UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

() QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2011

OR

(  ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission file number: 1-10026

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware   14-0462060

 
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    
 
216 Airport Drive, Rochester, New Hampshire   03867

 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code 518-445-2200

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ √ ] No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [ √ ] No [    ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
Large accelerated filer [   ] Accelerated filer [ √ ]
Non-accelerated filer [   ] Smaller reporting company [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [   ] No [ √ ]

The registrant had 28.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 3.2 million shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2011.



ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

              Page No.
     
 
Part I Financial information  
 
  Item 1. Financial Statements  
Consolidated statements of income - three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

  1

Consolidated balance sheets - June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010   2
Consolidated statements of cash flows - three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010   3
Notes to consolidated financial statements   4
Forward-looking statements 31
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 32
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 53
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 53
 
Part II Other Information  
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 54
Item 1A. Risk Factors 57
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 57
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 57
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved) 58
Item 5. Other Information 58
Item 6. Exhibits 58



ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
June 30,
        Six Months Ended
June 30,
2011       2010     2011       2010

 
   
 
 
$244,015     $227,450     Net sales $495,865     $441,323  
149,115     141,615     Cost of goods sold 295,972     278,259  

 
   
 
 
94,900     85,835     Gross profit 199,893     163,064  
58,359     46,482        Selling, general, and administrative expenses 116,124     99,392  
15,367     14,884        Technical, product engineering, and research expenses 30,502     28,050  
2,092     689        Restructuring and other, net 2,278     2,081  

 
   
 
 
19,082     23,780     Operating income 50,989     33,541  
4,786     3,882        Interest expense, net 9,562     7,707  
55     (2,991 )      Other expense/(income), net 4,924     (5,272 )

 
   
 
 
14,241     22,889     Income before income taxes 36,503     31,106  
5,359     15,102        Income tax expense 10,668     17,729  

 
   
 
 
8,882     7,787     Income before equity in (losses)/earnings of associated companies 25,835     13,377  
(120 )   90        Equity in (losses)/earnings of associated companies (340 )   98  

 
   
 
$8,762     $7,877     Net income $25,495     $13,475  

 
   
 
 
 
            Net income per share:          
$0.28     $0.25        Basic $0.82     $0.43  
$0.28     $0.25        Diluted $0.81     $0.43  
 
            Shares used in computing earnings per share:          
31,263     31,058        Basic 31,243     31,001  
31,489     31,161        Diluted 31,455     31,105  
                       
$0.13     $0.12     Dividends per share $0.25     $0.24  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

1



ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

      June 30,
2011
      December 31,
2010
   
 
ASSETS          
  Cash and cash equivalents $157,046   $122,301  
  Accounts receivable, net 178,788     176,716  
  Inventories 179,729     156,171  
  Income taxes receivable and deferred 43,448     39,721  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 14,619     11,883  
   
 
     Total current assets 573,630     506,792  
 
  Property, plant and equipment, net 484,301     488,121  
  Investments in associated companies 3,254     2,926  
  Intangibles 3,351     4,182  
  Goodwill 122,542     115,616  
  Deferred taxes 142,638     141,701  
  Other assets 18,344     18,955  
   
 
     Total assets $1,348,060   $1,278,293  
   
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
  Notes and loans payable $1,246   $1,587  
  Accounts payable 51,895     44,294  
  Accrued liabilities 110,864     110,292  
  Current maturities of long-term debt 12     12  
  Income taxes payable and deferred 14,960     9,670  
   
 
     Total current liabilities 178,977     165,855  
 
  Long-term debt 417,012     423,647  
  Other noncurrent liabilities 192,718     190,493  
  Deferred taxes and other credits 73,185     72,038  
   
 
     Total liabilities 861,892     852,033  
   
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies -     -  
 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
  Preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share;
 authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued
-     -  
  Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share;
 authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued
 36,515,942 in 2011 and 36,442,209 in 2010
37     36  
  Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share;
 authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and
 outstanding 3,236,098 in 2011 and 2010
3     3  
  Additional paid in capital 389,393     387,876  
  Retained earnings 420,729     403,048  
  Accumulated items of other comprehensive income:          
     Translation adjustments 33,830     (6,041 )
     Pension and post retirement liability adjustments (98,703 )   (100,355 )
     Derivative valuation adjustment (1,201 )   (276 )
  Treasury stock (Class A), at cost 8,479,487 shares
 in 2011 and 8,484,528 shares in 2010
(257,920 )   (258,031 )
   
 
     Total shareholders' equity 486,168     426,260  
   
 
     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $1,348,060   $1,278,293  
   
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

2



ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
June 30,
        Six Months Ended
June 30,
2011       2010     2011       2010

 
   
 
            OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
$8,762   $7,877     Net income $25,495   $13,475  
            Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
         
120     (90 )      Equity in losses/(earnings) of associated companies 340     (98 )
14,393     13,309        Depreciation 28,526     27,250  
2,312     2,276        Amortization 4,489     4,230  
181     189        Noncash interest expense 377     377  
2,189     9,709        Provision for deferred income taxes, other credits and long-term liabilities (24 )   11,215  
23     1,626        Provision for write-off of property, plant and equipment 64     3,093  
(594 )   -        Gain on disposition of assets (1,022 )   -  
-     847        Decrease in cash surrender value of life insurance -     -  
(21 )   -        Excess tax benefit of options exercised (35 )   -  
950     2,054        Compensation and benefits paid or payable in Class A Common Stock 1,290     3,009  
 
            Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions and
divestitures:
         
5,049     (8,740 )      Accounts receivable 6,905     (344 )
(8,940 )   9,748        Inventories (17,312 )   12,018  
797     739        Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,473 )   (2,030 )
1,654     (2,369 )      Accounts payable 3,902     (4,444 )
1,343     3,429        Accrued liabilities (4,090 )   (8,693 )
1,161     1,758        Income taxes payable 4,859     321  
1,371     1,560        Other, net 507     1,443  

 
   
 
30,750     43,922        Net cash provided by operating activities 51,798     60,822  

 
   
 
 
            INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
(8,975 )   (7,094 )      Purchases of property, plant and equipment (13,894 )   (13,915 )
(705 )   (873 )      Purchased software (1,752 )   (1,946 )
1,159     -        Proceeds from sale of assets 2,860     -  
-     -        Acquisitions, net of cash acquired -     (1,902 )
-     49,302        Cash received from life insurance policy terminations -     49,302  

 
   
 
(8,521 )   41,335        Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (12,786 )   31,539  

 
   
 
 
            FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
4     -        Proceeds from borrowings 644     6,152  
(980 )   (69,738 )      Principal payments on debt (7,997 )   (69,755 )
192     49        Proceeds from options exercised 301     136  
21     -        Excess tax benefit of options exercised 35     -  
(3,750 )   (3,714 )      Dividends paid (7,494 )   (7,419 )

 
   
 
(4,513 )   (73,403 )      Net cash (used in) financing activities (14,511 )   (70,886 )

 
   
 
 
1,812     (10,939 )   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 10,244     (16,268 )

 
   
 
 
19,528     915     Increase in cash and cash equivalents 34,745     5,207  
137,518     101,758     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 122,301     97,466  

 
   
 
$157,046   $102,673     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $157,046   $102,673  

 
   
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

3



ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal, recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The preparation of financial statements for interim periods does not require all of the disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2011, we modified our business segment reporting by reclassifying our Fiber Preparation business from the Engineered Fabrics segment to the Paper Machine Clothing segment. The change was made to better align our organizational structure with the customers that purchase these products. Prior year data has been modified to conform to the current year presentation. On April 29, 2011 we filed a current report on Form 8-K with reclassified segment data for quarterly periods in 2010, as well as annual data for 2010 and 2009.

In the first quarter of 2011, we adopted an accounting pronouncement related to revenue recognition principles for contracts with multiple revenue elements. This change, which affects the Albany Door Systems segment, accelerates revenue recognition associated with contracts that include both the sale of a door and installation services. We determine the consideration allocated to each revenue element at the inception of the arrangement, based on the relative fair values of the goods and services provided under the contract. The change was applied on a prospective basis, resulting in a one-time acceleration of net sales without the offsetting effect of applying the change to previous periods. As a result, we recognized in 2011 additional net sales and operating income, as follows:


  Three Months
Ended
Six Months
Ended
(in thousands) June 30, 2011

Net sales ($665 ) $1,832  
Operating income (9 ) 953  

The effect of this change on any future quarterly period could vary significantly due to timing, or the number and value of contracts that include both the sale of a door and installation services. Normally, installation is completed within a few months after the door is delivered.

4



2. Reportable Segment Data

The following table shows data by reportable segment, reconciled to consolidated totals included in the financial statements:


  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands) 2011 2010 2011 2010

 
Net Sales                
   Paper Machine Clothing $158,577   $153,662   $326,473   $300,399  
   Albany Door Systems 45,393   33,792   90,521   67,547  
   Engineered Fabrics 20,600   21,032   41,186   40,144  
   Engineered Composites 10,504   10,870   21,976   19,511  
   PrimaLoft® Products 8,941   8,094   15,709   13,722  

   Consolidated total $244,015   $227,450   $495,865   $441,323  

 
Operating income/(loss)                
   Paper Machine Clothing $34,909   $38,575   $81,139   $66,236  
   Albany Door Systems 4,053   2,339   9,424   5,223  
   Engineered Fabrics 2,800   3,835   6,841   5,492  
   Engineered Composites (1,144 ) (1,989 ) (2,187 ) (4,218 )
   PrimaLoft® Products 3,165   2,926   5,076   4,995  
   Research expense (7,212 ) (7,132 ) (14,377 ) (12,943 )
   Unallocated expenses (17,489 ) (14,774 ) (34,927 ) (31,244 )

   Operating income before reconciling items 19,082   23,780   50,989   33,541  
 
Reconciling items:                
   Interest expense, net 4,786   3,882   9,562   7,707  
   Other expense/(income), net 55   (2,991 ) 4,924   (5,272 )

   Income before income taxes $14,241   $22,889   $36,503   $31,106  

5



The table below presents restructuring costs by reportable segment for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010:


  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands) 2011 2010 2011 2010

 
Restructuring expense            
   Paper Machine Clothing $448 $676   $481 $2,962  
   Albany Door Systems 361 446   513 474  
   Engineered Fabrics 124 607   124 607  
   Engineered Composites 44 -   57 -  
   Unallocated 1,115 (1,040 ) 1,103 (1,962 )

   Consolidated total $2,092 $689   $2,278 $2,081  

The 2011 expense was principally due to organizational changes associated with the substantial completion of the SAP conversion project. The expense in 2010 was partially reduced by other post retirement curtailment gains, which was included in the Unallocated reportable segment.

There were no material changes in the total assets of reportable segments during this period.

6



3. Pensions and Other Benefits

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans in various countries. The amount of contributions to the plans is based on several factors including the funding rules in each country. Employer contributions of $22.1 million in 2010 included $13.2 million transferred into pension trusts, plus $8.9 million for benefits paid directly to participants. We expect 2011 contributions to be approximately $16.0 million, including $12.3 million to be transferred to pension trusts, plus $3.7 million for benefits paid directly to participants. We also provide certain medical, dental and life insurance benefits (“Other Postretirement Benefits”) for retired United States employees that meet program qualifications. We currently fund this plan as claims are paid.

