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

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2008
OR

o	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
incorporation or organization)			Identification No.)


1373 Broadway, Albany, New York		12204

(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

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


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class			Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock ($0.001 par value)			New York Stock Exchange


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No x

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 x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company.


Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

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

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2008, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, computed by reference to the price at which Common Stock was last sold on such a date, was $769,475,038.

The registrant had 26,758,746 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,236,098 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of January 31, 2009.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE		PART


Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 29, 2009.		III

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I

Item 1.	Business	5
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	14
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	24
Item 2.	Properties	24
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	25
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	28

PART II

Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	29
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	30
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	32
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	58
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	59
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	120
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	120
Item 9B.	Other Information	122

PART III

Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	123
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	124
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	125
Item 13.	Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence	127
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	127

PART IV

Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	128

Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this annual report contain statements concerning future results and performance and other matters that are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “may,” “will,” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended, but are not the exclusive means, to identify forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:


•	conditions in the industry in which the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment competes or in the papermaking industry in general, along with general risks associated with economic downturns;

•	failure to remain competitive in the industry in which the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment competes;

•	failure to receive the benefits from the Company’s capital expenditures and investments;

•	failure to have profitable growth in the Company’s emerging businesses; and

•	other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in this report .

Further information concerning important factors that could cause actual events or results to be materially different from the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Industry Factors”, “Risk Factors,” and “Trends” sections of this annual report. Statements expressing management’s assessments of the growth potential of various businesses 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. This release sets forth a number of assumptions regarding these assessments, including historical results and independent forecasts regarding the markets in which these businesses operate. Historical growth rates are no guarantee of future growth, and such independent forecasts could prove incorrect. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the Company’s forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could have a material and negative impact on the Company’s future performance. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this annual report are made on the basis of management’s assumptions and analyses, as of the time the statements are made, in light of their experience and perception of historical conditions, expected future developments, and other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances.

Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligations or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference in this annual report to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

PART I

Item 1. BUSINESS

Albany International Corp. (the Registrant, the Company, or we) and its subsidiaries are engaged in five business segments.

The Paper Machine Clothing segment includes fabrics and belts used in the manufacture of paper and paperboard (PMC or paper machine clothing). The Company designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for each section of the paper machine. It manufactures and sells more paper machine clothing worldwide than any other company. PMC consists of large permeable and non-permeable continuous belts of custom-designed and custom-manufactured engineered fabrics that are installed on paper machines and carry the paper stock through each stage of the paper production process. PMC products are consumable products of technologically sophisticated design that utilize polymeric materials in a complex structure. The design and material composition of PMC can have a considerable effect on the quality of paper products produced and the efficiency of the paper machines on which it is used. Principal products in the PMC segment include forming, pressing and dryer fabrics, and process belts. A forming fabric assists in sheet formation and conveys the very dilute sheet through the section. Press fabrics are designed to carry the sheet through the presses, where water pressed from the sheet is carried through the press nip in the fabric. In the dryer section, dryer fabrics manage air movement and hold the sheet against heated cylinders to enhance drying. Process belts are used in the press section to increase dryness and enhance sheet properties, as well as in other sections of the machine to improve runnability and enhance sheet qualities. The Company’s customers in the PMC segment are paper industry companies, some of which operate in multiple regions of the world. The Company’s products, manufacturing processes and distribution channels for PMC are substantially the same in each region of the world in which it operates.

Albany Door Systems (ADS) designs, manufactures, sells, and services high-speed, high-performance industrial doors worldwide, for a wide range of interior, exterior, and machine protection industrial applications. Already a high performance door leader, ADS further expanded its market position in North America with the second-quarter 2007 acquisition of the assets and business of R-Bac Industries, the fastest-growing high-performance door company in North America, whose product lines were complementary to Albany’s. The business segment also derives revenue from aftermarket sales and service.

The Company’s other reportable segments are emerging businesses that apply the Company’s core competencies in advanced textiles and materials to other industries, including specialty materials and composite structures for aircraft and other applications (Albany Engineered Composites); a variety of products similar to PMC for application in the corrugators, pulp, nonwovens, building products, tannery and textile industries (Albany Engineered Fabrics);and insulation for outdoor clothing, gloves, footwear, sleeping bags and home furnishings (PrimaLoft® Products). No class of similar products or services within these segments accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales in any of the past three years.

Following is a table of net sales by segment for 2008, 2007, and 2006.



(in thousands)	2008		2007		2006

Paper Machine Clothing	$	727,967	$	747,278	$	721,238
Albany Door Systems		189,348		152,952		124,646
Engineered Fabrics		101,118		101,506		97,638
Engineered Composites		46,666		32,955		25,898
PrimaLoft^® Products		21,418		17,212		17,407

Consolidated total	$	1,086,517	$	1,051,903	$	986,827

The table setting forth certain sales and balance sheet data that appears in Note 3 , “Reportable Segments and Geographic Data” of the Financial Statements, included under Item 8 of this Form 10-K, is incorporated herein.

Industry Factors

The Company’s primary segment, Paper Machine Clothing, accounted for approximately 67% of consolidated revenues during 2008. Paper machine clothing is purchased primarily by manufacturers of paper and paperboard. According to data published by RISI, Inc., world paper and paperboard production volumes have grown at an annual rate of approximately 2.7% over the last ten years. Recent economic changes could significantly impact world paper and paperboard demand, and it is likely that total production will be lower in the next five years.

The paper and paperboard industry has been characterized by an evolving but essentially stable manufacturing technology based on the wet-forming papermaking process. This process, of which paper machine clothing is an integral element, requires a very large capital investment. Consequently, management does not believe that a commercially feasible substitute technology to paper machine clothing is likely to be developed and incorporated into the paper production process by paper manufacturers in the foreseeable future. For this reason, management expects that demand for paper machine clothing will continue into the foreseeable future.

The world paper and paperboard industry tends to be cyclical, with periods of healthy paper prices followed by increases in new capacity, which then leads to increased production and higher inventories of paper and paperboard, followed by a period of price competition and reduced profitability among the Company’s customers. Although sales of paper machine clothing do not tend to be as cyclical, the Company may experience somewhat greater demand during periods of increased production and somewhat reduced demand during periods of lesser production.

The world paper and paperboard industry has experienced a significant period of consolidation and rationalization since 2000. During this period, a number of older, less efficient machines in areas where significant established capacity existed were closed or were the subject of planned closure announcements, while at the same time a number of newer, faster and more efficient machines began production or plans for the installation of such newer machines were announced in areas of growing demand for paper and paperboard (such as Asia and South America). Management anticipates that this trend is likely to continue in the near term.

market share in certain areas as a result of these improvements. However, increased prices and share have not always been sufficient to offset completely a decrease in the number of fabrics sold.

The factors described above result in a steady decline in the number of pieces of paper machine clothing, while the average fabric size is increasing. The net effect of these trends is that the specific volume of paper machine clothing consumption (measured in kilograms or square meters) has been increasing at a rate of approximately 1% per year over the past several years. Management believes that the effects of a global recession could accelerate or alter the trends described above.

During 2006, the Company reported that price competition in Western Europe had an adverse impact on the Company’s operating results in this segment. In the third and fourth quarters of 2006, and in the first two quarters of 2007, sales of paper machine clothing to customers in Western Europe were significantly lower than the same quarter of the previous year.

The Albany Door Systems segment derives most of its revenue from the sale of high-performance doors, particularly to customers in Europe. The purchase of these doors is normally a capital expenditure item for customers and, as such, market opportunities tend to fluctuate with industrial capital spending. If economic conditions weaken, customers may reduce levels of capital expenditures, which could have a negative effect on sales and earnings in the Albany Door Systems segment. At the same time, the company has focused on the expansion of its aftermarket business which tends to be less sensitive to economic changes than sales of new doors. The large amount of revenue derived from sales and manufacturing outside the United States could cause the reported financial results for the Albany Door Systems segment to be more sensitive than the other segments of the Company to changes in currency rates.

The Engineered Fabrics segment derives its revenue from various industries that use fabrics and belts for industrial applications other than the manufacture of paper and paperboard. Approximately 40% of revenue in this segment is derived from sales to the nonwovens industry, which includes the manufacture of diapers, personal care and household wipes, and fiberglass-reinforced roofing shingles. Approximately 30% of segment revenue is derived from sales to markets that are adjacent to the paper industry, and 20% of revenue is derived from the building products market. Segment sales in the European and Pacific regions combined are almost at the same level as sales within the Americas.

The Engineered Composites segment (AEC) serves primarily the aerospace industry, with custom-designed composite and advanced composite parts for static and dynamic applications. AEC has experienced significant growth in net sales during the last few years, due both to the introduction of new products and to growth in demand and application for previously existing products. According to earlier independent estimates, the total aerospace composites market was expected to grow from about $5 billion in 2008 to about $25 billion in 2016. Of that $25 billion market, about $3 billion is addressable by AEC’s unique technology, and a total of $13 billion is addressable by a combination of AEC’s unique capabilities and its more conventional composites capability. The aerospace composites market is being shaped by two major waves of growth: the current wave, just beginning, is being driven by the new generation of long-haul aircraft, the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380. Except for the landing gear braces that the Company is developing with Messier-Dowty and one other relatively small project, AEC is not participating in the Boeing 787 wave, as AEC started up far too late to participate in the critical development projects. The current global recession is likely to adversely effect growth in the near term.

International Operations

The Company maintains manufacturing facilities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden, and the United States. The Company also has a 50% interest in certain companies (see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company’s geographically diversified operations allow it to serve its markets efficiently and to provide extensive technical services to its customers. The Company benefits from the transfer of research and development and product innovations between geographic regions. The worldwide scope of the Company’s manufacturing and marketing efforts could also mitigate the impact on the Company of economic downturns that are limited to a geographic region.

The Company’s global presence subjects it to certain risks, including controls on foreign exchange and the repatriation of funds. However, the Company has been able to repatriate earnings in excess of working capital requirements from the countries in which it operates without substantial governmental restrictions and does not foresee any material changes in its ability to continue to do so in the future. In addition, the Company believes that the risks associated with its operations outside the United States are no greater than those normally associated with doing business in those locations.

Marketing, Customers, and Backlog

Paper machine clothing is custom-designed for each user, depending on the type, size, and speed of the paper machine, the machine section, the grade of paper being produced, and the quality of the pulp stock used. Technical expertise, judgment, and experience are critical in designing the appropriate clothing for each position on the machine. As a result, the Company employs highly skilled sales and technical service personnel who work directly with paper mill operating management. The Company’s technical service program gives its service engineers field access to the measurement and analysis equipment needed for troubleshooting and application engineering. Sales, service, and technical expenses are major cost components of the Company. Many employees in sales and technical functions have engineering degrees or paper mill experience. The Company’s market leadership position reflects the Company’s commitment to technological innovation.

Payment terms granted to paper industry customers reflect general competitive practices. Terms vary with product, competitive conditions, and the country of operation. In some markets, customer agreements require the Company to maintain significant amounts of finished goods inventories to assure continuous availability of paper machine clothing.

Albany Door Systems provides high-performance door solutions to industrial and commercial customers. The doors are designed for applications in which frequent use requires fast opening and closing. Rapid Roll® Doors open and close very fast, can be designed to operate automatically with traffic, and have automatic breakaway and reset ability to limit impact damage. The Company has manufacturing locations in Germany, the United States, and China. Albany Door Systems also provides aftermarket service and

support for high-performance and other dock and door products from 16 sales and service centers located in Europe and Australia.

The Engineered Fabrics business is a leading supplier to the nonwovens industry (which includes the manufacture of products such as diapers, personal care and household wipes and fiberglass-reinforced roofing shingles), the wood and cement-based building products industry and the pulp industry.

The Company’s other segments have a wide range of customers, with markets that vary from industrial applications to consumer use. Albany Engineered Composites serves primarily the aerospace industry, with custom-designed composite and advanced composite parts for static and dynamic applications.

PrimaLoft® synthetic down is used in high-end retail home furnishings and performance outerwear applications. Each of these technologies is grounded in the Company’s core competencies in advanced textiles and materials, structures and coatings.

Historically, the Company had experienced its highest consolidated quarterly sales levels in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Seasonal sales strength, however, especially in the PMC segment, is now less predictable. The Albany Door Systems segment typically experiences its highest sales in the fourth quarter of the year. Seasonality is not a significant factor in the Company’s other segments.

The Company does not have any customers that individually account for more than 10% of consolidated net sales. The Company’s order backlog at December 31, 2008, was $419.6 million, a decrease of 22.5% from the prior year-end. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, backlog decreased approximately 17.6% in comparison to December 31, 2007. The December 31, 2008 backlog by segment was $368.6 million in PMC, $16.5 million in Albany Doors, $20.4 million in Engineered Fabrics, $12.1 million in Engineered Composites, and $2.0 million in Primaloft. The backlog as of December 31, 2008 is generally expected to be invoiced during the next 12 months.

Research and Development

The Company invests in research, new product development, and technical analysis with the objectives of maintaining its technological leadership in each business segment. While much research activity supports existing products, the Company also engages in research for new products and product enhancements. New product research has focused primarily on more sophisticated paper machine clothing and engineered fabrics and has resulted in a stream of new products and enhancements such as ULTRAPLANE, HYDROCROSS, AEROPOINT, SEAM HYDROCROSS, AEROPULSE and EVM BELTS.

Product engineering and research and development expenses totaled $36.6 million in 2008 (3% of sales), $35.9 million in 2007, and $31.7 million in 2006. In addition, the Company spent $29.9 million in 2008 (3% of sales), $32.4 million in 2007, and $32.9 million in 2006 on technical expenditures that are focused on design, quality assurance, and customer support.

The Company conducts its major research and development in Halmstad, Sweden; Menasha, Wisconsin; Sélestat, France; and Rochester, New Hampshire. Additionally, the Company conducts process and product design development activities at manufacturing locations in Albany, New York, and Menasha, Wisconsin.

The Company holds a number of patents, trademarks, trade-names, and licenses. There are no individual patents that are critical to the continuation of the Company’s business. All brand names and product names are trade-names of Albany International Corp. or its subsidiaries. The Company has from time to time licensed some of its patents to one or more competitors, and has been licensed under some competitors’ patents, in each case mainly to enhance customer acceptance of new products. The revenue from such licenses is less than 1% of consolidated net sales.

Raw Materials and Inventory

Primary raw materials for the Company’s products are synthetic fibers and polymer monofilaments, which have generally been available from a number of suppliers. The Company, therefore, has not needed to maintain raw material inventories in excess of its current needs to assure availability. In addition, the Company manufactures polymer monofilaments, a basic raw material for all types of paper machine clothing, at its facility in Homer, New York, which supplies approximately 45% of its worldwide monofilament requirements. This manufacturing enhances the ability of the Company to develop proprietary products and helps balance the total supply requirements for monofilaments. Polymer monofilaments are petroleum-based products and are therefore sensitive to changes in the price of petroleum and petroleum intermediates.

Competition

The paper machine clothing business includes several companies that compete in all global markets, along with a number of companies that compete primarily on a regional basis. In the paper machine clothing market, the Company believes that it had a worldwide market share of approximately 30% in 2008, while the largest competitors each had a market share of approximately half of the Company’s. Market shares vary depending on the country and the type of paper machine clothing produced.

While some competitors in the paper machine clothing industry tend to compete more on the basis of price, and others attempt to compete more on the basis of technology, both are significant competitive factors in this industry. The Company, like its competitors, provides technical support to customers through its sales and technical service personnel, including (1) consulting on performance of the paper machine, (2) consulting on paper machine configurations, both new and rebuilt, (3) selection and custom manufacture of the appropriate paper machine clothing, and (4) storing fabrics for delivery to the user. Revenues earned from these services are not significant.

The Albany Door Systems segment derives approximately two-thirds of its net sales from the sale of high-performance doors, and the remainder from aftermarket service and support. Competition for sales of high-performance doors is based on product performance and price, while competitive factors in the aftermarket business include technical service ability and proximity to the customer. Revenue recognition for aftermarket sales in the Door Systems segment is recorded when all revenue recognition criteria are met, which is generally at time of delivery and title is transferred to the customer.

For some of the businesses within the Engineered Fabrics segment, the competitive dynamics are very similar to the paper machine clothing industry. In other product lines, such as Albany Engineered Composites and PrimaLoft®, competitive success is heavily dependent upon contractual relationships with customers.

Employees

The Company employs approximately 5,800 persons, of whom approximately 60% are engaged in manufacturing the Company’s products. Wages and benefits are competitive with those of other manufacturers in the geographic areas in which the Company’s facilities are located. In general, the Company considers its relations with its employees to be excellent.

Approximately 100 U.S. employees are union members subject to a total of three collective bargaining agreements. The Company recently renegotiated two of these, and renegotiation of the third will commence shortly. Following renegotiation of the third agreement, the agreements will remain in effect

until 2011. A number of hourly employees outside of the United States are also members of various unions.

Executive Officers of Company

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company as of February 27, 2009:



Name	Age	Position


Joseph G. Morone	55	President and Chief Executive Officer

Michael C. Nahl	66	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Daniel A. Halftermeyer	47	Group Vice President – PMC Eurasia Business Corridor

Michael J. Joyce	45	Group Vice President – PMC Americas and Global Engineered Fabrics

Ralph M. Polumbo	57	Senior Vice President – Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer

John B. Cozzolino	42	Vice President – Corporate Treasurer and Strategic Planning

Robert A. Hansen	51	Vice President – Corporate Research and Development

David M. Pawlick	47	Vice President – Controller

Charles J. Silva, Jr.	49	Vice President – General Counsel and Secretary

Dawne H. Wimbrow	51	Vice President – Global Information Services and Chief Information Officer

Joseph M. Gaug	45	Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

Joseph G. Morone joined the Company in 2005. He has served the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2006, and President since August 1, 2005. He has been a director of the Company since 1996. From 1997 to July 2005, he served as President of Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. Prior to joining Bentley, he served as the Dean of the Lally School of Management and Technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he also held the Andersen Consulting Professorship of Management. He currently serves as a director of Transworld Entertainment Corporation.

Michael C. Nahl joined the Company in 1981. He has served the Company as Executive Vice President since March 1, 2005, and Chief Financial Officer since 1983. He served as Senior Vice President from 1983 to March 1, 2005, and prior to 1983 as Group Vice President. From 1965 to 1979 he served in marketing, financial, logistical, analytical, and management positions for the Exxon Corporation, and from 1979 to 1981 he was with General Refractories Corporation as Director of Strategic Planning and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He is a Director of GrafTech International Ltd. and of Lindsay Corporation and a member of JP Morgan Chase and Company’s Regional Advisory Board.

Daniel A. Halftermeyer joined the Company in 1987. He has served the Company as Group Vice President – PMC Eurasia Business Corridor since August 2008. He previously served the Company as Group Vice President – PMC Europe from 2005 to August 2008, Vice President and General Manager – North American Dryer Fabrics from 1997 to March 2005, Technical Director – Dryer Fabrics from 1993 to 1997. He held various technical and management positions in St. Stephen, South Carolina and Sélestat, France, from 1987 to 1993.

Michael J. Joyce joined the Company in 1987. He has served as Group Vice President – PMC Americas & Global Engineered Fabrics since January 2009, Group Vice President – PMC Americas from March 2007 to January 2009, Vice President Sales and Marketing – PMC Americas from March 2005 to March 2007, Vice President Marketing and Application – North American Press Fabrics from July 2003 to March 2005, and Vice President Marketing – Geschmay Corporate from 2002 to 2003. He held various sales, marketing, technical, and management positions in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Albany, New York; and Greenville, South Carolina, from 1987 to 2002.

Ralph M. Polumbo joined the Company in 2006 as Senior Vice President - Human Resources and has served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) since September 2008. From 2004 to April 2006 he served as Head of Human Capital for Deephaven Capital Management. From 1999 to 2004, he served as Vice President – Human Resources and Business Integration for MedSource Technologies. Prior to MedSource, he held the positions of Vice President – Integration, and Vice President – Human Resources for Rubbermaid. From 1974 to 1994, he held various management and executive positions for The Stanley Works.

