UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2017

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission file number: 1-10026

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		14-0462060
(State or other jurisdiction of		(IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
216 Airport Drive, Rochester, New Hampshire		03867
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer	[ √ ]	Accelerated filer	[    ]
Non-accelerated filer	[    ]	Smaller reporting company	[    ]

 

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

 

The registrant had 28.9 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 3.2 million shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of April 24, 2017.

 

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page No.
Part I Financial information
	Item 1. Financial Statements	3
	Consolidated statements of income – three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	3
	Consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) – three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	4
	Consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	5
	Consolidated statements of cash flows – three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	6
	Notes to consolidated financial statements	7
	Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27
	Forward-looking statements	27
	Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	41
	Item 4. Controls and Procedures	42
Part II Other Information
	Item 1. Legal Proceedings	43
	Item 1A. Risk Factors	43
	Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	43
	Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities	43
	Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	43
	Item 5. Other Information	44
	Item 6. Exhibits	44

 

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net sales	$199,277			$172,331
Cost of goods sold	123,372			99,830
Gross profit	75,905			72,501
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	40,906			39,421
Technical and research expenses	10,262			10,132
Restructuring expenses, net	2,681			679
Operating income	22,056			22,269
Interest expense, net	4,328			2,238
Other expense/(income), net	204			(328	)
Income before income taxes	17,524			20,359
Income tax expense	6,550			7,043
Net income	10,974			13,316
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	135			(185	)
Net income attributable to the Company	$10,839			$13,501
Earnings per share attributable to Company shareholders - Basic	$0.34			$0.42
Earnings per share attributable to Company shareholders - Diluted	$0.34			$0.42
Shares of the Company used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	32,128			32,041
Diluted	32,164			32,081
Dividends declared per share, Class A and Class B	$0.17			$0.17

 

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

 

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net income	$10,974			$13,316
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	9,938			12,741
Pension/postretirement plan remeasurement	-			(170	)
Amortization of pension liability adjustments:
Prior service credit	(1,113	)		(1,113	)
Net actuarial loss	1,347			1,278
Payments related to interest rate swaps included in earnings	600			281
Derivative valuation adjustment	416			(2,852	)
Income taxes related to items of other comprehensive income/(loss):
Pension/postretirement plan remeasurement	-			65
Amortization of pension liability adjustment	(70	)		(49	)
Payments related to interest rate swaps included in earnings	(228	)		(107	)
Derivative valuation adjustment	(158	)		1,084
Comprehensive income	21,706			24,474
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	140			(188	)
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company	$21,566			$24,662

 

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

 

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2017				2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents			$143,333				$181,742
Accounts receivable, net			174,339				171,193
Inventories			150,481				133,906
Income taxes prepaid and receivable			5,224				5,213
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			11,245				9,251
Total current assets			484,622				501,305
Property, plant and equipment, net			432,465				422,564
Intangibles, net			64,685				66,454
Goodwill			161,089				160,375
Income taxes receivable and deferred			69,505				68,865
Contract receivables			17,960				14,045
Other assets			31,799				29,825
Total assets			$1,262,125				$1,263,433
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Notes and loans payable			$274				$312
Accounts payable			43,756				43,305
Accrued liabilities			85,151				95,195
Current maturities of long-term debt			51,699				51,666
Income taxes payable			7,199				9,531
Total current liabilities			188,079				200,009
Long-term debt			428,477				432,918
Other noncurrent liabilities			104,262				106,827
Deferred taxes and other liabilities			12,714				12,389
Total liabilities			733,532				752,143
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 37,368,649 in 2017 and 37,319,266 in 2016			37				37
Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,233,998 in 2017 and 2016			3				3
Additional paid in capital			427,017				425,953
Retained earnings			528,227				522,855
Accumulated items of other comprehensive income:
Translation adjustments			(123,172	)			(133,298	)
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments			(51,748	)			(51,719	)
Derivative valuation adjustment			1,458				828
Treasury stock (Class A), at cost 8,443,444 shares in 2017 and 2016			(257,136	)			(257,136	)
Total Company shareholders’ equity			524,686				507,523
Noncontrolling interest			3,907				3,767
Total equity			528,593				511,290
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity			$1,262,125				$1,263,433

 

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

 

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

		Three Months ended March 31,
		2017				2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income			$10,974				$13,316
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			14,644				13,124
Amortization			2,649				1,696
Change in other noncurrent liabilities			(1,596	)			(1,364	)
Change in deferred taxes and other liabilities			(612	)			2,529
Provision for write-off of property, plant and equipment			296				592
Non-cash interest expense			211				-
Compensation and benefits paid or payable in Class A Common Stock			989				864
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provide/(use) cash:
Accounts receivable			(741	)			(902	)
Inventories			(14,921	)			(1,348	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(1,917	)			(5,382	)
Income taxes prepaid and receivable			-				(1,895	)
Accounts payable			3,524				1,632
Accrued liabilities			(10,971	)			(8,843	)
Income taxes payable			(2,486	)			(3,836	)
Contract receivables			(3,915	)			-
Other, net			(700	)			(4,801	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities			(4,572	)			5,382
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(25,045	)			(7,993	)
Purchased software			(38	)			(82	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(25,083	)			(8,075	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from borrowings			16,145				12,396
Principal payments on debt			(20,602	)			(22,398	)
Debt acquisition costs			-				(200	)
Taxes paid in lieu of share issuance			(1,364	)			(1,272	)
Proceeds from options exercised			75				205
Dividends paid			(5,459	)			(5,443	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(11,205	)			(16,712	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			2,451				3,907
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(38,409	)			(15,498	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			181,742				185,113
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			$143,333				$169,615

 

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

 

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments and elimination of intercompany transactions necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods. Albany International Corp. (“Albany”) consolidates the financial results of its subsidiaries for all periods presented. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in Albany International Corp.’s Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

 

The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with “Risk Factors,” “Legal Proceedings,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Items 1A, 3, 7, 7A and 8, respectively, of the Albany International Corp. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

2. Business Acquisition

 

On April 8, 2016, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of Harris Corporation’s composite aerostructures business for cash of $187 million, plus the assumption of certain liabilities. The Company funded the cash payable at closing by utilizing proceeds from a $550 million, unsecured credit facility agreement that was completed April 8, 2016. The acquired entity is located in Salt Lake City, Utah (“SLC”) and is part of the Albany Engineered Composites (“AEC”) segment.

 

 

The following table presents operational results of the acquired entity that are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)		Three months ended March 31, 2017
Net sales		$20,200
Operating loss		(2,626	)
Loss before income taxes		(2,958	)
Net loss attributable to the Company		(1,864	)
Loss per share:
Basic		($0.06	)
Diluted		($0.06	)

 

The Consolidated Statements of Income reflect operational activity of the acquired business for only the period subsequent to the closing, which affects comparability of results. The following table shows total Company pro forma results for the first quarter of 2016 as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015.

 

		Unaudited - Pro forma
		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)		2016
Combined Net sales		$193,335
Combined Income before income taxes		$23,150
Pro forma increase/(decrease) to income before income taxes:
Acquisition expenses		1,596
Interest expense related to purchase price		(1,052	)
Acquisition accounting adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets		(1,575	)
Valuation of contract inventories		1,891
Interest expense on captial lease obligation		300
Interest expense on other obligations		(133	)
Pro forma Income before income taxes		$24,177
Pro forma Net Income attributable to the Company		$16,265

 

 

3. Reportable Segments

 

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

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Net sales
Machine Clothing		$142,827			$145,264
Albany Engineered Composites		56,450			27,067
Consolidated total		$199,277			$172,331
Operating income/(loss)
Machine Clothing		38,261			37,139
Albany Engineered Composites		(5,114	)		(3,706	)
Corporate expenses		(11,091	)		(11,164	)
Operating income		$22,056			$22,269
Reconciling items:
Interest income		(107	)		(126	)
Interest expense		4,435			2,364
Other expense/(income), net		204			(328	)
Income before income taxes		$17,524			$20,359

 

There were no material changes in the total assets of the reportable segments in the first quarter of 2017.