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 are, as follows:


  Pension Plans Other Postretirement
Benefits
(in thousands) 2011 2010 2011 2010

 
Service cost $1,890   $1,235   $456   $428  
Interest cost 10,222   9,999   1,909   2,026  
Expected return on plan assets (7,990 ) (7,567 ) -   -  
 
Amortization:                
   Transition obligation 48   50   -   -  
   Prior service cost/(credit) 18   8   (1,833 ) (1,757 )
   Net actuarial loss 2,863   2,371   1,506   1,428  
 
Settlement/curtailment loss/(gain) -   675   -   (1,921 )

Net periodic benefit costs $7,051   $6,771   $2,038   $204  

During 2010 a pension plan settlement loss of $0.7 million and a post retirement benefit curtailment gain of $1.9 million were recorded related to restructuring activities.

7



4. Restructuring

Restructuring charges during 2011 were principally due to organizational changes associated with the substantial completion of the SAP conversion project. The following tables summarize charges reported in the Statement of Operations under “Restructuring and other, net” for the first six months of 2011 and 2010:


  Six months ending June 30,
  2011
    2010      
(in thousands) Total
restructuring
costs*
Total
restructuring
costs
Termination
and other costs
Writedown of
plant and
equipment
Benefit plan
curtailment

Paper Machine Clothing $481 $2,962   $1,044   $1,243 $675  
Albany Door Systems 513 474   474   - -  
Engineered Fabrics 124 607   607   - -  
Engineered Composites 57 -   -   - -  
Unallocated 1,103 (1,962 ) (41 ) - (1,921 )

Total $2,278 $2,081   $2,084   $1,243 ($1,246 )

* Restructuring costs incurred during 2011 pertain to termination and other costs.

The tables below present year-to-date summaries of changes in restructuring liabilities for 2011 and 2010:


(in thousands) Restructuring
charges accrued
December 31,
2010
Restructuring
accruals in 2011
Payments Currency
translation/ other
Restructuring
charges accrued
June 30, 2011

Termination              
costs $3,443 $1,915 ($2,018 ) $166   $3,506

 

  Restructuring            
  charges accrued           Restructuring
  December 31, Restructuring     Currency charges accrued
(in thousands) 2009 accruals in 2010 Payments translation/ other June 30, 2010

Termination              
costs $22,067 $1,110 ($14,642 ) ($685 ) $7,850

We expect that substantially all accruals for restructuring liabilities as of June 30, 2011 will be paid within one year and therefore have been recorded in current accrued liabilities in the accompanying financial statements.

8



5. Other Expense/(Income), net

Other expense/(income), net consists of the following:


  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands) 2011 2010 2011 2010

 
Currency transactions ($491 ) ($3,933 ) $3,375   ($6,726 )
Amortization of debt issuance costs and                
   loan origination fees 264   104   526   208  
Letter of credit fees 416   721   1,272   1,240  
Other miscellaneous (income)/expense (134 ) 117   (249 ) 6  

Total $55   ($2,991 ) $4,924   ($5,272 )

9



6. Income Taxes

The following table presents components of income tax expense for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010:


  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands) 2011 2010 2011 2010

 
Income tax expense based on income from continuing operations,              
at estimated tax rates of 33.0% in 2011 and 32.6% in 2010,              
respectively $4,700 $7,470   $12,046   $10,152  
Redemption of life insurance policies - 9,382   -   9,382  
Provision for change in estimated tax rates 624 55   -   -  

Income tax from continuing operations before discrete items $5,324 $16,907   $12,046   $19,534  
 
Discrete tax expense/(benefit):              
   Provision for/resolution of tax audits and contingencies 35 -   (1,378 ) -  
   Repatriation of non-US prior years earnings - (1,805 ) -   (1,805 )

Total income tax expense $5,359 $15,102   $10,668   $17,729  

The second-quarter estimated effective tax rate on continuing operations was 33.0% in 2011, as compared to 32.6% for the same period in 2010. The increase in the tax rate was primarily due to a change in the distribution of income and loss among the various countries within which we operate.

We conduct business globally and, as a result, the Company or one or more of our subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under audit in the U.S. and non-U.S. tax jurisdictions, including but not limited to Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Sweden. Tax reserves are recorded for the outcome of these uncertainties in accordance with U.S. GAAP principles.

It is reasonably possible that over the next twelve months the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change within a range of a net increase of $1.0 million to a net decrease of $12.7 million, from the reevaluation of certain uncertain tax positions arising in examinations, in appeals, or in the courts, or from the closure of tax statutes. Not included in the range is $24.5 million of tax benefits in Germany related to a 1999 reorganization that have been challenged by the German tax authorities in the course of an audit of tax years 2000-2003. In 2008 the German Federal Tax Court denied tax benefits to other taxpayers in a case involving German tax laws relevant to our reorganization. One of these cases involved a non-German party, and in the ruling in that case, the German Federal Tax Court acknowledged that the German law in question may be violative of European Union (“EU”) principles and referred the issue to the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) for its determination. In September 2009, the ECJ issued an opinion in this case that is generally favorable to the other taxpayer and referred the case back to the German Federal Tax Court for further consideration. In May 2010 the German Federal Tax Court released its decision, in which it resolved certain tax issues that may be relevant to our audit and remanded the case to a lower court for further development. Although we were required to pay approximately $15.0 million to the German tax authorities in order to continue to pursue the position, we believe that it is more likely than not that the relevant German law is violative of EU principles and accordingly we have not accrued tax expense on this matter. As we continue to monitor developments it may become necessary for us to accrue tax expense and related interest.

10



In addition, we received reassessment notices comprised of tax, interest and penalties in the amount of $62.3 million from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) for the tax years 2001 through 2008. Although management continues to believe that the reassessments were substantially without merit and have not accrued tax expense with regard to the full amount of these assessments, we were required to provide letters of credit to the CRA in the amount of $53.2 million and to remit a payment in the amount of $1.8 million in connection with these reassessments. We made the $1.8 million payment to the CRA in July 2011.

11



7. Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the effect of all potentially dilutive securities.

The amounts used in computing earnings per share, including the effect on income and the weighted average number of shares of potentially dilutive securities, are as follows:


  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands, except market price data) 2011 2010 2011 2010

 
Net income $8,762 $7,877   $25,495 $13,475  

 
Weighted average number of shares:                
   Weighted average number of shares used in                
   calculating basic earnings per share 31,263   31,058   31,243   31,001  
 
Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation                
awards:                
   Stock options 144   53   130   54  
   Long-term incentive awards 82   50   82   50  

 
Weighted average number of shares used in                
calculating diluted earnings per share 31,489   31,161   31,455   31,105  

 
Average market price of common stock used                
for calculation of dilutive shares $25.32 $20.95   $24.57 $21.00  

 
Net income per share:                
   Basic $0.28 $0.25   $0.82 $0.43  
   Diluted $0.28 $0.25   $0.81 $0.43  

There was no dilution resulting from the convertible debt instrument, purchased call option, and warrant that are described in Note 10 as of June 30, 2011 and 2010.

The following table presents the number of shares issued and outstanding:


  Class A
Shares
Class B
Shares
Less: Treasury
Shares
Net shares
Outstanding

 
December 31, 2010 36,442,209 3,236,098 (8,484,528) 31,193,779
March 31, 2011 36,505,292 3,236,098 (8,484,528) 31,256,862
June 30, 2011 36,515,942 3,236,098 (8,479,487) 31,272,553
 


12



8. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:


(in thousands) June 30,
2011
December 31,
2010

Finished goods $78,402 $71,919
Work in process 59,238 48,973
Raw material and supplies 42,089 35,279

Total inventories $179,729 $156,171

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are valued at average cost, net of reserves. We record a provision for obsolete inventory based on the age and category of the inventories.

13



9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in each business combination. Our reporting units are consistent with our operating segments.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates, and future market conditions, among others. Goodwill and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events, such as significant changes in the business climate, plant closures, changes in product offerings, or other circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

To determine fair value, we utilize two market-based approaches and an income approach. Under the market-based approaches, we utilize information regarding the Company as well as publicly available industry information to determine earnings multiples and sales multiples. Under the income approach, we determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows of each reporting unit, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of a reporting unit and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn.

We completed our 2011 annual evaluation of goodwill for the Paper Machine Clothing reporting unit and the Albany Door Systems reporting unit in the second quarter of 2011. Our assessment of goodwill impairment indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and therefore no impairment provision was required.

We are continuing to amortize certain patents, trade names, customer contracts and technology assets that have finite lives. The changes in intangible assets and goodwill from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011, were as follows:


(in thousands) Balance at
January 1, 2011
Amortization Currency
translation
Other changes Balance at June
30, 2011

Amortized intangible assets:            
   Patents $221 ($179 ) $13 - $55
   Trade names 48 (2 ) - - 46
   Customer contracts 3,521 (674 ) 17 - 2,864
   Technology 392 (39 ) 33 - 386

 
Total amortized intangible assets $4,182 ($894 ) $63 - $3,351

Unamortized intangible assets:            
   Goodwill $115,616 -   $6,926 - $122,542

As of June 30, 2011, the balance of goodwill was $82.1 million in the Paper Machine Clothing segment and $40.4 million in the Albany Doors Systems segment.

14



Estimated amortization expense of amortized intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2015 is as follows:


Year Annual amortization
(in thousands)

 
2011 $1,600
2012   1,000
2013   800
2014   500
2015   200

15



10. Financial Instruments

Long-term debt consists of:


(in thousands, except interest rates) June 30,
2011
December 31,
2010

Convertible notes, par value $28,437, issued in March        
2006 with fixed contractual interest rates of 2.25%, due        
in 2026 $26,851   $26,474  
         
Private placement with a fixed interest rate of 6.84%, due        
in 2013 through 2017 150,000   150,000  
         
Credit agreement with borrowings outstanding at an end        
of period interest rate of 3.53% in 2011 and 3.55% in        
2010, due in 2015 230,000   237,000  
         
Various notes and mortgages relative to operations        
principally outside the United States, at an average end        
of period rate of 3.04% in 2011 and 2010, due in varying        
amounts through 2021 10,173   10,185  

Long-term debt 417,024   423,659  
         
Less: current portion (12 ) (12 )

Long-term debt, net of current portion $417,012   $423,647  

A note agreement and guaranty (“the Prudential agreement”) was entered into in October 2005 and was amended and restated September 17, 2010, with the Prudential Insurance Company of America, and certain other purchasers, in an aggregate principal amount of $150 million, with interest at 6.84% and a maturity date of October 25, 2017. There are mandatory payments of $50 million on October 25, 2013 and October 25, 2015. At the noteholders’ election, certain prepayments may also be required in connection with certain asset dispositions or financings. The notes may not otherwise be prepaid without a premium, under certain market conditions. The note agreement contains customary terms, as well as affirmative covenants, negative covenants, and events of default comparable to those in our current principal credit facility. For disclosure purposes, we are required to measure the fair value of outstanding debt on a recurring basis. As of June 30, 2011, the fair value of the note agreement was approximately $172.3 million, which was measured using active market interest rates.

On July 16, 2010, we entered into a $390 million unsecured five-year revolving credit facility agreement, under which $230.0 million of borrowings and $53.2 million in letters of credit were outstanding as of June 30, 2011. The 2010 credit agreement replaces the previous $460.0 million credit agreement made in 2006. The applicable interest rate for borrowings under the 2010 agreement, as well as under the former agreement, is LIBOR plus a spread, based on our leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. Spreads under the 2010 agreement are higher than under the former agreement, reflecting changes in market spreads.

Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the credit agreement is conditional upon the absence of any defaults, as well as the absence of any material adverse change. Based on our maximum leverage ratio and our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement), and without modification to any other credit agreements, as of June 30, 2011 we would have been able to borrow an additional $106.8 million under the credit agreement.

16



Also on July 16, 2010, we entered into interest rate hedging transactions that have the effect of fixing the LIBOR portion of the effective interest rate (before addition of the spread) on $105.0 million of the indebtedness drawn under the 2010 agreement at the rate of 2.04% for the next five years. Under the terms of these transactions, we pay the fixed rate of 2.04% and the counterparties pay a floating rate based on the three-month LIBOR rate at each quarterly calculation date, which on April 18, 2011 was 0.28%. The net effect is to fix the effective interest rate on $105.0 million of indebtedness at 2.04%, plus the applicable spread, until these swap agreements expire on July 16, 2015. On April 18, the applicable spread was 250 basis points, yielding an effective annual rate of 4.54%. This interest rate swap is accounted for as a hedge of future cash flows, as further described in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reflecting, in each case, the effect of subsequent amendments to each agreement, we are currently required to maintain a leverage ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and a minimum interest coverage of 3.00 to 1.00 under the credit agreement and Prudential agreement.

As of June 30, 2011, our leverage ratio was 2.16 to 1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 7.96 to 1.00. We may purchase our Common Stock or pay dividends to the extent our leverage ratio remains at or below 3.50 to 1.00, and may make acquisitions with cash provided our leverage ratio would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition.

In March 2006, we issued $180 million principal amount of 2.25% convertible notes. The notes are convertible upon the occurrence of specified events and at any time on or after February 15, 2013, into cash up to the principal amount of notes converted and shares of our Class A common stock with respect to the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation at a conversion rate of 23.0467 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $43.39 per share of Class A common stock). As of June 30, 2011, $28.4 million principal amount of convertible notes were outstanding, with a fair value of approximately $28.0 million, which was measured using quoted prices in active markets. These amounts reflect the reduction in principal amount and fair value as a result of purchases made in 2009, as described below.

Holders may convert their notes at any time on or after February 15, 2013. Before February 15, 2013, a holder may convert notes during the five-business day period immediately after any period of five consecutive trading days in which the trading price per note for each of such five days was less than 103% of the product of the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock and the conversion rate on such day. Additionally, holders may convert prior to February 15, 2013, if we elect to distribute to all or substantially all of our Class A shareholders (a) rights or warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock for less than their trading value, or (b) assets, debt securities, or rights to purchase securities, which distribution has a per-share value exceeding 15% of the current trading value of the Class A common stock.

Converting holders are entitled to receive, upon conversion of their notes, (1) an amount in cash equal to the lesser of the principal amount of the note and the note’s conversion value, and (2) if the conversion value of the note exceeds the principal amount, shares of our Class A common stock in respect of the excess conversion value. The conversion rate of the notes (subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events) is 23.0467 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $43.39 per share of Class A common stock). The exact amount payable upon conversion would be determined in accordance with the terms of the indenture pursuant to which the notes were issued and will be based on a daily conversion value calculated on a proportionate basis by reference to the volume-weighted average price of our Class A common stock for each day during a twenty-five day period relating to the conversion.

The notes are not redeemable before March 15, 2013. On or after March 15, 2013, we may, at our option, redeem for cash all or part of the notes for a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be purchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, including any additional interest, up to but excluding the redemption date.

17



On each of March 15, 2013, and March 15, 2021, holders may require that we purchase all or a portion of their notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be purchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, including any additional interest, up to but excluding the purchase date. Holders also have the right to require that we repurchase notes upon the occurrence of certain fundamental events, including, without limitation, (1) a person or group, other than the Standish family, becoming beneficial owner of shares of common stock carrying more than 50% of the voting power of our common stock, (2) consummation of an exchange offer, tender offer, or similar event whereby our Class A common stock is converted into cash, securities, or other property, or any sale, lease, or other transfer of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets, (3) approval by our stockholders of a plan or proposal of liquidation or dissolution, or (4) the delisting of our Class A common stock under certain circumstances.

In connection with the sale of the notes, we entered into hedge and warrant transactions with respect to our Class A common stock. These transactions are intended to reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of the notes by providing us with the option, subject to certain exceptions, to acquire shares in an amount equal to the number of shares that we would be required to deliver upon conversion of the notes. These transactions had the economic effect to the Company of increasing the conversion price of the notes to $52.25 per share.

Pursuant to the hedge transactions, if we deliver notice to the counterparties of any conversion of the notes on or prior to March 15, 2013, the counterparties are in the aggregate obligated to deliver to the Company the number of shares of Class A common stock that we are obligated to deliver to the holders of the notes with respect to such conversion, exclusive of any shares deliverable by the Company by reason of any additional (or “make whole”) premium relating to the notes or by reason of any election by the Company to unilaterally increase the conversion rate. The note hedge and warrant transactions had a net cost of $14.7 million. Pursuant to the warrant transactions, we sold a total of 4.1 million warrants, each exercisable to buy a single share of Class A common stock at an initial strike price of $52.25 per share. The warrants are American-style warrants (exercisable at any time), and expire over a period of sixty trading days beginning on September 15, 2013. If the warrants are exercised when they expire, we may choose either net cash or net share settlement. If the warrants are exercised before they expire, they must be net share settled. If we elect to net cash settle the warrants, we will pay cash in an amount equal to, for each exercise of warrants, (i) the number of warrants exercised multiplied by (ii) the excess of the volume weighted average price of the our Class A common stock on the expiration date of such warrants (the “settlement price”) over the strike price. Under net share settlement, we will deliver to the warrant holders a number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to, for each exercise of warrants, the amount payable upon net cash settlement divided by the settlement price.

As of June 30, 2011, the carrying amounts of the debt and equity components of our bifurcated convertible debt instrument were $26.9 million and $25.5 million, respectively. The carrying values of the debt and equity components include reductions of $134.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively, related to our convertible note purchases in 2009. The equity component is included in additional paid-in capital in the equity section of the balance sheet.

The convertible feature of the notes, the convertible note hedge, and the warrant transactions each meet the requirements of the applicable accounting guidance to be accounted for as equity instruments. As such, the convertible feature of the notes has not been accounted for as a derivative (which would be marked to market each reporting period) and in the event the debt is converted, no gain or loss is recognized, as the cash payment of principal reduces the recorded liability and the issuance of common shares would be recorded in stockholders’ equity.

In addition, the amount paid for the call option and the premium received for the warrant were recorded as additional paid-in capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not accounted for as derivatives (which would be marked to market each reporting period). Incremental net shares for the

18



convertible note feature and the warrant agreement will be included in future diluted earnings per share calculations for those periods in which our average common stock price exceeds $43.39 per share in the case of the Senior Notes and $49.83 per share in the case of the warrants. The purchased call option is antidilutive and is excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Indebtedness under the note and guaranty agreement, the convertible notes, and the credit agreement is ranked equally in right of payment to all unsecured senior debt.

We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of June 30, 2011.

19



11. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States define fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting principles establish a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. The hierarchy is broken down into three general levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs include data points that are observable, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable for the asset and liability, either directly or indirectly; Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The following table presents the fair-value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:


  Total fair
value at
Quoted prices
in active markets
Significant other
observable inputs
Significant
unobservable inputs
 
(in thousands) June 30, 2011 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)

Assets:            
   Cash equivalents $28,380   $28,380 -   -
   Common stock of foreign public company 611   611 -   -
   Foreign exchange contracts 915     915   -
 
Liabilities:            
   Interest rate swap (1,968 ) - (1,968 ) -

20




  Total fair
value at
December 31,
2010
Quoted prices
in active markets
Significant other
observable inputs
Significant
unobservable inputs
(in thousands) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)

Assets:            
   Cash equivalents $23,087   $23,087 -   -
   Common stock of foreign public company 561   561 -   -
   Foreign exchange contracts 862   - 862   -
 
Liabilities:            
   Interest rate swap (452 ) - (452 ) -

During the six-months ended June 30, 2011, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2, and 3.

Cash equivalents include short-term securities that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities.

The common stock of a foreign public company is traded in an active market exchange. The shares are measured at fair value using closing stock prices and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Other assets. The securities are classified as available for sale, and as a result any gain or loss is recorded in the Shareholders’ Equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets rather than in the Consolidated Statements of Income. When the security is sold or impaired, gains and losses are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary.

Foreign currency instruments are entered into periodically, and consist of foreign currency option contracts or forward contracts that are valued using quoted prices in active markets obtained from independent pricing sources. During the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, we entered into foreign currency options (“options”) only, which are measured using market foreign exchange prices and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Other current assets. Changes in fair value of these instruments are recorded as gains or losses within Other (income)/expense, net. Gains and (losses) on the options totaled $0.3 million and ($0.4) million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

When exercised, the foreign currency instruments are net settled with the same financial institution that bought or sold them. For all positions, whether options or forward contracts, there is risk from the possible inability of the financial institution to meet the terms of the contracts and the risk of unfavorable changes in interest and currency rates, which may reduce the value of the instruments. We seek to control risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of counterparties and by monitoring the currency exchange and interest rate markets while reviewing the hedging risks and contracts to ensure compliance with our internal guidelines and policies.

We operate our business in many regions of the world, and currency rate movements can have a significant effect on operating results.

Changes in exchange rates can result in revaluation gains and losses that are recorded in Selling, General, Technical, Product Engineering, and Research expenses or Other income/expense, net. Revaluation gains

21



and losses occur when our business units have intercompany or third-party trade receivable or payable balances in a currency other than their local reporting (or functional) currency.

Operating results can also be affected by the translation of sales and costs, for each non-U.S. subsidiary, from the local functional currency to the U.S. dollar. The translation effect on the income statement is dependent on our net income or expense position in each non-U.S. currency in which we do business. A net income position exists when sales realized in a particular currency exceed expenses paid in that currency; a net expense position exists if the opposite is true.

In order to mitigate foreign exchange volatility in the financial statements, we periodically enter into foreign currency financial instruments from time to time. There were no foreign currency financial instruments designated as hedging instruments at June 30, 2011.

As described in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, on July 16, 2010, we entered into a $390 million unsecured five-year revolving credit facility agreement. The applicable interest rate for borrowings under the agreement is LIBOR plus a spread, based on our leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. Interest rate changes on this variable rate debt cause changes in cash flows, and in order to mitigate this cash flow risk we have fixed a portion of the effective interest rate on part of the indebtedness drawn under the agreement by entering into interest rate hedging transactions on July 16, 2010. This interest rate swap locked in our interest rate on the forecasted outstanding borrowings of $105 million at 2.04% plus the credit spread on the debt for a five year period. The credit spread is based on the pricing grid, which can go as low as 2.0% or as high as 2.75%, based on our leverage ratio.

The interest rate swap is accounted for as a hedge of future cash flows. The fair value of our interest rate swap is derived from a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the contract and the interest rate curve, and is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2011 as Other noncurrent liabilities of $2.0 million. Unrealized gains and losses on the swap will flow through the caption Derivative valuation adjustment in the Shareholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets, to the extent that the hedge is highly effective. Gains and losses related to the ineffective portion of the hedge will be recognized in the current period in earnings. Amounts accumulated in Other comprehensive income are reclassified as Interest expense, net when the related interest payments (that is, the hedged forecasted transactions) affect earnings. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, $0.9 million of interest expense was recorded related to the swap.