John B. Cozzolino joined the Company in 1994. He was elected Vice President - Corporate Treasurer and Strategic Planning in February 2009. From 2007 until his appointment as Vice President - Corporate Treasurer and Strategic Planning, he served the Company as Vice President – Strategic Planning. From 2000 until 2007 he served as Director – Strategic Planning and from 1994 to 2000 he served as Manager – Corporate Accounting.

Robert A. Hansen joined the Company in 1981. He has served the Company as Vice President – Corporate Research and Development since April 2006. He previously served the Company as Director of Technical and Marketing – Europe Press Fabrics from 2004. From 2000 to 2004, he served as the Technical Director – Press Fabrics, Göppingen, Germany. Previously he had the position of Technical Director in Dieren, The Netherlands, and had also held technical management and research and development positions in the Company’s Järvenpää, Finland and Albany, New York facilities.

David M. Pawlick joined the Company in 2000. He has served the Company as Vice President – Controller since March 2008, and as Director of Corporate Accounting from 2000 to 2008. From 1994 to 2000 he served as Director of Finance and Controller for Ahlstrom Machinery, Inc. in Glens Falls, New York. Prior to 1994, he was employed as an Audit Manager for Coopers & Lybrand.

Charles J. Silva, Jr. joined the Company in 1994. He has served the Company as Vice President – General Counsel and Secretary since 2002 and as Assistant Secretary since 1996. He served as Assistant General Counsel from 1994 until 2002. Prior to 1994, he was an associate with Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton, an international law firm with headquarters in New York City.

Dawne H. Wimbrow joined the Company in 1993. She has served the Company as Vice President – Global Information Services and Chief Information Officer since September 2005. She previously served the Company in various management positions in the Global Information Systems organization. From 1980 to 1993, she worked as a consultant supporting the design, development, and implementation of computer systems for various textile, real estate, insurance, and law firms.

Joseph M. Gaug joined the Company in 2004. He has served the Company as Associate General Counsel since 2004 and as Assistant Secretary since 2006. Prior to 2004, he was a principal with McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams, P.C., a law firm located in Albany, New York.

The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is the successor to a New York corporation originally incorporated in 1895, which was merged into the Company in August 1987

solely for the purpose of changing the domicile of the corporation. Upon such merger, each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock of the predecessor New York corporation was changed into one share of Class B Common Stock of the Company. References to the Company that relate to any time prior to the August 1987 merger should be understood to refer to the predecessor New York corporation.

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Business Ethics Policy, and Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller, and the charters of the Audit, Compensation, and Governance Committees of the Board of Directors are available at the Corporate Governance section of the Registrant’s website (www.albint.com). Stockholders may obtain a copy of any of these documents, without charge, from the Company’s Investor Relations Department. The Company’s Investor Relations Department may be contacted at:

Investor Relations Department
Albany International Corp.
Post Office Box 1907
Albany, New York 12201-1907
Telephone: (518) 445-2242
Fax: (518) 445-2265
E-mail: investor.relations@albint.com

The Company’s current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and annual reports on Form 10-K are electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and all such reports and amendments to such reports filed subsequent to November 15, 2002, have been and will be made available, free of charge, through the Company’s website (www.albint.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after such filing. The public may read and copy any materials filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

The Company submitted to the New York Stock Exchange the certification required pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the Exchange’s Corporate Governance Rules in May 2008.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company’s business, operations, and financial condition are subject to various risks. Some of these risks are described below and in the documents incorporated by reference, and investors should take these risks into account in evaluating any investment decision involving the Company. This section does not describe all risks applicable to the Company, its industry or business, and it is intended only as a summary of certain material factors.

The current unfavorable general economic and market conditions have negatively affected our customers and our business, and could continue to negatively affect our customers and materially adversely affect our results of operations

The effects of a global economic and paper industry downturn may exacerbate the effect of the other risks disclosed below, and may also generally have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company identifies below a number of risks, the effects of which may be exacerbated by a severe recession. For example, continued unfavorable global economic and paper industry conditions may increase consolidation and rationalization within the paper industry, further reducing global consumption of paper machine clothing. Reduced consumption of PMC could in turn increase the risk of greater price competition within the PMC industry and greater effort by competitors to gain market share at the expense of the Company. Sales in the Company’s other business segments may also be adversely affected by an economic downturn.

Deteriorating economic and paper industry conditions also increase the risk that one or more of our customers could be unable to pay outstanding accounts receivable, whether as the result of bankruptcy or an inability to obtain working capital financing from banks or other lenders. In such a case, we could be forced to write-off such accounts, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and/or liquidity. Furthermore, many of our businesses design and manufacture products that are custom designed for a specific customer application, at a specific location. In the event of a customer liquidity issue, the Company could also be required to write off amounts that are included in inventories.

The global financial crisis may have impacts on our business and financial condition that we currently cannot predict

The continued credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system may have an impact on our business and our financial condition. Our ability to access the capital markets may be restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access those markets, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. In addition, the cost of debt financing and the proceeds of equity financing may be materially adversely impacted by these market conditions. The credit crisis also could have an impact on our lenders, suppliers, insurers or our customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us.

Developments in alternative media could continue to adversely affect the demand for paper products, which could have an adverse effect on demand for our products

The demand for certain grades of paper has weakened in recent years. Trends in advertising, digital information transmission and storage, and the Internet could have further adverse effects on demand for newsprint as well as coated paper, uncoated specialty papers or other products made by our customers.

If these trends were to accelerate , our customers would likely respond with additional reductions of papermaking capacity, which would adversely affect demand for PMC.

There are a number of factors inhibiting growth in the industry in which the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment competes

Significant consolidation and rationalization in the paper industry in recent years reduced global consumption of paper machine clothing. Management anticipates consolidation and rationalization, and the resulting downward pressure on PMC revenues, to continue in the near term. At the same time, technological advances in paper machine clothing, while contributing to the papermaking efficiency of customers, have in some cases lengthened the useful life of the Company’s products and reduced the number of pieces required to produce the same volume of paper. These factors are resulting in a steady decline in the number of pieces of paper machine clothing, while the average PMC fabric size is increasing. The net effect of these trends is that the specific volume of paper machine clothing consumption (measured in kilograms or square meters) has been increasing at a rate of approximately 1% per year over the past several years. If the actual consumption of paper machine clothing were to decrease, the Company’s net sales and operating income could be adversely affected.

Competitive pricing in the PMC industry has and could continue to have an adverse effect on the Company’s net sales and operating income

The market for paper machine clothing in recent years has been characterized by increased price competition, especially in Europe, which has negatively affected the Company’s net sales and operating results in recent periods. The Company expects price competition to remain intense in all PMC markets, especially during periods of customer consolidation and plant closures. The current global recession may increase further intensity in competition which could have an adverse impact on profitability.

Failure to remain competitive in the industry in which the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment does business could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations

The industry in which the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment does business is very competitive. The Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment accounted for 67.0%, 71.0%, and 73.1% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. While some competitors in this industry tend to compete more on the basis of price, and others attempt to compete more on the basis of technology, both are significant competitive factors in this industry. Failure to maintain or increase the technical performance of the Company’s products in future periods, or to maintain or increase the overall product and service value delivered to customers, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

One of the Company’s competitors in the Paper Machine Clothing segment has the capability to make and sell paper machines and papermaking equipment as well as other engineered fabrics

Although customers historically have viewed the purchase of paper machine clothing and the purchase of paper machines as separate purchasing decisions, the ability to coordinate research and development efforts, and to market machines and fabrics together could be perceived as providing a competitive advantage. This underscores the importance of the Company’s ability to maintain the technical competitiveness and value of the Company’s products, and a real or perceived failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Moreover, the Company cannot predict how the nature of competition in this segment may continue to evolve as a result of further consolidation among the Company’s competitors, or consolidation involving the Company’s competitors and other suppliers to the Company’s customers.

The loss of a few major customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations

Although supply agreements with terms of more than a year are not uncommon in the industry in which the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment does business, they do not typically obligate the customer to purchase any products. Therefore, it is common for competitors in this industry to approach customers, offering new products, lower prices, or both, in an attempt to displace the current supplier or suppliers. In addition, a production disruption at one of the Company’s customers in a particular country or region, due to work stoppages, lack of raw materials, or other factors, could have a negative impact on net sales in the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment. Although no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated net sales during 2008, the loss of a few major customers, or a substantial decrease in such customers’ purchases from the Company, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The Company’s current and future capital expenditures and other expenses may not provide the benefit of return on investment

The Company had capital expenditures of $129.5 million, $149.2 million, and $84.5 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Additionally, the Company had capitalized software investments of $11.5 million in 2008, $16.0 million in 2007, and $8.8 million in 2006. The investments are part of the Company’s three-year restructuring and performance improvement plan.

The Company may not be successful in achieving any of the benefits it hopes to gain from these investments. If the Company is not successful, it could have a negative impact on the Company’s growth strategy, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition to the general risks that the Company already faces outside the U.S., the Company is conducting a greater part of its manufacturing operations in emerging markets in the future, which could involve many uncertainties for the Company

The Company currently has manufacturing facilities outside the U.S. In 2008, 63.8% of consolidated net sales were generated by the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. Operations outside of the U.S. are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including risks that governments may impose limitations on the Company’s ability to repatriate funds; governments may impose withholding or other taxes on remittances and other payments to the Company, or the amount of any such taxes may increase; an outbreak or escalation of any insurrection or armed conflict may occur; governments may seek to nationalize the Company’s assets; or governments may impose or increase investment barriers or other restrictions affecting the Company’s business. In addition, emerging markets pose other uncertainties, including the protection of the Company’s intellectual property, pressure on the pricing of the Company’s products, and risks of political instability. The occurrence of any of these conditions could disrupt the Company’s business or prevent it from conducting business in particular countries or regions of the world.

A fundamental change in the papermaking process could reduce demand for paper machine clothing

The basic papermaking process, while it has undergone dramatic increases in efficiency and speed, has always relied on paper machine clothing. In the event that a paper machine builder or other person were able to develop a commercially viable manner of paper manufacture that did not require paper machine clothing, sales of the Company’s products in this segment could be expected to decline significantly.

Conditions in the paper industry have required , and could further require, the Company to reorganize its operations, which could result in significant expense and could pose risks to the Company’s operations

The Company has been engaged in significant restructuring of the global operations of the Company’s Paper Machine Clothing segment, including the closing of a number of manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe. Restructuring activities have included a continuing effort to match the Company’s manufacturing capacity to shifting global demand and also changes in the Company’s administrative processes to improve efficiency. Future shifting of customer demand, the need to reduce costs, or other factors could cause the Company to determine in the future that additional restructuring steps are required. The Company may also need to incur additional costs in the future if the Company needs to add employees following any such restructuring. Restructuring involves risks such as employee work stoppages, slowdowns, or strikes, which can threaten uninterrupted production, maintenance of high product quality, meeting of customers’ delivery deadlines and maintenance of administrative processes. Increases in output in remaining manufacturing operations can likewise impose stress on these remaining facilities as they undertake the manufacture of greater volume and, in some cases, a greater variety of products. The concentration of manufacturing in fewer locations also increases the risk that an interruption of operations at any single location, due to natural disaster, labor problems, or any other reason, might have more of an adverse impact on Company’s continued ability to meet customer demand in a timely fashion. Competitors can be quick to attempt to exploit these situations. Although the Company considers these risks, plans each step of the process carefully, and works to reassure customers who could be affected by any such matters that their requirements will continue to be met, the Company could lose customers and associated revenues if the Company fails to plan properly or if the foregoing tactics are ineffective.

The Company may experience supply constraints due to the Company’s reliance on a limited number of suppliers

The Company has relied on a number of suppliers of polymer fiber and monofilaments, key raw materials that the Company uses in the manufacture of paper machine clothing. For the Company’s European production facilities, the Company purchases most of its monofilament from third parties. For the Company’s North American and Asian production facilities, the Company currently produces a significant portion of the Company’s own monofilament needs. While the Company has always been able to meet its raw material needs in the past, the limited number of producers of polymer monofilaments creates the potential for disruption in supply. In addition, if the Company’s own monofilament production facility were to shut down or cease production for any reason, including due to natural disaster, labor problems, or otherwise, there is no guarantee that the Company would be able to replace any shortfall. Lack of supply, delivery delays, or quality problems relating to supplied raw materials could harm the Company’s production capacity and make it difficult to supply the Company’s customers with products on time, which could have a negative impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding debt totaling $543.0 million. The Company may not be able to repay its outstanding debt in the event that default provisions are triggered due to a breach of loan covenants

Existing borrowing agreements contain a number of covenants and financial ratios that the Company is required to satisfy. The most restrictive of these covenants pertain to asset dispositions and prescribed leverage and interest coverage ratios. Any breach of any such covenants or restrictions would result in a default under such agreements that would permit the lenders to declare all borrowings under such agreements to be immediately due and payable and, through cross default provisions, could entitle other lenders to accelerate their loans. In such an event, the Company would need to modify or restructure all or a portion of such indebtedness. In the current economic and financing market, the Company might find it difficult to modify or restructure on attractive terms, or at all, and any modification, restructuring or refinancing would, in the current environment, likely result in additional fees and higher interest expenses.

The Company may incur a substantial amount of additional indebtedness in the future. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had borrowed $190 million under its $460 million revolving credit facility. The Company is required to maintain a leverage ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 under this facility. The Company is also required to maintain minimum interest coverage of 3.00 to 1.00 under each agreement. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s leverage ratio was 2.54 to 1.00 and the interest coverage ratio was 7.35 to 1.00. The Company may purchase its Common Stock or pay dividends to the extent its leverage ratio remains at or below 3.50 to 1.00, and may make acquisitions for cash provided its leverage ratio would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition. The Company’s 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.

Any additional indebtedness incurred could increase the risks associated with substantial leverage. These risks include limiting the Company’s ability to make acquisitions or capital expenditures to grow the Company’s business, limiting the Company’s ability to withstand business and economic downturns, limiting the Company’s ability to invest the Company’s operating cash flow in the Company’s business, and limiting the Company’s ability to pay dividends. In addition, any such indebtedness could contain terms that are more restrictive than the Company’s current facilities.

Our access to borrowing capacity has been and could continue to be affected by the uncertainty impacting credit markets generally

Our ability to access the capital markets to raise funds through the sale of equity or debt securities is subject to various factors, including general economic and/or financial market conditions. As a result of current economic conditions, including turmoil and uncertainty in the capital markets, credit markets have tightened significantly, which makes obtaining new capital more challenging and more expensive. The current conditions of the financial markets have adversely affected the availability of credit and liquidity resources and our access to capital markets is limited and subject to increased costs until stability re-emerges.

There can be no assurance that the growth in sales in the Engineered Composites segment will be continued

The Engineered Composites segment has experienced significant growth in net sales during the last few years, due both to the introduction of new products and to growth in demand and application for previously existing products. While the Company continues to make investments to grow the Engineered Composites segment, there can be no assurance that the growth in sales enjoyed during the last few years will continue. Furthermore, the current global recession has had, and is likely to continue to have, an adverse impact on growth in this segment.

The long-term growth prospects for the Engineered Composites business is highly dependent upon the Company’s ability to secure new development contracts with major aerospace companies, and to perform well in the contracts that are secured.

Sales in the Company’s Albany Door Systems segment depend on capital expenditures of its customers, which may cause the segment to be more vulnerable to economic downturns

The Company is exposed to the risk of increased costs because of higher petroleum and energy prices

Polymer monofilaments are ultimately petroleum-based. In recent years, prices for petroleum, petroleum intermediates, and energy have been volatile. Other market forces that influence the cost and availability of intermediates (such as demand and capacity for applications that have the same basic components, such as benzyne or caprolactam; capacity problems in refineries; natural disasters; etc.) are not controlled by the Company. Future increases for petroleum and/or petroleum intermediates could lead to additional increases in or sustained high levels of material costs, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Material disruption to one of our significant manufacturing plants could adversely affect our ability to generate revenue

As a result of our restructuring, the Company has placed greater reliance on its remaining manufacturing plants. If operations at a significant facility were to be disrupted as a result of equipment failures, natural disasters, work stoppages, power outages or other reasons, our business, financial conditions and results of operations could be adversely affected. Interruptions in production could increase costs and delay delivery of units in production. Production capacity limits could cause us to reduce or delay sales efforts until production capacity is available.

The Company must successfully maintain and/or upgrade its information technology systems

The Company relies on various information technology systems to manage its operations. The Company is currently implementing modifications and upgrades to its systems, including replacing legacy systems with successor systems, making changes to legacy systems, and acquiring new systems with new functionality. For example, the Company began its implementation of the SAP enterprise resource planning system in the fourth quarter of 2006. This implementation subjects the Company to inherent costs and risks associated with replacing and changing these systems, including impairment of the Company’s ability to fulfill customer orders, potential disruption of the internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, demands on management time and other risks of delays or difficulties in transitioning to new systems. These systems implementations may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. Any information technology system disruptions, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and operations.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations

The Company operates in many geographic regions of the world, and more than half of the Company’s business is in countries outside the United States. A substantial portion of the Company’s sales is denominated in euros or other foreign currencies. As a result, changes in the relative values of U.S. dollars, euros and such other currencies impact reported net sales and operating income. If the value of the euro or other currencies were to decline relative to the U.S. dollar, the Company’s reported net sales and operating income could decline. In some locations, the profitability of transactions is affected by the fact that sales are denominated in a currency different from the currency in which the costs to manufacture and distribute the products are denominated. These sales are typically denominated in U.S. dollars while the manufacturing costs are based mainly on currencies that have in the past strengthened, and may in the future strengthen, against the U.S. dollar. Although the Company may enter into foreign currency or other derivative contracts from time to time in order to mitigate volatility in the Company’s earnings that can be caused by changes in currency exchange rates, these mitigation measures may not be effective.

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and legal compliance risks, and has been named as defendant in a large number of suits relating to the actual or alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products

We are subject to a variety of legal proceedings. Pending proceedings that the Company determines are material are disclosed in Item 3 – Legal Proceedings of this annual report. Litigation is an inherently unpredictable process and unanticipated negative outcomes are always possible. An adverse outcome in any period could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operating results for that period.

We are also subject to a variety of legal compliance risks. While we believe that we have adopted appropriate risk management and compliance programs, the global and diverse nature of our operations means that legal compliance risks will continue to exist and related legal proceedings and other contingencies, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with certainty, are likely to arise from time to time. Failure successfully to resolve any legal proceedings related to compliance matters could have an adverse impact on our results in any period.

As of February 6, 2009, the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries were defending against 17,854 asbestos-related claims in various courts in the United States. The Company’s subsidiary, Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc., is also a separate defendant with respect to 8,607 of these claims as of February 6, 2009. The Company anticipates that additional claims will be filed against the Company and Brandon in the future but is unable to predict the number and timing of such future claims. While, based on information currently known, the Company does not currently anticipate any material adverse effect relating to the resolution of these asbestos claims in excess of currently existing insurance limits, litigation is inherently uncertain, particularly when the outcome is dependent primarily on determinations of factual matters to be made by juries. Numerous other defendants in asbestos cases, as well as others who claim to have knowledge and expertise on the subject, have found it difficult to anticipate the outcome of asbestos litigation, the volume of future asbestos claims, and the anticipated settlement or judgment values of those claims. Nevertheless, 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 it should be able to access. The Company’s insurance carrier paid 99% of the Company’s settlement costs to date and a comparable percentage of the Company’s legal costs under a standard reservation of rights. There can be no assurance that current confirmed coverage will be sufficient for all claims to which the Company or Brandon may be subject, or that the Company’s or Brandon’s insurance carriers will not in the future attempt to deny coverage for some or all pending and future asbestos claims. In such an event, the Company might be required to sue the carriers in order to establish coverage, and there can be no assurance that the Company would prevail in such a suit. In addition, with respect to those cases in which the Company has been named a successor-in-interest to Mt. Vernon Mills, Mt. Vernon has to date assumed the defense of these claims. In the future, Mt. Vernon

Mills may decide to cease defending these claims or be financially unable to do so. For each of these reasons, there can be no assurance that asbestos litigation will not ultimately have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations.

