United States
                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 11-K

                         ------------------------------

(Mark one)

[X]             ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

                                       OR

[ ]             TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

                         Commission file number 1-12981

                         ------------------------------

                     THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                                  AMETEK, INC.
                 37 NORTH VALLEY ROAD, BUILDING 4, P.O. BOX 1764

                         PAOLI, PENNSYLVANIA 19301-0801
           (Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan
               and the address of its principal executive office)



                     The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan

                 Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule

                     Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

                                    CONTENTS
                                                                     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm..............    2

Audited Financial Statements:

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits......................    3
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits...........    4
Notes to Financial Statements........................................    5

Supplemental Schedule:

Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year).......   11

Signatures...........................................................   12

Exhibit Index........................................................   13
1 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Plan Administrative Committee The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2003, is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 9, 2004 2 The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
DECEMBER 31, 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ ASSETS: Investments, at fair value $196,514,051 $150,297,624 ------------ ------------ Receivables: Employer contributions - 409,976 Participants contributions - 862,857 ------------ ------------ Total receivables - 1,272,833 ------------ ------------ Total Assets 196,514,051 151,570,457 LIABILITIES: Liability for Insurance Contribution 679 1,053 ------------ ------------ Net assets available for benefits $196,513,372 $151,569,404 ============ ============
See accompanying notes. 3 The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 2002 ------------- ------------- ADDITIONS: Contributions: Employer $ 5,269,344 $ 5,362,655 Participants 10,481,175 11,300,472 Participant rollovers and transfers from other plans 9,231,392 4,794,055 ------------- ------------- 24,981,911 21,457,182 ------------- ------------- Investment income (loss): Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments 27,171,581 (17,964,876) Interest and dividend income 4,069,244 4,101,959 ------------- ------------- 31,240,825 (13,862,917) ------------- ------------- Total additions 56,222,736 7,594,265 ------------- ------------- DEDUCTIONS: Benefits paid to participants 11,260,446 12,948,867 Insurance premiums and commissions 18,322 20,178 ------------- ------------- Total deductions 11,278,768 12,969,045 ------------- ------------- Net increase (decrease) 44,943,968 (5,374,780) Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 151,569,404 156,944,184 ------------- ------------- End of year $ 196,513,372 $ 151,569,404 ============= =============
See accompanying notes. 4 THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2003 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN GENERAL The following brief description of The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan ("the Plan") provides only summarized information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions. The Plan is a tax-deferred 401(k) defined contribution savings plan, with a separate retirement feature described below. The Plan provides eligible employees of AMETEK, Inc. ("AMETEK", or "the Company"), and certain of its subsidiaries, an opportunity to invest a portion of their compensation, as defined by the Plan, in one or a combination of investment programs (see Note 3). CONTRIBUTIONS Each year, participants have an opportunity to invest up to 50% (14% prior to July 1, 2002) of their annual compensation, as defined by the Plan, in multiples of one percent, except for certain highly compensated participants who may be subject to certain regulatory limitations. Beginning January 1, 2004, certain groups of participants will have an opportunity to invest up to 75% of their compensation, as defined by the Plan. Participants may also contribute amounts representing rollovers from other qualified plans. Also in connection with business acquisitions by AMETEK, account balances from certain other plans may be transferred into the Plan. The Plan provides for Company contributions equal to 33 1/3% of the first 6% of compensation contributed by each participant, to a maximum annual Company contribution of $1,200 per participant. Matching Company contributions are credited to participants' accounts at the same time their contributed compensation is invested. However, the Company may make its matching contribution payment to the Plan at any time prior to the due date prescribed by law for filing the Company's federal income tax return for that Plan year. The Plan has a retirement feature for eligible salaried and hourly employees hired by AMETEK after December 31, 1996. AMETEK makes contributions to the Plan on behalf of such employees equal to a specified percentage of their compensation earned based upon each participant's age and years of service, up to predetermined limits. Employee contributions under the retirement feature of the Plan are not permitted. Investment programs and transfer and exchange privileges available under the retirement feature are the same as for the savings feature under the Plan. Forfeited Company contributions from the retirement feature, which are insignificant in amount, are used to reduce current-year Company contributions. PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contributions and allocations of (a) the Company's contributions and (b) Plan net earnings. Allocations are based on participant earnings and/or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the balance in the participant's vested account. 