22



Fair value amounts of derivative instruments were as follows:


(in thousands) Balance sheet caption June 30, 2011 December 31,
2010

 
Asset Derivatives          
Derivatives not designated as hedging          
instruments:          
   Foreign exchange contracts Other assets $915   $862  

Total asset derivatives not designated          
as hedging instruments   $915   $862  

 
Liability Derivatives          
Derivatives designated as hedging          
instruments:          
   Interest rate swap Other noncurrent liabilities ($1,968 ) ($452 )

Total liability derivatives designated as          
hedging instruments   ($1,968 ) ($452 )

(Losses)/gains on changes in fair value of derivative instruments were as follows:


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
(in thousands) 2011 2010 2011 2010

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments                
   Interest rate swap 1 ($1,328 ) -   ($925 ) -  
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments                
   Foreign exchange contracts 2 24   (348 ) 258   (421 )


1      Unrealized gains are recognized in Other comprehensive income, net of tax. This derivative was an effective hedge of interest rate cash flow risk for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
2      Gains/(losses) are recognized in Other expense, net.

23



12. Contingencies

Asbestos Litigation

Albany International Corp. is a defendant in suits brought in various courts in the United States by plaintiffs who allege that they have suffered personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products that we previously manufactured. We produced asbestos-containing paper machine clothing synthetic dryer fabrics marketed during the period from 1967 to 1976 and used in certain paper mills. Such fabrics generally had a useful life of three to twelve months.

We were defending 4,714 claims as of July 25, 2011. This compares with 4,799 claims as of April 18, 2011, 5,158 claims as of February 11, 2011, 5,170 claims as of October 29, 2010, and 7,343 claims as of July 23, 2010. These suits allege a variety of lung and other diseases based on alleged exposure to products that we previously manufactured.

The following table sets forth the number of claims filed, the number of claims settled, dismissed, or otherwise resolved, and the aggregate settlement amount during the periods presented:

Year ended
December
31,
Opening
Number
of Claims
Claims Dismissed,
Settled, or
Resolved
New Claims Closing
Number of
Claims
Amounts Paid
(thousands)
to Settle or
Resolve ($)
2005 29,411 6,257 1,297 24,451 504
2006 24,451 6,841 1,806 19,416 3,879
2007 19,416 808 190 18,798 15
2008 18,798 523 110 18,385 52
2009 18,385 9,482 42 8,945 88
2010 8,945 3,963 188 5,170 159
2011 to date 5,170 504 48 4,714 1,111

We anticipate that additional claims will be filed against the Company and related companies in the future, but are unable to predict the number and timing of such future claims. These suits typically involve claims against from twenty to more than two hundred defendants, and many complaints fail to identify the plaintiffs’ work history or the nature of the plaintiffs’ alleged exposure to our products. Pleadings and discovery responses in cases in which work histories have been provided indicate claimants with paper mill exposure in approximately 15% of the total claims filed against the Company to date, and only a portion of those claimants have alleged time spent in a paper mill to which we are believed to have supplied asbestos-containing products.

The significant increase in the number of dismissed claims during 2009 and early 2010 was in large part the result of changes in the administration of claims assigned to the multidistrict litigation panel of the federal district courts (the “MDL”). As of July 25, 2011, 448 claims remained against the Company in the MDL. This compares to 12,758 claims that were pending at the MDL as of February 6, 2009.

With respect to claims remaining at the MDL, future discovery may yield more relevant information regarding work histories and the basis, if any, for a plaintiff’s claim against the Company. The Company does not currently believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to the claims remaining at the MDL, although this conclusion could change as the MDL’s efforts to advance resolution of these claims progresses.

24



As of July 25, 2011, the remaining 4,266 claims pending against the Company were pending in a number of jurisdictions other than the MDL. Pleadings and discovery responses in those cases in which work histories have been provided indicate claimants with paper mill exposure in approximately 25% of claims reported, and only a portion of those claimants have alleged time spent in a paper mill to which we are believed to have supplied asbestos-containing products. For these reasons, we expect the percentage of these remaining claimants able to demonstrate time spent in a paper mill to which we supplied asbestos-containing products during a period in which our asbestos-containing products were in use to be considerably lower than the total number of pending claims. Detailed exposure and disease information sufficient meaningfully to estimate a range of possible loss of a particular claim is typically not available until late in the discovery process, and often not until a trial date is imminent and a settlement demand has been received. For these reasons, we do not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to these remaining claims.

It is our position, and the position of other paper machine clothing defendants, that there was insufficient exposure to asbestos from any paper machine clothing products to cause asbestos-related injury to any plaintiff. Furthermore, asbestos contained in our synthetic products was encapsulated in a resin-coated yarn woven into the interior of the fabric, further reducing the likelihood of fiber release. While we believe we have meritorious defenses to these claims, we have settled certain of these cases for amounts we consider reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each case. Our insurer, Liberty Mutual, has defended each case and funded settlements under a standard reservation of rights. As of July 25, 2011, we had resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 35,995 claims. The total cost of resolving all claims was $8.116 million. Of this amount, almost 100% was paid by our insurance carrier. The Company has approximately $130 million in confirmed insurance coverage that should be available with respect to current and future asbestos claims, as well as additional insurance coverage that we should be able to access.

Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. (“Brandon”), a subsidiary of Geschmay Corp., which is a subsidiary of the Company, is also a separate defendant in many of the asbestos cases in which Albany is named as a defendant. Brandon was defending against 7,877 claims as of July 25, 2011. This compares with 7,876 claims as of April 18, 2011, 7,868 claims as of February 11, 2011, 7,869 claims as of October 28, 2010, and 7,907 claims as of July 23, 2010.

The following table sets forth the number of claims filed, the number of claims settled, dismissed, or otherwise resolved, and the aggregate settlement amount during the periods presented:

Year ended
December
31,
Opening
Number of
Claims
Claims Dismissed,
Settled, or
Resolved
New Claims Closing
Number
of
Claims
Amounts Paid
(thousands) to
Settle or
Resolve ($)
2005 9,985 642 223 9,566 0
2006 9,566 1,182 730 9,114 0
2007 9,114 462 88 8,740 0
2008 8,740 86 10 8,664 0
2009 8,664 760 3 7,907 0
2010 7,907 47 9 7,869 0
2011 to date 7,869 3 11 7,877 0

We acquired Geschmay Corp., formerly known as Wangner Systems Corporation, in 1999. Brandon is a wholly owned subsidiary of Geschmay Corp. In 1978, Brandon acquired certain assets from Abney Mills (“Abney”), a South Carolina textile manufacturer. Among the assets acquired by Brandon from Abney were assets of Abney’s wholly owned subsidiary, Brandon Sales, Inc. which had sold, among other things, dryer fabrics

25



containing asbestos made by its parent, Abney. It is believed that Abney ceased production of asbestos-containing fabrics prior to the 1978 transaction. Although Brandon manufactured and sold dryer fabrics under its own name subsequent to the asset purchase, none of such fabrics contained asbestos. Under the terms of the Assets Purchase Agreement between Brandon and Abney, Abney agreed to indemnify, defend, and hold Brandon harmless from any actions or claims on account of products manufactured by Abney and its related corporations prior to the date of the sale, whether or not the product was sold subsequent to the date of the sale. It appears that Abney has since been dissolved. Nevertheless, a representative of Abney has been notified of the pendency of these actions and demand has been made that it assume the defense of these actions. Because Brandon did not manufacture asbestos-containing products, and because it does not believe that it was the legal successor to, or otherwise responsible for obligations of Abney with respect to products manufactured by Abney, it believes it has strong defenses to the claims that have been asserted against it. In some instances, plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed claims against it, while in others it has entered into what it considers to be reasonable settlements. As of July 25, 2011, Brandon has resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 9,721 claims for a total of $0.2 million. Brandon’s insurance carriers initially agreed to pay 88.2% of the total indemnification and defense costs related to these proceedings, subject to the standard reservation of rights. The remaining 11.8% of the costs had been borne directly by Brandon. During 2004, Brandon’s insurance carriers agreed to cover 100% of indemnification and defense costs, subject to policy limits and the standard reservation of rights, and to reimburse Brandon for all indemnity and defense costs paid directly by Brandon related to these proceedings.

As of July 25, 2011, 6,821 (or approximately 81%) of the claims pending against Brandon were pending in Mississippi. For the same reasons set forth above with respect to Albany’s claims, as well as the fact that no amounts have been paid to resolve any Brandon claims since 2001, we do not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to these remaining claims.

Mount Vernon

In some of these asbestos cases, the Company is named both as a direct defendant and as the “successor in interest” to Mount Vernon Mills (“Mount Vernon”). We acquired certain assets from Mount Vernon in 1993. Certain plaintiffs allege injury caused by asbestos-containing products alleged to have been sold by Mount Vernon many years prior to this acquisition. Mount Vernon is contractually obligated to indemnify the Company against any liability arising out of such products. We deny any liability for products sold by Mount Vernon prior to the acquisition of the Mount Vernon assets. Pursuant to its contractual indemnification obligations, Mount Vernon has assumed the defense of these claims. On this basis, we have successfully moved for dismissal in a number of actions.


Although we do not believe, based on currently available information and for the reasons stated above, that a meaningful estimate of a range of possible loss can be made with respect to such claims, based on our understanding of the insurance policies available, how settlement amounts have been allocated to various policies, our settlement experience, the absence of any judgments against the Company or Brandon, the ratio of paper mill claims to total claims filed, and the defenses available, we currently do not anticipate any material liability relating to the resolution of the aforementioned pending proceedings in excess of existing insurance limits. Consequently, we currently do not anticipate, based on currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of the aforementioned proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company. Although we cannot predict the number and timing of future claims, based on the foregoing factors and the trends in claims against us to date, we do not anticipate that additional claims likely to be filed against us in the future will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We are aware that litigation is inherently uncertain, especially when the outcome is dependent primarily on determinations of factual matters to be made by juries.


26



NAFTA Audits

The Company’s affiliate in Mexico was notified in November 2010 that Mexican customs authorities expected to issue demands for duties on certain imports of PMC from the Company and the Company’s affiliate in Canada for which the Company has claimed duty-free treatment under the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).

The notices result from a decision by the Mexican Servicio de Administración Tributaria (“SAT”) to invalidate NAFTA certificates provided by the Company on products shipped to its Mexican affiliate during the years 2006 through 2008. The Demand Notices arose from an SAT audit during 2010, at the conclusion of which the SAT determined that the Company had failed to provide documentation sufficient to show that the certificates were validly issued, and declared the certificates issued during this period to be invalid. The Company believes that the certificates of origin were valid and properly issued and has commenced administrative appeals with SAT disputing its resolutions.

The import duties identified in such notices to date are approximately US $2.5 million, and relate to only a portion of the shipments covered by the invalidated certificates.

In the event of an adverse ruling at the conclusion of the administrative appeal process, the Company would have an opportunity to appeal the outcome in Mexican Tax Court, during which it would have an opportunity to present evidence to establish that the shipments in question were of U.S. and Canadian origin and entitled to the benefits of NAFTA. As all of the shipments covered by the invalidated certificates were, in fact, of U.S. or Canadian origin, the Company expects that it will be able to demonstrate that the certificates were validly issued. The Company has been advised by counsel that, if this is the case, then the Tax Court is likely to revoke the SAT invalidation actions and rule in favor of the Company.