A substantial portion of the Company’s assets includes goodwill, and impairment in the value of the Company’s goodwill could adversely affect the Company’s assets and net income

Goodwill represented 8.2% and 12.7% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In 2008, non-cash charges were recorded of $72.3 million for impairment of goodwill, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The impairment was primarily due to adverse financial market conditions that caused a significant decrease in the market multiples and increase in the discount rates used in the impairment analysis.

The Company reviews goodwill and other long-lived assets 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 value may not be recoverable. The Company performs a test for goodwill impairment at least annually, in the second quarter of each year. If the Company is required to record additional impairment charges in future periods, it would have the effect of decreasing the Company’s earnings (or increasing the Company’s losses), and the Company’s stock price could decline as a result.

Changes in performance of pension plan assets and assumptions used to estimate the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit costs and liabilities could adversely affect the Company’s liabilities and net income

The Company has pension and postretirement benefit costs and liabilities that are developed from actuarial valuations. As of December 31, 2008, the Company's liabilities under its defined benefit pension and postretirement retirement welfare plans exceeded plan assets by $186.1 million . The Company currently expects 2009 required funding under those plans to be approximately $13.0 million. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates and return on plan assets, which are updated on an annual basis. The Company is required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in making these assumptions. Changes in the related pension and postretirement benefit costs or credits may occur in the future due to changes in actual performance of pension plan investments and the assumptions used in the valuations. The amount of annual pension plan funding and annual expense is subject to many variables, including the investment return on pension plan assets and interest rates. Weakness in investment returns and low interest rates could result in higher benefit plan expense and the need to make greater pension plan contributions in future years.

Failure to retain and recruit qualified technical personnel may hinder the Company’s growth

The Company competes for qualified personnel in all of its business segments, and in each region of the world. The Company’s continued success in developing technological improvements and new applications of its products depends on the Company’s ability to recruit and retain highly skilled employees. If the Company is unable to attract and retain qualified technical personnel with adequate skills and expertise, the Company’s growth may be hindered and the Company’s development programs may be delayed or aborted.

The Company’s success is dependent upon its management and employees

The Company’s success is dependent upon its management and employees. The loss of senior management employees or any failure to recruit and train needed managerial, sales and technical personnel, could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company may not be able to successfully integrate acquisitions into the Company’s operations and/or the expected benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized

The Company’s growth strategy may involve the acquisition of one or more businesses. Any such acquisition could involve numerous risks, which may include difficulty in assimilating the operations, technologies, products, and key employees of the acquired businesses; the Company’s inability to maintain the existing customers of the acquired businesses or succeed in selling the products or services of the acquired businesses to the Company’s existing customers; a diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; the Company’s entry into markets in which competitors have a better-established market position than the businesses the Company acquires; the incurrence of significant expenses in completing the acquisitions; and the assumption of significant liabilities, some of which may be unknown at the time of the acquisitions. The Company’s inability to execute any acquisitions or integrate acquired businesses successfully could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Changes in or interpretations of accounting principles could result in unfavorable accounting charges

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These principles are subject to interpretation by the SEC and various bodies formed to interpret and create appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles can have a significant effect on our reported results and may even retroactively affect previously reported activity.

Changes in or interpretations of tax rules, structures, country profitability mix and regulations may adversely affect our effective tax rates

We are a United States based multinational company subject to tax in the United States, and foreign tax jurisdictions. Unanticipated changes in our tax rates could affect our future results of operations. Our future effective tax rates could be unfavorably affected by changes in, or interpretation of, tax rules and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we do business, structural changes in the Company’s businesses, by unanticipated decreases in the amount of revenue or earnings in countries with low statutory tax rates, by lapses of the availability of the U.S. research and development tax credit, or by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The Company has substantial deferred tax assets that could become impaired and result in a charge to earnings

The Company had a net deferred tax asset in the U.S. of approximately $80,000,000 at December 31, 2008. The Company has incurred a cumulative loss in the U.S. over the three-year period ending December 31, 2008. T he cumulative loss resulted from restructuring expenses resulting from the three year restructuring plan undertaken by the company, and a large write-off in 2008 related to the bankruptcy of Eclipse, a customer of the Engineered Composites segment, as well as an impairment of U.S. goodwill.

Realization of this and other deferred tax assets is dependent upon many factors, including generation of future income in specific countries. Lower than expected operating results, organizational changes, or changes in tax laws could result in those deferred tax assets becoming impaired, thus resulting in a charge to earnings.

The Company’s insurance coverage may be inadequate to cover other significant risk exposures

In addition to asbestos-related claims, the Company may be exposed to other liabilities related to the products and services we provide. The Engineered Composites segment is engaged in designing, developing, and manufacturing components for commercial jet aircraft and defense and technology systems and products. The Company expects this portion of the business to grow in future periods. Although the Company maintains insurance for the risks associated with this business, there can be no assurance that the amount of our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover all claims or liabilities. In addition, there can be no assurance that insurance coverage will continue to be available to the Company in the future at a cost that is acceptable. Any material liability not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The price of our Class A common stock historically has been volatile.

The market price for our Class A common stock has varied between a high of $37.51 and a low of $11.40 during the past year. This volatility may make it difficult for holders to resell our common stock, and the sale of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock. Our stock price is likely to continue to be volatile and subject to significant price and volume fluctuations in response to market and other factors, including the other risk factors disclosed in this report.

The Standish family has a significant influence on our company and could prevent transactions that might be in the best interests of our other stockholders

As of February 23, 2009, J. Spencer Standish and related persons (including Christine L. Standish and John C. Standish, both directors of the Company) and Thomas R. Beecher, Jr., as sole trustee of trusts for the benefit of descendants of J. Spencer Standish, held in the aggregate shares entitling them to cast approximately 54.72% of the combined votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders of the Company. The Standish family has significant influence over the management and affairs and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. The Standish family currently has, in the aggregate, sufficient voting power to elect all of our directors and determine the outcome of any shareholder action requiring a majority vote. This could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control or a merger, consolidation or other business combination at a premium price, even though it might be in the best interest of our other stockholders.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

Item 2. PROPERTIES

The Company’s principal manufacturing facilities are located in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The aggregate square footage of the Company’s operating facilities in the United States and Canada is approximately 2,698,000 square feet, of which 2,394,000 square feet are owned and 304,000 square feet are leased. The Company’s facilities located outside the United States and Canada comprise approximately 2,685,000 square feet, of which 2,553,000 square feet are owned and 132,000 square feet are leased. The Company considers these facilities to be in good condition and suitable for their purpose. The capacity associated with these facilities is adequate to meet production levels required and anticipated through 2009.

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Albany International Corp. (“Albany”) 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 previously manufactured by Albany. Albany 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.

Albany was defending against 17,854 claims as of February 6, 2009. This compares with 18,385 such claims as of October 27, 2008, 18,462 claims as of July 25, 2008, 18,529 claims as of May 2, 2008, 18,789 claims as of February 1, 2008, 18,791 claims as of October 19, 2007, 18,813 claims as of July 27, 2007, 19,120 claims as of April 27, 2007, 19,388 claims as of February 16, 2007, 19,416 claims as of December 31, 2006, 24,451 claims as of December 31, 2005, 29,411 claims as of December 31, 2004, 28,838 claims as of December 31, 2003, 22,593 claims as of December 31, 2002, 7,347 claims as of December 31, 2001, 1,997 claims as of December 31, 2000, and 2,276 claims as of December 31, 1999. These suits allege a variety of lung and other diseases based on alleged exposure to products previously manufactured by Albany. 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

2008

18,798

523

110

18,385

2009 to date

18,385

547

17,854

Albany anticipates that additional claims will be filed against it and related companies in the future, but is 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 the complaints usually fail to identify the plaintiffs’ work history or the nature of the plaintiffs’ alleged exposure to Albany’s products. Pleadings and discovery responses in those cases in which work histories have been provided indicate claimants with paper mill exposure in approximately 10% of the total claims filed against Albany, and only a portion of those claimants have alleged time spent in a paper mill to which Albany is believed to have supplied asbestos-containing products.

As of February 6, 2009, approximately 12,428 of the claims pending against Albany were pending in Mississippi. Of these, approximately 11,870 are in federal court, at the multidistrict litigation panel (“MDL”), either through removal or original jurisdiction. (In addition to the 11,870 Mississippi claims pending against the Company at the MDL, there are approximately 888 claims pending against the Company at the MDL removed from various United States District Courts in other states.)

On May 31, 2007 the MDL issued an administrative order that required each MDL plaintiff to provide detailed information regarding, among other things, the alleged asbestos-related medical diagnoses. The order does not require exposure information with this initial filing. The deadline for submission of such filings was December 1, 2007, but the process continued for several months thereafter with defense counsel monitoring filing obligations and reviewing the submissions for compliance. On December 23, 2008, the MDL issued another administrative order providing a mechanism whereby defendants could

seek dismissals against plaintiffs who failed to comply with the prior administrative order. The deadline for such motions was January 31, 2009 with hearings to be scheduled thereafter. The Company cannot currently predict if any dismissals will result from these motions.

With respect to claims in which plaintiffs have complied with the original administrative order, the MDL will at some point begin conducting settlement conferences, at which time the plaintiffs will be required to submit short position statements setting forth exposure information. The Company does not expect the MDL to begin the process of scheduling the settlement conference for several months. Consequently, the Company believes that the effects of the administrative orders will not be fully known or realized for some time.

Based on past experience, communications from certain plaintiffs’ counsel, and the advice of the Company’s Mississippi counsel, the Company expects the percentage of Mississippi claimants able to demonstrate time spent in a paper mill to which Albany supplied asbestos-containing products during a period in which Albany’s asbestos-containing products were in use to be considerably lower than the total number of pending claims. However, due to the large number of inactive claims pending in the MDL and the lack of alleged exposure information, the Company does not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to these remaining claims.

As of February 6, 2009, the remaining 5,426 claims pending against Albany were pending in states other than Mississippi. Pleadings and discovery responses in those cases in which work histories have been provided indicate claimants with paper mill exposure in approximately 25% of total claims reported, and only a portion of those claimants have alleged time spent in a paper mill to which Albany is believed to have supplied asbestos-containing products. For these reasons, the Company expects the percentage of these remaining claimants able to demonstrate time spent in a paper mill to which Albany supplied asbestos-containing products during a period in which Albany’s asbestos-containing products were in use to be considerably lower than the total number of pending claims. In addition, over half of these remaining non-Mississippi claims have not provided any disease information. Detailed exposure and disease information sufficient to meaningfully 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, the Company does not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to these remaining claims.

It is the position of Albany and the 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 Albany’s synthetic products was encapsulated in a resin-coated yarn woven into the interior of the fabric, further reducing the likelihood of fiber release. Although the Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims, it has settled certain of these cases for amounts it considers reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each case. The Company’s insurer, Liberty Mutual, has defended each case and funded settlements under a standard reservation of rights. As of February 6, 2009, the Company had resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 22,593 claims. The total cost of resolving all claims was $6,758,000. Of this amount, $6,713,000, or 99%, was paid by the Company’s 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 it should be able to access.

Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc.

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 8,607 claims as of February 6, 2009. This compares with 8,664 such claims as of October 27, 2008, 8,672 claims as of July 25, 2008, 8,689 claims as of May 2, 2008, 8,741 claims as of February 1, 2008 and October 19, 2007, 9,023 claims as of July 27, 2007, 9,089 claims as of April 27, 2007, 9,189 claims as of February 16, 2007, 9,114 claims as of December 31, 2006,

9,566 claims as of December 31, 2005, 9,985 claims as of December 31, 2004, 10,242 claims as of December 31, 2003, 11,802 claims as of December 31, 2002, 8,759 claims as of December 31, 2001, 3,598 claims as of December 31, 2000, and 1,887 claims as of December 31, 1999. 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

2006

9,566

1182

730

9,114

2007

9,114

462

8,740

2008

8,740

8,664

2009 to date

8,664

8,607

The Company 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 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 February 6, 2009, Brandon has resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 8,969 claims for a total of $152,499. 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 February 6, 2009, 6,821 (or approximately 79%) of the claims pending against Brandon were pending in Mississippi. For the same reasons set forth above with respect to Albany’s Mississippi and other claims, as well as the fact that no amounts have been paid to resolve any Brandon claims since 2001, the Company does 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”). The Company 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. The Company denies 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, the Company has successfully moved for dismissal in a number of actions.

While the Company does 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 its understanding of the insurance policies available, how settlement amounts have been allocated to various policies, its 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, the Company currently does not anticipate any material liability relating to the resolution of the aforementioned pending proceedings in excess of existing insurance limits. Consequently, the Company currently does 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 the Company cannot predict the number and timing of future claims, based on the foregoing factors and the trends in claims against it to date, the Company does not anticipate that additional claims likely to be filed against it in the future will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company is aware that litigation is inherently uncertain, especially when the outcome is dependent primarily on determinations of factual matters to be made by juries. The Company is also aware that numerous other defendants in asbestos cases, as well as others who claim to have knowledge and expertise on the subject, have found it difficult to anticipate the outcome of asbestos litigation, the volume of future asbestos claims, and the anticipated settlement values of those claims. For these reasons, there can be no assurance that the foregoing conclusions will not change.

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.

PART II

Item 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s common stock is principally traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIN. As of December 31, 2008, there were approximately 9,100 beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock, including employees owning shares through the Company’s 401(k) defined contribution plan. The Company’s cash dividends and the high and low common stock prices per share were as follows:



Quarter Ended	March 31		June 30		September 30		December 31



2008
Cash dividends per share	$	0.11	$	0.12	$	0.12	$	0.12
Class A Common Stock prices:
High	$	37.35	$	37.51	$	34.83	$	26.87
Low	$	32.34	$	29.00	$	26.18	$	11.40




2007
Cash dividends per share	$	0.10	$	0.11	$	0.11	$	0.11
Class A Common Stock prices:
High	$	35.98	$	42.42	$	42.10	$	39.48
Low	$	32.10	$	36.13	$	37.23	$	34.54

Restrictions on dividends and other distributions are described in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (see Item 8).

Disclosures of securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans and the performance graph are included under Item 12 of this Form 10-K.

In August 2006, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized management to purchase up to 2,000,000 additional shares of its Class A Common Stock. The Board’s action authorized management to purchase shares from time to time, in the open market or otherwise, whenever it believes such purchase to be advantageous to the Company’s shareholders, and it is otherwise legally permitted to do so. Management has made no share purchases under that authorization.

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected historical financial data have been derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company (see Item 8). The data should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (see Item 7).



(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2008			2007		2006			2005		2004


Summary of Operations
Net sales (1)	$	1,086,517		$	1,051,903	$	986,827		$	958,998	$	901,586
Cost of goods sold (1) ( 2 )		724,484			679,612		599,857			570,655		543,696
Restructuring and other (2)		38,653			27,625		5,936			—		54,058
Goodwill impairment charge (3)		72,305			—		—			—		—
Operating (loss)/income (1)		(66,917	)		33,196		90,583			115,170		38,648
Interest expense, net (1)		18,951			14,946		9,148			10,583		14,636
(Loss)/income from continuing operations (1)		(82,227	)		15,931		59,069			71,023		8,573
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		6,479			1,851		(1,030	)		829		1,812
Net (loss)/income		(75,748	)		17,782		58,039			71,852		10,385
Basic (losses)/income from continuing operations per share		(2.76	)		0.54		1.98			2.22		0.26
Basic net (losses)/ income per share		(2.54	)		0.60		1.95			2.25		0.32
Diluted net (losses)/ income per share		(2.54	)		0.60		1.92			2.22		0.31
Dividends declared per share		0.47			0.43		0.39			0.34		0.30
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic		29,786			29,421		29,803			31,921		32,575

Capital expenditures		129,499			149,215		84,452			43,293		57,129

Financial position
Cash	$	106,571		$	73,305	$	68,237		$	72,771	$	58,982
Cash surrender value of life insurance		47,425			43,701		41,197			37,778		34,583
Property, plant and equipment, net		536,576			525,853		409,056			338,865		380,731
Total assets		1,405,425			1,526,977		1,306,547			1,087,047		1,155,760
Current liabilities (4)		210,177			242,840		200,255			179,393		213,488
Long-term debt		530,367			446,433		354,587			162,597		213,615
Total noncurrent liabilities (4) (5)		775,352			700,802		623,503			349,072		407,831
Total liabilities (4) (5)		985,529			943,642		823,758			528,465		621,319
Shareholders’ equity (3) (4) (5)		419,896			583,335		482,789			558,582		534,441


(1)	In 2008, the Company sold its Filtration Technologies business. Previously reported data for net sales, cost of sales, and operating income for years prior to 2008 have been adjusted to reflect only the activity from continuing operations.

(2)	In 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008 the Company recorded Restructuring and other charges related to cost reduction initiatives.

(3)	In 2008 a Goodwill impairment charge of $72.3 million was recorded.

(4)	In 2008, the Company determined that there were errors in the reconciliation of its deferred tax, income tax payable, and accounts payable balance sheet accounts. For deferred taxes, the errors were in the accounts related to fixed assets in the United States and Canada, pension obligations in the United States and Germany, and goodwill in Germany. The income tax payable and accounts payable reconciliation errors related to journal entries made in the consolidation process at the corporate level. The Company has determined that the reconciliation errors relate to periods prior to 2004. The Company has assessed the materiality of these items in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99 and concluded that the error was not material to any of its previously reported quarterly or annual financial statements. The Company considered the guidance in SAB 108, under which the correction would be recorded in the 2008 Statement of Operations. However, the Company concluded that such an adjustment would cause the 2008 Statement of Operations to be misleading. Accordingly, the Company has instead reflected the correction of these items as an adjustment to its previously reported balance sheet s . Accordingly, data for 2004 to 2007 in the table above includes increases to current liabilities of $4.3 million, total noncurrent liabilities of $12.0 million, and total liabilities of $16.3 million. Equity was decreased by $16.3 million.


(5)	In 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, which resulted in a $59.6 million increase in pension liabilities and a $41.5 million decrease in shareholders’ equity.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of the Company. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes.

Overview

Albany International Corp. (the Registrant, the Company, or we) and its subsidiaries are engaged in five business segments.

Trends

The Company’s primary segment, Paper Machine Clothing, accounted for approximately 67% of consolidated revenues during 2008. Paper machine clothing is purchased primarily by manufacturers of paper and paperboard. According to data published by RISI, Inc., world paper and paperboard production volumes have grown at an annual rate of approximately 2. 7 % over the last ten years. Recent economic changes could significantly impact world paper and paperboard demand, and it is likely that total production will be lower in the next five years.

At the same time, technological advances in paper machine clothing, while contributing to the papermaking efficiency of customers, have lengthened the useful life of many of the Company’s products and reduced the number of pieces required to produce the same volume of paper. As the Company introduces new value creating products and services, it is often able to charge higher prices or increase market share in certain areas as a result of these improvements. However, increased prices and share have not always been sufficient to offset completely a decrease in the number of fabrics sold.

The factors described above result in a steady decline in the number of pieces of paper machine clothing, while the average fabric size is increasing. The net effect of these trends is that the specific volume of paper machine clothing consumption (measured in kilograms or square meters) has been increasing at a rate of approximately 1% per year over the past several years. Management believes that the short term effects of a global recession could accelerate or alter the trends described above. Effects of the recession, which were apparent in sales data for the fourth quarter of 2008, especially for Europe and Asia, are likely to continue and could result in PMC sales being lower in 2009.