 

Total capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2017 were $21.5 million, including amounts that were included in Accounts payable. In the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, capital expenditures were $3.6 million higher as a result of payments in 2017 for capital expenditures that were recorded in 2016. For the first quarter of 2016, total capital expenditures were $10.9 million, including amounts that were included in Accounts payable. In the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, capital expenditures were $2.8 million lower as a result of a first-quarter increase in the amount of capital expenditures included in Accounts payable.

 

The table below presents restructuring costs by reportable segment (also see Note 5):

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Restructuring expenses, net
Machine Clothing		$110			$698
Albany Engineered Composites		2,571			-
Corporate expenses		-			(19	)
Consolidated total		$2,681			$679

 

 

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. As a result of the freeze, employees covered by the pension plan will receive, at retirement, benefits already accrued through February 2009 but no new benefits accrue after that date. Benefit accruals under the U.S. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) were similarly frozen. The eligibility, benefit formulas, and contribution requirements for plans outside of the U.S. vary by location.

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

 

The Company also provides certain postretirement benefits to retired employees in the U.S. and Canada. 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.

 

The composition of the net periodic benefit plan cost for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, was as follows:

 

		Pension plans						Other postretirement benefits
(in thousands)		2017			2016			2017			2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost		$651			$650			$61			$63
Interest cost		1,828			1,994			553			611
Expected return on assets		(1,993	)		(2,207	)		-			-
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)		9			9			(1,122	)		(1,122	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		645			573			702			705
Net periodic benefit cost		$1,140			$1,019			$194			$257

 

5. Restructuring

 

Albany Engineered Composites restructuring charges for the first three months of 2017 included $2.6 million principally related to a reduction in personnel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

Machine Clothing restructuring costs in 2016 were principally related to plant closure costs in Göppingen, Germany.

 

The following table summarizes charges reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income under “Restructuring expenses, net”:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Machine Clothing		$110			$698
Albany Engineered Composites		2,571			-
Corporate Expenses		-			(19	)
Total		$2,681			$679

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands)		Total restructuring costs incurred			Termination and other costs			Impairment of plant and equipment
Machine Clothing		$110			$110			$-
Albany Engineered Composites		2,571			2,456			115
Corporate Expenses		-			-			-
Total		$2,681			$2,566			$115

 

Three months ended March 31, 2016 (in thousands)		Total restructuring costs incurred			Termination and other costs			Impairment of plant and equipment
Machine Clothing		$698			$698			$-
Albany Engineered Composites		-			-			-
Corporate Expenses		(19	)		(19	)		-
Total		$679			$679			$-

 

We expect that approximately $5.1 million of Accrued liabilities for restructuring at March 31, 2017 will be paid within one year and approximately $0.9 million will be paid in the following year. The table below presents the year-to-date changes in restructuring liabilities for 2017 and 2016, all of which related to termination costs:

 

(in thousands)		December 31, 2016			Restructuring charges accrued			Payments			Currency translation/other			March 31, 2017
Total termination and other costs		$5,559			$2,566			($2,126	)		$17			$6,016

 

(in thousands)		December 31, 2015			Restructuring charges accrued			Payments			Currency translation/other			March 31, 2016
Total termination and other costs		$10,177			$679			($2,573	)		$39			$8,322

 

 

6. Other Expense/(Income), net

 

The components of other expense/(income), net are:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Currency transaction losses/(gains)		$101			($479	)
Bank fees and amortization of debt issuance costs		149			152
Other		(46	)		(1	)
Total		$204			($328	)

  

7. Income Taxes 

 

The following table presents components of income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Income tax based on income from continuing operations, at estimated tax rates of 32.6% in 2017 and 39.7% in 2016		$5,719			$8,076
Income tax expense before discrete items		5,719			8,076
Discrete tax expense/(benefit):
Provision for/resolution of tax audits and contingencies, net		852			(825	)
Other discrete tax adjustments, net		-			(208	)
Enacted tax legislation		(21	)		-
Total income tax expense		$6,550			$7,043

 

The first quarter estimated income tax rate based on continuing operations was 32.6 percent in 2017, compared to 39.7 percent for the same period in 2016.

 

The Company records the residual U.S. and foreign taxes on certain amounts of foreign earnings that have been targeted for repatriation to the U.S. These amounts are not considered to be permanently reinvested, and the Company accrued for the tax cost on these earnings to the extent they cannot be repatriated in a tax-free manner. At March 31, 2017, the Company calculated a deferred tax liability of $4.8 million on $69.7 million of non-U.S. earnings that have been targeted for future repatriation to the U.S.

 

The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including major jurisdictions such as United States, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Switzerland. The open tax years range from 2007 to 2016. The Company is currently under audit in certain non-U.S. tax jurisdictions.

 

It is reasonably possible that over the next twelve months the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change within a range of $0.0 million to a net decrease of $0.6 million, from the reevaluation of uncertain tax positions arising in examinations, in appeals, or in the courts, or from the closure of tax statutes.

 

 

In March 2016, an accounting update was issued which simplified several aspects related to accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences of these transactions. We adopted this update as of January 1, 2017. The income tax consequences which related to accounting for excess tax benefits have been adopted prospectively, resulting in recognition of excess tax benefits against income tax expenses rather than additional paid-in capital of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. No adjustment was necessary related to the deferred balances.

 

8. Earnings Per Share

 

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

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except market price and earnings per share)		2017			2016
Net income attributable to the Company		$10,839			$13,501
Weighted average number of shares:
Weighted average number of shares used in
calculating basic net income per share		32,128			32,041
Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation plans:
Stock options		36			40
Weighted average number of shares used in
calculating diluted net income per share		32,164			32,081
Average market price of common stock used
for calculation of dilutive shares		$46.49			$35.23
Net income per share:
Basic		$0.34			$0.42
Diluted		$0.34			$0.42

 

 

9. Noncontrolling Interest

 

The table below presents a reconciliation of income attributable to the noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling equity:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Net income/(loss) of ASC		$1,601			($1,609	)
Less: Return attributable to the Company’s preferred holding		254			238
Net income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership		$1,347			($1,847	)
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder		10	%		10	%
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		$135			($185	)
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		$3,767			$3,690
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		135			(185	)
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		5			(3	)
Noncontrolling interest		$3,907			$3,502

 

10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)

 

The table below presents changes in the components of AOCI for the period December 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017:

 

(in thousands)		Translation adjustments			Pension and postretirement liability adjustments			Derivative valuation adjustment			Total Other Comprehensive Income
December 31, 2016		($133,298	)		($51,719	)		$828			($184,189	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		10,126			(193	)		258			10,191
Interest expense related to swaps reclassified to the Statement of Income, net of tax		-			-			372			372
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments reclassified to Statement of Income, net of tax		-			164			-			164
Net current period other comprehensive income		10,126			(29	)		630			10,727
March 31, 2017		($123,172	)		($51,748	)		$1,458			($173,462	)

 

The table below presents changes in the components of AOCI for the period December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016:

 

(in thousands)		Translation adjustments			Pension and postretirement liability adjustments			Derivative valuation adjustment			Total Other Comprehensive Income
December 31, 2015		($108,655	)		($48,725	)		($1,464	)		($158,844	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		13,114			(373	)		(1,768	)		10,973
Pension/postretirement plan remeasurement		-			(105	)		-			(105	)
Interest expense related to swaps reclassified to the Statement of Income, net of tax		-			-			174			174
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments reclassified to Statement of Income, net of tax		-			116			-			116
Net current period other comprehensive income		13,114			(362	)		(1,594	)		11,158
March 31, 2016		($95,541	)		($49,087	)		($3,058	)		($147,686	)

  

The table below presents the expense/(income) amounts reclassified, and the line items of the Statements of Income that were affected for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Pretax Derivative valuation reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
Expense related to interest rate swaps included in Income before taxes(a)		$600			$281
Income tax effect		(228	)		(107	)
Effect on net income due to items reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		$372			$174
Pretax pension and postretirement liabilities reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
Amortization of prior service credit		($1,113	)		($1,113	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		1,347			1,278
Total pretax amount reclassified (b)		234			165
Income tax effect		(70	)		(49	)
Effect on net income due to items reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		$164			$116

 

(a)

Included in Interest expense are payments related to the interest rate swap agreements and amortization of swap buyouts (see Note 15).