In the unlikely event that the Company were not to prevail, however, then it could become subject to additional demand notices for the balance of the shipments during the period from 2006 through 2008 covered by the invalidated certificates. If such demand notices were to be issued for all the shipments so covered, then the Company could be liable for duties aggregating between US $8.0 and $10.0 million. The Company has also been advised by counsel that SAT would likely seek additional antidumping duties and penalties which could increase these amounts by up to 900%, but that the possibility that SAT would succeed in obtaining such additional duties and penalties is remote. The Company also does not believe that it faces any material risk of certificates being invalidated with respect to any period other than the 2006 through 2008 audit period. For this reason, the Company does not feel that this matter is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

27



13. Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

The following table summarizes changes in Stockholders’ Equity:


(in thousands) Class A
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Additional
paid in
capital
Retained
earnings
Accumulated
items of other
comprehensive
income
Treasury
stock
Total
Shareholders'
Equity

 
December 31, 2010 $36 $3 $387,876 $403,048   ($106,672 ) ($258,031 ) $426,260  
 
Net income - - - 25,495     -   -   25,495  
 
Dividends declared - - - (7,814 )   -   -   (7,814 )
                         
Compensation and                        
benefits paid or payable in                        
Class A Common Stock 1 - 1,179 -     -   111   1,291  
 
Options exercised - - 338 -     -   -   338  
 
Cumulative translation                        
adjustment - - - -     39,936   -   39,936  
 
Amortization of pension                        
liability - - - -     1,587   -   1,587  
 
Change in derivative                        
valuation adjustment - - - -     (925 ) -   (925 )

June 30, 2011 $37 $3 $389,393 $420,729   ($66,074 ) ($257,920 ) $486,168  

28



14. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of the following:


  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands) 2011 2010 2011 2010

 
Net income $8,762   $7,877   $25,495   $13,475  

 
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:                
   Foreign currency translation adjustments 14,024   (36,019 ) 39,936   (55,580 )
   Amortization of pension liability adjustment 1,305   1,047   2,602   2,100  
   Pension and postretirement liability adjustments -   1,289   -   (48 )
   Derivative valuation adjustment (2,176 ) -   (1,516 )    
 
Income taxes related to items of other                
comprehensive income/(loss):                
   Amortization of pension liability adjustment (509 ) (408 ) (1,015 ) (819 )
   Pension and postretirement liability adjustments -   (502 ) -   19  
   Derivative valuation adjustment 848   -   591   -  

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax 13,492   (34,593 ) 40,598   (54,328 )

 
Comprehensive income/(loss) $22,254   ($26,716 ) $66,093   ($40,853 )

29



15. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended authoritative guidance related to common fair value measurements and disclosure requirements. This pronouncement was issued to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This pronouncement changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements, particularly for level 3 fair value measurements, and is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance concerns presentation and disclosure only and will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

30



Forward-looking statements

This quarterly report may contain statements, estimates, or projections that constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties (including, without limitation, those set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and our present expectations or projections.

Forward-looking statements in this report include, without limitation, statements about future economic and paper industry conditions; sales and operating income expectations during the next several quarters in each of the Company’s businesses; anticipated improvements in cash generation, revenue growth and income expectations for the Company’s non-PMC businesses, including Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.; pricing conditions in the PMC industry; the amount and timing of capital expenditures; future tax rates and cash paid for taxes; depreciation and amortization; future debt levels and debt covenant ratios; future revaluation gains and losses; and future levels of EBITDA. Furthermore, a change in any one or more of the foregoing factors could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results in any period. Such statements are based on current expectations, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Statements in this report expressing management’s assessments of the growth potential of various businesses, or referring to earlier assessments of such potential, are not intended as forecasts of actual future growth, and should not be relied on as such. While management believes such assessments to have a reasonable basis, such assessments are, by their nature, inherently uncertain. Historical growth rates are no guarantee of future growth, and such independent forecasts and assumptions could prove materially incorrect, in some cases.

 

31


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of the Company. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes. In addition, the results of operations below reflect a previously reported segment reclassification, as described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Overview

After a period of intense restructuring, the Company has become a portfolio of businesses, each with roots in advanced textiles and materials processing: Paper Machine Clothing (PMC), Albany Door Systems (ADS), Engineered Fabrics (EF), PrimaLoft® Products, and Albany Engineered Composites, Inc. (AEC).

PMC remains the Company’s core business segment and primary generator of cash. While the paper industry in our traditional geographic markets has suffered from well-documented overcapacity in the publication grades, especially newsprint, the industry is still expected to grow on a global basis, driven by demand for packaging and tissue grades, as well as the expansion of paper consumption and production in Asia and South America. Although we no longer consider the PMC industry as having significant growth potential, our PMC business has significant prospects for long-term cash generation. We feel we are now well-positioned in this industry, with high-quality, low-cost production in growth markets, substantially lower fixed costs in mature markets, and continued strength in new product development and field services. We seek to maintain the cash-generating potential of this business by maintaining the low costs that we achieved through restructuring, and competing vigorously by using our differentiated products and services to reduce our customers’ total cost of operation and improve their paper quality.

During the recession, we focused on reducing fixed costs in each of the ADS, Engineered Fabrics, and PrimaLoft® Products businesses.

We believe that AEC provides the greatest growth potential, both near and long term, for our Company. Our goal is to develop AEC into a second core business by the end of this decade. Our strategy is to grow organically by focusing our proprietary technology on high-value aerospace and defense applications that cannot be served effectively by conventional composites. AEC supplies a number of customers in the aerospace industry. AEC’s most significant aerospace customer is the SAFRAN Group, for whom we make braces for the Boeing 787 main landing gear, outer guide vanes for the CFM-56 engine, and fan blades and other components for the LEAP-X engine. AEC is also developing other new and potentially significant products for airframe (both civilian and military) and land-based defense applications.

32



Consolidated Results of Operations

Net sales

The following table summarizes our net sales by business segment:

(USD in thousands)
  Three months ended
June 30,
% Six months ended
June 30,
%
  2011 2010 Change 2011 2010 Change

Paper Machine Clothing $158,577 $153,662 3.2 % $326,473 $300,399 8.7 %
Albany Door Systems 45,393 33,792 34.3 % 90,521   67,547 34.0 %
Engineered Fabrics 20,600 21,032 -2.1 % 41,186   40,144 2.6 %
Engineered Composites 10,504 10,870 -3.4 % 21,976   19,511 12.6 %
PrimaLoft® Products 8,941 8,094 10.5 % 15,709   13,722 14.5 %

Total $244,015 $227,450 7.3 % $495,865 $441,323 12.4 %

Three month comparison

Six month comparison

33



Gross Profit

The following table summarizes gross profit by business segment:

(USD in thousands)
  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June, 30
  2011 2010 2011 2010

Paper Machine Clothing $67,373   $64,013   $145,693   $122,026  
Albany Door Systems 16,174   11,756   32,322   23,553  
Engineered Fabrics 7,580   7,872   15,797   13,709  
Engineered Composites 155   (545 ) 136   (1,590 )
PrimaLoft® Products 4,786   4,473   8,443   8,072  
Unallocated (1,168 ) (1,734 ) (2,498 ) (2,706 )

Total $94,900   $85,835   $199,893   $163,064  

% of Net Sales 38.9 % 37.7 % 40.3 % 36.9 %

Three month comparison

The increase in gross profit during 2011 was principally due to the net effect of the following:

Six month comparison

The increase in gross profit during 2011 was principally due to the net effect of the following:

Selling, Technical, General, and Research (STG&R)

The following table summarizes STG&R by business segment:

(USD in thousands)
  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June, 30
  2011 2010 2011 2010

Paper Machine Clothing $32,016   $24,762   $64,073   $52,828  
Albany Door Systems 11,760   8,971   22,385   17,856  
Engineered Fabrics 4,656   3,430   8,832   7,610  
Engineered Composites 1,255   1,444   2,266   2,628  
PrimaLoft® Products 1,621   1,547   3,367   3,077  
Research 7,212   7,132   14,377   12,943  
Unallocated 15,206   14,080   31,326   30,500  

Total $73,726   $61,366   $146,626   $127,442  

% of Net Sales 30.2 % 27.0 % 29.6 % 28.9 %

34



Three month comparison

STG&R expenses for 2011 were higher than 2010, principally due to the net effect of the following:

Six month comparison

STG&R expenses for 2011 were higher than 2010, principally due to the net effect of the following:

35


Operating Income

The following table summarizes operating income by business segment:

(USD in thousands)                


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June, 30
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Paper Machine Clothing $34,909   $38,575   $81,139   $66,236  
Albany Door Systems 4,053   2,339   9,424   5,223  
Engineered Fabrics 2,800   3,835   6,841   5,492  
Engineered Composites (1,144 ) (1,989 ) (2,187 ) (4,218 )
PrimaLoft® Products 3,165   2,926   5,076   4,995  
Research expense (7,212 ) (7,132 ) (14,377 ) (12,943 )
Unallocated expenses (17,489 ) (14,774 ) (34,927 ) (31,244 )

Total $19,082   $23,780   $50,989   $33,541  


In addition to the items discussed above affecting gross profit and STG&R, operating income in 2011 and 2010 was reduced by restructuring costs.

Restructuring Expense

The following table summarizes restructuring expense by business segment:

(USD in thousands)            

  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June, 30
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Paper Machine Clothing $448 $676   $481 $2,962  
Albany Door Systems 361 446   513 474  
Engineered Fabrics 124 607   124 607  
Engineered Composites 44 -   57 -  
Unallocated expenses 1,115 (1,040 ) 1,103 (1,962 )

Total $2,092 $689   $2,278 $2,081  

Restructuring charges in Q2 2011 were principally due to organizational changes associated with the substantial completion of the SAP conversion project. Restructuring charges in Q1 2011 were remaining costs associated with restructuring actions initiated prior to 2011 to reduce manufacturing capacity in the U.S. and in Europe.

Restructuring charges in Q2 and Q1 during 2010 were $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and were associated with restructuring actions initiated in 2009 to reduce manufacturing capacity in the U.S. and in Europe. Post-retirement benefit plan curtailment gains reduced restructuring expense in 2010 by $1.0 million in Q2 and $0.9 million in Q1. Restructuring expense in Q1 2010 included a non-cash charge of $1.2 million to write-down property, plant, and equipment related to previously announced reductions in manufacturing capacity.

36



Other Earnings Items

(USD in thousands)                


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June, 30
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Interest expense, net $4,786   $3,882   $9,562   $7,707  
Other expense/(income), net 55   (2,991 ) 4,924   (5,272 )
Income tax expense 5,359   15,102   10,668   17,729  
Equity in (losses)/earnings of associated companies (120 ) 90   (340 ) 98  
Net income 8,762   7,877   25,495   13,475  

Interest Expense, net

The increase in interest expense, net is principally the result of higher interest rates during 2011, partly offset by lower levels of outstanding debt. In July 2010 we renegotiated our revolving credit agreement and entered into an interest rate swap agreement that fixes the interest rate on a portion of the debt. The new agreements resulted in a weighted average interest rate of 3.56% during the six-months of 2011, compared to a rate of 1.23% during same period during 2010 under the old agreement. The average balance of the revolving credit agreement during the six-months of 2011 and 2010 was $230.3 million and $305.1 million, respectively. See the Capital Resources section below for further discussion of borrowings and interest rates.