The Company’s response to that pricing disruption has been to initiate a deliberate, intensive three-year process of restructuring and performance improvement initiatives. In PMC, the Company’s strategy for the past two years has been to offset the impacts of the maturation of the North American and Western European markets by (a) growing market share in these mature markets, (b) growing with the emerging markets in Asia and South America, and (c) reducing costs significantly through a company-wide, three-year restructuring and process-improvement program.

During this process of adjusting its manufacturing footprint to align with these regional markets, the Company has incurred restructuring charges. Specific charges reported have been incurred in connection with the reduction of PMC manufacturing capacity in the United States, Canada, Finland and Australia, and Doors segment manufacturing in Sweden. The Company has also incurred costs for idle capacity and equipment relocation that are related to the shutdown of these plants, and start-up costs related to the new PMC plant in China. Expenses related to these items are included in “Cost of Goods Sold”. In addition, the Company also incurred restructuring charges related to the centralization of PMC administrative functions in Europe, and reorganization of the Company’s research and development function that has improved the Company’s ability to bring value-added products to market faster.

In addition to these restructuring and restructuring-related activities, management has launched significant cost reduction and performance improvement initiatives. In 2006, the Company announced a plan to migrate its global enterprise resource planning system to SAP, and began a strategic procurement initiative designed to establish a world-class supply chain organization and processes that would lead to significant cost savings. Expenses incurred in connection with these actions are included in Selling, general, technical, product engineering and research (STG&R) expenses. These expenses were not allocated to the reportable segments because they are Corporate-wide initiatives.

The Albany Door Systems segment derives most of its revenue from the sale of high-performance doors, particularly to customers in Europe. The purchase of these doors is normally a capital expenditure item for customers and, as such, market opportunities tend to fluctuate with industrial capital spending. If economic conditions weaken, customers may reduce levels of capital expenditures, which could have a negative effect on sales and earnings in the Albany Door Systems segment. The Company’s response to this trend includes expansion of its aftermarket business which tends to be less sensitive to economic changes than sales of new doors. The large amount of revenue derived from sales and manufacturing outside the United States could cause the reported financial results for the Albany Door Systems segment to be more sensitive than the other segments of the Company to changes in currency rates. Orders for new doors began to drop off at the end of 2008 and into January, and the Company is preparing for a substantial decline in product sales, which will be only partially offset by continued growth in the aftermarket sales. Accordingly, the Company has been taking steps, across the business, to accelerate structural changes that permanently reduce costs.

The PrimaLoft® Products segment includes sales of insulation for outdoor clothing, gloves, footwear, sleeping bags, and home furnishings. The segment has manufacturing and sales operations in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The economic weakness in retail markets is likely to have a negative effect on 2009 sales in this segment.

Foreign Currency

Albany International operates in many geographic regions of the world and has more than half of its business in countries outside the United States. A substantial portion of the Company’s sales are denominated in euros or other currencies. In some locations, the profitability of transactions is affected by the fact that sales are denominated in a currency different from the currency in which the costs to manufacture and distribute the products are denominated. As a result, changes in the relative values of U.S. dollars, euros and other currencies affect revenues and profits as the results are translated into U.S. dollars in the consolidated financial statements.

From time to time, the Company enters into foreign currency or other derivative contracts in order to enhance cash flows or to mitigate volatility in the financial statements that can be caused by changes in currency exchange rates.

Review of Operations
2008 vs. 2007

Net sales increased to $1,086.5 million in 2008, as compared to $1,051.9 million for 2007. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $30.3 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2008 net sales increased 0.4% as compared to 2007.

Following is a table of net sales for each business segment and the effect of changes in currency translation rates:

Table 1



							Impact of changes in currency translation rates		Percent change excluding currency rate effects

	Net sales as reported December 31,				Percent change
(in thousands)	2008		2007		Percent change

Paper Machine Clothing		$727,967		$747,279	-2.6	%		$16,657		-4.8	%
Albany Door Systems		189,348		152,951	23.8	%		9,824		17.4	%
Engineered Fabrics		101,118		101,506	-0.4	%		3,533		-3.9	%
Engineered Composites		46,666		32,955	41.6	%		—		41.6	%
PrimaLoft^® Products		21,418		17,212	24.4	%		308		22.6	%

Total		$1,086,517		$1,051,903	3.3	%		$30,322		0.4	%

Gross profit was 33.3% in 2008, compared to 35.4% in 2007. The lower percentage in 2008 is principally due to an increase of $14.9 million for performance improvement initiatives. The performance improvement costs principally relate to equipment relocation, idle capacity at plants that are being closed, and underutilized capacity at the Company’s new plant in Hangzhou, China.

STG&R expenses increased to $318.0 million or 29.3% of net sales in 2008, as compared to $311.5 million or 29.6% of net sales in 2007. Costs related to performance improvement initiatives were $20.5 million in 2008 and $15.6 million in 2007. The performance improvement costs are principally costs related to the implementation of the SAP enterprise resource planning software and employee terminations. Compared to 2007, provisions for bad debts increased $14.5 million, including a provision of $7.4 million related to the Eclipse Aviation bankruptcy filing in the fourth quarter of 2008. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing 2008 STG&R expenses by $8.6 million compared to 2007.

Following is a table of operating income by segment:

Table 2



	Year ended December 31, 2008								Year ended December 31, 2007
						Operating income/(loss) excluding goodwill charge

	Total Operating income/(loss)			Goodwill impairment charge					Total Operating income/(loss)

(in thousands)

Operating income/(loss)
Paper Machine Clothing		$20,468			$48,590		$69,058			$87,973
Albany Door Systems		14,912			—		14,912			4,933
Engineered Fabrics		(4,797	)		17,753		12,956			16,234
Engineered Composites		(25,955	)		5,962		(19,993	)		(6,283	)
PrimaLoft^® Products		2,977			—		2,977			2,679
Research expense		(22,783	)		—		(22,783	)		(23,337	)
Unallocated expenses		(51,739	)		—		(51,739	)		(49,003	)

Operating (loss)/income		($66,917	)		$72,305		$5,388			$33,196

As a result of a broad decline in equity markets and the Company’s market capitalization, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2008. Fair values of the reporting units and the related implied fair values of their respective goodwill were established using public company analysis and discounted cash flows. The impairment charge was driven by adverse financial market conditions that caused a significant decrease in market multiples and the Company’s share price.

In the third quarter of 2006, the Company announced the initial steps in its restructuring and performance improvement plan. The actions are part of a three-year restructuring and performance improvement plan and have affected each of the Company’s reportable segments. The actions taken to reduce manufacturing capacity are driven by the need to balance the Company’s manufacturing capacity with anticipated demand.

Paper Machine Clothing (PMC) restructuring activities include closure or significant reductions of manufacturing at Järvenpää and Konala, Finland, at Göppingen, German, at Gosford, Australia, and in the United States at plants in Montgomery, Alabama, East Greenbush, New York, and Menands, New York. Additionally, the Company has incurred restructuring charges related to the centralization of European administrative functions. These activities contributed to restructuring expense in the PMC segment of $34.2 million in 2008, $24.4 million in 2007 and $4.9 million in 2006.

In April 2008, the Company announced its plan to shut down its Mansfield, Massachusetts, facility and consolidate its technical and manufacturing operations located there into other facilities in Europe and North America. The actions taken resulted in net restructuring charges of $1.8 million in 2008.

In May 2007, the Company announced its plan to discontinue operations at its door manufacturing facility in Halmstad, Sweden as part of a plan to match installed capacity with business demands. That action contributed to restructuring expense in the Albany Door Systems segment of $0.9 million in 2008, and $2.2 million in 2007.

The Company has also taken actions to reduce its Corporate overhead expenses that have resulted in net restructuring charges of $0.4 million in 2008, $0.7 million in 2007, and $1.1 million in 2006. Those restructuring charges are net of curtailment gains $2.5 million in 2008 and $1.9 million in 2007 which are related to changes to the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans.

In the third quarter of 2006 , the Company initiated a three year restructuring and performance improvement plan. In addition to costs reported as restructuring in the Statement of Operations, the Company has incurred other costs (referred to as performance improvement costs) that are related to terminations of employees or agreements, relocation of manufacturing equipment, and costs related to the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system. The table below presents restructuring and performance improvement costs by reportable segment:

Table 3



	Year ended December 31, 2008
			Performance improvement costs

(in thousands)	Restructuring				Total


Paper Machine Clothing		$34,173		$28,282		$62,455
Albany Door Systems		945		215		1,160
Engineered Fabrics		156		—		156
Engineered Composites		972		—		972
PrimaLoft^® Products		182		—		182
Research expense		1,779		—		1,779
Unallocated expenses		446		17,509		17,955

Consolidated total		$38,653		$46,006		$84,659



	Year ended December 31, 2007
			Performance improvement costs

(in thousands)	Restructuring				Total


Paper Machine Clothing		$24,434		$14,409		$38,843
Albany Door Systems		2,164		1,168		3,332
Engineered Fabrics		—		742		742
Research expense		308		—		308
Unallocated expenses		719		9,921		10,640

Consolidated total		$27,625		$26,240		$53,865



	Year ended December 31, 2006
			Performance improvement costs

(in thousands)	Restructuring				Total


Paper Machine Clothing		$4,862		$164		$5,026
Unallocated expenses		1,074		323		1,397

Consolidated total		$5,936		$487		$6,423

Operating income before the goodwill impairment charges decreased to $5.4 million in 2008, compared to $33.2 million in 2007. The lower income in 2008 was principally due to an increase of $30.8 million for costs associated with restructuring and performance improvement initiatives.

Research expense decreased $0.6 million or 2.4% in 2008, principally due to a gain of $2.2 million from the sale of a building, which offset additional costs related to restructuring initiatives. Unallocated expenses increased $2.7 million to $51.7 million in 2008 principally due to an increase of $8.1 million related to performance improvement initiatives, including the Company’s implementation of the SAP

enterprise resource planning system and costs related to the Company’s global procurement initiative. Those costs increases were partially offset by a $2.8 million reduction in incentive compensation expense related to the decrease in the Company’s stock price.

Interest expense increased to $20.8 million for 2008, compared to $16.6 million for 2007. The increase reflects higher average levels of debt outstanding in 2008.

Other expense, net, was $0.5 million for 2008 compared to $0.4 million for 2007. The increase in expense is primarily due to lower income resulting from currency hedging activities and the remeasurement of short-term intercompany balances at operations that held amounts denominated in currencies other than their local currencies. The Company’s currency hedging strategy is aimed at mitigating volatility in the income statement that can be caused by sharp changes in currency exchange rates. The Company uses various derivative instruments, primarily currency forward contracts, in its currency hedging activities. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with FAS No. 133 are reported in Other comprehensive income, and not Other expense, net.

Income tax benefit/expense from continuing operations was a benefit of $3.9 million in 2008 compared to expense of $1.8 million in 2007. Discrete tax adjustments in 2008 were a net expense of $13.0 million ($0.44 per share) and resulted principally from changes in benefit programs and the recording of valuation allowances. Discrete tax adjustments in 2007 were a net benefit of $2.7 million ($0.09 per share) and resulted principally from impairment provisions recorded for statutory purposes. Income tax expense in 2008 includes an out-of-period adjustment to correct an equivalent favorable discrete tax adjustment of $1.7 million recorded in the second quarter of 2007. The corrected item has no impact on cash flows for any period presented. The company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within its global operations as a component of income tax expense. The C ompany recognized interest and penalties of $3.1 million and $1.1 million in the statement of operations in 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $6.2 million and $4.8 million of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, respectively.

In July 2008, the Company closed on the sale of its Filtration Technologies business, the principal operations of which were in Gosford, Australia, and Zhangjiagang, China. The Company recognized a gain of $5.4 million on the sale. The activities of this business are reported as a discontinued operation in the accompanying financial statements and, accordingly, are excluded from Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Net loss/income was a loss of $75.7 million for 2008, compared to income of $17.8 million for 2007. Basic earnings per share was a loss of $2.54 for 2008, compared to income of $0.60 for 2007. The difference reflects the 2008 goodwill impairment charge ($2.19 per share), higher costs in 2008 for restructuring and performance improvement initiatives ($0.93 per share) and the unfavorable change in discrete tax adjustments ($0.53 per share).

Paper Machine Clothing Segment

Net sales in the Paper Machine Clothing segment decreased to $728.0 million for 2008 as compared to $747.3 million for 2007. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing 2008 net sales by $16.7 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2008 net sales decreased 4.8% as compared to 2007. The decrease principally relates to the broad economic weakness in the second half of 2008, as PMC 2008 vs. 2007 quarterly sales comparisons showed a decrease of 7.5% in the third quarter, and 8.7% in the fourth quarter, excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates.

For the full year, 2008 sales were lower in North America and Asia Pacific, but increased in Europe and South America. In the fourth quarter of 2008, however, all regions were lower than the fourth quarter of 2007.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 36.9% for 2008 compared to 38.5% for 2007. The decrease in 2008 was principally due to costs associated with performance improvement initiatives, idle capacity costs at plants being closed, and underutilized capacity at the Company’s new plant in Hangzhou, China.

Operating income excluding the goodwill impairment charge was $69.1 million for 2008, compared to $88.0 million for 2007. Segment expenses for restructuring and performance improvement initiatives, as illustrated in Table 3, increased by $23.6 million compared to 2007.

Albany Door Systems Segment

Net sales in the Albany Door Systems segment increased to $189.3 million in 2008, compared to $153.0 million in 2007. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $9.8 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2008 net sales increased 17.4% as compared to 2007. Sales of new products continued to accelerate and the aftermarket business strengthened. Globally, the aftermarket service and parts for high-performance doors grew to $57.2 million in 2008, compared to $48.0 million in 2007.

Net sales in Europe in euros were up 18.0% compared to 2007. This increase was due to continued strength in product sales and growth in the aftermarket. North American net sales increased 8.5% compared to 2007, partially due to the acquisition of R-Bac in mid-2007.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 32.1% in 2008 and 2007. Product sales, which carry a lower gross profit percentage than aftermarket sales, represented a larger portion of total sales in 2008. Operating income increased $10.0 million to $14.9 million due to the effect of stronger sales, and a $2.2 million reduction in costs for restructuring and performance improvement.

Engineered Fabrics Segment

Net sales in the Engineered Fabrics segment decreased to $101.1 million in 2008, compared to $101.5 million in 2007. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $3.5 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2008 net sales decreased 3.9% as compared to 2007.

As was in the situation in PMC, the recession significantly impacted this segment with third quarter sales down 8.9%, and fourth quarter sales down 4.6%, excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 34.0% in 2008 compared to 36.3% in 2007. Operating income excluding the goodwill impairment charge decreased from $16.2 million in 2007 to $13.0 million in 2008. The decrease reflects lower sales and higher costs of quality in 2008.

Engineered Composites Segment

Net sales in the Engineered Composites segment (AEC) increased to $46.7 million in 2008, compared to $33.0 million in 2007, an increase of 41.6%. New business opportunities continue to emerge and include projects that provide both short-term revenue, and potential for long-term growth. Fourth-quarter 2008 sales were 10.4% higher than the same quarter of 2007, reflecting that AEC's recent growth rate is slowing and that weakness is expected to carry into 2009.

Gross profit was a loss of $6.1 million in 2008, including a $3.2 million write-off of inventory and tooling for Eclipse Aviation who declared bankruptcy in the fourth quarter of 2008. Segment gross profit was a loss of $1.7 million in 2007. The segment operating loss, excluding the goodwill impairment charge, grew to $20.0 million compared to $6.3 million in 2007. Results for 2008 include a total write-off of $10.6 million for Eclipse Aviation and an increase of $1.0 million for restructuring costs.

PrimaLoft® Products Segment

Net sales in the PrimaLoft® Products segment increased to $21.4 million in 2008, compared to $17.2 million in 2007. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $0.3 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2008 net sales increased 22.6% as compared to 2007. The sales growth came during the first three quarters of 2008 and reflected strong sales in outerwear markets.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 44.6% in 2008 compared to 45.9% in 2007. Operating income increased to $3.0 million in 2008 from $2.7 million in 2007. The increase reflects higher sales in 2008.

2007 vs. 2006

Net sales increased to $1,051.9 million in 2007, as compared to $986.8 million for 2006. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $41.8 million. Net sales for 2006 were reduced by $7.6 million related to a change in contract terms with a major customer. Excluding the effect of that change and the additional effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2007 net sales increased 1.6% as compared to 2006.

Following is a table of net sales for each business segment and the effect of changes in currency translation rates:

Table 4



												Percent change excluding contract terms change and currency rate effects
								Impact of changes in currency translation rates

	Net sales as reported									Impact of change in contract terms
	December 31,				Percent change
(in thousands)	2007		2006		Percent change

Paper Machine Clothing	$	747,279	$	721,238		3.6	%	$	25,346	$	7,586		-1.0	%
Albany Door Systems		152,951		124,646		22.7	%		10,794		—		14.0	%
Engineered Fabrics		101,506		97,638		4.0	%		5,350		—		-1.5	%
Engineered Composites		32,955		25,898		27.2	%		—		—		27.2	%
PrimaLoft^® Products		17,212		17,407		-1.1	%		317		—		-2.9	%

Total	$	1,051,903	$	986,827		6.6	%	$	41,807	$	7,586		1.6	%

Gross profit was 35.4% in 2007, compared to 39.2% in 2006. The decrease is principally due to costs incurred in 2007 related to performance improvement initiatives, idle capacity costs at plants being closed, and the effect of the European pricing disruption.

STG&R expenses increased to $311.5 million or 29.6% of net sales in 2007, as compared to $290.5 million or 29.4% of net sales in 2006. The increase includes $15.6 million related to performance improvement initiatives and $14.1 million related to the effect of changes in currency translation rates.

Table 5



	Years ended December 31,

(in thousands)		2007			2006

Operating Income
Paper Machine Clothing	$	87,973		$	127,595
Albany Door Systems		4,933			5,931
Engineered Fabrics		16,234			18,182
Engineered Composites		(6,283	)		(3,142	)
PrimaLoft^® Products		2,679			3,290
Research expense		(23,337	)		(21,628	)
Unallocated expenses		(49,003	)		(39,645	)

Operating income	$	33,196		$	90,583

Operating income decreased to $33.2 million for 2007, compared to $90.6 million for 2006. The decrease was principally due to costs associated with restructuring and performance improvement initiatives.

Research expense increased $1.7 million or 7.9% in 2007, principally due to higher project expenses and wages. Unallocated expenses increased $9.4 million to $49.0 million in 2007 principally due to $7.6 million of costs associated with performance improvement initiatives, including the Company’s implementation of the SAP enterprise resource planning system.

Interest expense increased to $16.9 million for 2007 compared to $13.1 million for 2006. The increase in 2007 reflects higher average levels of debt outstanding in 2007. Interest income decreased from $4.0 million to $1.6 million principally due to lower levels of invested cash and cash equivalents in 2007.

Other expense, net, was $0.4 million for 2007 compared to $1.9 million for 2006. The decrease in expense is primarily due to income resulting from currency hedging activities and the remeasurement of short-term intercompany balances at operations that held amounts denominated in currencies other than their local currencies.

Income tax expense related to continuing operations was $1.8 million in 2007 compared to $20.7 million in 2006. Income tax expense in 2007 includes net discrete adjustments that reduced income tax by $2.7 million. Income tax expense in 2006 includes net discrete adjustments that reduced income tax by $3.5 million related to changes in estimated tax liabilities and changes in contingent tax reserves and valuation allowances.

Net income was $17.8 million for 2007, compared to $58.0 million for 2006. Basic earnings per share were $0.60 for 2007, compared to $1.95 for 2006. The decrease in 2007 was principally due to higher costs in 2007 for restructuring and performance improvement initiatives.

