Albany International
AIN
#5272
Rank
$1.68 B
Marketcap
$59.31
Share price
-0.29%
Change (1 day)
5.80%
Change (1 year)
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</TABLE>

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED: DECEMBER 31, 1999
OR

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</TABLE>

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________ TO ______________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-16214
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ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DELAWARE 14-0462060
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

1373 BROADWAY, 12204
ALBANY, NEW YORK (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive
offices)
</TABLE>

518-445-2200

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which
registered
CLASS A COMMON STOCK ($0.001 PAR VALUE) NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AND
PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE
</TABLE>

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE
(Title of Class)
------------------------

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 / /

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. /X/

The aggregate market value of Class A Common Stock held on February 15, 2000 by
non-affiliates of the registrant was $365,879,775.

The registrant had 24,619,515 shares of Class A Common Stock and 5,869,457
shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of February 15, 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE PART
<S> <C>
Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year
ended December 31, 1999. II
Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 4, 2000. III
</TABLE>

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Albany International Corp. ("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. In 1999,
to enhance that position, the Company purchased the paper machine clothing
business of the Geschmay group. 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 is made with synthetic
monofilament and fiber materials. The design and material composition of paper
machine clothing can have a considerable effect on the quality of paper products
produced and the efficiency of the paper machines on which it is used. The
Registrant produces a substantial portion of its monofilament requirements.

Practically all press fabrics are woven tubular or endless from monofilament
yarns. After weaving, the base press fabric goes to a needling operation where a
thick fiber layer, called a batt, is laid on the base just before passing
through the needling machine. The needles are equipped with tiny barbs that grab
batt fibers locking them into the body of the fabric. After needling, the
fabrics are usually washed, and water is removed. The fabric then is heat set,
treatments and coatings may be applied, and it is measured and trimmed.

The Registrant's manufacturing process is similar for forming fabrics and
drying fabrics, except that there is normally no needling operation in the
construction of those fabrics. Monofilament screens are woven on a loom. The
fabrics are seamed to produce an endless loop, and heat stabilized by running
them around two large cylinders under heat and drawn out by tension. After heat
setting, the fabrics are seamed and boxed.

In addition to paper machine clothing, the Registrant manufactures other
engineered products for the non-woven industry, corrugator belts, filtration
media and high performance doors. The High Performance Door Division, which
includes Rapid Roll Doors-Registered Trademark-, is the operation of the Company
which developed high speed, high performance doors, which grew from the
application of the Company's coated fabric technology to its woven fabrics.
Since the inception of Rapid Roll Doors in the early 1980's, manufacturing
operations in North America and Europe have supplied over 100,000 installations
worldwide. Since 1996, the Registrant has acquired Schieffer Door Systems and
Jansen Tortechnik in Germany, Burwell Door Systems in Australia and M&I Door
Systems in Canada to enhance the high performance door operations.

INDUSTRY FACTORS

There are approximately 1,200 paper machines in the United States located in
approximately 600 paper mills. It is estimated that, excluding China, there are
about 7,100 paper machines in the world and approximately 1,600, mostly very
small, paper machines in China. Demand for paper machine clothing is tied to the
volume of paper production, which in turn reflects economic growth. According to
published data, world production volumes have grown at an annual rate in excess
of 3% over the last ten years. The Registrant anticipates continued growth for
the long-term in world paper production. The profitability of the paper machine
clothing business has generally been less cyclical than the profitability of the
papermaking industry.

Because the paper industry has been characterized by an evolving but
essentially stable manufacturing technology based on the wet forming papermaking
process, which requires a very large capital investment, the Registrant does not
believe that a commercially feasible substitute technology that does not employ
paper machine clothing is likely to be developed and incorporated into the paper

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production process by paper manufacturers in the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, the prospects for continued demand for paper machine clothing
appear excellent.

Over the last few years, paper manufacturers have generally reduced the
number of suppliers of paper machine clothing per machine position. This trend
has increased opportunities for market leaders, including the Registrant, to
expand their market share.