Other Expense/(Income), net

Other expense/(income), net included the following:

Income Tax Expense

For the three-month period, 2011 income tax expense was $9.7 million lower than 2010. Income tax expense in 2010 included a discrete tax charge of $9.4 million related to the liquidation of our company-held life insurance policies. Income tax expense in 2010 also included a discrete tax benefit of $1.8 million related to repatriation of funds held by a subsidiary.

For the six-month period, our effective income tax rate, exclusive of discrete tax items, was 33.0% in 2011 and 32.6% in 2010. Income tax expense in 2011 was reduced by favorable discrete tax adjustments of $1.4 million. The net effect of the two discrete items discussed above resulted in a $7.6 million increase to 2010 income tax expense.

37



Outlook

The outlook in the short term, excluding currency effects and assuming continued success in offsetting inflation, is for year-over-year improvement, driven by stable performance in PMC and growth in our other segments.

Segment Results of Operations

Paper Machine Clothing Segment
Business Environment and Trends

PMC is our primary business segment and continues to account for nearly 67% of our consolidated revenues in current and prior periods. PMC is purchased primarily by manufacturers of paper and paperboard.

According to data published by RISI, Inc., paper and paperboard production decreased severely during 2009 and 2008 due to the global recession. The decline was especially pronounced in North America and Europe driven mainly by declining demand for newsprint and certain printing and writing grades. Paper and paperboard production recovered somewhat during 2010, but global production still remains well below pre-recession levels. According to RISI, global production is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.3% over the next five years, driven primarily by secular demand increases in the Asia and South America, with stabilization in the mature markets of Europe and North America.

Shifting demand for paper, across different paper grades as well as across geographical regions, triggered the elimination of a large number of older, less efficient machines in areas with significant established capacity, primarily in the mature markets of Europe and North America. At the same time newer, faster, and more efficient machines were being installed in areas of growing demand. Recent technological advances in PMC, while contributing to the papermaking efficiency of customers, have lengthened the useful life of many of our products and had an adverse impact on overall PMC demand. These factors help to explain why PMC revenue growth has not kept pace with the rate of growth in paper production.

Economic conditions over the past three years have had a significant impact on the structure of the global PMC industry. The ability to make and sell paper machines and PMC together could be perceived as providing a competitive advantage, and during the recent recession two of our competitors were acquired by paper machine builders. One of our competitors filed for bankruptcy and reorganized itself, reducing some of the indebtedness on its balance sheet. Some of the aggressive pricing practices that contributed to price erosion during the recession seem to have abated, as prices have remained relatively stable over the past few quarters. Future price erosion, especially in the mature markets of Europe and North America, remains a risk. We would expect such risk to be greatest were there to be any return to recession or general economic uncertainty, or if there is any future secular reduction in demand for certain printing and writing paper grades.

Our strategy for meeting the challenges and trends in this segment has been (a) to grow share in the mature markets of North America and Europe with new products and technology, (b) grow sales in the emerging markets of Asia and South America, (c) continue to create higher quality, higher performing products and services that deliver greater value to our customers, and (d) offset the effects of inflation through continuous productivity improvement.

38



Review of Operations

(USD in thousands)                


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
 
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Net sales $158,577   $153,662   $326,473   $300,399  
Gross profit 67,373   64,013   145,693   122,026  
% of net sales 42.5 % 41.7 % 44.6 % 40.6 %
Operating income 34,909   38,575   81,139   66,236  

Net Sales

Three month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

Six month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

Gross Profit

Three month comparison

The increase in 2011 gross profit was principally due to the net effect of the following:

Six month comparison

The increase in 2011 gross profit was principally due to the net effect of the following:

39



Operating Income

Three month comparison

The decrease in 2011 operating income was principally due to the net effect of the following:

Six month comparison

The increase in 2011 operating income was principally due to the net effect of the following:

Outlook

Sales during the second half of the year should be roughly comparable to the first half. More generally, the global paper industry has now moved beyond the inventory restocking phase of the business cycle, and the long-term sectoral trend of incremental year-over-year growth seems once again to have taken hold. Since we are well-positioned in all of the growth segments of the global paper industry, this suggests, over the long run, a return to steady or slightly improving annual performance. The most likely source of downside risk to this outlook in the short- and medium-term is periodic consolidation in the paper industry, especially in Europe; the most likely source of upside potential is performance-driven market share gains in the growth segments of the global paper industry.

Albany Door Systems Segment
Business Environment and Trends

ADS derives approximately 70% of its revenue from the sale of high-performance doors, with the balance derived from aftermarket parts and service which carry a higher profit margin. Geographically, approximately two-thirds of segment revenue comes from our European operations. Historically, sales volume in this segment has been tightly connected to gross domestic product, which is the principal driver of the change in sales from 2008 to 2010. Our priorities in this segment have been:

40



Review of Operations

(USD in thousands)                


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Net sales $45,393   $33,792   $90,521   $67,547  
Gross profit 16,174   11,756   32,322   23,553  
% of net sales 35.6 % 34.8 % 35.7 % 34.9 %
Operating income 4,053   2,339   9,424   5,223  

Net Sales

Three month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

Six month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

Gross Profit

Three month comparison

The increase in 2011 gross profit was principally due to the net effect of the following:

Six month comparison

The increase in 2011 gross profit was principally due to the net effect of the following:

41



Operating Income

Three month comparison

The increase in 2011 operating income was principally due to the following:

Six month comparison

The increase in 2011 operating income was principally due to the following:

Outlook

ADS operating results during the first half of 2011 suggests that this business has returned to pre-recession performance levels, driven by three major trends, each of which we believe to be sustainable through the second half of the year: economic growth in Germany, the growth of new product sales, and expansion of our aftermarket business.

Engineered Fabrics Segment
Business Environment and Trends

EF manufactures products similar to PMC, but for customers in industries other than paper. The largest portion of revenue in this segment is derived from sales to the nonwovens industry, which includes the manufacture of diapers, personal care and household wipes. Other markets that are served by this segment are businesses adjacent to the paper industry, and manufacturers of tannery, textile and building products. Segment sales in the European and Pacific regions combined are almost at the same level as sales within the Americas.

Review of Operations

(USD in thousands)                


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Net sales $20,600   $21,032   $41,186   $40,144  
Gross profit 7,580   7,872   15,797   13,709  
% of net sales 36.8 % 37.4 % 38.4 % 34.1 %
Operating income 2,800   3,835   6,841   5,492  

42



Net Sales

Three month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

Six month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

Gross Profit

Three month comparison

The decrease in 2011 gross profit is principally due to following:

Six month comparison

The increase in 2011 gross profit is principally due to following:

Operating Income

Three month comparison

2011 operating income decreased principally due to the following changes:

Six month comparison

2011 operating income increased principally due to the following changes:

43



Outlook

While Q2 2011 gross margins and operating income margin were weaker than in prior year, orders in Q2 2011 orders levels suggest that prospects for year-over-year performance improvement in Q3 are stronger than Q2 performance might otherwise indicate.

Engineered Composites Segment
Business Environment and Trends

AEC provides custom-designed advanced composite structures based on proprietary technology to customers in the aerospace and defense industries. AEC’s most significant customer is the SAFRAN Group, for whom we supply landing gear components for the Boeing 787 and outer guide vanes for the CFM-56 engine. AEC is currently developing for SAFRAN a family of composite parts, including fan blades and fan cases, to be incorporated into the CFM LEAP-X engine.

While SAFRAN is AEC’s most significant customer and the LEAP-X engine our most significant program, we are also developing applications that will enable AEC to diversify from engine components and landing gear braces to other potentially significant airframe (both civilian and military) and land-based defense applications. The Company’s goal is to grow AEC into a second core business by the end of this decade, primarily by using proprietary technology to develop new, high-value aerospace and defense applications that cannot be served effectively by conventional composites. AEC’s unique, proprietary composites technologies provide opportunities to displace metal components with lower-weight, high-strength, and, in some cases, potentially high-temperature composite components. Achieving lower weight is the key to improving fuel efficiency, and is thus a critical performance requirement in the aerospace industry and driver of growth in aerospace composites.

Review of Operations

(USD in thousands)                


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Net sales $10,504   $10,870   $21,976   $19,511  
Gross profit 155   (545 ) 136   (1,590 )
% of net sales 1.5 % -5.0 % 0.6 % -8.1 %
Operating income (1,144 ) (1,989 ) (2,187 ) (4,218 )

Net Sales

Three month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

Six month comparison

Net sales were affected by the following:

44



Gross Profit

Three month comparison

2011 gross profit included the following:

Six month comparison

2011 gross profit included the following:

Operating Income

Three month comparison

2011 operating income increased principally due to the following:

Six month comparison

2011 operating income increased principally due to the following:

Outlook

In the short term, we look for continued positive EBITDA performance in the second half of the year, with improving sales across a wide array of programs. In the medium term, we continue to look for significant growth, although the slope of that growth curve is uncertain and hinges in part on a number of programs still under development. The most significant of these programs include: the composite substrate for a new engine nozzle being developed by Boeing; a variety of potential airframe applications for both fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft; and a family of secondary engine parts, such as outer guide vanes, acoustic panels, and spinners, for a variety of aircraft engines and engine manufacturers.

PrimaLoft® Products Segment
Business Environment and Trends

The PrimaLoft® Products segment includes sales of high performance insulation and yarns for outdoor clothing, home furnishings and sleeping bags. Approximately two-thirds of sales are derived from the North American market. Top-line growth in this segment is affected by the health of consumer apparel markets in North America and Europe, and the severity and harshness of the winter weather in those markets.

45



Review of Operations

(USD in thousands)                


  Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Net sales $8,941   $8,094   $15,709   $13,722  
Gross profit 4,786   4,473   8,443   8,072  
% of net sales 53.5 % 55.3 % 53.7 % 58.8 %
Operating income 3,165   2,926   5,076   4,995  

Net Sales

Three month comparison

Six month comparison

Gross Profit

Three month comparison

Gross profit in 2011 was relatively flat with 2010 principally due to the following:

Six month comparison

Gross profit in 2011 was relatively flat with 2010 principally due to the following:

Operating Income

Three month comparison

Operating income was slightly higher in 2011 principally due to the following:

Six month comparison

Operating income was slightly higher in 2011 principally due to the following:

Outlook

Operating results for 2011 in our PrimaLoft® Products segment suggests the prospect of continued improvement in year-over-year performance, while considering that the second half of the year for this business is always much weaker than the first half.

46



Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow Summary

(USD in thousands)        


  Six months ended
June 30,
 
  2011 2010


Net income $25,495   $13,475  
    Changes in working capital (7,702 ) (1,729 )
    Other operating items 34,005   49,076  

Net cash provided by operating activities 51,798   60,822  
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (12,786 ) 31,539  
Net cash (used in) financing activities (14,511 ) (70,886 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash        
equivalents 10,244   (16,268 )

Increase in cash and cash equivalents 34,745   5,207  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 122,301   97,466  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $157,046   $102,673  

Below is our discussion of cash flow activities comparing the six-months ending June 30, 2011 to the same period of 2010:

Operating activities

The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2011, as compared to the same period of 2010, was principally due to an increase in inventories, offset partially by an increase in net income. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $33.0 million in 2011 and $31.5 million in 2010. For the full year of 2011, we expect our depreciation and amortization to total $65.0 million.

Changes in working capital include changes in inventories and accounts receivable. Inventories increased $17.3 million in 2011 and decreased $12.0 million in 2010. Accounts receivable decreased by $6.9 million in 2011 and increased $0.3 million in 2010. The decrease in accounts receivable during 2011 is the result of successful collection effects, primarily in our PMC segment. The increase in inventory during 2011 was mostly in the PMC segment as high production levels replenished inventory we are required to hold for customers. The decrease in inventory and minor increase in accounts receivable during 2010 were due in part to lower sales and our company-wide initiatives to reduce working capital.