Paper Machine Clothing Segment

Net sales in the Paper Machine Clothing segment increased to $747.3 million for 2007 as compared to $721.2 million for 2006. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing 2007 net sales by $25.3 million, while the change in contract terms with a major customer reduced 2006 net sales by $7.6 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates and the change in contract terms, 2007 net sales decreased 1.0% as compared to 2006.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 38.5% for 2007 compared to 41.7% for 2006. The decrease in 2007 was principally due to costs associated with performance improvement initiatives, idle capacity costs at plants being closed, and the pricing disruption in the Western European market.

Operating income was $88.0 million for 2007, compared to $127.6 million for 2006. Segment expenses for restructuring and performance improvement initiatives increased from $5.0 million in 2006 to $38.8 million in 2007. Additionally, the change in contract terms with a major customer had the effect of reducing 2006 operating income by $2.8 million.

Albany Door Systems Segment

Net sales in the Albany Door Systems segment increased to $153.0 million in 2007 as compared to $124.6 million in 2006. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $10.8 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2007 net sales increased 14.0% as compared to 2006. Sales of new products continued to accelerate and the aftermarket business in Europe also posted gains. Globally, the aftermarket service and parts for high-performance doors grew to $48.0 million in 2007, compared to $40.7 million in 2006.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 32.1% for 2007 compared to 34.3% for 2006. The decrease was principally due to higher material costs. Operating income decreased from $5.9 million in 2006 to $4.9 million in 2007, which included restructuring costs of $2.2 million, and performance improvement costs of $1.2 million.

Engineered Fabrics Segment

Net sales in the Engineered Fabrics segment increased to $101.5 million in 2007, compared to $97.6 million in 2006. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $5.4 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2007 net sales decreased 1.5% as compared to 2006.

During 2007, the segment’s new plant in Kaukauna, Wisconsin had a successful start-up.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 36.3% in 2007 compared to 37.8% in 2006. Operating income decreased from $18.2 million in 2006 to $16.2 million in 2007. The decrease reflects weaker sales and performance improvement costs in 2007.

Engineered Composites Segment

Net sales in the Engineered Composites segment (AEC) increased to $33.0 million in 2007, compared to $25.9 million in 2006, an increase of 27.2%. AEC continued to broaden its business opportunities in aerospace and important progress was made with several key customers.

Gross profit was a loss of $1.7 million in 2007, compared to a profit of $1.7 million in 2006. The segment operating loss grew to $6.3 million compared to $3.1 million in 2006. The decrease reflects the impact of rapidly adding manufacturing and capacity, as well as engineering resources, to handle growth opportunities.

PrimaLoft® Products Segment

Net sales in the PrimaLoft® Products segment decreased to $17.2 million in 2007, compared to $17.4 million in 2006. Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of increasing net sales by $0.3 million. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2007 net sales decreased 2.9% as compared to 2006.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 45.9% in 2007 compared to 52.0% in 2006. Operating income decreased to $2.7 million in 2007 from $3.3 million in 2006. The decrease reflects lower sales in 2007.

International Activities

The Company conducts more than half of its business in countries outside of the United States. As a result, the Company experiences transaction and translation gains and losses because of currency fluctuations. The Company periodically enters into foreign currency contracts to hedge this exposure (see Notes 6 , 13 , and 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company believes that the risks associated with its operations and locations outside the United States are not other than those normally associated with operations in such locations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company finances its business activities primarily with cash generated from operations and borrowings, primarily $180 million of 2.25% convertible notes issued in March 2006, $150 million of long-term indebtedness to Prudential Capital Group issued in October 2005, and under its revolving credit agreement as described in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Company 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.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $84.0 million in 2008, compared to $81.3 million in 2007, and $52.0 million in 2006. In September 2006, the Company terminated its accounts receivable securitization program, resulting in an increase in accounts receivable of $58.1 million, and a decrease in the related note receivable of $17.3 million, for a net reduction in cash flow of $40.8 million in 2006. The Company terminated the program because it was able to obtain more favorable financing terms under its revolving credit agreement.

Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates and business acquisitions, inventories decreased $6.8 million in 2008, and increased by $8.6 million in 2007 and $19.0 million in 2006. The increase in inventories in 2006 and 2007 was partially due to contractual agreements with customers regarding the level of readily available products. Contributions to the United States pension plan amounted to $10 million in 2007 and $20 million in 2006. No contribution was made during 2008 and the Company currently anticipates no contribution will be required in 2009. However, circumstances could change such that a contribution may be necessary in order to comply with requirements of the PBGC, ERISA, or the Company's borrowing facilities. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $66.2 million in 2008, $62.5 million in 2007, and $59.5 million in 2006.

Income tax benefit/expense from continuing operations was a benefit of $3.9 million in 2008 compared to expense of $1.8 million in 2007 and $20.7 million in 2006. Discrete tax adjustments in 2008 were a net expense of $13.0 million, and resulted principally from an increase in tax reserves, an increase in valuation allowances for net operating loss carryforwards and the tax effect of the change in the postretirement benefit plan. Discrete tax adjustments in 2007 were a net benefit of $2.7 million and resulted principally from impairment provisions

recorded for statutory purposes. Income tax expense in 2006 includes net discrete adjustments that reduced income tax by $3.5 million related to changes in estimated tax liabilities and changes in contingent tax reserves and valuation allowances.

The Company’s order backlog at December 31, 2008, was $419.6 million, a decrease of 22.5% from the prior year-end. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, backlog decreased approximately 17.6% in comparison to December 31, 200 7 . The December 31, 200 8 backlog by segment was $368.6 million in PMC, $16.5 million in Albany Doors, $20.4 million in Engineered Fabrics, $12.1 million in Engineered Composites, and $2.0 million in Primaloft. The backlog as of December 31, 2008 is generally expected to be invoiced during the next 12 months.

Under “Trends”, management discussed certain recent trends in its paper machine clothing segment that have had a negative impact on demand for the Company’s products within that segment, as well as its strategy for addressing these trends. Management also discussed pricing competition within this segment and the negative effect of such competition on segment sales and earnings. If these trends continue or intensify, and if management’s strategy for addressing them should prove inadequate, the Company’s operating cash flow could be adversely affected. In any event, although historical cash flows may not, for all of these reasons, necessarily be indicative of future cash flows, the Company expects to continue to be able to generate substantial cash from sales of its products and services in future periods.

In October 2005, the Company closed on a $150 million borrowing from Prudential Capital Group. The principal is due in three installments of $50 million each in 2013, 2015, and 2017 (an average life of 10 years), with an initial fixed interest rate of 5.34 percent. Proceeds from the borrowing were used to pay down all $127 million of floating-rate indebtedness at the time outstanding under the Company’s existing credit facility. The covenants under this agreement are effectively the same as under the Company’s revolving credit agreement.

In December 2008, the Company and Prudential amended the agreement to increase the leverage ratio allowed under this agreement to 3.50 from 3.00, and the Company agreed to pay a higher rate of interest. The maximum interest rate is 1.50% over the 5.34% in the original agreement. The Company anticipates it will pay interest on this loan at the rate of 6.84% in 2009.

In March 2006, the Company 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 the Company’s Class A common stock with respect to the remainder, if any, of the Company’s conversion obligation at an initial conversion rate of 22.462 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $44.52 per share of Class A common stock).

In connection with the offering, the Company entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions with respect to its Class A common stock at a net cost of $14.7 million. These transactions are intended to reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of the notes by providing the Company with the option, subject to certain exceptions, to acquire shares that offset the delivery of newly issued shares upon conversion of the notes.

On April 14, 2006, the Company entered into a new $460 million five-year revolving credit agreement, under which $190 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2008. The agreement replaced a similar $460 million revolving credit facility. Under the terms of the new agreement, commitment fees on the unused portion of the facility were reduced from 0.25% to 0.09% and the term was extended from 2009 to 2011. The applicable interest rate for borrowings under the new agreement, as well as under the old agreement, is LIBOR plus a spread, based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. As of December 31, 2008, the interest rate under this agreement was 1.93%. Spreads under the

agreement are 15 to 50 basis points lower than under the prior agreement. The current agreement includes covenants similar to the old agreement, which could limit the Company’s ability to purchase Common Stock, pay dividends, or acquire other companies or dispose of its assets. The Company is also required to maintain a leverage ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and a minimum interest coverage of at least 3.00 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s leverage ratio under the agreement was 2.54 to 1.00 and the interest coverage ratio was 7.35 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2007, the leverage ratio was 2.49 to 1.00 and the interest coverage ratio was 8.60 to 1.00 . The Company may purchase its Common Stock or pay dividends to the extent its leverage ratio remains at or below 3.50 to 1.00, and may make acquisitions provided its leverage ratio would not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition. The Company’s 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 the Company’s consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the agreement), as of December 31, 2008, the Company would have been able to borrow an additional $147.0 million under the loan agreement.

Due to the effects of the global economic recession, the Company currently expects its leverage ratio to increase during 2009. If the Company's earnings were to decline more than currently anticipated, as a result of continued difficult market conditions or for other reasons, it could impact the Company's ability to maintain compliance with these covenants. If the Company determined that its compliance with these covenants may be under pressure, the Company may elect to take a number of actions, including, but not limited to, reducing expenses in order to increase earnings, using available cash to repay all or a portion of the outstanding debt subject to these covenants, reducing or eliminating cash dividends, or seeking to negotiate with lenders to modify the terms or to restructure such indebtedness. If all or a substantial portion of such indebtedness were required to be repaid, available cash is not likely to be sufficient, and the Company would be required to refinance. Using available cash to repay indebtedness would make the cash unavailable for other uses and might affect the Company’s growth strategy , as well as the liquidity discussions and conclusions above. Given current conditions in the global economy and financial markets, the Company could find it difficult to effect any modification, restructuring or refinancing of such indebtedness. Any successful modification, restructuring or refinancing of the Company's debt would likely result in substantial financing fees and/or higher interest payments.

The Company issued letters of credit totaling $44.0 million in respect of preliminary assessments for income tax contingencies. Income tax contingencies are more fully described in Note 8 , of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company is the owner and beneficiary of life insurance policies on certain present and former employees. The Company reports the cash surrender value of life insurance, net of any outstanding loans, as a separate noncurrent asset. The year-end cash surrender value of life insurance policies was $47.4 million in 2008, $43.7 million in 2007, and $41.2 million in 2006. The rate of return on the policies varies with market conditions and was approximately 6.5% in 2008, 2007 and 2006. The Company may convert the cash surrender value of these policies to cash at any time, by either surrendering the policies or borrowing against the cash value of the policies.

Capital expenditures were $129.5 million in 2008, $149.2 million in 2007, and $84.5 million in 2006. The increases in capital expenditures in 2007 and 2008 are principally due to the PMC strategic investment program announced in January 2006. Capital expenditures in the PMC segment amounted to $111.6 million in 2008 and $117.5 million in 2007. The Company has reduced its estimate of capital spending for 2009 from $60 million to approximately $50 million. Depreciation and amortization were $16.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2008 and were $60.0 million and $6.2 million, respectively for the full-year 2008. Depreciation and amortization are estimated to total $75 million for 2009.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had restructuring liabilities of $21.9 million which were classified as current liabilities . Including the cash required for those liabilities and additional restructuring that is anticipated, the Company estimates that cash used for restructuring will be $50 to $60 million in 2009.

Cash dividends per share increased from $0.39 in 2006, to $0.43 in 2007, to $0.47 in 2008. Accrued dividends as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $3.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Dividends have been declared each quarter since the fourth quarter of 2001. Decisions with respect to whether a dividend will be paid, and the amount of the dividend, are made by the Board of Directors each quarter. To the extent the Board declares cash dividends in the future, the Company would expect to pay such

dividends out of operating cash flow. Future cash dividends will be dependent on debt covenants and on the Board’s assessment of the Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows.

In December 2005, the Board of Directors increased the number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock that could be purchased to 3.5 million. During the first 6 months of 2006, the Company purchased 3.5 million shares under this authorization for a total cost of $131.5 million. In August 2006, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized management to purchase up to 2 million additional shares of its Class A Common Stock. The Board’s action authorizes management to purchase shares from time to time, in the open market or otherwise, whenever it believes such purchase to be advantageous to the Company’s shareholders, and it is otherwise legally permitted to do so. As of December 31, 2008, no share purchases had been made under the 2006 authorization.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had the following cash flow obligations:



	Payments Due by Period
(in millions)	Total		Less than one year		One to three years		Three to five years		After five years

Total debt	$	543.0	$	12.6	$	200.2	$	230.0	$	100.2

Interest payments (a)		83.2		16.2		30.0		22.3		14.7

Pension plan contributions (b)		8.1		8.1		—		—		—

Other postretirement benefits (c)		23.8		4.9		9.5		9.4		—

Restructuring accruals		21.9		21.9		—		—		—

Other noncurrent liabilities (d)		—		—		—		—		—

Operating leases		14.5		9.1		5.1		0.3		—

	$	694.5	$	72.9	$	244.8	$	262.0	$	114.8


(a)	The terms of variable-rate debt arrangements, including interest rates and maturities, are included in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The interest payments are based on the assumption that the Company maintains $190,000,000 of variable rate debt until the April 2006 credit agreement matures on April 14, 2011 and no changes in variable interest rates occur.

(b)	Although no contributions are currently required, the Company’s planned contribution of $8,100,000 in 2009 is included in this schedule. The amount of contributions after 2009 is subject to many variables, including return of pension plan assets, interest rates, and tax and employee benefit laws. Therefore, contributions beyond 2009 are not included in this schedule.

(c)	Estimated payments for Other postretirement benefits for the next five years are based on the assumption that employer cash payments will slightly decrease each year. No estimate of the payments after five years has been provided due to many uncertainties.

(d)	Estimated payments for deferred compensation , taxes, and other noncurrent liabilities are not included in this table due to the uncertain timing of the ultimate cash settlement.

The foregoing table should not be deemed to represent all of the Company’s future cash requirements, which will vary based on the Company’s future needs. While the cash required to satisfy the obligations set forth in the table is reasonably determinable in advance, many other cash needs, such as raw materials costs, payroll and taxes, are dependent on future events and are harder to predict. In addition, while the contingencies described in Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are not currently anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the Company, there can be no assurance that this will be the case. Subject to the foregoing, the Company currently expects that cash from operations and the other sources of liquidity described above will be sufficient to enable it to meet the foregoing cash obligations, as well as to meet its other cash requirements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No.157, “Fair Value Measurements” (FAS No. 157). FAS No. 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The Company’s adoption of this Standard on January 1, 2008 did not have a material effect on its financial statements. Additional disclosure has been made in this document in Footnote 13 . Financial Instruments. Relative to FAS 157, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) FAS 157-1, FAS 157-2, and FAS 157-3. FSP FAS 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (SFAS 13), and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions, while FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of the application of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis. FSP FAS 157-3 clarifies the application of FAS 157 as it relates to the valuation of financial assets in a market that is not active for those financial assets. This FSP is effective immediately and includes those periods for which financial statements have not been issued. We currently do not have any financial assets that are valued using inactive markets, and as such are not impacted by the issuance of this FSP.

In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (FAS No. 159). FAS No. 159 provides companies with a choice to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value (the “Fair Value Option”). Election of the Fair Value Option is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. The Company’s adoption of this Standard on January 1, 2008 did not have a material effect on its financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 160 “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment to ARB No. 51”. FAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards that require the ownership interest in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified and presented in the consolidated balance sheets within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity; the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of earnings; and changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary be accounted for consistently. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of FAS No. 160 to have a material effect on its financial statements.

concepts of FAS No. 141 in that all business combinations are still required to be accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting but FAS No. 141 (R) changed the method of applying the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects. FAS No. 141(R) is effective on a prospective basis for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the exception of the accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies. FAS No. 141(R) amends FAS 109 such that adjustments made to valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of FAS No. 141(R) would also apply the provisions of FAS No. 141(R). Early adoption is not allowed. We are currently evaluating the effects, if any, that FAS No. 141(R) may have on our financial statements, but the Company does not expect the adoption of FAS No. 141(R) to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In December 2007, the EITF issued Issue No. 07-1, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements.” This Issue is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and shall be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for all collaborative arrangements existing as of the effective date. This Issue requires that transactions with third parties (i.e., revenue generated and costs incurred by the partners) should be reported in the appropriate line item in each company’s financial statement pursuant to the guidance in EITF Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent.” This Issue also includes enhanced disclosure requirements regarding the nature and purpose of the arrangement, rights and obligations under the arrangement, accounting policy, amount and income statement classification of collaboration transactions between the parties. We are currently evaluating the effects this may have on our financial statements, but the Company does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The Standard requires enhanced disclosures about derivative instruments and is effective for fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect adoption of this Standard to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (FAS No. 162). FAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The FASB does not expect that FAS No. 162 will result in a change in current practice. However, transition provisions have been provided in the unusual circumstance that the application of the provisions of FAS No. 162 results in a change in practice. FAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (FSP 142-3). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and requires enhanced disclosures relating to: (a) the entity’s accounting policy on the treatment of costs incurred to renew or extend the term of a recognized intangible asset; (b) in the period of acquisition or renewal, the weighted-average period prior to the next renewal or extension (both explicit and implicit), by major intangible asset class and (c) for an entity that capitalizes renewal or extension costs, the total amount of costs incurred in the period to renew or extend the term of a recognized intangible asset for each period for which a statement of financial position is presented, by major intangible asset class. FSP 142-3 must be applied prospectively to all intangible assets acquired as of and subsequent to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008,

and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that FSP142-3 will have on its financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)” (FSP APB 14-1). This staff position applies to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, unless the embedded conversion option is required to be separately accounted for as a derivative under FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” FSP APB 14-1 requires the issuer to separately account for the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate on the instrument’s issuance date when interest cost is recognized. This staff position is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not allowed. The Company expects that adoption of FSP APB 14-1 will result in additional non-cash charges to interest expense beginning January 1, 2009. The Company estimates the additional non-cash interest expense will be approximately $4,800,000 in 2009, and the amount of interest will increase by approximately $300,000 per year while the bonds remain outstanding. Additionally, as of January 1, 2009, long-term debt will decrease and equity will increase by approximately $21,981,000 as a result of adopting this Staff Position.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No.132 (R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits” (FSP 132R-1). FSP 132R-1 requires enhanced disclosures about the plan assets of a Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The enhanced disclosures required by this FSP are intended to provide users of financial statements with a greater understanding of: (1) how investment allocation decisions are made, including the factors that are pertinent to an understanding of investment policies and strategies; (2) the major categories of plan assets; (3) the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets; (4) the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on changes in plan assets for the period; and (5) significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. This FSP is effective for us for the year ending December 31, 2009.

Critical Accounting Policies and Assumptions

The following should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Some of these estimates require judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain.

Accounting standards whose application may have a significant effect on the reported results of operations and financial position, and that can require judgments by management that affect their application, include FAS No. No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” FAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” FAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” FAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” FAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” as amended by FAS No. 132 and 132(R), “Employers’ Disclosures About Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits,” FAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other

Postretirement Plans,” and FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” including recent accounting requirements under FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”

The Company records sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, title has been transferred, the selling price is fixed, and collectability is reasonably assured. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent upon the contractual arrangement between the Company and its customers. These arrangements, which may include provisions for transfer of title and guarantees of workmanship, are specific to each customer. Some of these contracts provide for title transfer upon delivery, or upon reaching a specific date, while other contracts provide for title transfer to occur upon consumption of the product. Sales contracts in the Albany Door Systems segment may include product and installation services. For these sales, the Company applies the provisions of EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”. The Company’s contracts that include product and installation services generally do not qualify as separate units of accounting and, accordingly, revenue for the entire contract value is recognized upon completion of installation services. The Company limits the concentration of credit risk in receivables by closely monitoring credit and collection policies. The Company records allowances for sales returns as a deduction in the computation of net sales. Such provisions are recorded on the basis of written communication with customers and/or historical experience.