5 THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2003 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED) VESTING Participants are fully vested at all times in both their contributions to the Plan and in Company contributions under the savings provisions of the Plan. Company contributions under the retirement feature of the Plan become fully vested after three years of service. PARTICIPANT LOANS Participants may borrow a minimum of $1,000 or up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their account balance. Participants may have up to two loans outstanding at any time, the sum of which may not exceed the maximum allowable. Repayment terms of the loans are generally limited to no longer than 60 months from inception or for a reasonable period of time in excess of 60 months for the purchase of a principal residence, as fixed by the Plan's Administrative Committee. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant's account, and bear interest at rates established by the Plan's administrative committee, which approximate rates charged by commercial lending institutions for comparable loans. Interest rates on loans outstanding at December 31, 2003 ranged between 5.0% and 10.5%. Principal and interest is paid ratably through payroll deductions. PAYMENT OF BENEFITS On termination of service, death, disability or retirement, a participant may receive a lump-sum amount equal to his or her vested account or elect to receive payment in installments up to a 15-year period but subject to certain restrictions based on life expectancy. Participants with a vested account value of less than $5,000 will be paid in a lump sum as soon as practicable after retirement, termination, disability or death of the participant. When a participant attains age 59-1/2 while still an employee, he or she can elect to withdraw a specified portion of his or her vested account balance. Also, in certain cases of financial hardship, a participant may elect to withdraw up to a specified portion of his or her vested account balance, regardless of age. PLAN TERMINATION The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). While the Company has not expressed any intent to terminate the Plan, it is free to do so at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA, and applicable labor agreements. In the event of Plan termination, each participant will receive the value of his or her separate vested account. 6 THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2003 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PRESENTATION FORMAT The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, except for the non-accrual of a liability for amounts owed to withdrawing participants, which are reflected in plan equity in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (see Note 7). The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) 99-3, "Accounting for and Reporting of Certain Defined Contribution Benefit Plan Investments and Other Disclosure Matters. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market fluctuation and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants' account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits. INVESTMENT VALUATION AND INCOME RECOGNITION The shares of registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset values of shares held by the Plan at year-end. The fair value of the participation units in the common/collective trust is based on quoted redemption values on the last business day of the plan year. Money market and short-term investments are carried at the fair value established by the issuer and/or the trustee. Life Insurance Contracts are carried at the cash surrender value of such policies at year-end. The participant loans are valued at their outstanding balances, which approximates fair value. Purchases and sales of investments are reflected on trade dates. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are based on the average cost of such investments. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income from other investments is recorded as earned. The net appreciation or depreciation of investments represents the sum of the change in the difference between year-end market value and cost of investments, and the difference between the proceeds received and the cost of investments sold during the year. 7 THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2003 3. INVESTMENT PROGRAMS At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company was the Trustee and party-in-interest of the Plan. A participant may direct contributions (up to certain specified limits) in any of the following investment options: - AMETEK Stock Fund - Vanguard Retirement Savings Master Trust Registered investment companies: - Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund - Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund - Vanguard LifeStrategy Funds - Vanguard Wellington Fund - Vanguard Windsor II Fund - Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund - Vanguard International Growth Fund - Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund - Vanguard 500 Index Fund - Fidelity Magellan Fund - BlackRock Small Cap. Fund Participants may change their investment options or transfer existing account balances to other investment options daily. The fair value of individual investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan's assets at year-end are as follows:
DECEMBER 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- Vanguard Retirement Savings Master Trust $45,080,545 $42,626,969 Vanguard Wellington Fund 14,960,583 10,880,329 Vanguard Windsor II Fund 20,513,651 14,901,143 Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund 21,023,849 13,633,584 Vanguard 500 Index Fund * 12,043,216 6,161,461 Fidelity Magellan Fund 17,566,596 14,355,825 BlackRock Small Cap. Fund * 10,968,418 6,763,796 AMETEK Stock Fund 14,410,104 11,435,232