Cash payments made in connection with restructuring activities, primarily employee severance payments, were $2.0 million in 2011 and $14.6 million in 2010. We expect to pay substantially all of our remaining $3.5 million restructuring accrual as of June 30, 2011 by the end of this year.

Cash used for incentive compensation and profit sharing in 2011 was $11.3 million, compared to $7.6 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to the Company’s decision in 2011 to fund profit-sharing payouts totaling $2.4 million with cash instead of shares.

Cash payments for income taxes were $7.3 million in 2011 and $4.0 million in 2010. We expect to make payments for income taxes of $15.0 million for the full year.

We purchased foreign currency options for $0.3 million in 2011 and $0.6 million in 2010. The options serve as part of our strategy to mitigate volatility in operating cash flows and EBITDA caused by the effect of changes in foreign currency rates on sales and costs denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

47



Investing Activities

Capital expenditures, including purchased software, were $15.6 million during 2011 and $15.9 million in 2010. Capital expenditures in our PMC segment amounted to $6.5 million and $9.4 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, while capital expenditures in our AEC business amounted to $5.5 million and $3.5 million for the same periods. We estimate capital spending for the full year of 2011 to be approximately $40.0 million.

We actively manage our global portfolio of real estate that is available for sale due to prior restructuring activities. In 2011 we sold two properties located in the United States for $2.9 million in cash proceeds.

During the first quarter of 2010, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of Envico Ltd., a New Zealand-based manufacturer and distributor of high-performance doors, for approximately $1.9 million.

During the second quarter of 2010, we liquidated all holdings in life insurance policies for approximately $49.3 million. This transaction led to a discrete tax charge of $9.4 million. Also during this quarter, we repatriated funds held by a subsidiary that resulted in a discrete tax benefit of $1.8 million. The proceeds from both of these transactions were used to pay down our revolving debt prior to refinancing and reduce our overall leverage. In addition, under the terms of the new agreement, the impact of cash and the cash surrender value of life insurance policies was limited to $65.0 million for the purposes of calculating net debt in the leverage ratio.

Financing Activities

Cash dividends paid were $7.5 million during 2011 and $7.4 million during 2010. Dividends have been declared each quarter since the fourth quarter of 2001. Decisions with respect to whether a dividend will be paid, as well as the amount of the dividend, if applicable, are made by the Board of Directors each quarter. To the extent the Board declares cash dividends in the future, we would expect to pay such dividends out of operating cash flows. Future cash dividends will depend on debt covenants and on the Board’s assessment of our ability to generate sufficient cash flows.

Capital Resources

We finance our business activities primarily with cash generated from operations and borrowings, largely through our revolving credit agreement as discussed below. Our subsidiaries outside of the United States may also maintain working capital lines with local banks, but borrowings under such local facilities tend not to be significant.

We have a $390.0 million five-year revolving credit agreement that was executed during 2010. During 2011 we paid down outstanding debt under this agreement of $7.0 million, leaving $230.0 million outstanding as of June 30, 2011. In addition, as of June 30, 2011, $53.2 million in letters of credit were outstanding under this agreement, in respect of preliminary assessments for income tax contingencies. Income tax contingencies are more fully described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The applicable interest rate for borrowings under the agreement is LIBOR plus a spread (all-in), based on our leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. Spreads under the 2010 agreement are higher than under the old agreement, reflecting changes in market spreads. The all-in average interest rate was 3.56% in 2011 and 1.23% in 2010.

48



In connection with our 2010 credit agreement, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that have the effect of fixing the LIBOR portion of the effective interest rate (before addition of the spread) on $105.0 million of the indebtedness drawn under the credit agreement at the rate of 2.04% until these swap agreements expire on July 16, 2015. Under the terms of hedging transactions, we pay the fixed rate of 2.04% and the counterparties pay a floating rate based on the three-month LIBOR rate at each quarterly calculation date. On June 30, 2011, the applicable spread was 250 basis points, yielding an effective annual rate of 4.54%.

We have a $150.0 million borrowing from the Prudential Insurance Company of America, for which the agreement was amended and restated during 2010. The principal is due in three installments of $50.0 million each in 2013, 2015, and 2017, and the interest rate is fixed at 6.84%.

We also have $28.4 million principal amount of 2.25% convertible notes outstanding that were issued March 2006. The notes are convertible upon the occurrence of specified events, as described in Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reflecting, in each case, the effect of subsequent amendments to each agreement, we are currently required to maintain a leverage ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and to maintain a minimum interest coverage of 3.00 to 1.00 under the new credit agreement and Prudential agreement.

As of June 30, 2011, our leverage ratio was 2.16 to 1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 7.96 to 1.00. We may purchase our Common Stock or pay dividends to the extent our leverage ratio remains at or below 3.50 to 1.00, and may make acquisitions with cash provided our leverage ratio would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition. As of June 30, 2011, we were in compliance with the covenants of our debt and credit agreements.

Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the credit agreement is conditional upon the absence of any defaults, as well as the absence of any material adverse change. Based on the maximum leverage ratio and our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the new agreement), and without modification to any other credit agreements, as of June 30, 2011, we would have been able to borrow an additional $106.8 million under our credit agreements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2011, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB amended authoritative guidance related to common fair value measurements and disclosure requirements. This pronouncement was issued to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This pronouncement changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements, particularly for level 3 fair value measurements, and is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance concerns presentation and disclosure only and will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

49



Non-GAAP Measures

This Form 10-Q contains certain items, such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), EBITDA excluding restructuring charges and foreign currency revaluation effects, sales excluding currency effects, effective income tax rate excluding discrete tax items, net debt, and certain income and expense items on a per share basis, that could be considered non-GAAP financial measures. Such items are provided because we believe that, when presented together with the GAAP items to which they relate, they provide additional useful information to investors regarding our operational performance.

The effect of changes in currency translation rates is calculated by converting amounts reported in local currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of a prior period. That amount is then compared to the U.S. dollar amount reported in the current period. Presenting increases or decreases in sales, after currency effects are excluded, can give us and investors insight into underlying sales trends.

We calculate our effective tax excluding discrete tax items by removing discrete tax items from total Income tax expense, then dividing that result by Income before tax. Discrete tax items may include the effect of certain events, such as the reversal of reserves related to potential income tax exposures that have been resolved, that management believes to be less indicative of our ongoing business operations.

We calculate EBITDA by adding Interest expense net, Income taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization to Net income. We calculate EBITDA excluding restructuring and foreign currency effects by adding or subtracting losses or gains attributable to [GAAP] restructuring and those attributable to revaluation of certain working capital assets due to changes in exchange rates. We believe that both measures provide useful information to investors as potential indicators of the strength and performance of our ongoing business operations. While depreciation and amortization are operating costs under GAAP, they are non-cash expenses equal to current period allocation of costs associated with capital and other long- lived investments made in prior periods. While we will continue to make capital and other investments in the future, it is currently in the process of concluding a period of significant investment in plant, equipment, and software. Depreciation and amortization associated with these investments have a significant impact on our net income. EBITDA is also a calculation commonly used by investors and analysts to evaluate and compare the periodic and future operating performance and value of companies. EBITDA, as defined by us, may not be similar to EBITDA measures of other companies. EBITDA may not be considered a measurement under GAAP, and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information contained in our statements of operations.

50



The following table contains the calculation of EBITDA and EBITDA excluding restructuring charges and foreign currency revaluation effects:

(USD in thousands)                


  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2011 2010 2011 2010


Net income $8,762   $7,877   $25,495   $13,475  
Interest expense, net 4,786   3,882   9,562   7,707  
Income tax expense 5,359   15,102   10,668   17,729  
Depreciation 14,393   13,309   28,526   27,250  
Amortization 2,312   2,276   4,489   4,230  

EBITDA $35,612   $42,446   $78,740   $70,391  

Restructuring and other, net 2,092   689   2,278   2,081  
Foreign currency revaluation losses (gains) 1,530   (6,739 ) 7,381   (9,507 )

EBITDA excluding restructuring charges and                
foreign currency revaluation $39,234   $36,396   $88,399   $62,965  

Percentage increase in 2011 7.8 %     40.4 %    




We disclose certain income and expense items on a per share basis. We believe that such disclosures provide important insight of the underlying quarterly earnings and are financial performance metrics commonly used by investors. We calculate the per share amount for items included in continuing operations by using the effective tax rate utilized during the applicable reporting period and the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.

The following tables show the earnings per share effect of certain income and expense items:

(USD in thousands, except per share amounts)          


  Pre tax
Amounts
Tax
Effect
After tax
Effect
Shares
Outstanding
Per Share
Effect


Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:          
Foreign currency revaluation losses $1,530 $505 $1,025 31,263 $0.03
Restructuring and other, net 2,092 690 1,402 31,263 0.04
Income tax adjustments   659 659 31,263 0.02



Three Months Ended June 30, 2010:          
Foreign currency revaluation gain $6,739 $2,197 $4,542 31,058 $0.15
Restructuring and other, net 689 225 464 31,058 0.01
Income tax adjustments   7,632 7,632 31,058 0.25



51



(USD in thousands, except per share amounts)          


  Pre tax
Amounts
Tax
Effect
After tax
Effect
Shares
Outstanding
Per Share
Effect
 


Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:          
Foreign currency revaluation losses $7,381 $2,436 $4,945 31,243 $0.16
Restructuring and other, net 2,278 752 1,526 31,243 0.05
Income tax adjustments   1,378 1,378 31,243 0.04



Six Months Ended June 30, 2010:          
Foreign currency revaluation gain $9,507 $3,099 $6,408 31,001 $0.21
Restructuring and other, net 2,081 678 1,403 31,001 0.05
Income tax adjustments   7,577 7,577 31,001 0.24



We define net debt as total debt minus cash. We view net debt, a non-GAAP financial measure, as a measure of our ability to reduce debt, add to cash balances, pay dividends, repurchase stock, and fund investing and financing activities.

The following table contains the calculation of net debt:

(USD in thousands)      


 
  June 30,
2011
March 31,
2011
December 31,
2010


Notes and loans payable $1,246 $2,227 $1,587
Current maturities of long-term debt 12 12 12
Long-term debt 417,012 416,827 423,647

Total debt 418,270 419,066 425,246

Cash 157,046 137,518 122,301

Net debt $261,224 $281,548 $302,945

52



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

For discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” under Item 7A of form 10-K, which is included as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

a) Disclosure controls and procedures.

The principal executive officers and principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective for ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures, include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in filed or submitted reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

In the second quarter of 2011, the Company completed the cutover of its Eurasian operations to SAP, substantially completing the SAP implementation project. Except for that change, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on our internal controls over financial reporting.

53



PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Asbestos Litigation

Albany International Corp. is a defendant in suits brought in various courts in the United States by plaintiffs who allege that they have suffered personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products that we previously manufactured. We produced asbestos-containing paper machine clothing synthetic dryer fabrics marketed during the period from 1967 to 1976 and used in certain paper mills. Such fabrics generally had a useful life of three to twelve months.

We were defending 4,714 claims as of July 25, 2011. This compares with 4,799 claims as of April 18, 2011, 5,158 claims as of February 11, 2011, 5,170 claims as of October 29, 2010, and 7,343 claims as of July 23, 2010. These suits allege a variety of lung and other diseases based on alleged exposure to products that we previously manufactured.