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

The Registrant maintains wholly-owned manufacturing facilities in Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico,
The Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden and the United States. The Registrant has
50% interests in an entity in South Africa and an entity in Russia which are
engaged primarily in the engineered fabrics business. The Registrant also has a
50% interest in an entity in England which is engaged in the high performance
door business (see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Registrant's geographically diversified operations allow it to serve the
world's paper markets more efficiently and to provide superior technical service
to its customers. The Registrant benefits from the transfer of research and
development product innovations between geographic regions. The worldwide scope
of the Registrant's manufacturing and marketing efforts also limits the impact
on the Registrant of economic downturns that are limited to a geographic region.

The Registrant's widespread presence subjects it to certain risks, including
controls on foreign exchange and the repatriation of funds. However, the
Registrant has been able to repatriate earnings in excess of working capital
requirements from each of 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 Registrant believes
that the risks associated with its operations and locations outside the United
States are those normally associated with doing business in these locations.

MARKETING, CUSTOMERS AND BACKLOG

Paper machine clothing is custom designed for each user depending upon the
type, size and speed of the papermaking 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 Registrant employs
highly skilled sales and technical service personnel in 25 countries who work
directly with paper mill operating management. The Registrant's technical
service program in the United States 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 Registrant. The Registrant employs approximately 1,000 people
in the sales and technical functions combined, many of whom have engineering
degrees or paper mill experience. The Registrant's market leadership position
reflects the Company's commitment to technological innovation.

Typically, the Registrant experiences its highest quarterly sales levels in
the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and its lowest levels in the first
quarter. The Registrant believes that this pattern only partially reflects
seasonal shifts in demand for its products but is more directly related to
purchasing policies of the Registrant's customers.

Payment terms granted to customers reflect general competitive practices.
Terms vary with product and competitive conditions, but generally require
payment within 30 to 90 days, from the date of invoice, depending on the country
of operation. Historically, bad debts have been insignificant. No single
customer, or group of related customers, accounted for more than 5% of the
Registrant's sales of

3
paper machine clothing in any of the past three years. Management does not
believe that the loss of any one customer would have a material adverse effect
on the Registrant's business.

The Registrant's order backlogs at December 31, 1999 and 1998 were
approximately $503 million and $474 million, respectively. Orders recorded at
December 31, 1999 are generally expected to be invoiced during the next
12 months.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Registrant invests heavily in research, new product development and
technical analysis to maintain its leadership in the paper machine clothing
industry. The Registrant's expenditures fall into two primary categories,
research and development and technical expenditures. Research and development
expenses totaled $23.6 million in 1999, $23.7 million in 1998 and $23.1 million
in 1997. While most research activity supports existing products, the Registrant
engages in research for new products. New product research has focused primarily
on more sophisticated paper machine clothing and has resulted in a stream of
products such as TRIOTEX-Registered Trademark-, PRINTEX-TM-,
KRAFTEX-Registered Trademark- and MICROTEX-Registered Trademark- forming
fabrics, SEAMTECH-Registered Trademark-, the patented on-machine-seamed press
fabric, DYNATEX-Registered Trademark-, a unique multi-layer press fabric,
APERTECH-TM-, a new class of porous, polymeric press fabrics, process belts such
as TRANSBELT-Registered Trademark-, VENTABELT-Registered Trademark- and
GLOSSBELT-TM-, and Thermonetics-Registered Trademark-, AERO2000-TM-,
AEROLINE-Registered Trademark- and AEROGRIP-Registered Trademark- which are
dryer fabrics. Technical expenditures totaled $24.5 million in 1999, $26.3
million in 1998, and $26.9 million in 1997. Technical expenditures are focused
on design, quality assurance and customer support.

Although the Registrant has focused most of its research and development
efforts on paper machine clothing products and design, the Registrant also has
made progress in developing non-paper machine clothing products. Through its
major research subsidiary, Albany International Research Co. located in
Mansfield, Massachusetts, the Registrant conducts research under contract for
the U.S. government and major corporations. In addition to Albany International
Research Co., the Registrant has another significant research facility in
Halmstad, Sweden and four other development centers located at manufacturing
locations in Selestat, France; Goppingen, Germany; Albany, New York; and
Menasha, Wisconsin.