 

(b)

These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 4).

 

 

11. Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable includes trade receivables and revenue in excess of progress billings on long-term contracts in the Albany Engineered Composites segment. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience, customer-specific facts and economic conditions. 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.

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)		March 31,   2017			December 31, 2016
Trade and other accounts receivable		$145,879			$146,460
Bank promissory notes		16,828			15,759
Revenue in excess of progress billings		18,658			15,926
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(7,026	)		(6,952	)
Total accounts receivable		$174,339			$171,193

 

In connection with certain sales in Asia Pacific, the Company accepts a bank promissory note as customer payment. The notes may be presented for payment at maturity, which is less than one year.

 

The Company also has Contract receivables in the AEC segment that represent revenue earned which has extended payment terms. The Contract receivables will be invoiced to the customer, with 2% interest, over a 10 year period starting in 2020.

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Contract Receivables consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)		March 31, 2017			December 31,  2016
Contract receivable		$17,960			$14,045

 

12. Inventories

 

Costs included in inventories are raw materials, labor, supplies and allocable depreciation and overhead. Raw material inventories are valued on an average cost basis. Other inventory cost elements are valued at cost, using the first-in, first out method. The Company writes down the inventories for estimated obsolescence, and to lower of cost or net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the Company, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Once established, the original cost of the inventory less the related write-down represents the new cost basis of such inventories. The AEC segment has long-term contracts under which we incur engineering and development costs that are allocable to parts that will be delivered over multiple years. These costs are included in Work in process in the table below.

 

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, inventories consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)		March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Raw materials		$39,865			$37,691
Work in process		78,177			58,715
Finished goods		32,439			37,500
Total inventories		$150,481			$133,906

 

13. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In the second quarter of 2016, the Company applied the qualitative assessment approach in performing its annual evaluation of Machine Clothing goodwill and concluded that no impairment provision was required. There were no amounts at risk due to the large spread between the fair and carrying values.

 

 

 

 

We are continuing to amortize certain patents, trade names, customer relationships, customer contracts and technology assets that have finite lives. The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net values of intangible assets and goodwill as of December 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017, were as follows:

 

As of March 31, 2017 (in thousands)		Weighted average amortization life in years			Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization			Net carrying amount
Amortized intangible assets:
AEC trade names		15			$43			$24			$19
AEC technology		15			228			130			98
Customer relationships		15			49,490			3,306			46,184
Customer contracts		6			20,420			3,412			17,008
Other intangibles		5			1,720			344			1,376
Total amortized intangible assets					$71,901			$7,216			$64,685
Unamortized intangible assets:
MC Goodwill					$65,359			$-			$65,359
AEC Goodwill					95,730			-			95,730
Total unamortized intangible assets:					$161,089			$-			$161,089

 

As of December 31, 2016 (in thousands)		Weighted average amortization life in years			Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization			Net carrying amount
Amortized intangible assets:
AEC trade names		15			$43			$23			$20
AEC technology		15			228			124			104
Customer relationships		15			49,490			2,481			47,009
Customer contracts		6			20,420			2,561			17,859
Other intangibles		5			1,720			258			1,462
Total amortized intangible assets					$71,901			$5,447			$66,454
Unamortized intangible assets:
MC Goodwill					$64,645			$-			$64,645
AEC Goodwill					95,730			-			95,730
Total unamortized intangible assets:					$160,375			$-			$160,375

 

The changes in intangibles, net and goodwill from December 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017, were as follows:

 

(in thousands)		December 31, 2016			Amortization			Currency Translation			March 31, 2017
Amortized intangible assets:
AEC trade names		$20			$(1	)		$-			$19
AEC technology		104			(6	)		-			98
Customer relationships		47,009			(825	)		-			46,184
Customer contracts		17,859			(851	)		-			17,008
Other intangibles		1,462			(86	)		-			1,376
Net amortized intangible assets		$66,454			($1,769	)		$-			$64,685
Unamortized intangible assets:
MC Goodwill		$64,645			$-			$714			$65,359
AEC Goodwill		95,730			-			-			95,730
Total unamortized intangible assets:		$160,375			$-			$714			$161,089

 

 

Estimated amortization expense of intangibles for the years ending December 31, 2017 through 2021, is as follows:

	Annual amortization
Year	(in thousands)
2017	$7,076
2018	7,076
2019	7,076
2020	7,076
2021	6,796

 

 

 

 

14. Financial Instruments

 

Long-term debt, principally to banks and bondholders, consists of:

 

(in thousands, except interest rates)		March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Private placement with a fixed interest rate of 6.84%, due 2017		$50,000			$50,000
Revolving credit agreement with borrowings outstanding at an end of period interest rate of 2.63% in 2017 and 2.58% in 2016 (including the effect of interest rate hedging transactions, as described below), due in 2021		414,000			418,000
Obligation under capital lease, matures 2022		16,176			16,584
Long-term debt		480,176			484,584
Less: current portion		(51,699	)		(51,666	)
Long-term debt, net of current portion		$428,477			$432,918

 

A note agreement and guaranty (“Prudential Agreement”) was originally entered into in October 2005 with the Prudential Insurance Company of America, and certain other purchasers, with interest at 6.84%. The remaining principal under the Prudential Agreement is $50.0 million, and is due on the maturity date of October 25, 2017. At the noteholders’ election, certain prepayments may also be required in connection with certain asset dispositions or financings. The notes may not otherwise be prepaid without a premium, under certain market conditions. The Prudential Agreement contains customary terms, as well as affirmative covenants, negative covenants, and events of default, comparable to those in our current principal credit facility agreement (as described below). The Prudential Agreement has been amended a number of times, most recently in April 2016, in order to maintain terms comparable to our current principal credit facility. For disclosure purposes, we are required to measure the fair value of outstanding debt on a recurring basis. As of March 31, 2017 the fair value of this debt was approximately $52.2 million, and was measured using active market interest rates, which would be considered Level 2 for fair value measurement purposes.

 

On April 8, 2016, we entered into a $550 million unsecured Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) which amended and restated the prior $400 million Agreement, entered into on June 18, 2015 (the “Prior Agreement”). Under the Credit Agreement, $414 million of borrowings were outstanding as of March 31, 2017. The applicable interest rate for borrowings was LIBOR plus a spread, based on our leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. At the time of the last borrowing on March 24, 2017, the spread was 1.500%. The spread was based on a pricing grid, which ranged from 1.250% to 1.750%, based on our leverage ratio. Based on our maximum leverage ratio and our Consolidated EBITDA, and without modification to any other credit agreements, as of March 31, 2017, we would have been able to borrow an additional $136 million under the Agreement.

 

The Credit Agreement contains customary terms, as well as affirmative covenants, negative covenants and events of default comparable to those in the Prior Agreement. The Borrowings are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the Credit Agreement is conditional upon the absence of any defaults, as well as the absence of any material adverse change (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

 

The Company has a long-term capital lease obligation for real property in Salt Lake City, Utah. The lease has an implied interest rate of 5.0% and matures in 2022.

 

The following schedule presents future minimum annual lease payments under the capital lease obligation and the present value of the minimum lease payments, as of March 31, 2017.

 

Years ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2017	$1,819
2018	2,473
2019	2,473
2020	2,520
2021	2,520
Thereafter	7,373
Total minimum lease payments	19,178
Less: Amount representing interest	(3,002	)
Present value of minimum lease payments	$16,176

 

On May 6, 2016, we terminated our interest rate swap agreements that had effectively fixed the interest rate on up to $120 million of revolving credit borrowings, in order to enter into a new interest rate swap with a greater notional amount, and the same maturity as the Credit Agreement. We paid $5.2 million to terminate the swap agreements and that cost will be amortized into interest expense through June 2020.

 

On May 9, 2016, we entered into interest rate hedges for the period May 16, 2016 through March 16, 2021. These transactions have the effect of fixing the LIBOR portion of the effective interest rate (before addition of the spread) on $300 million of indebtedness drawn under the Credit Agreement at the rate of 1.245% during the period. Under the terms of these transactions, we pay the fixed rate of 1.245% and the counterparties pay a floating rate based on the one-month LIBOR rate at each monthly calculation date, which on March 16, 2017 was 0.930%, plus the applicable spread, during the swap period. On March 16, 2017, the all-in-rate on the $300 million of debt was 2.745%.