The following table sets forth the number of claims filed, the number of claims settled, dismissed, or otherwise resolved, and the aggregate settlement amount during the periods presented:

Year ended
December
31,
Opening
Number
of Claims
Claims Dismissed,
Settled, or
Resolved
New Claims Closing
Number of
Claims
Amounts Paid
(thousands)
to Settle or
Resolve ($)
2005 29,411 6,257 1,297 24,451 504
2006 24,451 6,841 1,806 19,416 3,879
2007 19,416 808 190 18,798 15
2008 18,798 523 110 18,385 52
2009 18,385 9,482 42 8,945 88
2010 8,945 3,963 188 5,170 159
2011 to date 5,170 504 48 4,714 1,111

We anticipate that additional claims will be filed against the Company and related companies in the future, but are unable to predict the number and timing of such future claims. These suits typically involve claims against from twenty to more than two hundred defendants, and many complaints fail to identify the plaintiffs’ work history or the nature of the plaintiffs’ alleged exposure to our products. Pleadings and discovery responses in cases in which work histories have been provided indicate claimants with paper mill exposure in approximately 15% of the total claims filed against the Company to date, and only a portion of those claimants have alleged time spent in a paper mill to which we are believed to have supplied asbestos-containing products.

The significant increase in the number of dismissed claims during 2009 and early 2010 was in large part the result of changes in the administration of claims assigned to the multidistrict litigation panel of the federal district courts (the “MDL”). As of July 25, 2011, 448 claims remained against the Company in the MDL. This compares to 12,758 claims that were pending at the MDL as of February 6, 2009.

With respect to claims remaining at the MDL, future discovery may yield more relevant information regarding work histories and the basis, if any, for a plaintiff’s claim against the Company. The Company does not currently believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to the claims remaining at the MDL, although this conclusion could change as the MDL’s efforts to advance resolution of these claims progresses.

54



As of July 25, 2011, the remaining 4,266 claims pending against the Company were pending in a number of jurisdictions other than the MDL. Pleadings and discovery responses in those cases in which work histories have been provided indicate claimants with paper mill exposure in approximately 25% of claims reported, and only a portion of those claimants have alleged time spent in a paper mill to which we are believed to have supplied asbestos-containing products. For these reasons, we expect the percentage of these remaining claimants able to demonstrate time spent in a paper mill to which we supplied asbestos-containing products during a period in which our asbestos-containing products were in use to be considerably lower than the total number of pending claims. Detailed exposure and disease information sufficient meaningfully to estimate a range of possible loss of a particular claim is typically not available until late in the discovery process, and often not until a trial date is imminent and a settlement demand has been received. For these reasons, we do not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to these remaining claims.

It is our position, and the position of other paper machine clothing defendants, that there was insufficient exposure to asbestos from any paper machine clothing products to cause asbestos-related injury to any plaintiff. Furthermore, asbestos contained in our synthetic products was encapsulated in a resin-coated yarn woven into the interior of the fabric, further reducing the likelihood of fiber release. While we believe we have meritorious defenses to these claims, we have settled certain of these cases for amounts we consider reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each case. Our insurer, Liberty Mutual, has defended each case and funded settlements under a standard reservation of rights. As of July 25, 2011, we had resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 35,995 claims. The total cost of resolving all claims was $8.116 million. Of this amount, almost 100% was paid by our insurance carrier. The Company has approximately $130 million in confirmed insurance coverage that should be available with respect to current and future asbestos claims, as well as additional insurance coverage that we should be able to access.

Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. (“Brandon”), a subsidiary of Geschmay Corp., which is a subsidiary of the Company, is also a separate defendant in many of the asbestos cases in which Albany is named as a defendant. Brandon was defending against 7,877 claims as of July 25, 2011. This compares with 7,876 claims as of April 18, 2011, 7,868 claims as of February 11, 2011, 7,869 claims as of October 28, 2010, and 7,907 claims as of July 23, 2010.

The following table sets forth the number of claims filed, the number of claims settled, dismissed, or otherwise resolved, and the aggregate settlement amount during the periods presented:

Year ended
December
31,
Opening
Number of
Claims
Claims Dismissed,
Settled, or
Resolved
New Claims Closing
Number
of
Claims
Amounts Paid
(thousands) to
Settle or
Resolve ($)
2005 9,985 642 223 9,566 0
2006 9,566 1,182 730 9,114 0
2007 9,114 462 88 8,740 0
2008 8,740 86 10 8,664 0
2009 8,664 760 3 7,907 0
2010 7,907 47 9 7,869 0
2011 to date 7,869 3 11 7,877 0

We acquired Geschmay Corp., formerly known as Wangner Systems Corporation, in 1999. Brandon is a wholly owned subsidiary of Geschmay Corp. In 1978, Brandon acquired certain assets from Abney Mills (“Abney”), a South Carolina textile manufacturer. Among the assets acquired by Brandon from Abney were assets of

55



Abney’s wholly owned subsidiary, Brandon Sales, Inc. which had sold, among other things, dryer fabrics containing asbestos made by its parent, Abney. It is believed that Abney ceased production of asbestos-containing fabrics prior to the 1978 transaction. Although Brandon manufactured and sold dryer fabrics under its own name subsequent to the asset purchase, none of such fabrics contained asbestos. Under the terms of the Assets Purchase Agreement between Brandon and Abney, Abney agreed to indemnify, defend, and hold Brandon harmless from any actions or claims on account of products manufactured by Abney and its related corporations prior to the date of the sale, whether or not the product was sold subsequent to the date of the sale. It appears that Abney has since been dissolved. Nevertheless, a representative of Abney has been notified of the pendency of these actions and demand has been made that it assume the defense of these actions. Because Brandon did not manufacture asbestos-containing products, and because it does not believe that it was the legal successor to, or otherwise responsible for obligations of Abney with respect to products manufactured by Abney, it believes it has strong defenses to the claims that have been asserted against it. In some instances, plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed claims against it, while in others it has entered into what it considers to be reasonable settlements. As of July 25, 2011, Brandon has resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 9,721 claims for a total of $0.2 million. Brandon’s insurance carriers initially agreed to pay 88.2% of the total indemnification and defense costs related to these proceedings, subject to the standard reservation of rights. The remaining 11.8% of the costs had been borne directly by Brandon. During 2004, Brandon’s insurance carriers agreed to cover 100% of indemnification and defense costs, subject to policy limits and the standard reservation of rights, and to reimburse Brandon for all indemnity and defense costs paid directly by Brandon related to these proceedings.

As of July 25, 2011, 6,821 (or approximately 81%) of the claims pending against Brandon were pending in Mississippi. For the same reasons set forth above with respect to Albany’s claims, as well as the fact that no amounts have been paid to resolve any Brandon claims since 2001, we do not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to these remaining claims.

Mount Vernon

In some of these asbestos cases, the Company is named both as a direct defendant and as the “successor in interest” to Mount Vernon Mills (“Mount Vernon”). We acquired certain assets from Mount Vernon in 1993. Certain plaintiffs allege injury caused by asbestos-containing products alleged to have been sold by Mount Vernon many years prior to this acquisition. Mount Vernon is contractually obligated to indemnify the Company against any liability arising out of such products. We deny any liability for products sold by Mount Vernon prior to the acquisition of the Mount Vernon assets. Pursuant to its contractual indemnification obligations, Mount Vernon has assumed the defense of these claims. On this basis, we have successfully moved for dismissal in a number of actions.


Although we do not believe, based on currently available information and for the reasons stated above, that a meaningful estimate of a range of possible loss can be made with respect to such claims, based on our understanding of the insurance policies available, how settlement amounts have been allocated to various policies, our settlement experience, the absence of any judgments against the Company or Brandon, the ratio of paper mill claims to total claims filed, and the defenses available, we currently do not anticipate any material liability relating to the resolution of the aforementioned pending proceedings in excess of existing insurance limits. Consequently, we currently do not anticipate, based on currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of the aforementioned proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company. Although we cannot predict the number and timing of future claims, based on the foregoing factors and the trends in claims against us to date, we do not anticipate that additional claims likely to be filed against us in the future will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We are aware that litigation is inherently uncertain, especially when the outcome is dependent primarily on determinations of factual matters to be made by juries.

56




NAFTA Audits

The Company’s affiliate in Mexico was notified in November 2010 that Mexican customs authorities expected to issue demands for duties on certain imports of PMC from the Company and the Company’s affiliate in Canada for which the Company has claimed duty-free treatment under the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).

The notices result from a decision by the Mexican Servicio de Administración Tributaria (“SAT”) to invalidate NAFTA certificates provided by the Company on products shipped to its Mexican affiliate during the years 2006 through 2008. The Demand Notices arose from an SAT audit during 2010, at the conclusion of which the SAT determined that the Company had failed to provide documentation sufficient to show that the certificates were validly issued, and declared the certificates issued during this period to be invalid. The Company believes that the certificates of origin were valid and properly issued and has commenced administrative appeals with SAT disputing its resolutions.

The import duties identified in such notices to date are approximately US $2.5 million, and relate to only a portion of the shipments covered by the invalidated certificates.

In the event of an adverse ruling at the conclusion of the administrative appeal process, the Company would have an opportunity to appeal the outcome in Mexican Tax Court, during which it would have an opportunity to present evidence to establish that the shipments in question were of U.S. and Canadian origin and entitled to the benefits of NAFTA. As all of the shipments covered by the invalidated certificates were, in fact, of U.S. or Canadian origin, the Company expects that it will be able to demonstrate that the certificates were validly issued. The Company has been advised by counsel that, if this is the case, then the Tax Court is likely to revoke the SAT invalidation actions and rule in favor of the Company.

In the unlikely event that the Company were not to prevail, however, then it could become subject to additional demand notices for the balance of the shipments during the period from 2006 through 2008 covered by the invalidated certificates. If such demand notices were to be issued for all the shipments so covered, then the Company could be liable for duties aggregating between US $8.0 and $10.0 million. The Company has also been advised by counsel that SAT would likely seek additional antidumping duties and penalties which could increase these amounts by up to 900%, but that the possibility that SAT would succeed in obtaining such additional duties and penalties is remote. The Company also does not believe that it faces any material risk of certificates being invalidated with respect to any period other than the 2006 through 2008 audit period. For this reason, the Company does not feel that this matter is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in risks since December 31, 2010. For discussion of risk factors, refer to Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

We made no share purchases during the second quarter of 2011. We remain authorized by the Board of Directors to purchase up to 2 million shares of our Class A Common Stock.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

57



Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

Item 5. Other Information

On May 26, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Registrant's Board of Directors adopted the Registrant's 2011 Performance Phantom Stock Plan (the “Plan"), effective immediately. The Plan is intended as an incentive to officers and key employees to remain in the employ of the Registrant by providing an interest in pursuing the long-term growth, profitability and financial success of the Registrant. A copy of this Plan is furnished as Exhibit 10(l)(viii) to this report.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.

Description
   
10(l)(viii) 2011 Performance Phantom Stock Plan on May 26, 2011.
   

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

32.1

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).

 
99.1 Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks as reported at December 31, 2010.
   

101

The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), furnished herewith:

 
  (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010,
     
  (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010,
     
  (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, and
     
  (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 

As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

58



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
 
  (Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: August 9, 2011  
 
 
  By  /s/ John B. Cozzolino
   
    John B. Cozzolino
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)

59