The Registrant holds a number of patents, trademarks and licenses, none of
which are material to the continuation of the Registrant's business. The
Registrant has licensed some of its patents to one or more competitors, mainly
to enhance customer acceptance of the new products. The revenue from such
licenses is less than 1% of consolidated net sales.

RAW MATERIALS AND INVENTORY

Primary raw materials for the Registrant's products are synthetic fibers,
which are generally available from a number of suppliers. The Registrant,
therefore, is not required to maintain raw materials inventories in excess of
its current needs to assure availability. In addition, the Registrant
manufactures monofilament, a basic raw material for all types of paper machine
clothing, at its facility in Homer, New York, which supplies approximately 40%
of its world-wide monofilament requirements. This manufacturing capability
assists the Registrant in its negotiations with monofilament producers for the
balance of its supply requirements, and enhances the ability of the Registrant
to develop proprietary products.

COMPETITION

While there are approximately 50 paper machine clothing suppliers worldwide,
only four major paper machine clothing companies compete on a global basis.
Market shares vary depending on the country and the type of paper machine
clothing produced. In the paper machine clothing market, the Registrant believes
that it has a market share of approximately 36% in the United States and
Canadian

4
markets, taken together, 26% in the rest of the world and approximately 30% in
the world overall. Together, the United States and Canada constitute
approximately 36% of the total world market for paper machine clothing.

Competition is intense in all areas of the Registrant's business. While
price competition is, of course, a factor, the primary bases for competition are
the performance characteristics of the Registrant's products, which are
principally technology-driven, and the quality of customer service. The
Registrant, like its competitors, provides diverse services 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.

EMPLOYEES

The Registrant employs 7,164 persons, of whom approximately 75% are engaged
in manufacturing the Registrant's products. Wages and benefits are competitive
with those of other manufacturers in the geographic areas in which the
Registrant's facilities are located. The Registrant considers its relations with
its employees in general to be excellent.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
executive officers of the Registrant:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- -------- -------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Francis L. McKone 65 Chairman of the Board, CEO and Director

Frank R. Schmeler 61 President, COO and Director

Edward Walther 56 Executive Vice President

Michael C. Nahl 57 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

William M. McCarthy 49 Senior Vice President-Europe

Michel J. Bacon 50 Senior Vice President-Canada, Pacific and Latin America

Edward R. Hahn 55 Senior Vice President-Chief Technical Officer

Thomas H. Hagoort 67 General Counsel and Secretary

Richard A. Carlstrom 56 Vice President-Controller

Thomas H. Curry 51 Vice President--Sales and Marketing United States

Hugh A. McGlinchey 60 Vice President-Information Systems

David C. Michaels 44 Vice President-Treasury and Tax

Kenneth C. Pulver 56 Vice President--Corporate Communications

John C. Treanor 61 Treasurer

Charles J. Silva, Jr. 40 Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
</TABLE>

FRANCIS L. MCKONE joined the Registrant in 1964. He has served the
Registrant as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since 1998,
Chief Executive Officer since 1993, President since 1984, Executive Vice
President from 1983 to 1984, Group Vice President-Papermaking Products Group
from 1979 to 1983, and prior to 1979 as a Vice President of the Registrant and
Division President-

5
Papermaking Products U.S. He has been a Director of the Registrant since 1983.
He is a Director of Thermo Fibergen, Inc., Thermo Fibertek, Inc. and a member of
the Advisory Board of Albank, a division of Charter One Bank.

FRANK R. SCHMELER joined the Registrant in 1964. He has served the
Registrant as President and Chief Operating Officer since 1998, Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer since 1997 and as Senior Vice President
from 1988 to 1997, as Vice President and General Manager of the Felt Division
from 1984 to 1988, as Division Vice President and General Manager, Albany
International Canada from 1978 to 1984 and as Vice President of Marketing,
Albany International Canada from 1976 to 1978. He has been a Director of the
Registrant since 1997.