 

These interest rate swaps are accounted for as a hedge of future cash flows, as further described in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. No cash collateral was received or pledged in relation to the swap agreements.

 

Under the Credit Agreement and Prudential Agreement, we are currently required to maintain a leverage ratio (as defined in the agreements) of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and minimum interest coverage (as defined) of 3.00 to 1.00.

 

As of March 31, 2017, our leverage ratio was 2.30 to 1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 10.25 to 1.00. We may purchase our Common Stock or pay dividends to the extent our leverage ratio remains at or below 3.50 to 1.00, and may make acquisitions with cash provided our leverage ratio would not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 after giving pro forma effect to any such acquisition.

 

Indebtedness under each of the Prudential Agreement and the Credit Agreement is ranked equally in right of payment to all unsecured senior debt.

 

We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of March 31, 2017.

 

 

15. Fair-Value Measurements

 

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting principles establish a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. We had no Level 3 financial assets or liabilities at December 31, 2016 or March 31, 2017.

 

The following table presents the fair-value hierarchy for our Level 1 and Level 2 financial assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

	March 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs
(in thousands)	(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 1)			(Level 2)
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$8,146			$-			$8,468			$-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Foreign currency options	77			-			-			-
Other Assets:
Common stock of unaffiliated foreign public company	811	(a)		-			762	(a)		-
Interest rate swaps	-			6,588	(b)		-			5,784	(c)

(a)

Original cost basis $0.5 million

(b)

Net of $21.3 million receivable floating leg and $14.7 million liability fixed leg

(c)

Net of $21.4 million receivable floating leg and $15.6 million liability fixed leg

 

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

 

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

 

We operate our business in many regions of the world, and currency rate movements can have a significant effect on operating results. Foreign currency instruments are entered into periodically, and consist of foreign currency option contracts and forward contracts that are valued using quoted prices in active markets obtained from independent pricing sources. These instruments are measured using market foreign exchange prices and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Other current assets and Accounts payable, as applicable. Changes in fair value of these instruments are recorded as gains or losses within Other (income)/expenses, net.

 

 

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

 

Changes in exchange rates can result in revaluation gains and losses that are recorded in Selling, General and Administrative expenses or Other (income)/expenses, net. Revaluation gains and losses occur when our business units have cash, intercompany (recorded in Other (income)/expenses, net) or third-party trade (recorded in Selling, General and Administrative expenses) receivable or payable balances in a currency other than their local reporting (or functional) currency.

 

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

 

The interest rate swaps are accounted for as hedges of future cash flows. The fair value of our interest rate swaps are derived from a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the contract and the interest rate curve, and is included in Other assets and/or Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on the swaps flow through the caption Derivative valuation adjustment in the Shareholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets, to the extent that the hedges are highly effective. As of March 31, 2017, these interest rate swaps were determined to be highly effective hedges of interest rate cash flow risk. Any gains and losses related to the ineffective portion of the hedges will be recognized in the current period in earnings. Amounts accumulated in Other comprehensive income are reclassified as Interest expense, net when the related interest payments (that is, the hedged forecasted transactions), and amortization related to the swap buyouts, affect earnings. Interest expense related to the current swaps totaled $0.4 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2017 and $0.3 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2016. Additionally, interest expense related to the swap buyouts totaled $0.2 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2017.

 

Gains/(losses) related to changes in fair value of derivative instruments that were recognized in Other (income)/expenses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows:

 

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2017	2016
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign currency options	($54)	$205

 

 

16. Contingencies

 

Asbestos Litigation

 

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

 

We were defending 3,752 claims as of March 31, 2017.

 

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
2006	24,451	6,841	1,806	19,416	$3,879
2007	19,416	808	190	18,798	15
2008	18,798	523	110	18,385	52
2009	18,385	9,482	42	8,945	88
2010	8,945	3,963	188	5,170	159
2011	5,170	789	65	4,446	1,111
2012	4,446	90	107	4,463	530
2013	4,463	230	66	4,299	78
2014	4,299	625	147	3,821	437
2015	3,821	116	86	3,791	164
2016	3,791	148	102	3,745	758
As of March 31, 2017	3,745	13	20	3,752	$10

 

We anticipate that additional claims will be filed against the Company and related companies in the future, but are unable to predict the number and timing of such future claims.

 

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, we do not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to pending or future claims.

 

To date, almost 100% of settlement and defense costs have been paid by our insurance carrier. The Company’s insurer has confirmed the existence of approximately $2 million in remaining coverage under available primary policies, and $140 million in coverage under excess umbrella coverage policies, all of which should be available with respect to current and future asbestos claims.

 

Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. (“Brandon”), a subsidiary of Geschmay Corp., which is a subsidiary of the Company, is also a separate defendant in many of the asbestos cases in which Albany is named as a defendant. Brandon was defending against 7,706 claims as of March 31, 2017.

 

 

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
2006			9,566			1,182			730			9,114			$-
2007			9,114			462			88			8,740			-
2008			8,740			86			10			8,664			-
2009			8,664			760			3			7,907			-
2010			7,907			47			9			7,869			-
2011			7,869			3			11			7,877			-
2012			7,877			12			2			7,867			-
2013			7,867			55			3			7,815			-
2014			7,815			87			2			7,730			-
2015			7,730			18			1			7,713			-
2016			7,713			7			-			7,706			-
As of March 31, 2017			7,706			-			-			7,706			$-

 

We acquired Geschmay Corp., formerly known as Wangner Systems Corporation, in 1999. Brandon is a wholly owned subsidiary of Geschmay Corp. As of March 31, 2017, Brandon has resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 9,900 claims for a total of $0.2 million.

 

For the same reasons set forth above with respect to Albany’s claims, as well as the fact that no amounts have been paid to resolve any Brandon claims since 2001, we do not believe a meaningful estimate can be made regarding the range of possible loss with respect to these remaining claims.

 

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

 

 

17. Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

The following table summarizes changes in Shareholders’ Equity:

 

(in thousands)		Common Stock Class  A and B			Additional paid in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated items of other comprehensive income/(loss)			Treasury stock			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
December 31, 2016		$40			$425,953			$522,855			($184,189	)		($257,136	)		$3,767			$511,290
Net income		-			-			10,839			-			-			135			10,974
Compensation and benefits paid or payable in shares		-			989			-			-			-			-			989
Options exercised		-			75			-			-			-			-			75
Dividends declared		-			-			(5,467	)		-			-			-			(5,467	)
Cumulative translation adjustments		-			-			-			10,126			-			5			10,131
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments		-			-			-			(29	)		-			-			(29	)
Derivative valuation adjustment		-			-			-			630			-			-			630
March 31, 2017		$40			$427,017			$528,227			($173,462	)		($257,136	)		$3,907			$528,593

 

18. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, an accounting update was issued that replaces the existing revenue recognition framework regarding contracts with customers. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2018 and the Company is currently assessing the effects of the new standard. The new standard may result in earlier recognition of revenue in Machine Clothing due to the customized nature of our products. In Albany Engineered Composites, we use the units of delivery method for some contracts, which is considered an output method. Under the new standard, we expect that most of these contracts will be accounted for using an input method, which is expected to result in earlier recognition of revenue. However, we are currently unable to determine the full effect that the new standard will have on our financial statements. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years, and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The Company is continuing to evaluate the implementation approach to be used.

 

In January 2016, an accounting update was issued which requires entities to present separately in Other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk if the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. This accounting update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We have not determined the impact of this update on our financial statements.

 

In February 2016, an accounting update was issued which requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The update may significantly increase reported assets and liabilities. This accounting update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We have not determined the impact of this update on our financial statements.