* At December 31, 2002, this investment represented less than 5% of the fair value of the Plan's net assets. 8 THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2003 3. INVESTMENT PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) During 2003 and 2002, the Plan's investments (including gains and losses on investments bought, sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value, as follows:
DECEMBER 31, 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ Common Stock $ 2,910,363 $ 2,071,112 Registered investment companies 24,261,218 (20,035,988) ------------ ------------ $ 27,171,581 ($17,964,876) ============ ============
4. INSURANCE CONTRACTS Some employee contributions are presently used to maintain previously purchased life insurance policies underwritten by First Colony Life Insurance Company of Lynchburg, Virginia. Commissions paid on Insurance Contracts are charged directly against the participants' insurance accounts. This fund continues to be closed to new participants. 5. INCOME TAX STATUS The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated September 26, 2003, stating that the Plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to issuance of the above determination letter, the Plan was amended and restated. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The Plan Administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan, as amended and restated, continues to be qualified and the related trust is tax exempt. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES The expenses of administering the Plan are payable from the trust funds, unless the Company elects to pay such expenses. From inception of the Plan to the present, the Company elected to pay such expenses directly. 9 THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2003 7. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FORM 5500 The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Plan's Form 5500:
DECEMBER 31, 2003 2002 ------------- ------------- Net assets available for benefits per the Financial statements $ 196,513,372 $ 151,569,404 Amounts owed to withdrawing participants (339,831) (469,941) ------------- ------------- Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500 $ 196,173,541 $ 151,099,463 ============= =============
The following is a reconciliation of benefits paid to participants for the year ended December 31, 2003 per the financial statements to the Form 5500:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 ------------ Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements $ 11,260,466 Add: Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at December 31, 2003 339,831 Less: Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at December 31, 2002 (469,941) ------------ Benefits paid to participants per Form 5500 $ 11,130,356 ============
Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants are recorded on the Plan's Form 5500 for benefit claims that have been processed and approved for payment prior to December 31 but not yet paid as of that date. 10 The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan Form 5500, Schedule H, Line 4i-- Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) December 31, 2003
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT, INCLUDING IDENTITY OF ISSUE, BORROWER, LESSOR, OR SIMILAR MATURITY DATE, RATE OF INTEREST, CURRENT PARTY COLLATERAL, PAR, OR MATURITY VALUE VALUE - ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------- AMETEK Stock Fund* Common Stock Fund $14,410,104 Vanguard Retirement Savings Master Trust* Common/Collective Trust 45,080,545 Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund* Registered Investment Company 8,644,390 Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund* Registered Investment Company 6,620,258 Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund* Registered Investment Company 2,185,741 Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund* Registered Investment Company 3,626,728 Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund* Registered Investment Company 4,521,261 Vanguard Wellington Fund* Registered Investment Company 14,960,583 Vanguard Windsor II Fund* Registered Investment Company 20,513,651 Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund* Registered Investment Company 21,023,849 Vanguard International Growth Fund* Registered Investment Company 5,768,687 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund* Registered Investment Company 2,826,971 Vanguard 500 Index Fund* Registered Investment Company 12,043,216 Fidelity Magellan Fund Registered Investment Company 17,566,596 BlackRock Small Cap. Fund Registered Investment Company 10,968,418 First Colony Life Insurance Company Life Insurance Policies 364,789 Participant Loans* Interest rates ranging From 5.0% to 10.5% 5,388,264 ------------ $196,514,051 ============
* Indicates party-in-interest to the Plan 11 SIGNATURES THE PLAN. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Members of the Administrative Committee have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. The AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan ---------------------------- (Name of Plan) Dated: June 23, 2004 By: /s/ John J. Molinelli ---------------------------- John J. Molinelli, Member, Administrative Committee 12 THE AMETEK RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description - -------------- ----------- 23 Consent of Independent Auditors
13


                                                                      Exhibit 23

            Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on
Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-34789, 333-80449, 333-97969, 333-87491, and 333-91507)
pertaining to the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan of AMETEK, Inc., the 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan of AMETEK, Inc., the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan of AMETEK, Inc.,
the AMETEK Retirement and Savings Plan and the AMETEK 401(K) Plan for Acquired
Businesses, and the AMETEK Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, respectively, and to
the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File
No. 333-75892), and in the related Prospectuses, of our report dated June 9,
2004, with respect to the financial statements of the AMETEK Retirement and
Savings Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2003.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
June 21, 2004