Products and services provided under long-term contracts represent a significant portion of sales in the Engineered Composites segment. The Company uses the percentage of completion method for accounting for these projects. That method requires significant judgment and estimation, which could be considerably different if the underlying circumstances were to change. When adjustments in estimated contract revenues or costs are required, any changes from prior estimates are included in earnings in the current period. Additionally, the fact that these projects are long-term could increase the chance that a party to the contract may be unable to fulfill their obligations.

The Engineered Composites segment also has some long-term aerospace contracts under which there are two phases: a phase during which the production part is designed and tested, and a phase of supplying production parts. Inventoriable costs incurred during the first phase are capitalized if the Company has been selected as an exclusive supplier and technical feasibility has been achieved. Revenue will be recognized during the second phase using a percentage of completion method. At any point that capitalized costs are not recoverable, a portion of the accumulated cost will be written off.

Depending on the type of contract, the Company determines its percentage of completion using either the cost to cost method, or the units of delivery method.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

The Company maintains reserves for possible impairment in the value of inventories. Such reserves can be specific to certain inventory, or general based on judgments about the overall condition of the inventory. General reserves are established based on percentage write-downs applied to aged inventories, or for inventories that are slow-moving. If actual results differ from estimates, additional inventory write-downs may be necessary.

The net carrying amount of property, plant and equipment (PP&E) was $536.6 million, or 38.2% of total assets, as of December 31, 2008. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 depreciation expense totaled $60.0 million, or 5.8% of operating expenses. Given the significance of PP&E and associated depreciation to the Company’s financial statements, determination of an asset’s cost basis and its economic useful life are considered critical accounting estimates. PP&E is recorded at cost, which is generally objectively quantifiable when assets are purchased singly. However, when assets are purchased in groups, as would be the case for a business acquisition, costs assigned to PP&E are based on an estimate of fair value of each asset at the date of acquisition. These estimates are based on assumptions about asset condition, remaining useful life and market conditions. The Company may employ expert appraisers to aid in allocating cost to assets purchased as a group. Included in the cost basis of PP&E are those costs that substantially increase the useful lives or capacity of existing PP&E. Significant judgment is needed to determine which costs should be capitalized under these criteria, and which should be expensed as repairs and maintenance costs. Economic useful life is the duration of time an asset is expected to be productively employed by the Company, which may be less than its physical life. Management’s estimate of useful life is monitored to determine its appropriateness, especially in light

of changed business circumstances. Changes in these estimates that affect PP&E could have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. However, significant adjustments have not been required in recent years. Management also monitors changes in business conditions and events such as a plant closure that could indicate that PP&E asset values are impaired. The determination of asset impairment involves significant judgment about market values and future cash flows.

Goodwill amounted to $115.4 million at December 31, 2008 or 8.2% of total assets. A goodwill impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value. Assessments of possible impairment of goodwill are made when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable through future operations. Additionally, testing for possible impairment of recorded goodwill and intangible asset balances is required annually. The amount and timing of any impairment charges based on these assessments require the estimation of future cash flows and the fair market value of the related assets based on management’s best estimates of certain key factors, including future selling prices and volumes, operating, raw material, energy and freight costs, and various other projected operating and economic factors. As a result of a broad decline in equity markets and the Company’s market capitalization, the Company performed an interim impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2008 and recorded an impairment charge of $72.3 million. Fair values of the reporting units and the related implied fair values of their respective goodwill were established using public company analysis and discounted cash flows. The impairment charge was driven by adverse financial market conditions that caused a significant decrease in market multiples and the Company’s share price.

The Company has investments in other companies that are accounted for under either the cost method or equity method of accounting. Investments accounted for under the equity method are included in Investments in associated companies. The Company performs regular reviews of the financial condition of the investees to determine if its investment is impaired. If the financial condition of the investees were to no longer support their valuations, the Company would record an impairment provision.

The Company is self insured for some employee and business risks, including health care and workers compensation programs in the United States. Losses under all of these programs are accrued based on estimates of the ultimate liability for claims reported and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported, with assistance from third-party actuaries and service providers. However, these liabilities are difficult to assess and estimate due to unknown factors, including the severity of an illness or injury and the number of incidents not reported. The accruals are based on known facts and historical trends and management believes such accruals to be adequate. If actual results significantly differ from estimates used to calculate the liability, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially impacted.

The Company has pension and postretirement benefit costs and liabilities that are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates and expected return on plan assets, which are updated on an annual basis. The Company is required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in making these assumptions. Changes in the related pension and postretirement benefit costs or credits may occur in the future due to changes in the assumptions. The amount of annual pension plan funding and annual expense is subject to many variables, including the investment return on pension plan assets and interest rates. Assumptions used for determining pension plan liabilities and expenses are evaluated and updated at least annually. The largest benefit plans are the U.S. pension plan and the U.S. postretirement benefits plan, which account for 41% and 21% of the total company benefit obligations as of the December 31, 2008. Discount rate assumptions are based on the population of plan participants and a mixture of high-quality fixed income investments for which the average maturity approximates the average remaining service period of plan participants. The largest portion of pension plan assets (35% for the U.S. plan and 74% for non-U.S. plans) was invested in equities. The assumption for expected return on plan assets is based on historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets. The U.S. plan accounts for 64% of the total consolidated pension plan assets. The actual return on assets in the U.S. pension plan

for 2008 was a negative 29%, compared to an assumed 8.5% long-term rate of return . For the U.S. pension plan, 2008 pension expense was determined using the 1983 Group Annuity Mortality table. The benefit obligation as of December 31, 2008 was calculated using the RP-2000 Combined Healthy Mortality Table projected to 2015 using Scale AA with phase-out and without collar adjustment. Weakness in investment returns and low interest rates, or deviations in results from other assumptions, could result in the Company making equal or greater pension plan contributions in future years, as compared to 2008. Including anticipated contributions for all pension plans, the Company estimates that contributions will amount to approximately $8.1 million for 2008, compared to actual contributions for 2007 of $20.8 million.

The Company records deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the tax consequences of differences between financial statement and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. A tax valuation allowance is established, as needed, to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In the event it becomes more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset allowances will not be needed, the valuation allowance will be adjusted. Management judgment is required to determine income tax expense and the related balance sheet amounts. Judgments are required concerning the ultimate outcome of tax contingencies and the realization of deferred tax assets. Actual income taxes paid may differ from estimates, depending upon changes in income tax laws, actual results of operations, and the final audit of tax returns by authorities. Additionally, tax assessments may arise several years after the tax returns have been filed. The Company believes its recorded tax liabilities adequately provide for the estimated outcome of these assessments.

The Company has contingent liabilities for litigation, claims and assessments that result from the ordinary course of business. These matters are more fully described in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company has certain financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair market value on a recurring basis, in accordance with FAS No. 157. Fair market values are based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, which include review of observable inputs, market quotes, and assumptions of expected cash flows. In certain cases this determination of value may require some level of valuation analysis, interpretation of information, and judgment. As these key observable inputs and assumptions change in future periods, the Company will update its valuation to reflect market conditions.

A substantial portion of the Company’s sales is denominated in euros or other foreign currencies. As a result, the Company may enter into foreign currency or other derivative contracts from time to time in order to mitigate volatility in the Company’s earnings, which can be caused by changes in currency exchange rates. To qualify for hedge accounting under FAS 133, the hedging relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item must be effective in achieving the offset of changes that are attributable to the hedged risk, both at the inception of the hedge and on a continuing basis until maturity or settlement of the hedging instrument. Hedge effectiveness, which would be tested by the Company periodically, is dependent upon market factors and changes in currency exchange rates, which are unpredictable. In the event that the hedged item falls below the hedging instrument, any gains and losses related to the ineffective portion of the hedge will be recognized in the current period in earnings.

Outlook

In the Company’s third-quarter 2008 earnings release, management reported that the Company was making good progress toward the development of the Company’s cash and grow portfolio of businesses, and despite the recession, management continues to expect that by in the third quarter of 2010 the cash and grow portfolio will have been fully implemented.

By the end of 2008, after experiencing the full brunt of the global recession in November and December, those expectations remain largely unchanged. Assuming the sales environment that the Company experienced in November and December persists throughout 2009, management still expects to enter 2010 with restructuring completed, the cash and grow portfolio of businesses well on its way to being fully optimized, capital expenditures running at or below depreciation, and with increasingly strong cash flow.

Sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 were down 11 percent compared to 2007. Management thinks that result somewhat understates the full effect of the global recession, since October was a relatively healthy sales month. November and December were much slower, as was January. If this pattern persists, sales for 2009 would be down by 13 to 15 percent compared to 2008. Since the first and second quarters of 2008 had very strong sales, the year-over-year declines in sales in the first half of 2009 would be even greater.

Earnings in 2008 were significantly affected by the goodwill impairment, the Eclipse Aviation bankruptcy, and the effect of the recession on the top line. Excluding those items, EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2008 improved compared to EBITDA in the same quarter of 2007, as continuing efforts at cost reduction helped to offset the decline in sales.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company began to accelerate its restructuring and cost-reduction efforts. The Company’s overarching objective is to emerge from this recession as a fundamentally more profitable Company. Management’s primary focus is on structural, permanent reductions in cost. In essence, the Company is accelerating the remaining major steps in its global restructuring process, and simultaneously, initiating additional cost-reduction activities measures that under ordinary circumstances, the Company would have pursued more gradually, over a period of several years. The impact on earnings from these actions will grow as the year progresses and should be fully realized by the end of year.

Costs incurred by the Company in response to the recession have been significant. Restructuring charges, idle-capacity costs, and costs related to continuing performance- improvement initiatives were significantly higher in 2008 than management had been anticipating before the Company was hit with the full brunt of the recession. Total restructuring and performance improvement costs reduced 2008 earnings by $2.30 per share. High levels of restructuring-related charges will continue through most of 2009. Management still expects a sharp decline in restructuring-related costs as the Company enters 2010, and permanently lower operating costs and improved margins. At the same time, the Company has sharply reduced its planned capital expenditures for 2009, and continues to plan for capital expenditure spending in 2010 and beyond at or slightly below depreciation.

Turning to the performance and the outlook of each of the Company’s major businesses, fourth-quarter 2008 sales in global PMC declined by 15 percent compared to 2007. In the Company’s earnings release for the third quarter of 2008, management reported that it expected the global slowdown in PMC sales to continue for the length of the recession, as papermakers in every region reduce mill operating rates, slow down operating speeds, extend downtime periods, and accelerate the pace of machine shutdowns. However, the slowdown in Europe and Asia was even greater than expected. Fourth-quarter 2008 sales in the Americas were down 9 percent compared to the same quarter of 2007, in line with management’s expectations. But in Europe and Asia, sales in U.S. dollars dropped 19 percent and 18 percent respectively compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Even with this decline in sales, the Company continued to strengthen its market position, with share gains in key product segments in the Americas, Europe, and China, the successful

conclusion of contract negotiations with the two largest papermakers in Europe, successful trials of several new products now emerging from the R&D pipeline, and excellent progress in ramping up the Company’s new capacity in Asia. If there is a silver lining in this sharp market decline, it is that with lower market demand, the Company is able to accelerate its global restructuring, and with key customers running their mills at lower-than-normal rates, customers are more willing to run trials of new products. Moreover, this sharp global slowdown in the paper industry is forcing a reduction in overall papermaking capacity. While the process of consolidation is painful to customers, as it is to employees who have lost their jobs in this recession, it should result in a healthier global paper industry, and therefore PMC industry, once the economy does begin to recover.

Turning next to Albany Engineered Composites, the fourth quarter of 2008 was marked by the bankruptcy of Eclipse Aviation. Eclipse filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 in November 2008, forcing us to write off $10.6 million of receivables, inventory, and tooling. While the bankruptcy court initially approved the sale of the assets of Eclipse to its former lead investor, Eclipse Aviation has since furloughed all but a few of its employees and filed a motion to convert the proceeding to liquidation under Chapter 7. If the motion is granted, a trustee would be appointed to oversee the liquidation. According to Eclipse, it is currently not possible to determine what the eventual outcome will be. In addition, the global recession is forcing many of AEC’s major customers to curtail production sharply, which is putting more pressure on AEC’s top line. The net result is that revenue for 2009 is likely to be down by 15 percent as compared to 2008. Nonetheless, management remains as bullish as ever about the future prospects of this business. Even in this recession, promising new business development opportunities continue to emerge, some in new engine applications, some in new airframe applications, and some outside of aviation, in the defense sector.

Albany Door Systems had an excellent year, growing 14 percent. All the now familiar trends were apparent in 2008, with performance led by Europe’s 20 percent growth in product sales, and 14 percent increase in aftermarket sales compared to 2007. However, the strong 2008 results are not indicative of the 2009 outlook. Orders for new doors began to drop off at the end of the year and into January, and the Company is preparing for a substantial decline in product sales, which will be only partially offset by continued growth in aftermarket sales. And so, as is the situation with PMC, the Company has been taking steps, across the business, to accelerate structural changes that permanently reduce costs.

Engineered Fabrics was hit much harder by the global slowdown than management had expected, with fourth quarter sales down 13 percent compared to 2007 and operating income falling below breakeven. The single biggest factor was performance in nonwovens, the largest and most profitable product line of this segment. Because the nonwovens industry is still growing in North America and Europe, management had expected it to be somewhat less vulnerable to the recession, but it was hit every bit as hard as the paper industry. As with PMC, management views sales in the last two months of the fourth quarter and the first month of 2009 as the best indicator of what lies ahead for the year. And as with PMC and Doors, management is responding to the anticipated sales decline in 2009 with structural, permanent reductions in cost.

In summary, management is preparing for a long and deep recession by accelerating and expanding the permanent, structural reductions in operating costs that would ordinarily have been implemented in a more measured pace over a longer period of time. Simultaneously, in each business, the Company continues to move forward with its major strategic initiatives: the introduction of new products, the development of strategic partnerships with key customers, and the scale-up of new capacity. Because of the accelerated and expanded cost reduction on the one hand, and the continued progress with strategic initiatives on the other, management remains confident that even if 2009 sales decline 13 to 15 percent, the Company will exit 2009 as a fundamentally more profitable business, in a stronger competitive position in the Company’s most important markets, and with the capacity for sustained and growing free cash flow in 2010, even if the recession extends beyond 2009.

Non-GAAP Measures

This Form 10-K contains certain items, such as sales excluding currency effects, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and costs associated with restructuring and performance-improvement initiatives that could be considered non-GAAP financial measures. Such items are provided because management believes that, when presented together with the GAAP items to which they relate, they provide additional useful information to investors regarding the registrant’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Presenting increases or decreases in sales, after currency effects are excluded, can give management and investors insight into underlying sales trends. An understanding of the impact in a particular quarter of specific restructuring and performance-improvement measures, and in particular of the costs associated with the implementation of such measures, on the Company’s net income, operating income and EBITDA, or on the operating income of a business segment, can give management and investors additional insight into quarterly performance, especially when compared to quarters in which such measures had a greater or lesser effect, or no effect.

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.

The Company calculates EBITDA by adding the Goodwill impairment charge, Interest expense, net, Income taxes, Depreciation and Amortization to Net income. We believe that EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it provides one indication of the strength and performance of our ongoing business operations, including our ability to fund discretionary spending such as capital expenditures and strategic investments, as well as our ability to incur and service debt. 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 the Company 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 will begin to have a significant impact on the Company’s net income in future quarters. 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 the Company, may not be similar to EBITDA measures of other companies, is not 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.

The following tables contain EBITDA calculations:


	EBITDA excluding Goodwill impairment charge Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2008			2007		2006

Net (loss)/income	($	75,748	)	$	17,782	$	58,039
Goodwill impairment charge		72,305			—		—
Interest expense, net		18,951			14,946		9,148
Income tax (benefit)/expense		5,091			2,155		20,530
Depreciation		59,970			57,397		55,100
Amortization		6,190			5,120		4,350

Total	$	86,759		$	97,400	$	147,167

In 2008, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge totaling $72.3 million. There was no comparable charge in 2007 or 2006. For the purpose of evaluating operational results, management compares operating income of each year excluding the impairment charge. The table below presents a reconciliation of segment operating income excluding the impairment charge to total segment operating income.



	Year ended December 31, 2008
						Operating income/(loss) excluding goodwill charge

	Total Operating income/(loss)			Goodwill impairment charge

(in thousands)

Operating income/(loss)
Paper Machine Clothing	$	20,468		$	48,590	$	69,058
Albany Door Systems		14,912			—		14,912
Engineered Fabrics		(4,797	)		17,753		12,956
Engineered Composites		(25,955	)		5,962		(19,993	)
PrimaLoft^® Products		2,977			—		2,977
Research expense		(22,783	)		—		(22,783	)
Unallocated expenses		(51,739	)		—		(51,739	)

Operating (loss)/income	($	66,917	)	$	72,305	$	5,388

The Company discloses certain income and expense items on a per share basis. The Company believes that such disclosures provide important insight into underlying earnings. The Company calculates the per share amount for items included in continuing operations by using the tax rate at the end of the applicable reporting period (before the effect of any discrete items) and the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.

Year ended December 31, 2008


(in thousands, except per share data)	Pretax amounts		Tax Effect		After-tax Effect		Shares Outstanding		Per Share Effect


Restructuring and other performance-improvement costs		$ 84,659		$ 16,085		$ 68,574		29,786		$ 2.30
Goodwill impairment charge		72,305		7,156		65,149		29,786		2.19
Discrete tax adjustments		12,973		—		12,973		29,786		0.44

Year ended December 31, 2007


(in thousands, except per share data)	Pretax amounts		Tax Effect		After-tax Effect		Shares Outstanding		Per Share Effect


Restructuring and other performance-improvement costs		$ 53,865		$ 13,466		$ 40,399		29,421		$ 1.37
Discrete tax adjustments		2,719		—		2,719		29,421		0.09

Tax rate disclosures:

The Company discloses its tax rate before the effect of any discrete items as a forward looking estimate of the income tax rate that would be incurred in future quarters. Management believes that this information can provide valuable insight about possible future operating results or cash flows. The estimated tax rate is subject to many variables, including geographical distribution of income or loss, and the total amount of income or loss. The estimated tax rate does not take into account any discrete tax items that could arise in future quarters.

Item 7a. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company has market risk with respect to foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in these rates as discussed below.

The Company has manufacturing plants and sales transactions worldwide and therefore is subject to foreign currency risk. This risk is composed of both potential losses from the translation of foreign currency financial statements and the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions. To manage this risk, the Company periodically enters into forward exchange contracts either to hedge the net assets of a foreign investment or to provide an economic hedge against future cash flows. The total net assets of non-U.S. operations and long-term intercompany loans denominated in non-functional currencies subject to potential loss amount to approximately $755 million. The potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates amounts to $75.5 million. Furthermore, related to foreign currency transactions, the Company has exposure to non-functional currency balances totaling $116.6 million. This amount includes, on an absolute basis, exposures to foreign currency assets and liabilities. On a net basis, the Company had approximately $27.9 million of foreign currency liabilities as of December 31, 2008. As currency rates change, these non-functional currency balances are revalued, and the corresponding adjustment is recorded in the income statement. A hypothetical change of 10% in currency rates could result in an adjustment to the income statement of approximately $2.8 million. Actual results may differ.

Item 8 of Form 10-K FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	60

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006	61

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006	62

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007	63

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006	64

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	65

Quarterly Financial Data	119

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Albany International Corp.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statement s of operations and retained earnings present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Albany International Corp. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and the financial statement schedule , for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Item 9A under Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2007, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions. Additionally, as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which accounts for defined benefit pension and other post retirement benefit plans effective December 31, 2006 and changed the defined benefit pension plan measurement date in 2008 .