 

In March 2016, an accounting update was issued which simplifies several aspects related to the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, statutory tax withholding requirements, and classification of excess tax benefits and cash paid to a tax authority in lieu of share issuances to employees on the statements of cash flows. The update also affects presentation in the Statements of Cash Flows of income tax effects of shares withheld for incentive compensation, and the exercise of stock options. We adopted this accounting update January 1, 2017 and it had an insignificant effect on income tax expense. The updates affecting the Statements of Cash Flows have been applied retrospectively as follows:

 

-

As a result of the change affecting cash payments of taxes in lieu of share issuance, operating cash flows for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 were increased $1.3 million and financing cash flows were decreased by the same amount.

 

 

-

As a result of the change affecting classification of excess tax benefits, operating cash flows for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 were increased $0.1 million and financing cash flows were decreased by the same amount.

 

In October 2016, an accounting update was issued which modifies the recognition of income tax effects on intracompany transfers of assets, other than inventory. This accounting update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We have not determined the effect of this update on our financial statements.

 

In November 2016, an accounting update was issued which provides clarification of how changes in restricted cash should be reported in the statement of cash flows. This accounting update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We do not expect this update to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In January 2017, an accounting update was issued which provides the definition of a business for the purposes of business combination accounting. This accounting update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied prospectively. Accordingly, there will be no effect on prior business combinations. We have not determined the impact of the update due to the absence of transactions that would be impacted.

 

In January 2017, an accounting update was issued which simplifies the process for determining the amount of goodwill impairment. This accounting update is required to be adopted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We have adopted this standard as of January 1, 2017 and do not expect that it will have any effect on the conclusions reached in our periodic goodwill impairment assessment.

 

In March 2017, an accounting update was issued which requires service cost for defined benefit pension and postretirement plans be reported in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Additionally, the other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. This accounting update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We expect that the principal effect of adopting this standard will be to reclassify a portion of our pension and postretirement costs to Other income/expense.

 

 

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

 

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

 

Forward-looking statements

 

This quarterly report and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this quarterly report contain statements concerning our 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,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “should” 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, (including, without limitation, those set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or prior Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) 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 industries in which our Machine Clothing and Albany Engineered Composites segments, along with the general risks associated with macroeconomic conditions;

 

●

In the Machine Clothing segment, declines in demand for paper in certain regions and market segments that continue at a rate that is greater than anticipated, and growth in demand in other segments or regions that is lower or slower than anticipated;

 

●

In the Albany Engineered Composites segment, unanticipated reductions in demand, delays, technical difficulties or cancellations in aerospace programs that are expected to drive growth;

 

●

Failure to achieve or maintain anticipated profitable growth in our Albany Engineered Composites segment; and

 

●

Other risks and uncertainties detailed 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 “Business Environment Overview and Trends” sections of this quarterly report, as well as in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Statements expressing our assessments of the growth potential of the Albany Engineered Composites segment are not intended as forecasts of actual future growth, and should not be relied on as such. While we believe such assessments to have a reasonable basis, such assessments are, by their nature, inherently uncertain. This report sets forth a number of assumptions regarding these assessments, including projected timing and volume of demand for aircraft and for LEAP aircraft engines. Such assumptions could prove incorrect. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our 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 our future performance. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this report are made on the basis of our assumptions and analyses, as of the time the statements are made, in light of our 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, we disclaim any obligations or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference in this report to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

Business Environment Overview and Trends

 

Our reportable segments, Machine Clothing (MC) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC), draw on the same advanced textiles and materials processing capabilities, and compete on the basis of proprietary, product-based advantage that is grounded in those core capabilities.

 

The MC segment is the Company’s long-established core business and primary generator of cash. While the paper and paperboard industry in our traditional geographic markets has suffered from well-documented declines in publication grades, the industry is still expected to grow slightly on a global basis, driven by demand for packaging and tissue grades, as well as the expansion of paper consumption and production in Asia and South America. We feel we are now well-positioned in these markets, with high-quality, low-cost production in growth markets, substantially lower fixed costs in mature markets, and continued strength in new product development, field services, and manufacturing technology. Because of pricing pressures and industry overcapacity, the machine clothing and paper industries will continue to face top line pressure. Nonetheless the business has potential for flat earnings in the future. It has been a significant generator of cash, and we seek to maintain the cash-generating potential of this business by maintaining the low costs that we achieved through restructuring, and competing vigorously by using our differentiated products and services to reduce our customers’ total cost of operation and improve their paper quality.

 

The AEC segment provides significant growth potential for our Company both near and long term. Our strategy is to grow by focusing our proprietary 3D-woven technology, as well as our conventional non-3D technology, on high-value aerospace and defense applications, while at the same time performing successfully on our portfolio of growth programs. AEC (including Albany Safran Composites, LLC (“ASC”), in which our customer SAFRAN Group owns a 10 percent noncontrolling interest) supplies a number of customers in the aerospace industry. AEC’s largest aerospace customer is the SAFRAN Group and sales to SAFRAN accounted for approximately 11% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2016. Through ASC, AEC develops and sells 3D-woven composite aerospace components to SAFRAN, with the most significant program at present being the production of fan blades and other components for the LEAP engine. AEC (through ASC) also supplies 3D-woven composite fan cases for the GE9X engine. AEC’s current portfolio of non-3D programs includes components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, fuselage components for the Boeing 787, components for the CH-53K helicopter, vacuum waste tanks for Boeing 7-Series aircraft, and missile bodies for Lockheed Martin’s JASSM air-to-surface missiles. AEC is actively engaged in research to develop new applications in the aircraft engine, airframes, and automotive markets.

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

On April 8, 2016, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of Harris Corporation’s composite aerostructures business for cash of $187 million, plus the assumption of certain liabilities. The acquired entity is part of the AEC segment.

 

 

The following table presents operational results of the acquired business that are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended March 31, 2017
Net sales		$20,200
Gross profit		2,245
Selling, technical, general and research expenses		(3,172	)
Operating loss		(2,626	)
Interest expense, net		(332	)
Loss before income taxes		(2,958	)

 

Net sales

  

The following table summarizes our net sales by business segment:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)		2017			2016			% Change
Machine Clothing		$142,827			$145,264			-1.7	%
Albany Engineered Composites		56,450			27,067			108.6	%
Total		$199,277			$172,331			15.6	%

 

Three month comparison

 

●

Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of decreasing net sales by $2.4 million during the first quarter of 2017 as compared to 2016.

●

Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates:

●

Net sales increased 17.0% compared to the same period in 2016.

●

Net sales in MC decreased 0.2%.

●

Net sales in AEC increased 109.5%.

●

MC net sales increased in tissue and packaging grades, but that increase was offset by lower sales in publication grade.

●

AEC sales increased $29.4 million, principally due to the SLC acquisition and growth in the LEAP program.

 

 

Gross Profit

 

The following table summarizes gross profit by business segment:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)		2017			2016
Machine Clothing		$69,220			$69,622
Albany Engineered Composites		6,833			3,121
Corporate expenses		(148	)		(242	)
Total		$75,905			$72,501
% of Net sales		38.1	%		42.1	%

 

Three month comparison

 

The increase in 2017 gross profit, as compared to the same period in 2016, was principally due to the net effect of the following individually significant items:

 

●

A slight decline in MC gross profit, principally due to lower sales.

●

Higher AEC gross profit, principally due to:

●

The acquired SLC business, which generated $2.2 million of gross profit in the first quarter of 2017.

●

Increased sales in the LEAP program.

 

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

 

The following table summarizes STG&R expenses by business segment:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)		2017			2016
Machine Clothing		$30,849			$31,785
Albany Engineered Composites		9,376			6,826
Corporate expenses		10,943			10,942
Total		$51,168			$49,553
% of Net sales		25.7	%		28.8	%

 

Three month comparison

 

The increase in STG&R expenses in 2017, compared to the same period in 2016 was principally due to the net effect of the following individually significant items:

 

●

Restructuring actions taken in 2016 reduced MC STG&R expenses by approximately $0.4 million.

●

In MC, revaluation of nonfunctional currency assets and liabilities resulted in first-quarter losses of $1.7 million in 2017 and $1.9 million in 2016.

●

Changes in currency translation rates reduced MC STG&R expenses by approximately $0.2 million.

●

STG&R expenses of the SLC business were $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2017.

 

 

●

Acquisition expenses increased Q1 2016 STG&R expenses by $1.6 million, while integration costs increased Q1 2017 STG&R expenses by $0.6 million.

