1,402,881						683,866						2,086,747
Less: current portion			(129,694)						(53,479)						(183,173)
Total long-term debt			$	1,273,187					$	630,387					$	1,903,574

As of March 31, 2024, approximately $583.6 million of additional borrowings was available under our Credit Agreement, and we maintained $70.2 million of cash and cash equivalents.

In May 2023 we amended our Credit Agreement to replace all references of LIBOR to SOFR and other non-U.S. dollar references as the interest rate benchmark.

Changes in exchange rates between the currencies in which we generate cash flows and the currencies in which our borrowings are denominated affect our liquidity. In addition, because we borrow in a variety of currencies, our debt balances fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates. Further, we do not have any downgrade triggers relating to ratings from rating agencies that would accelerate the maturity dates of our debt. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of March 31, 2024.

In December 2022, we entered into an agreement to issue and sell $150 million 10-year Senior Notes in a private placement. We issued $150 million with a fixed interest rate of 5.45% (5.45% Senior Notes) in March 2023. The 5.45% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The 5.45% Senior Notes mature on March 1, 2033. The terms of the 5.45% Senior Notes are consistent with the previous Senior Notes as described in the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We used the proceeds from the sale of the 5.45% Senior Notes to refinance existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.

Other Local Arrangements

In 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

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terms and conditions which include an interest rate of SARON plus 87.5 basis points. The loans were renewed for one year in April 2024.

Share Repurchase Program

We have $2.3 billion of remaining availability for our share repurchase program as of March 31, 2024. The share repurchases are expected to be funded from cash generated from operating activities, borrowings, and cash balances. 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.

We have purchased 31.9 million common shares at an average price per share of $287.08 since the inception of the program in 2004 through March 31, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we spent $212.5 million and $250.0 million on the repurchase of 173,700 shares and 166,628 shares at an average price per share of $1,223.35 and $1,511.78, respectively. We reissued 4,898 shares and 47,849 shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, the Company incurred $2.1 million and $1.9 million of excise tax during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the Inflation Reduction Act which is reflected as a reduction in shareholders' equity in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Effect of Currency on Results of Operations

Our earnings are affected by changing exchange rates. We are most sensitive to changes in the exchange rates between the Swiss franc, euro, Chinese renminbi, and U.S. dollar. We have more Swiss franc expenses than we do Swiss franc sales because we develop and manufacture products in Switzerland that we sell globally, and have a number of corporate functions located in Switzerland. When the Swiss franc strengthens against our other trading currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar and euro, our earnings decrease. We also have significantly more sales in the euro than we do expenses. When the euro weakens against the U.S. dollar and Swiss franc, our earnings also decrease. We estimate a 1% strengthening of the Swiss franc against the euro would reduce our earnings before tax by approximately $2.0 million to $2.3 million annually.

We also conduct business in many geographies throughout the world, including Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Canada. Fluctuations in these currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar can also affect our operating results. The most significant of these currency exposures is the Chinese renminbi. The impact on our earnings before tax of the Chinese renminbi weakening 1% against the U.S. dollar is a reduction of approximately $3.0 million to $3.3 million annually.

In addition to the effects of exchange rate movements on operating profits, our debt levels can fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar, the Swiss franc, and euro. Based on our outstanding debt at March 31, 2024, we estimate that a 5% weakening of the U.S. dollar against the currencies in which our debt is denominated would result in an increase of approximately $36.1 million in the reported U.S. dollar value of our debt.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

You should not rely on forward-looking statements to predict our actual results. Our actual results or performance may be materially different than reflected in forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including statements about expected revenue growth, inflation, ongoing developments related to Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas war. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or “continue.”

We make forward-looking statements about future events or our future financial performance, including earnings and sales growth, earnings per share, strategic plans and contingency plans,

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growth opportunities or economic downturns, our ability to respond to changes in market conditions, planned research and development efforts and product introductions, adequacy of facilities, access to and the costs of raw materials, shipping and supplier costs, gross margins, customer demand, our competitive position, p**ricing, capital expenditures, cash flow, tax-related matters, the impact of foreign currencies, compliance with laws, effects of acquisitions, and the impact of inflation, ongoing developments related to Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas war on our business.

Our forward-looking statements may not be accurate or complete, and we do not intend to update or revise them in light of actual results. New risks also periodically arise. Please consider the risks and factors that could cause our results to differ materially from what is described in our forward-looking statements, including inflation, the ongoing developments related to Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas war. See in particular “Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other reports filed with the SEC from time to time.