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Albany, NY
February 27, 2009

Albany International Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings



For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2008			2007			2006


Statements of Income

Net sales	$	1,086,517		$	1,051,903		$	986,827
Cost of goods sold		724,484			679,612			599,857

Gross profit		362,033			372,291			386,970

Selling and general expenses		251,506			244,104			226,986
Technical, product engineering, and research expenses		66,486			67,366			63,465
Restructuring and other		38,653			27,625			5,936
Goodwill impairment charge		72,305			—			—

Operating (loss)/income		(66,917	)		33,196			90,583

Interest income		(1,876	)		(1,635	)		(3,959	)
Interest expense		20,827			16,581			13,107
Other expense, net		459			400			1,910

(Loss)/income before income taxes		(86,327	)		17,850			79,525

Income tax (benefit)/expense		(3,934	)		1,813			20,700

(Loss)/income before equity in earnings of associated companies		(82,393	)		16,037			58,825

Equity in earnings/(losses) of associated companies		166			(106	)		244

(Loss)/income from continuing operations		(82,227	)		15,931			59,069

(Loss)/income from operations of discontinued business		(91	)		2,193			(1,200	)
Gain on sale of discontinued business		5,413			—			—
Income tax (benefit)/expense		(1,157	)		342			(170	)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		6,479			1,851			(1,030	)

Net (loss)/income		(75,748	)		17,782			58,039

Retained earnings
Retained earnings, beginning of year		527,790			525,164			478,580
Cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 (see Note 1)		—			(2,491	)		—
Cumulative effect of change in pension plan measurement date		(1,105	)		—			—
Less dividends		(14,018	)		(12,665	)		(11,455	)

Retained earnings, end of year	$	436,919		$	527,790		$	525,164



Earnings per share:
Basic	($	2.54	)	$	0.60		$	1.95
Diluted	($	2.54	)	$	0.60		$	1.92

Dividends per share	$	0.47		$	0.43		$	0.39

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

Albany International Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income



For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2008			2007			2006


Net (loss)/income	($	75,748	)	$	17,782		$	58,039


Other comprehensive (loss)/income, before tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments		(76,506	)		60,556			52,857


Pension and postretirement liability adjustments		(19,771	)		41,009			793

Derivative valuation adjustment		(2,566	)		2,566			—

Income taxes related to items of other comprehensive income/(loss):


Pension and postretirement liability adjustments		7,967			(15,891	)		(293	)

Derivative valuation adjustment		1,001			(1,001	)		—


Other comprehensive (loss)/income, after tax		(89,875	)		87,239			53,357


Comprehensive (loss)/income	($	165,623	)	$	105,021		$	111,396

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

Albany International Corp.

Consolidated Balance Sheets


At December 31,

(in thousands, except share data)	2008			2007


Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	106,571		$	73,305
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($21,090 in 2008; $7,322 in 2007)		204,157			232,440
Inventories		206,488			247,043
Income taxes receivable and deferred		26,319			26,734
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,341			22,832

Total current assets		554,876			602,354

Property, plant and equipment, at cost, net		536,576			525,853
Investments in associated companies		3,899			5,373
Intangibles		9,636			11,217
Goodwill		115,415			194,660
Deferred taxes		115,582			100,604
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		47,425			43,701
Other assets		22,016			43,215

Total assets	$	1,405,425		$	1,526,977


Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Notes and loans payable	$	12,597		$	32,030
Accounts payable		74,001			85,375
Accrued liabilities		116,361			120,267
Current maturities of long-term debt		13			1,146
Income taxes payable and deferred		7,205			4,022

Total current liabilities		210,177			242,840

Long-term debt		530,367			446,433
Other noncurrent liabilities		187,968			188,621
Deferred taxes and other credits		57,017			65,748

Total liabilities		985,529			943,642


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 35,245,482 in 2008 and 34,865,744 in 2007		35			35
Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,236,098 in 2007 and 2006		3			3
Additional paid-in capital		343,763			326,608
Retained earnings		436,919			527,790
Accumulated items of other comprehensive income:
Translation adjustments		(34,196	)		42,310
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments		(67,757	)		(55,953	)
Derivative valuation adjustment		—			1,565

		678,767			842,358
Less treasury stock (Class A), at cost; 8,523,139 shares in 2008 and 8,530,066 in 2007		258,871			259,023

Total shareholders’ equity		419,896			583,335

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,405,425		$	1,526,977

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

Albany International Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows




For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2008			2007			2006


Operating Activities

Net (loss)/income	($	75,748	)	$	17,782		$	58,039
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in (earnings)/losses of associated companies		(166	)		106			(244	)
Depreciation		59,970			57,397			55,100
Amortization		6,190			5,120			4,350
Goodwill impairment charge		72,305			—			—
Provision for deferred income taxes, other credits and long-term liabilities		(22,578	)		(10,897	)		(8,104	)
Provision for write-off of property, plant and equipment		13,152			3,126			1,010
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		(2,737	)		(3,028	)		(2,397	)
Unrealized currency transaction gains and losses		(6,624	)		(363	)		1,368
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations		(5,413	)		—			—
Gain/(loss) on disposition of assets		(2,200	)		688			—
Stock option expense		168			804			1,543
Excess tax benefit of options exercised		(904	)		—			(362	)
Compensation and benefits paid or payable in Class A Common Stock		13,082			6,025			6,215
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable		13,407			(10,030	)		(53,601	)
Note receivable		—			—			17,827
Inventories		6,753			(8,610	)		(19,034	)
Income taxes prepaid and receivable		—			(1,722	)		(7,296	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		10,417			(11,487	)		(2,036	)
Accounts payable		(8,242	)		26,679			7,677
Accrued liabilities		5,860			10,759			(4,399	)
Income taxes payable		3,903			(2,119	)		2,213
Other, net		3,443			1,069			(5,846	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		84,038			81,299			52,023


Investing Activities

Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(129,499	)		(149,215	)		(84,452	)
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net of cash transferred		42,268			—			—
Purchased software		(11,497	)		(16,023	)		(8,822	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		6,300			10,117			—
Cash received from life insurance policy terminations		—			1,470			—
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(2,265	)		(9,592	)		(15,918	)
Premiums paid for life insurance policies		(987	)		(988	)		(1,022	)
Gain on cross currency swap		8,090			—			—

Net cash used in investing activities		(87,590	)		(164,231	)		(110,214	)


Financing Activities

Proceeds from borrowings		94,165			137,801			222,735
Principal payments on debt		(32,501	)		(37,728	)		(16,933	)
Purchase of treasury shares		—			—			(131,499	)
Purchase of call options on common stock		—			—			(47,688	)
Sale of common stock warrants		—			—			32,961
Proceeds from options exercised		2,918			3,303			3,227
Excess tax benefit of options exercised		904			—			362
Debt issuance costs		—			—			(5,434	)
Dividends paid		(13,678	)		(12,335	)		(11,446	)

Net cash provided by financing activities		51,808			91,041			46,285


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash flows		(14,990	)		(3,041	)		7,372


Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		33,266			5,068			(4,534	)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		73,305			68,237			72,771


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	106,571		$	73,305		$	68,237

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

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Albany International Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) after elimination of intercompany transactions. The Company has 50% interests in an entity in South Africa, an entity in the United Kingdom, and an entity in Russia. The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s original investment in these entities, plus its share of undistributed earnings or losses, in the account “Investments in associated companies.”

Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, allowances for doubtful accounts, rebates and sales allowances, inventory allowances, pension benefits, goodwill and intangible assets, contingencies and other accruals. Company estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effect of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, title has been transferred, the selling price is fixed, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company includes in revenue any amounts invoiced for shipping and handling. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent upon the contractual arrangement between the Company and its customers. These arrangements, which may include provisions for transfer of title and guarantees of workmanship, are specific to each customer. Some of these contracts provide for a transfer of title upon delivery, or upon reaching a specific date, while other contracts provide for title transfer to occur upon consumption of the product.

Sales contracts in the Albany Door Systems segment may include product and installation services. For these sales, the Company applies the provisions of EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”. The Company’s contracts that include product and installation services generally do not qualify as separate units of accounting and, accordingly, revenue for the entire contract value is recognized upon completion of installation services. The Company limits the concentration of credit risk in receivables by closely monitoring credit and collection policies. The Company records allowances for sales returns as a deduction in the computation of net sales. Such provisions are recorded on the basis of written communication with customers and/or historical experience. Any value added taxes that are imposed on sales transactions are excluded from net sales.

Depending on the type of contract, the Company determines its percentage of completion using either the cost to cost method, or the units of delivery method.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold includes the cost of materials, provisions for obsolete inventories, labor and supplies, shipping and handling costs, depreciation of manufacturing facilities and equipment, purchasing, receiving, warehousing and other expenses.

Selling, General, Technical and Product Engineering Expenses

Selling, general, technical and product engineering expenses are primarily comprised of wages, benefits, travel, professional fees, remeasurement of foreign currency balances and other costs, and are expensed as incurred. Provisions for bad debts are included in selling expense.

Translation of Financial Statements

Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. operations are translated at year-end rates of exchange, and the income statements are translated at the average rates of exchange for the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating non-U.S. currency financial statements are recorded in Other comprehensive income and accumulated in shareholders’ equity in the caption Translation adjustments.

Gains or losses resulting from short-term intercompany loans and balances denominated in a currency other than the entity’s local currency, forward exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and futures contracts, are generally included in income in Other expense/(income), net. Gains and losses on long-term intercompany loans not intended to be repaid in the foreseeable future are recorded in Other comprehensive income. Gains and losses resulting from other balances denominated in a currency other than the entity’s local currency are recorded in Selling and general expenses.

The following table summarizes total transaction losses and gains recognized in the income statement:



(in thousands)	2008			2007			2006

(Gains)/losses included in:
Selling and general expenses	($	6,038	)	$	1,999		$	3,754
Other (income)/expense, net		(987	)		(1,549	)		(2,915	)

Total transaction (gains)/losses	($	7,025	)	$	450		$	839

Research Expense

Research expense consists primarily of compensation, supplies, and professional fees incurred in connection with intellectual property, and is charged to operations as incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are valued at average cost, net of reserves. The Company records a provision for obsolete inventory based on the age and category of the inventories. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, inventories consisted of the following:



(in thousands)	2008		2007

Raw materials	$	51,816	$	60,528
Work in process		57,582		67,374
Finished goods		97,090		119,141

Total inventories	$	206,488	$	247,043

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets for financial reporting purposes; accelerated methods are used for income tax purposes. Significant additions or improvements extending assets’ useful lives are capitalized; normal maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. The cost of fully depreciated assets remaining in use are included in the respective asset and accumulated depreciation accounts. When items are sold or retired, related gains or losses are included in net income.

Computer software purchased for internal use, at cost, is amortized on a straight-line basis over five years after being placed into service, and is included in Other assets. In 2006, the Company initiated a project to migrate its global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to SAP. The Company is capitalizing internal and external costs incurred during the software development stage. Capitalized salaries, social costs and travel and consulting costs related to the software development amounted to $11,258,000 in 2008 and $15,027,000 in 2007.

The Company reviews the carrying value of property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition.

Goodwill, Intangibles and Other Assets

The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 (FAS No. 142), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. FAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually. The Company performs the test for goodwill impairment during the second quarter of each year. 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. The Company is continuing to amortize certain patents and trade names that have finite lives. Patents, trade names and technology, at cost, are amortized on a straight-line basis over 8 to 12 years.

The Company has investments in other companies that are accounted for under either the cost method or equity method of accounting. Investments accounted for under the equity method are included in Investments in associated companies. The Company performs regular reviews of the financial condition of the investees to determine if its investment is other than temporarily impaired. If the financial condition of the investees were to no longer support their valuations, the Company would record an impairment provision.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

The Company is the owner and beneficiary of life insurance policies on certain present and former employees. The cash surrender value of the policies generates income that is reported as a reduction to Selling and general expenses. The rate of return on the policies varies with market conditions and was approximately 6.4% during 2008, 2007, and 2006. The Company may convert the cash surrender value of these policies to cash at any time by either surrendering the policies or borrowing against the cash value of the policies. The Company reports the cash surrender value of life insurance, net of any outstanding loans, as a separate noncurrent asset. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no outstanding loans.

Stock-Based Compensation

As described in Note 17 , the Company has stock-based compensation plans for key employees. Prior to 2003, the Company issued stock options to certain key employees. Stock options are accounted for in accordance with the modified prospective transition method of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (Revised) “Share-Based Payment,” as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107.

In 2005, shareholders approved the Albany International 2005 Incentive Plan. The plan provides key members of management with incentive compensation based on achieving certain performance targets. The incentive compensation award is paid out over three years, partly in cash and partly in shares of Class A Common Stock. If a person terminates employment prior to the award becoming fully vested, the person will forfeit a portion of the incentive compensation award. Expense associated with this plan is recognized over the vesting period, which includes the year for which performance targets are measured and the two subsequent years.

In 2008, the Company decided to use its Class A Common Stock to pay portions of incentive compensation, in lieu of making cash payments.

Derivatives

The Company uses derivatives from time to time to reduce potentially large adverse effects from changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company monitors its exposure to these risks and evaluates, on an ongoing basis, the risk of potentially large adverse effects versus the costs associated with hedging such risks.

The Company uses interest rate swaps in the management of interest rate exposures and foreign currency derivatives in the management of foreign currency exposure related to assets and liabilities (including net investments in subsidiaries located outside the U.S.) denominated in foreign currencies. When the Company enters into a derivative contract, the Company makes a determination whether the transaction is deemed to be a hedge for accounting purposes. For those contracts deemed to be a hedge, the Company formally documents the relationship between the derivative instrument and the risk being hedged. In this documentation, the Company specifically identifies the asset, liability, forecasted transaction, cash flow, or net investment that has been designated as the hedged item, and evaluates whether the derivative instrument is expected to reduce the risks associated with the hedged item. To the extent these criteria are not met, the Company does not use hedge accounting for the derivative.

All derivative contracts are recorded in the balance sheet at fair value. For transactions that are designated as hedges, the Company performs an evaluation of the effectiveness of the hedge. To the extent that the hedge is effective, changes in the fair value of the hedge is recorded, net of tax, in Other comprehensive income. The Company measures effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The ineffective portion of a hedge, if any, and changes in the fair value of a derivative not deemed to be a hedge, are recorded in Other expense, net.

For derivatives that are designated and qualify as hedges of net investments in subsidiaries located outside the United States, changes in the fair value of derivatives are reported in Other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable for future years to differences between financial statement and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred taxes is recognized in the income tax provision in the period that includes the enactment date. A tax valuation allowance is established, as needed, to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In the event it becomes more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset allowances will not be needed, the valuation allowance will be adjusted. The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards

Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48), on January 1, 2007. The 2007 cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 was an increase in tax reserves and a decrease in beginning of the year retained earnings of $2,491,000.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

As described in Note 4 , the Company has pension and postretirement benefit plans covering substantially all employees. As described below, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” in 2006. In 2008, the Company changed its pension plan measurement date as required by FAS No. 158, resulting in a reduction to retained earnings of $1,105,000. The Company’s defined benefit pension plan in the United States was closed to new participants as of October 1998 and, as of February 2009, benefits accrued under this plan were frozen , resulting in a charge of $2,536,000 . The plans are generally trusteed or insured, and accrued amounts are funded as required in accordance with governing laws and regulations. The Company has provided certain postretirement medical, dental and life insurance benefits to certain United States retirees. Effective January 1, 2005, any new employees who wish to be covered under this plan will be responsible for the full cost of such benefits. Effective January 1, 2005, any new employees who wish to be covered under this plan will be responsible for the full cost of such benefits, except for life insurance benefits which continue to be provided. Effective September 1, 2008, the Company made a change to its cost sharing arrangement of the Other Postretirement Benefits program. Under this change, the Company will not increase its nominal contribution for health care costs, thereby eliminating the portion of the liability related to the expected future increases in medical costs. The impact of this change and a concurrent change in assumptions was a reduction in the Other Postretirement Benefits liability of $43,500,000, an increase to the pension equity adjustment of $26,500,000, and a decrease to noncurrent deferred tax assets of $17,000,000. The annual expense and liabilities recognized for defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates and expected return on plan assets, which are updated on an annual basis at the beginning of each fiscal year. The Company considers current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in making these assumptions. Discount rate assumptions are based on the population of plan participants and a mixture of high-quality fixed-income investments for which the average maturity approximates the average remaining service period of plan participants. The assumption for expected return on plan assets is based on historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets.

Reclassifications

The Company reclassified software so that it is now reflected as a component of Property, plant, and equipment, net, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. In previous financial reports, software was included in the caption Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accompanying balance sheet of December 31, 2007 includes a reclassification of $26,313,000 from Other assets to Property, plant, and equipment, net, in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Earnings Per Share

Net loss or income per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding during each year. Diluted net income per share includes the effect of all potentially dilutive securities.

Reportable Segments

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No.157, “Fair Value Measurements” (FAS No. 157). FAS No. 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The Company’s adoption of this Standard on January 1, 2008 did not have a material effect on its financial statements. Additional disclosure has been made in this document in Note 13 . Financial Instruments. Relative to FAS 157, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) FAS 157-1, FAS 157-2, and FAS 157-3. FSP FAS 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (SFAS 13), and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions, while FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of the application of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis. FSP FAS 157-3 clarifies the application of FAS 157 as it relates to the valuation of financial assets in a market that is not active for those financial assets. This FSP is effective immediately and includes those periods for which financial statements have not been issued. We currently do not have any financial assets that are valued using inactive markets, and as such are not impacted by the issuance of this FSP.

Option is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. The Company’s adoption of this Standard on January 1, 2008 did not have a material effect on its financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “ Business Combinations” ( FAS No. 141(R)) which replaces FAS No.141, “ Business Combinations” . FAS No. 141 (R) retains the underlying concepts of FAS No. 141 in that all business combinations are still required to be accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting but FAS No. 141 (R) changed the method of applying the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects. FAS No. 141(R) is effective on a prospective basis for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the exception of the accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies. FAS No. 141(R) amends FAS 109 such that adjustments made to valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of FAS No. 141(R) would also apply the provisions of FAS No. 141(R). Early adoption is not allowed. We are currently evaluating the effects, if any, that FAS No. 141(R) may have on our financial statements, but the Company does not expect the adoption of FAS No. 141(R) to have a material effect on its financial statements.

Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company does not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a material effect on its financial statements.

2. Revisions to Prior Balance Sheet

In 2008, the Company determined that there were errors in the reconciliation of its deferred tax, income tax payable, and accounts payable balance sheet accounts. For deferred taxes, the errors were in the accounts related to fixed assets in the United States and Canada, pension obligations in the United States and Germany, and goodwill in Germany. The income tax payable and accounts payable reconciliation errors related to journal entries made in the consolidation process at the corporate level.

The Company has determined that the reconciliation errors relate to periods prior to 2004. The Company has assessed the materiality of these items in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99 and concluded that the error was not material to any of its previously reported quarterly or annual financial statements. The Company considered the guidance in SAB 108, under which the correction would be recorded in the 2008 Statement of Operations. However, the Company concluded that such an adjustment would cause the 2008 Statement of Operations to be misleading. The Company has instead reflected the correction of these items as an adjustment to its previously reported balance sheet.

Accordingly, in accordance with SAB No. 108, the December 31, 2007 balance sheet herein has been revised as follows:



(in thousands)	Increase/(decrease) to prior balances

Accounts payable	$	3,218
Income taxes payable or deferred		1,052
Deferred taxes and other credits		12,066
Accumulated translation adjustments		102

Total change, decrease to retained earnings	($	16,438	)

3 . Reportable Segments and Geographic Data

In accordance with FAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, the internal organization that is used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance is used as the source of the Company’s reportable segments. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Accounting Policies (see Note 1). The Company does not allocate research costs and corporate headquarters expenses to the segments because the decision- making for the majority of these expenses does not reside within the segments. Corporate headquarters (unallocated) expenses includes wages and benefits for headquarters personnel, costs related to information systems development and support, and professional fees related to legal, audit and other activities.

The Company is engaged in five business segments: Paper Machine Clothing, Albany Door Systems, Engineered Fabrics, Engineered Composites and PrimaLoft® Products.