 

Research and Development

 

The following table is a subset of the STG&R expenses table above and summarizes expenses associated with internally funded research and development by business segment:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Machine Clothing		$4,519			$4,337
Albany Engineered Composites		3,076			2,681
Total		7,595			7,018

 

Restructuring Expense

 

In addition to the items discussed above affecting gross profit, STG&R expenses, and operating income was affected by restructuring costs of $2.7 million in the first three months of 2017 and $0.7 million in the comparable period of 2016.

 

The following table summarizes restructuring expense by business segment:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Machine Clothing		$110			$698
Albany Engineered Composites		2,571			-
Corporate expenses		-			(19	)
Total		$2,681			$679

 

AEC incurred restructuring charges of $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2017, principally related to a reduction in personnel in SLC. Annual cost savings from these activities are estimated to be $4 million to $5 million, starting in the third quarter of 2017, and will principally affect STG&R expenses.

 

Machine Clothing restructuring costs in 2016 were principally related to plant closure costs in Göppingen, Germany.

 

For more information on our restructuring charges, see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Operating Income

 

The following table summarizes operating income/(loss) by business segment:

		Three months ended  March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Machine Clothing		$38,261			$37,139
Albany Engineered Composites		(5,114	)		(3,706	)
Corporate expenses		(11,091	)		(11,164	)
Total		$22,056			$22,269

 

Other Earnings Items

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Interest expense, net		$4,328			$2,238
Other expense/(income), net		204			(328	)
Income tax expense		6,550			7,043
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		135			(185	)

 

Interest Expense, net

 

Interest expense, net, increased $2.1 million in 2017 principally due to borrowings to fund the 2016 acquisition, and the interest associated with the capital lease obligation assumed in the acquisition. See the Capital Resources section for further discussion of borrowings and interest rates.

 

Other Income, net

 

The decrease in Other expense/(income), net included the following individually significant items:

 

●

Foreign currency revaluations of cash and intercompany balances resulted in first-quarter losses of $0.1 million in 2017 and gains of $0.5 million in 2016.

 

Income Tax

 

The Company has operations which constitute a taxable presence in 18 countries outside of the United States. All of these countries had income tax rates that were at or below the United States’ federal tax rate of 35% during the periods reported. The jurisdictional location of earnings is a significant component of our effective tax rate each year. The rate impact of this component is influenced by the specific location of non-U.S. earnings and the level of our total earnings. From period to period, the jurisdictional mix of earnings can vary as a result of operating fluctuations in the normal course of business, as well as the extent and location of other income and expense items, such as pension settlement and restructuring charges.

 

 

Three month comparison

 

The Company’s effective tax rates for the first quarter of 2017 and 2016 were 37.4% and 34.6%, respectively. The tax rate is affected by recurring items, such as the income tax rate in the U.S. and in non-U.S. jurisdictions and the mix of income earned in those jurisdictions. The tax rate is also affected by U.S. tax costs on foreign earnings that have been or will be repatriated to the U.S., and by discrete items that may occur in any given year but are not consistent from year to year.

 

Significant items that impacted the tax rates in the first quarter of 2017 included the following (percentages reflect the effect of each item as a percentage of Income before income taxes):

 

●

The income tax rate on continuing operations, excluding discrete items, was 32.6%.

●

A $0.9 million [4.8%] discrete income tax expense related to provisions for and settlements of income tax audits.

 

Significant items that impacted the first quarter of 2016 tax rate included the following:

 

●

The income tax rate on continuing operations, excluding discrete items, was 39.7%.

●

A ($0.8) million [4.1%] discrete income tax benefit related to provisions for and settlements of income tax audits.

●

A ($0.2) million [1.0%] net tax benefit due to changes in/establishment of uncertain tax positions.

 

Segment Results of Operations

 

Machine Clothing Segment

Business Environment and Trends

 

MC is our primary business segment and accounted for 72% of our consolidated revenues during the first three months of 2017. MC products are purchased primarily by manufacturers of paper and paperboard.

 

According to RISI, Inc., global production of paper and paperboard is expected to grow at an annual rate of approximately 2% over the next five years, driven primarily by secular demand increases in Asia and South America, with stabilization in the mature markets of Europe and North America.

 

Shifting demand for paper, across different paper grades as well as across geographical regions, continues to drive the elimination of papermaking capacity in areas with significant established capacity, primarily in the mature markets of Europe and North America. At the same time, the newest, most efficient machines are being installed in areas of growing demand, including Asia and South America generally, as well as tissue and towel paper grades in all regions. Recent technological advances in paper machine clothing, while contributing to the papermaking efficiency of customers, have lengthened the useful life of many of our products and had an adverse impact on overall paper machine clothing demand.

 

The Company’s manufacturing and product platforms position us well to meet these shifting demands across product grades and geographic regions. Our strategy for meeting these challenges continues to be to grow share in all markets, with new products and technology, and to maintain our manufacturing footprint to align with global demand, while we offset the effects of inflation through continuous productivity improvement.

 

We have incurred significant restructuring charges in recent periods as we reduced MC manufacturing capacity in the United States, Germany, France, Canada, and Sweden.

 

MC Review of Operations

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)		2017			2016
Net sales		$142,827			$145,264
Gross profit		69,220			69,622
% of net sales		48.5	%		47.9	%
STG&R expenses		30,849			31,785
Operating income		38,261			37,139

 

Net Sales

 

Three month comparison

 

●

Changes in currency translation rates had the effect of decreasing 2017 sales by $2.1 million.

●

Compared to the first quarter of 2016, MC net sales increased in tissue and packaging grades, but that increase was offset by lower sales in publication grades.

 

Gross Profit

 

Three month comparison

 

●

The slight decline in MC gross profit was principally due to lower sales.

 

Operating Income

 

Three month comparison

 

The increase in operating income was principally due to slightly lower STG&R and restructuring expenses.

 

Albany Engineered Composites Segment

Business Environment and Trends

 

The Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) segment, including Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC), in which our customer SAFRAN Group owns a 10 percent noncontrolling interest, provides highly engineered advanced composite structures to customers primarily in the aerospace and defense industries. AEC’s largest program relates to CFM International’s LEAP engine. AEC, through ASC, is the exclusive supplier of advanced composite fan blades and cases for this program under a long-term supply contract. Other significant AEC programs include components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, fuselage frame components for the Boeing 787, and the fan case for the GE9X engine. The AEC segment also includes the Company’s April 2016 acquisition of Harris Corporation’s composite aerostructures business for cash of $187 million, plus the assumption of certain liabilities.

 

 

AEC Review of Operations

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)		2017			2016
Net sales		$56,450			$27,067
Gross profit		6,833			3,121
% of net sales		12.1	%		11.5	%
STG&R expenses		9,376			6,826
Operating loss		(5,114	)		(3,706	)

 

Net Sales

 

Three month comparison

 

The increase in sales was principally due to the net effect of the following individually significant items:

 

●

AEC sales increased $29.4 million, of which $20.2 million was due to the acquired SLC business.

●

The remainder of the increase was principally due to growth in the LEAP program.

 

Gross Profit

 

Three month comparison

 

●

Gross profit increased $3.7 million, of which $2.2 million was due to the acquired SLC business.

●

The remainder of the increase was principally due to growth in the LEAP program.

  

Long-term contracts

 

AEC has contracts with certain customers, including its contract for the LEAP program, where revenue is determined by cost, plus a defined profit margin. Revenue earned under these arrangements accounted for approximately 45 percent and 60 percent of segment revenue for the first three months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

In addition, AEC has long-term contracts in which the total contract price is fixed. In accounting for those contracts, we estimate the profit margin expected at the completion of the contract and recognize a pro-rata share of that profit during the course of the contract using a cost-to-cost or units of delivery approach. Changes in estimated contract profitability will affect revenue and gross profit when the change occurs, which could have a significant favorable or unfavorable effect on revenue and gross profit in any reporting period.

 

Changes in contract estimates decreased gross profit by $0.7 million in the first three months of 2017 and increased gross profit by $0.4 million in 2016.