EDWARD WALTHER joined the Registrant in 1994. He has served the Registrant
as Executive Vice President since 1997 and as Senior Vice President from 1995 to
1997 and as Vice President and General Manager--Continental Europe since 1994.
Prior to joining the Registrant, he held various marketing and managerial
positions with a company in the paper machine clothing business.

MICHAEL C. NAHL joined the Registrant in 1981. He has served the Registrant
as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 1983 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, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
He is a Director of UCAR International Inc.

WILLIAM M. MCCARTHY joined the Registrant in 1977. He has served the
Registrant as Senior Vice President since 1997 and since 1991 has held various
positions for Press Fabrics U.S. including Vice President and General Manager,
Vice President-Marketing and Technical Director. From 1988 to 1991 he was
Technical Director for Continental Europe-Press Fabrics.

MICHEL J. BACON joined the Registrant in 1978. He has served the Registrant
as Senior Vice President since 1996 and as Vice President and General Manager of
Albany International Canada from 1991 to 1996, as Vice President of Operations,
Albany International Canada Press Division from 1989 to 1991 and as Vice
President of Marketing, Albany International Canada from 1987 to 1989.

EDWARD R. HAHN joined the Registrant in 1971. He has served the Registrant
as Senior Vice President since 2000 and as Vice President-Research and
Development and Executive Director of Albany International Research Company from
1995 to 2000, as Vice President and General Manager of Press Fabrics U.S. from
1990 to 1995, as Vice President of Euroscan Press and Dryer Divisions from 1987
to 1990 and as Vice President of Operations for Nordiskafilt from 1986 to 1987.

THOMAS H. HAGOORT joined the Registrant in 1991. He has served the
Registrant as General Counsel and Secretary since 1997 and as General Counsel
from 1991 to 1997. From 1968 until December 31, 1990 he was a partner in Cleary,
Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton, an international law firm with headquarters in New
York City, to which he became of counsel on January 1, 1991.

RICHARD A. CARLSTROM joined the Registrant in 1972. He has served the
Registrant as Vice President-Controller since 1993, as Controller since 1980, as
Controller of a U.S. division from 1975 to 1980, and prior to 1975 as Financial
Controller of Albany International Pty. in Australia.

THOMAS H. CURRY joined the Registrant in 1992. He has served the Registrant
as Vice President-Sales and Marketing U.S. since 1999 and from 1995 to 1999 held
various positions for Press Fabrics U.S. including Vice President and General
Manager and Vice President-Marketing and from 1992 to 1995 held various sales
and marketing positions for the U.S. Dryer Division.

HUGH A. MCGLINCHEY joined the Registrant in 1991. He has served the
Registrant as Vice President-Information Systems since 1993 and from 1991 to
1993 as Director-Information Systems. Prior to 1991

6
he served as Director-Corporate Information and Communications Systems for Avery
Dennison Corporation.

DAVID C. MICHAELS joined the registrant in 1987. He has served the
Registrant as Vice President-Treasury and Tax since 2000 and previously served
as Director of Tax. Prior to 1987, he held various financial and tax positions
at Veeco Instruments, Inc.

KENNETH C. PULVER joined the Registrant in 1968. He has served the
Registrant as Vice President-Corporate Communications since 1997 and as Vice
President of Operations for Primaloft from 1992 to 1997. From 1984 to 1992 he
served in various marketing positions with Albany Engineered Systems.

JOHN C. TREANOR joined the Registrant in 1970. He has served the Registrant
as Treasurer since 1997, as Controller of Albany International Europe from 1992
to 1997 and as Controller of Albany International Canada from 1985 to 1992.

CHARLES J. SILVA, JR. joined the Registrant in 1994. He has served the
Registrant as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary since 1996 and
as Assistant General Counsel from 1994 to 1996. Prior to 1994, he was an
associate in Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton, an international law firm
with headquarters in New York City.