The Paper Machine Clothing segment includes paper machine clothing and process belts used in the manufacture of paper and paperboard. The Company designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for each section of the paper machine. It manufactures and sells more paper machine clothing worldwide than any other company. Paper machine clothing consists of large continuous belts of custom-designed and custom-manufactured engineered fabrics that are installed on paper machines and carry the paper stock through each stage of the paper production process. Paper machine clothing is a consumable product of technologically sophisticated design that utilizes polymeric materials in a complex structure.

The Albany Door Systems segment derives most of its revenue from the sale of high-performance doors, particularly to customers in Europe. The business grew from an internal invention applying the company’s coated fabric technology to produce a rolling fabric door. Albany’s Rapid Roll® doors are produced and sold in Europe, North America, and the Pacific.

The Engineered Fabrics segment derives its revenue from various industries that use fabrics and belts for industrial applications other than the manufacture of paper and paperboard. Product lines within this segment include nonwovens, which includes fabrics and belts used in the manufacture of diapers, personal care and household wipes, markets that are adjacent to the paper industry, and the building products market.

The Engineered Composites segment (AEC) serves primarily the aerospace industry, with custom-designed composite and advanced composite parts for static and dynamic applications. AEC leverages the Company’s core competencies in advanced textiles and materials, including specialty materials and composite structures for aircraft and other applications.

The PrimaLoft® Products segment includes sales of insulation for outdoor clothing, gloves, footwear, sleeping bags, and home furnishings. The segment has operations in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

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



(in thousands)	2008			2007			2006

Net sales
Paper Machine Clothing	$	727,967		$	747,278		$	721,238
Albany Door Systems		189,348			152,952			124,646
Engineered Fabrics		101,118			101,506			97,638
Engineered Composites		46,666			32,955			25,898
PrimaLoft^® Products		21,418			17,212			17,407

Consolidated total	$	1,086,517		$	1,051,903		$	986,827

Depreciation and amortization
Paper Machine Clothing	$	51,400		$	50,008		$	48,691
Albany Door Systems		2,451			1,989			1,445
Engineered Fabrics		6,103			4,380			4,236
Engineered Composites		2,963			1,566			1,098
PrimaLoft^® Products		542			496			393
Discontinued operations		554			1,002			840
Unallocated expenses		2,147			3,076			2,747

Consolidated total	$	66,160		$	62,517		$	59,450

Operating (loss)/income
Paper Machine Clothing	$	20,468		$	87,973		$	127,595
Albany Door Systems		14,912			4,933			5,931
Engineered Fabrics		(4,797	)		16,234			18,182
Engineered Composites		(25,955	)		(6,283	)		(3,142	)
PrimaLoft^® Products		2,977			2,679			3,290
Research expense		(22,783	)		(23,337	)		(21,628	)
Unallocated expenses		(51,739	)		(49,003	)		(39,645	)

Operating (loss)/income before reconciling items		(66,917	)		33,196			90,583
Reconciling items:
Interest income		1,876			1,635			3,959
Interest expense		(20,827	)		(16,581	)		(13,107	)
Other expense, net		(459	)		(400	)		(1,910	)

Consolidated (loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes	($	86,327	)	$	17,850		$	79,525

As a result of a broad decline in equity markets and the Company’s market capitalization, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test at December 31, 2008 . Fair values of the reporting units and the related implied fair values of their respective goodwill were established using public company analysis and discounted cash flows. The impairment charge was driven by adverse financial market conditions that caused a significant decrease in market multiples and the Company’s share price. The goodwill impairment charges, which are included in operating income of the reportable segments, are presented in the table below:



(in thousands)		2008

Paper Machine Clothing	$	48,590
Engineered Fabrics		17,753
Engineered Composites		5,962

Consolidated total	$	72,305

In the third quarter of 2006, the Company announced the initial steps in its restructuring and performance improvement plan. In addition to costs reported as restructuring in the Statement of Operations, the Company has incurred costs (referred to as performance improvement costs) that are related to terminations of employees or agreements, costs related to relocation of manufacturing equipment, and costs related to the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system. The table below presents restructuring and performance improvement costs by reportable segment:



	Year ended December 31, 2008
(in thousands)	Restructuring		Performance improvement costs		Total


Paper Machine Clothing		$34,173		$28,282		$62,455
Albany Door Systems		945		215		1,160
Engineered Fabrics		156		—		156
Engineered Composites		972		—		972
PrimaLoft^® Products		182		—		182
Research expense		1,779		—		1,779
Unallocated expenses		446		17,509		17,955

Consolidated total		$38,653		$46,006		$84,659



	Year ended December 31, 2007
(in thousands)	Restructuring		Performance improvement costs		Total


Paper Machine Clothing		$24,434		$14,409		$38,843
Albany Door Systems		2,164		1,168		3,332
Engineered Fabrics		—		742		742
Research expense		308		—		308
Unallocated expenses		719		9,921		10,640

Consolidated total		$27,625		$26,240		$53,865



	Year ended December 31, 2006
(in thousands)	Restructuring		Performance improvement costs		Total


Paper Machine Clothing		$ 4,862		$ 164		$ 5,026
Unallocated expenses		1,074		323		1,397

Consolidated total		$ 5,936		$ 487		$ 6,423

In the measurement of operating assets utilized by each reportable segment, the Company excludes from segment assets the following items: accumulated depreciation, deferred tax assets, investments in associated companies. The following table presents operating assets and capital expenditures by reportable segment:



(in thousands)		2008			2007			2006

Operating assets
Paper Machine Clothing	$	1,469,943		$	1,595,559		$	1,433,302
Albany Door Systems		116,143			113,044			91,143
Engineered Fabrics		155,058			158,893			129,141
Engineered Composites		87,269			64,574			45,108
PrimaLoft^® Products		11,440			11,882			8,249
Discontinued operations		—			48,832			36,655
Reconciling items:
Accumulated depreciation		(643,819	)		(715,338	)		(652,360	)
Deferred tax assets		141,901			127,338			128,570
Investment in associated companies		3,899			5,373			6,634
Cash surrender value of life insurance		47,425			43,701			41,156
Other		16,166			73,119			38,949

Consolidated total assets	$	1,405,425		$	1,526,977		$	1,306,547

Capital expenditures
Paper Machine Clothing	$	111,637		$	117,491		$	73,545
Albany Door Systems		1,181			495			527
Engineered Fabrics		1,353			14,969			2,052
Engineered Composites		14,434			13,535			4,931
PrimaLoft^® Products		25			57			373
Discontinued operations		869			2,325			2,680
Unallocated		—			343			344

Consolidated total	$	129,499		$	149,215		$	84,452

The following table shows data by geographic area. Net sales are based on the location of the operation recording the final sale to the customer.



(in thousands)		2008		2007		2006

Net sales
United States	$	392,829	$	380,266	$	355,540
Switzerland		279,226		135,366		3,061
Germany		72,111		88,146		101,541
Brazil		58,532		51,022		44,572
Canada		54,589		65,406		71,090
Australia		45,650		51,045		47,617
Other countries		183,580		280,652		363,406

Consolidated total	$	1,086,517	$	1,051,903	$	986,827

Property, plant and equipment, at cost, net
United States	$	140,043	$	139,478	$	112,695
China		133,781		82,151		25,823
Sweden		39,956		51,563		53,201
Germany		36,962		46,455		48,519
Canada		35,237		31,524		28,308
Korea		33,851		43,975		18,042
Other countries		116,746		130,707		122,468

Consolidated total	$	536,576	$	525,853	$	409,056

4 . Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

Pension Plans

The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. and non-U.S. employees. The U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan has been closed to new participants since October 1998 and, as of February 2009, benefits accrued under this plan were frozen resulting in a charge of $2,536,000. The U.S. pension plan accounts for 59% of consolidated pension plan assets, and 67% of consolidated benefit plan obligations. The eligibility, benefit formulas and contribution requirements for plans outside of the U.S. vary by location.

Other Postretirement Benefits

In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides various medical, dental and life insurance benefits for certain retired United States employees. U.S. employees hired prior to 2005 may become eligible for these benefits if they reach normal retirement age while working for the Company. Benefits provided under this plan are subject to change. Retirees share in the cost of these benefits. Effective January 1, 2005, any new employees who wish to be covered under this plan will be responsible for the full cost of such benefits, except for life insurance benefits which continue to be provided. Effective September 1, 2008, the Company made a change to its cost sharing arrangement of the Other Postretirement Benefits program. Under this change, the Company will not increase its nominal contribution for health care costs, thereby eliminating the portion of the liability related to the expected future increases in medical costs. The impact of this change and a concurrent change in assumptions was a reduction in the Other Postretirement Benefits liability of $43,500,000, an increase to the pension equity adjustment of $26,500,000, and a decrease to noncurrent deferred tax assets of $17,000,000. The Company’s non-U.S. operations do not offer such benefits to retirees. The Company accrues the cost of providing postretirement benefits during the active service period of the employees. The Company currently funds the plan as claims are paid.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”. FAS No. 158 requires, among other things, the recognition of the funded status of each defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plan. Each overfunded plan is recognized as an asset and each underfunded plan is recognized as a liability. Company Pension plan data for U.S. and non-U.S. plans has been combined for both 2008 and 2007, except where indicated below. The initial impact of this Standard due to unrecognized prior service costs or credits and net actuarial gains or losses, as well as subsequent changes in the funded status, was recognized as a component of accumulated comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. Additional minimum pension liabilities and related intangible assets were also derecognized upon adoption of FAS No. 158 in the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company’s adoption of FAS No. 158 on December 31, 2006 resulted in the following non-cash adjustments: an increase of $23,758,000 in noncurrent deferred tax assets, a decrease of $5,610,000 in intangible assets, an increase of $59,624,000 in pension liabilities, and an increase of $41,476,000 in accumulated other comprehensive losses. In 2008, the Company changed its pension plan measurement date as required by FAS No. 158, resulting in a reduction to retained earnings of $1,105,000.

The Company’s pension and postretirement benefit costs and benefit obligations are based on actuarial valuations that are affected by many assumptions, the most significant of which are the assumed discount rate, expected rate of return on pension plan assets, and mortality. Each of the assumptions is reviewed and updated annually, as appropriate.

The assumed discount rate is based on yields from a portfolio of currently available high-quality fixed-income investments with durations matching the expected future payments, based on the demographics of the plan participants and the plan provisions.

At December 31, 2008, the measurement date for the pension plans, the largest portion of pension plan assets (36% for the U.S. plan and 70% for non-U.S. plans) was invested in equities. The assumed rates of return are determined for each major asset category based on historical rates of return for assets in that category and expectations of future rates of return based, in part, on simulated future capital market performance.

For the U.S. pension plan, 2008 pension expense was determined using the 1983 Group Annuity Mortality table. The benefit obligation as of December 31, 2008 was calculated using the RP-2000 Combined Healthy Mortality table projected to 2015 using Scale AA with phase-out to the IRS 2009 Static Mortality table.

Gains and losses arise from changes in the assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations, and experience different from what had been assumed, including asset returns different than what had been expected. The Company amortizes gains and losses in excess of a “corridor” over the average future service of the plan’s current participants (11 years for the U.S. pension plan). The corridor is defined as 10% of the greater of the plan’s projected benefit obligation or market-related value of plan assets. The market-related value of plan assets is also used to determine the expected return on plan assets component of net periodic cost. The Company’s market-related value for its U.S. plan is measured by first determining the absolute difference between the actual and the expected return on the plan assets. The absolute difference in excess of 5% of the expected return is added to the market-related value over two years; the remainder is added to the market-related value immediately.

During 2006, the Company became aware that the postretirement benefit obligation was underaccrued by $2,100,000. The underaccrual was related to cash payments made by the Company during 2004 and 2005 for retiree medical and life insurance benefits. The Company recorded this amount in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108. The adjustment had the effect of reducing 2006 net income by $1,470,000, or $0.05 per basic share. The increase in the benefit obligation is included in actuarial losses.

To the extent the Company’s unrecognized net losses and unrecognized prior service costs, including the amount recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income, are not reduced by future favorable plan experience, they will be recognized as a component of the net periodic cost in future years. The Company’s unrecognized net loss is primarily attributable to recent declines in interest rates, which has a corresponding effect on the discount rate, and unfavorable investment returns.

The Company has classified $3,622,000 of its accrued pension liability as a current liability at December 31, 2008. Contributions during 2008 totaled $11,293,000. For U.S. pension funding purposes, the Company uses the plan’s IRS-basis current liability as its funding target, which is determined based on mandated assumptions. Weak investment returns and low interest rates could result in equal or greater contributions to the pension plans in future years.

The following table sets forth the plan benefit obligations:



	As of December 31, 2008						As of December 31, 2007
(in thousands)	Pension Plans			Other Postretirement Benefits			Pension Plans			Other Postretirement Benefits


Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	383,902		$	104,256		$	374,348		$	109,126

Service cost		6,192			1,766			6,995			2,344
Effect of eliminating early measurement date		1,385			—			—			—
Interest cost		20,776			5,634			19,909			6,178
Plan participants’ contributions		4,727			1,536			836			1,746
Actuarial (gain)		(19,923	)		(2,793	)		(9,901	)		(6,839	)
Liabilities for plans not previously included		553			—			—			—
Curtailments		(17,657	)		(37,108	)		(1,553	)		(2,456	)
Special termination benefits		—			—			2,076			—
Benefits paid		(22,223	)		(7,960	)		(25,711	)		(6,442	)
Acquisitions/divestitures		1,000			—			—			—
Settlements		19			—						—
Federal subsidy on benefits paid		—			86			—			599
Foreign currency changes		(30,183	)		—			16,903			—


Benefit obligation, end of year	$	328,568		$	65,417		$	383,902		$	104,256


Accumulated benefit obligation	$	316,167		$	—		$	348,729		$	—


Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations, end of year:
Discount rate		6.10	%		6.10	%		5.92	%		6.25	%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase		3.28	%		3.00	%		3.67	%		3.50	%
Health care cost trend rate:
Initial rate		—			—			—			9.00	%
Ultimate rate		—			—			—			5.00	%
Years to ultimate		—			—			—			6

The Company used a measurement date of September 30 for its pension plans during 2007. In accordance with the provisions of FAS No. 158, in 2008, the Company changed its pension plan measurement date to December 31. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 for its postretirement benefit plan.

Effective September 1, 2008, the Company made a change to its cost sharing arrangement of the Other Postretirement Benefits program. Under this change, the Company will not increase its nominal contribution for health care costs, thereby eliminating the portion of the liability related to the expected future increases in medical costs. As a result, health care cost trend rates no longer have an effect on the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation.

The following sets forth information about plan assets:



	As of December 31, 2008						As of December 31, 2007
(in thousands)	Pension Plans			Other Postretirement Benefits			Pension Plans			Other Postretirement Benefits


Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$	314,995		$	—		$	269,188		$	—


Actual return on plan assets, net of expenses		(80,288	)		—			39,342			—
Effect of eliminating early measurement date		(1,214	)		—			—			—
Assets related to plans not previously included		—			—			—			—
Employer contributions		11,293			6,424			20,827			4,696
Plan participants’ contributions		4,727			1,536			836			1,746
Benefits paid		(22,222	)		(7,960	)		(25,711	)		(6,442	)
Acquisitions/divestitures		874			—			—			—
Settlements		(390	)		—			—			—
Foreign currency changes		(19,922	)		—			10,513			—


Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$	207,853		$	—		$	314,995		$	—

The funded status of the plans, reconciled to the amount on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was as follows:



	As of December 31, 2008						As of December 31, 2007
(in thousands)	Pension Plans			Other Postretirement Benefits			Pension Plans			Other Postretirement Benefits


Fair value of plan assets	$	207,853		$	—		$	314,995		$	—
Benefit obligation		328,568			(65,417	)		383,902			(104,256	)


Funded status	($	120,715	)	($	65,417	)	($	68,907	)	($	104,256	)

Amounts not yet recognized:
Fourth quarter contributions		—			—			2,265			—


Accrued benefit cost, end of year	($	120,715	)	($	65,417	)	($	66,642	)	($	104,256	)


Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position consist of the following:
Noncurrent asset	$	652		$	—		$	13,004		$	—
Current liability		(3,622	)		(4,884	)		(3,498	)		(5,750	)
Noncurrent liability		(117,745	)		(60,533	)		(76,148	)		(98,506	)


Net amount recognized	($	120,715	)	($	65,417	)	($	66,642	)	($	104,256	)


Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:
Net actuarial loss	$	123,226		$	48,243		$	65,196		$	53,894
Prior service cost/(credit)		229			(64,905	)		3,938			(35,649	)
Transition obligation		465			—			108			—

Net amount recognized	$	123,920		($	16,662	)	$	69,242		$	18,245

The composition of the net periodic benefit plan cost for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, was as follows:



	Pension plans									Other postretirement benefits
(in thousands)	2008			2007			2006			2008			2007			2006


Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	6,192		$	6,995		$	7,104		$	1,766		$	2,344		$	2,616
Interest cost		20,776			19,909			18,010			5,634			6,178			5,838
Expected return on assets		(23,030	)		(20,541	)		(17,705	)		—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)		707			894			941			(4,607	)		(4,042	)		(4,552	)
Amortization of transition obligation		120			33			53			—			—			—
Amortization of net actuarial loss		2,978			5,136			5,551			2,853			3,212			4,366
Settlement		409			—			—			—			—			—
Curtailment loss/(gain)		2,763			735			81			(2,007	)		(2,678	)		—
Special termination benefits		—			2,076			—			—			—			—


Net periodic benefit cost	$	10,915		$	15,237		$	14,035		$	3,639		$	5,014		$	8,268


Weighted average assumptions used to determine net cost:
Discount rate - U.S. and non-U.S. Plans		5.92	%		5.51	%		5.32	%		6.25	%		6.13	%		5.70	%
Expected return on plan assets - U.S. Plans		8.50	%		8.50	%		8.50	%		—			—			—
Expected return on plan assets - non-U.S. Plans		7.35	%		7.05	%		7.15	%		—			—			—
Rate of compensation increase - U.S. and non-U.S. plans		3.63	%		3.63	%		3.44	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.50	%

Health care cost trend rate (U.S. and non-U.S. plans):
Initial rate		—			—			—			9.00	%		10.00	%		11.00	%
Ultimate rate		—			—			—			5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Years to ultimate		—			—			—			6			5			6

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income during 2008 were as follows:



(in thousands)	Pension plan			Other postretirement benefits


Curtailments effects	($	20,420	)	($	35,100	)
Exchange rate effect		(4,983	)		—
Current year actuarial loss/(gain)		85,117			(2,793	)
Amortization of actuarial (loss)		(2,977	)		(2,853	)
Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit		(707	)		4,607
Amortization of transition (obligation)		(120	)		—


Total recognized in other comprehensive loss/(income)	$	55,910		($	36,139	)



Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	66,546		($	32,500	)

The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2009 are, as follows:



(in thousands)	Total pension		Total postretirement benefits

Actuarial loss	$	3,252	$	2,780
Prior service cost		107		(4,327	)
Transition obligation		94		—

Total	$	3,453	($	1,547	)

The asset allocation for the Company’s U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans for 2008 and 2007 and the target allocation for 2009, by asset category, are as follows:



	United States Plan									non-U.S. Plans

	Target Allocation 2009			Percentage of plan assets at plan measurement date						Target Allocation 2009			Percentage of plan assets at plan measurement date
Asset category	Target Allocation 2009			2008			2007			Target Allocation 2009			2008			2007


Equity securities		45	%		36	%		35	%		73	%		70	%		74	%
Debt securities		10	%		1	%		8	%		19	%		24	%		20	%
Real estate		8	%		6	%		7	%		2	%		1	%		2	%
Cash		—	%		1	%		6	%		1	%		1	%		—	%
Other (1)		37	%		56	%		44	%		5	%		4	%		4	%

		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%