 

 

The value of fixed price contracts increased significantly in 2017 and 2016 due to the acquisition. The table below provides a summary of long-term fixed price contracts that were in process at the end of each period.

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Revenue earned during period on long-term contracts		$24,533			$4,526
Contracts in process:
Total value of contracts		508,598			21,701
Revenue recognized to date		77,202			11,502
Revenue to be recognized in future periods		431,396			10,199

 

Operating Loss

 

Three month comparison

 

●

The operating loss increased by $1.4 million, compared to the first quarter of 2016. The operating loss for the first quarter of 2016 includes $1.6 million of acquisition expenses.

●

The acquired SLC business had an operating loss of $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2017, including $1.7 million of restructuring expenses.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flow Summary

 

		Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)		2017			2016
Net income		$10,974			$13,316
Depreciation and amortization		17,293			14,820
Changes in working capital		(32,127	)		(25,375	)
Changes in other noncurrent liabilities and deferred taxes		(2,208	)		1,165
Other operating items		1,496			1,456
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities		(4,572	)		5,382
Net cash used in investing activities		(25,083	)		(8,075	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(11,205	)		(16,712	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,452			3,907
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(38,408	)		(15,498	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		181,742			185,113
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$143,334			$169,615

 

Operating activities

  

Cash flows from operating activities was a $4.6 million use of cash for the first three months of 2017, compared to $5.4 million of cash provided by operating activities for the same period of 2016. The decrease in 2017 was principally due to higher levels of inventory and contract receivables in the AEC segment, reflecting growth in key programs. Cash paid for income taxes was $9.1 million and $9.2 million for the first three months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

At March 31, 2017, we had $143.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, of which $129.6 million was held by subsidiaries outside of the United States. Cash held outside the U.S. includes $28.6 million which represents the amount of prior year earnings expected to be repatriated to the United States at some point in the future. The balance of cash held outside the U.S. is intended to be utilized by these non-U.S. operations for an indefinite period of time. Our current plans do not anticipate that we will need additional funds generated from foreign operations to fund our domestic operations or satisfy debt obligations in the United States. In the event that such funds were to be needed to fund operations in the U.S., and if associated accruals for U.S. tax have not already been provided, we would be required to accrue and pay additional U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds.

 

Investing Activities

 

Capital expenditures for the first quarter were $25.1 million in 2017 and $8.1 million in 2016. The increase in 2017 was primarily related to the ramp in AEC programs.

  

Financing Activities

 

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, we expect to pay such dividends out of operating cash flows. Future cash dividends will also depend on debt covenants and on the Board’s assessment of our ability to generate sufficient cash flows.

 

Capital Resources

 

We finance our business activities primarily with cash generated from operations and borrowings, largely through our revolving credit agreement as discussed below. Our subsidiaries outside of the United States may also maintain working capital lines with local banks, but borrowings under such local facilities tend not to be significant. Substantially all of our cash balance at March 31, 2017 was held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Based on cash on hand and credit facilities, we anticipate that the Company has sufficient capital resources to operate for the foreseeable future. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of March 31, 2017.

 

On April 8, 2016, we entered into a $550 million unsecured Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) which amended and restated the Prior $400 million Agreement, entered into on June 18, 2015 (the “Prior Agreement”). Under the Credit Agreement, $414 million of borrowings were outstanding as of March 31, 2017. The applicable interest rate for borrowings was LIBOR plus a spread, based on our leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. At the time of the last borrowing on March 24, 2017, the spread was 1.500%. The spread was based on a pricing grid, which ranged from 1.250% to 1.750%, based on our leverage ratio. Based on our maximum leverage ratio and our Consolidated EBITDA, and without modification to any other credit agreements, as of March 31, 2017, we would have been able to borrow an additional $136 million under the Agreement.

 

On May 6, 2016, we terminated our interest rate swap agreements that had effectively fixed the interest rate on up to $120 million of revolving credit borrowings, in order to enter into a new interest rate swap with a greater notional amount, and the same maturity as the Credit Agreement. We paid $5.2 million to terminate the swap agreements and that cost will be amortized into interest expense through June 2020.

 

On May 9, 2016, we entered into interest rate hedges for the period May 16, 2016 through March 16, 2021. These transactions have the effect of fixing the LIBOR portion of the effective interest rate (before addition of the spread) on $300 million of indebtedness drawn under the Credit Agreement at the rate of 1.245% during the period. Under the terms of these transactions, we pay the fixed rate of 1.245% and the counterparties pay a floating rate based on the one-month LIBOR rate at each monthly calculation date, which on March 16, 2017 was 0.930%, plus the applicable spread, during the swap period. On March 16, 2017, the all-in-rate on the $300 million of debt was 2.745%.

 

As of March 31, 2017, our leverage ratio was 2.30 to 1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 10.25 to 1.00. We may purchase our Common Stock or pay dividends to the extent our leverage ratio remains at or below 3.50 to 1.00, and may make acquisitions with cash provided our leverage ratio would not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 after giving pro forma effect to any such acquisition.

 

For more information, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of March 31, 2017, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The information set forth under Note 18 contained in Item 1, “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Non-GAAP Measures

 

This Form 10-Q contains certain non-GAAP metrics, including: percent change in net sales excluding currency rate effects (for each segment and the Company as a whole); EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (for each segment and the Company as a whole); net debt; and net income per share attributable to the Company, excluding adjustments. Such items are provided because management believes that, when reconciled from the GAAP items to which they relate, they provide additional useful information to investors regarding the Company’s operational performance.

 

Presenting increases or decreases in sales, after currency effects are excluded, can give management and investors insight into underlying sales trends. EBITDA, or net income with interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization added back, is a common indicator of financial performance used, among other things, to analyze and compare core profitability between companies and industries because it eliminates effects due to differences in financing, asset bases and taxes. An understanding of the impact in a particular quarter of specific restructuring costs, acquisition expenses, currency revaluation, or other gains and losses, on net income (absolute as well as on a per-share basis), operating income or EBITDA can give management and investors additional insight into core financial performance, especially when compared to quarters in which such items had a greater or lesser effect, or no effect. Restructuring expenses in the MC segment, while frequent in recent years, are reflective of significant reductions in manufacturing capacity and associated headcount in response to shifting markets, and not of the profitability of the business going forward as restructured. Net debt is, in the opinion of the Company, helpful to investors wishing to understand what the Company’s debt position would be if all available cash were applied to pay down indebtedness. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and net income per share, excluding adjustments, are performance measures that relate to the Company’s continuing operations.

 

 

Percent changes in net sales, excluding currency rate effects, 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 removing the following from Net income: Interest expense net, Income tax expense, and Depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by: adding to EBITDA costs associated with restructuring and pension settlement charges; adding (or subtracting) revaluation losses (or gains); subtracting (or adding) gains (or losses) from the sale of buildings or investments; subtracting insurance recovery gains; subtracting (or adding) Income (or loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest in Albany Safran Composites (ASC); and adding expenses related to the Company’s acquisition of Harris Corporation’s composite aerostructures division. Net income per share, excluding adjustments, is calculated by adding to (or subtracting from) net income attributable to the Company per share, on an after-tax basis: restructuring charges; discrete tax charges (or gains) and the effect of changes in the income tax rate; foreign currency revaluation losses (or gains); acquisition expenses; and losses (or gains) from the sale of investments.

 

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and net income per share, excluding adjustments, as defined by the Company, may not be similar to EBITDA measures of other companies. Such measures are not considered measurements under GAAP, and should be considered in addition to, but not as substitutes for, the information contained in the Company’s statements of income.