The Registrant believes it is in compliance with all Federal, State and
local provisions which have been enacted or adopted regarding the discharge of
materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the
environment, and does not have knowledge of environmental regulations which do
or might have a material effect on future capital expenditures, earnings, or
competitive position.

The Registrant is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and
is the successor to a New York corporation which was originally incorporated in
1895 and which was merged into the Registrant 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
Registrant. References to the Registrant that relate to any time prior to the
August 1987 merger should be understood to refer to the predecessor New York
corporation.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Registrant's principal manufacturing facilities are located in the
United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, South Korea and China.
The aggregate square footage of the Registrant's facilities in the United States
and Canada is approximately 3,005,000, of which 2,779,000 square feet are owned
and 226,000 square feet are leased. The Registrant's facilities located outside
the United States and Canada comprise approximately 4,219,000 square feet, of
which 3,353,000 square feet are owned and 866,000 square feet are leased. The
Registrant 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 2000. The Registrant's
expected 2000 capital expenditures, including leases, of about $35 million will
provide sufficient capacity for anticipated growth.

The Registrant believes it has modern, efficient production equipment. In
the last five years, excluding acquisitions, it has spent $220 million on new
plants and equipment or upgrading existing facilities.

7
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Registrant was initially named as a defendant in two actions in state
court in Louisiana, seeking damages from the Registrant and numerous other
defendants for injuries allegedly suffered by hundreds of employees at two paper
mills in Bogalusa and St. Francisville, Louisiana, due to exposure to asbestos.
Liberty Mutual, the underwriter of insurance coverage applicable to these
claims, has been defending these matters on the Registrant's behalf, subject to
the standard reservation of any rights under the applicable policies.

The Registrant is one of a group of paper machine clothing manufacturers who
at one time produced dryer felts containing asbestos. (Mount Vernon Mills, from
whom the Registrant acquired the Albany Mount Vernon dryer business assets, and
Brandon Dryer Fabrics, a subsidiary of Geschmay Corp. (formerly Wangner Systems
Corporation) acquired in 1999, are also named as separate defendants.) There are
currently over fifty other corporate defendants, including primary suppliers of
asbestos, asbestos abatement and removal companies, paper machine builders, pump
manufacturers, insulation and building materials suppliers, boiler manufacturers
and other suppliers of products used in these mills that are alleged to have
contained asbestos.

In the Bogalusa proceeding, the Registrant was initially served with a
discovery request late in 1996, to which it responded initially in March 1997,
and continued to respond supplementally during 1997 and 1998. Discovery of paper
machine clothing dryer fabrics defendants in the St. Francisville proceeding
commenced during 1999 and is ongoing.

The information identified during the discovery process suggests that the
Registrant's production of asbestos-containing products was limited to certain
synthetic dryer fabrics marketed during the period from 1967 to 1976. It is the
position of the Registrant and the other paper machine clothing defendants that
there was insufficient exposure to asbestos from paper machine clothing to cause
asbestos-related injury in any plaintiff.

Discovery by both plaintiffs and defendants in the Bogalusa proceeding was
essentially completed in late 1998. The first trial, involving six plaintiffs,
commenced in January 1999. The claims of these six plaintiffs against all but
three of the defendants, including those against the Registrant, were settled
prior to that time. A unanimous jury verdict in favor of the three remaining
defendants (including two dryer fabric producers) was returned in early March. A
second trial, involving four plaintiffs, may commence in mid-summer 2000.
Discovery in the St. Francisville proceeding is scheduled to conclude in the
fall of 2000, with the initial trial of approximately 30 plaintiffs expected to
commence in late 2000 or early 2001.

During 1999, the Registrant, as well as Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc., was
named as a defendant, together with many of the other defendants in the
Louisiana proceedings, in additional asbestos proceedings. These proceedings
comprise claims asserted by approximately 150 individuals (and, in some case,
their spouses) alleging injury as the result of exposure to various
asbestos-containing products. Most of these proceedings are pending in North
Carolina and Ohio.

The Registrant, in addition to being named as a direct defendant in the
above proceedings, has also been named separately as the "successor-in-interest"
to Mount Vernon Mills in many of these proceedings. The Registrant denies any
liability for products sold by Mount Vernon Mills prior to the acquisition of
the Mount Vernon assets, and the Registrant's motion to be dismissed as a
successor to Mount Vernon has been granted in Bogalusa and several other
proceedings before the first trial. Similar motions will be filed in the St.
Francisville proceedings.

The Registrant believes that any judgment or settlement relating to these
proceedings will be well within existing insurance coverage limits.

8
Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. is also a party to the above asbestos
proceedings in the United States. Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. is also a
defendant in a number of additional individual cases in Washington, California,
Texas, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi.

Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. was created in 1978 in connection with the
purchase of certain assets from Abney Mills, a South Carolina textile
manufacturing entity. Brandon Sales, Inc. was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abney
and its assets were among those purchased from Abney Mills. After the purchase,
Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. manufactured drying fabrics under its own name,
none of which contained asbestos. It is believed that Abney Mills ceased
production of asbestos-containing products prior to the 1978 purchase.
Affidavits obtained from former Abney Mills employees confirm that belief.

Under the terms of the Assets Purchase Agreement between Brandon Drying
Fabrics, Inc. and Abney Mills, Abney Mills agreed to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless from any actions or claims on account of products manufactured by Abney
Mills 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
Mills has since been dissolved. Nevertheless, a representative of this dissolved
entity has been notified of the pendency of these actions and demand has been
made that it assume the defense of these actions.

Geschmay Corp.'s insurance carriers have agreed to indemnification and
defense costs related to these proceedings of 88.2% of the total, subject to the
standard reservation of rights. The remaining 11.8% is being sought from an
insurance company that denies that it issued a policy. Geschmay Corp.'s internal
records demonstrate otherwise, and a lawsuit to establish coverage is being
pursued. Geschmay Corp. believes the suit will be successful.

There are no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary
routine litigation incidental to the business.

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

There were no matters submitted during the fourth quarter of 1999 to a vote
of security holders.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

"Stock and Shareholders" and "Quarterly Financial Data" on page 44 of the
Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference.

Restrictions on dividends and other distributions are described in Note 6,
on pages 27 to 29 of the Annual Report. Such description is incorporated herein
by reference.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

"Eleven Year Summary" on pages 42 and 43 of the Annual Report is
incorporated herein by reference.

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

"Review of Operations" on pages 38 to 41 of the Annual Report is
incorporated herein by reference.

9
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following consolidated financial statements of the Registrant and its
subsidiaries, included on pages 20 to 37 in the Annual Report, are incorporated
herein by reference:

Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings--years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income--years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997

Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1999 and 1998

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--years ended December 31, 1999, 1998
and 1997

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Accountants

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

a) DIRECTORS. The information set out in the section captioned "Election
of Directors" of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

b) EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT. Information about the officers of the
Registrant is set forth in Item 1 above.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information set forth in the sections of the Proxy Statement captioned
"Executive Compensation", "Summary Compensation Table", "Option/SAR Grants in
Last Fiscal Year", "Option/ SAR Exercises during 1999 and Year-End Values",
"Pension Plan Table", "Compensation and Stock Option Committee Report on
Executive Compensation", "Compensation and Stock Option Committee Interlocks and
Insider Participation", "Stock Performance Graph", and "Directors' Fees" is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information set out in the section captioned "Share Ownership" of the
Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

None.

PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULE AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The consolidated financial statements included
in the Annual Report are incorporated by reference in Item 8.

10
a)(2)  SCHEDULE.  The following consolidated financial statements schedule
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999 is included
pursuant to Item 14(d):

Report of Independent Accountants on Financial Statements Schedule

Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

a)(3)(b) A report on Form 8-K was filed on November 8, 1999 (Item 7.
Financial Statements and Exhibits).

(3) EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
3(a) - Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. (3)

3(b) - Bylaws of Registrant. (10)

4(a) - Article IV of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant
(included in Exhibit 3(a)).

4(b) - Specimen Stock Certificate for Class A Common Stock. (1)

CREDIT AGREEMENT

10(i)(i) - Credit Agreement, dated as of August 11, 1999 among the
Registrant, certain banks listed therein, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Chase Manhattan
International Limited, as London Agent, Citibank N.A., as
Syndication Agent and Banc One Capital Markets, Inc., as
Documentation Agent. (9)

STOCK OPTIONS

10(m)(i) - Form of Stock Option Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1983,
between the Registrant and each of five employees, together
with schedule showing the names of such employees and the
material differences among the Stock Option Agreements with
such employees. (1)

10(m)(ii) - Form of Amendment of Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
July 1, 1987, between the Registrant and each of the five
employees identified in the schedule referred to as Exhibit
10(m)(i). (1)

10(m)(iii) - 1988 Stock Option Plan. (2)

10(m)(iv) - 1992 Stock Option Plan. (4)

10(m)(v) - 1997 Executive Stock Option Agreement. (7)

10(m)(vi) - 1998 Stock Option Plan. (8)

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

10(n) - Pension Equalization Plan adopted April 16, 1986, naming two
current executive officers and one former executive officer
of Registrant as "Participants" thereunder. (1)

10(n)(i) - Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. (5)

10(o)(i) - Form of Executive Deferred Compensation Plan adopted
September 1, 1985, and Forms of Election Agreement. (1)

10(o)(ii) - Form of Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan adopted
September 1, 1985, and Form of Election Agreement. (1)

10(o)(iii) - Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. (2)
</TABLE>

11
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
10(o)(iv) - Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan. (2)

10(o)(v) - Deferred Compensation Plan of Albany International Corp. (6)

10(o)(vi) - Centennial Deferred Compensation Plan. (6)

OTHER AGREEMENTS

11 - Schedule of Computation of Net Income Per Share and Diluted
Net Income Per Share.

13 - Annual Report to Security Holders for the year ended
December 31, 1999.

21 - Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23 - Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

24 - Powers of Attorney.

27 - Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>

All other schedules and exhibits are not required or are inapplicable and,
therefore, have been omitted.

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

(1) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, No. 33-16254, as amended, declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 30, 1987, which previously-filed Exhibit is
incorporated by reference herein.

(2) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated August 8, 1988, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(3) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form 8-A, File No. 1-10026, declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 26, 1988 (as to The Pacific Stock Exchange,
Inc.), and on September 7, 1988 (as to The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.),
which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by reference herein.

(4) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated January 18, 1993, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.

(5) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated June 30, 1994, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(6) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated March 15, 1996, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(7) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
10-K dated March 16, 1998, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(8) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
10-Q dated August 10, 1998, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.

(9) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on form
8-K dated September 21, 1999, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.

(10) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
10-Q dated November 10, 1999, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.

12
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>

* Chairman of the Board and
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Francis L. McKone) (Chief Executive Officer)

Senior Vice President and
/s/ MICHAEL C. NAHL Chief Financial Officer
------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial March 22, 2000
(Michael C. Nahl) Officer)

* Vice President-Controller
------------------------------------------- (Principal Accounting March 22, 2000
(Richard A. Carlstrom) Officer)

*
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Thomas R. Beecher, Jr.)

*
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Charles B. Buchanan)

*
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Erland E. Kailbourne)

*
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Dr. Joseph G. Morone)

*
------------------------------------------- President and Director March 22, 2000
(Frank R. Schmeler) (Chief Operating Officer)

*
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Christine L. Standish)

*
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Allan Stenshamn)

*
------------------------------------------- Director March 22, 2000
(Barbara P. Wright)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
*By: /s/ MICHAEL C. NAHL
--------------------------------------
Michael C. Nahl
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
</TABLE>

13
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 22nd day of
March, 2000.

<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

By: /S/ MICHAEL C. NAHL
-----------------------------------------
Michael C. Nahl
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
</TABLE>

14
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULE

To The Shareholders and Board of Directors
Albany International Corp.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our
report dated January 27, 2000 appearing in the 1999 Annual Report to
Shareholders of Albany International Corp. (which report and consolidated
financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on form
10-K) also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item
14(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein
when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Albany, New York
January 27, 2000
Schedule
SCHEDULE II

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
-------- ---------- --------------------------- ------------- -------------
ADDITIONS
BALANCE AT ---------------------------
BEGINNING CHARGED TO CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
DESCRIPTION OF PERIOD EXPENSE INTANGIBLES(A) DEDUCTIONS(B) END OF PERIOD
----------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Year ended December 31:
1999 5,504 2,071 2,838 1,645 8,768
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998 $5,224 $1,312 $ -- $1,032 $5,504
1997 $4,962 $1,298 $ -- $1,036 $5,224
</TABLE>

(A) Represents the allowance for doubful accounts opening balance sheet amount
for the Geschmay group, which was acquired in 1999.

(B) Includes accounts written off as uncollectible, recoveries and the effect
of currency exchange rates.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
3(a) -- Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. (3)
3(b) -- Bylaws of Registrant. (10)
4(a) -- Article IV of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant
(included in Exhibit 3(a)).
4(b) -- Specimen Stock Certificate for Class A Common Stock. (1)

CREDIT AGREEMENT
10(i)(i) -- Credit Agreement, dated as of August 11, 1999 among the
Registrant, certain banks listed therein, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Chase Manhattan
International Limited, as London Agent, Citibank N.A., as
Syndication Agent and Banc One Capital Markets, Inc., as
Documentation Agent. (9)

STOCK OPTIONS
10(m)(i) -- Form of Stock Option Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1983,
between the Registrant and each of five employees, together
with schedule showing the names of such employees and the
material differences among the Stock Option Agreements with
such employees. (1)
10(m)(ii) -- Form of Amendment of Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
July 1, 1987, between the Registrant and each of the five
employees identified in the schedule referred to as Exhibit
10(m)(i). (1)
10(m)(iii) -- 1988 Stock Option Plan. (2)
10(m)(iv) -- 1992 Stock Option Plan. (4)
10(m)(v) -- 1997 Executive Stock Option Agreement. (7)
10(m)(vi) -- 1998 Stock Option Plan. (8)

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
10(n) -- Pension Equalization Plan adopted April 16, 1986, naming two
current executive officers and one former executive officer
of Registrant as "Participants" thereunder. (1)
10(n)(i) -- Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. (5)
10(o)(i) -- Form of Executive Deferred Compensation Plan adopted
September 1, 1985, and Forms of Election Agreement. (1)
10(o)(ii) -- Form of Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan adopted
September 1, 1985, and Form of Election Agreement. (1)
10(o)(iii) -- Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. (2)
10(o)(iv) -- Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan. (2)
10(o)(v) -- Deferred Compensation Plan of Albany International
Corp. (6)
10(o)(vi) -- Centennial Deferred Compensation Plan. (6)

OTHER AGREEMENTS
11 -- Schedule of Computation of Net Income Per Share and Diluted
Net Income Per Share.
13 -- Annual Report to Security Holders for the year ended
December 31, 1999.
21 -- Subsidiaries of Registrant.
23 -- Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
24 -- Powers of Attorney.
27 -- Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
All other schedules and exhibits are not required or are inapplicable and,
therefore, have been omitted.

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

(1) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, No. 33-16254, as amended, declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 30, 1987, which previously-filed Exhibit is
incorporated by reference herein.

(2) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated August 8, 1988, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(3) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form 8-A, File No. 1-10026, declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 26, 1988 (as to The Pacific Stock Exchange,
Inc.), and on September 7, 1988 (as to The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.),
which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by reference herein.

(4) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated January 18, 1993, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.

(5) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated June 30, 1994, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(6) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K dated March 15, 1996, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(7) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
10-K dated March 16, 1998, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated by
reference herein.

(8) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
10-Q dated August 10, 1998, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.

(9) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on form
8-K dated September 21, 1999, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.

(10) Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
10-Q dated November 10, 1999, which previously-filed Exhibit is incorporated
by reference herein.