 

The following tables show the calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

Three months ended March 31, 2017
(in thousands)		Machine Clothing			AEC			Corporate expenses and other			Total Company
Operating income/(loss) (GAAP)		$38,261			($5,114	)		($11,091	)		$22,056
Interest, taxes, other income/expense		-			-			(11,082	)		(11,082	)
Net income/(loss)  (GAAP)		38,261			(5,114	)		(22,173	)		10,974
Interest expense, net		-			-			4,328			4,328
Income tax expense		-			-			6,550			6,550
Depreciation and amortization		8,287			7,804			1,202			17,293
EBITDA (non-GAAP)		46,548			2,690			(10,093	)		39,145
Restructuring expenses, net		110			2,571			-			2,681
Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses		1,663			98			102			1,863
Pretax income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in ASC		-			(171	)		-			(171	)
Adjusted EBITDA  (non-GAAP)		$48,321			$5,188			($9,991	)		$43,518

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2016
(in thousands)		Machine Clothing			AEC			Corporate expenses and other			Total Company
Operating income/(loss) (GAAP)		$37,139			($3,706	)		($11,164	)		$22,269
Interest, taxes, other income/expense		-			-			(8,953	)		(8,953	)
Net income/(loss)  (GAAP)		37,139			(3,706	)		(20,117	)		13,316
Interest expense, net		-			-			2,238			2,238
Income tax expense		-			-			7,043			7,043
Depreciation and amortization		9,318			3,395			2,107			14,820
EBITDA (non-GAAP)		46,457			(311	)		(8,729	)		37,417
Restructuring expenses, net		698			-			(19	)		679
Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses		1,890			5			(477	)		1,418
Acquisition expenses		-			1,596			-			1,596
Pretax loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest in ASC		-			187			-			187
Adjusted EBITDA  (non-GAAP)		$49,045			$1,477			($9,225	)		$41,297

 

The Company discloses certain income and expense items on a per-share basis. The Company believes that such disclosures provide important insight into underlying quarterly earnings and are financial performance metrics commonly used by investors. The Company calculates the quarterly per-share amount for items included in continuing operations by using the income tax rate based on income from continuing operations and the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for each period. Year-to-date earnings per-share effects are determined by adding the amounts calculated at each reporting period.

 

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

 

Three months ended March 31, 2017		Pre tax			Tax			After tax			Per Share
(in thousands, except per share amounts)		Amounts			Effect			Effect			Effect
Restructuring expenses, net		$2,681			$979			$1,702			$0.05
Foreign currency revaluation losses		1,863			680			1,183			0.04
Expenses related to integration of acquired business		589			224			365			0.01
Net discrete income tax charge		-			831			831			0.03

 

Three months ended March 31, 2016		Pre tax			Tax			After tax			Per Share
(in thousands, except per share amounts)		Amounts			Effect			Effect			Effect
Restructuring expenses, net		$679			$270			$409			$0.01
Foreign currency revaluation losses		1,418			563			855			0.03
Acquisition expenses		1,596			575			1,021			0.03
Net discrete income tax charge		-			1,033			1,033			0.03

 

 

The following table contains the calculation of net income per share attributable to the Company, excluding adjustments:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
Per share amounts (Basic)		2017			2016
Net income attributable to the Company  (GAAP)		$0.34			$0.42
Adjustments:
Restructuring expenses, net		0.05			0.01
Discrete tax charges/(benefit)		0.03			(0.03	)
Foreign currency revaluation losses		0.04			0.03
Acquisition expenses		-			0.03
Net income attributable to the Company, excluding adjustments  (non-GAAP)		$0.46			$0.46

 

The following table contains the calculation of AEC Adjusted EBITDA margin:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
Per share amounts (Basic)		2017			2016
AEC Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)		$5,188			$1,477
AEC Net sales (GAAP)		56,450			27,067
AEC Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP)		9.2	%		5.5	%

 

The following table contains the calculation of net debt:

 

(in thousands)		March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016			March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Notes and loans payable		$274			$312			$590			$587
Current maturities of long-term debt		51,699			51,666			16			16
Long-term debt		428,477			432,918			255,076			265,080
Total debt		480,450			484,896			255,682			265,683
Cash and cash equivalents		143,333			181,742			169,615			185,113
Net debt		$337,117			$303,154			$86,067			$80,570

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

For discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”, which is included as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q.

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

a)

Disclosure controls and procedures.

 

The principal executive officer and principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective for ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in filed or submitted reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The scope of the Company’s assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures does not include any disclosure controls and procedures of Albany Aerostructures Composites LLC which was acquired in April 2016. This exclusion is in accordance with the SEC’s general guidance that a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of the assessment for one year from the date of acquisition.

 

Remediation Plans for Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

In the fourth quarter of 2016, and as previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as described below:

 

The Company did not establish effective reporting lines, appropriate authorities, responsibilities and monitoring activities for financial reporting processes and internal controls, as well as the assignment of banking signatory authorities, limits and responsibilities, at its subsidiary in Japan and certain other foreign locations. As a result, the Company lacked effective written entity and process level controls over initiation, authorization, processing and recording of transactions and safeguarding of assets managed by a third party service provider at the Japan location. In addition, the Company did not have effective management review controls over the assessment of a potential reserve for a loss contract due to a failure to understand and document the design requirements and operation of an effective management review control.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2016, we commenced active steps towards remediating the material weaknesses. These efforts include:

 

(a)

a review of financial reporting processes relating to the subsidiary in Japan, and enhancements and additions to the internal controls for that entity;

 

(b)

increasing senior financial and accounting management monitoring of financial reporting at smaller Company locations, establishing effective reporting lines, and appropriate authorities, and responsibilities and monitoring for financial reporting activities, and assignment of banking signatory authorities, limits and responsibilities at such locations;

 

(c)

Enhancing management review controls and procedures for the assessment of potential reserves for loss contracts and additional training regarding the required documentation of design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

 

We are working to remediate the material weaknesses as quickly and efficiently as possible and believe that such efforts will effectively remediate the reported material weaknesses by the end of 2017. However, the material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the remediated controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.

 

 

Notwithstanding the material weaknesses described above, our management has concluded that the financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(b)

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

 

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company completed the cutover of its Salt Lake City operations to SAP. Further, the Company is completing the implementation of internal control over financial reporting at the Salt Lake City operation, which will result in additional changes in internal controls in the second quarter of 2017. Such changes will be disclosed as required by applicable SEC guidance.

 

Other than the items noted above, no changes occurred in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The information set forth above under Note 16 in Item 1, “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes in risks since December 31, 2016. For discussion of risk factors, refer to Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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

 

We made no share purchases during the first quarter of 2017. We remain authorized by the Board of Directors to purchase up to 2 million shares of our Class A Common Stock.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

Description

 

31.1

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

 

31.2

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

 

32.1

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

 

99.1

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks as reported at March 31, 2017.

 

101

The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, formatted in extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), filed herewith:

 

(i)

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

(ii)

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

(iii)

Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

 

(iv)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

(v)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

		ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
	(Registrant)
Date: May 5, 2017

 

	By	/s/ John B. Cozzolino
		John B. Cozzolino
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

EXHIBIT (31.1)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULE 13A-14 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Joseph G. Morone, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Albany International Corp.;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 5, 2017

	By	/s/ Joseph G. Morone
		Joseph G. Morone
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

EXHIBIT (31.2)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULE 13A-14 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, John B. Cozzolino, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Albany International Corp.;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 5, 2017

	By	/s/ John B. Cozzolino
		John B. Cozzolino
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

EXHIBIT (32.1)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Albany International Corp. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), Joseph G. Morone, President and Chief Executive Officer, and John B. Cozzolino, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: May 5, 2017

		/s/ Joseph G. Morone
		Joseph G. Morone
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

		/s/ John B. Cozzolino
		John B. Cozzolino
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

 

  

EXHIBIT (99.1)

MARKET RISK SENSITIVITY – AS OF March 31, 2017

We have 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.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

We have manufacturing plants and sales transactions worldwide and therefore are 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, we periodically enter 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 nonfunctional currencies subject to potential loss amount to approximately $426.2 million. The potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates amounts to $42.6 million. Furthermore, related to foreign currency transactions, we have exposure to various nonfunctional currency balances totaling $100.4 million. This amount includes, on an absolute basis, exposures to assets and liabilities held in currencies other than our local entity’s functional currency. On a net basis, we had $71.0 million of foreign currency liabilities as of March 31, 2017. As currency rates change, these nonfunctional 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 $7.1 million. Actual results may differ.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are exposed to interest rate fluctuations with respect to our variable rate debt, depending on general economic conditions.

 

On March 31, 2017, we had the following variable rate debt:

 

(in thousands, except interest rates)
Short-term debt
Notes payable, end of period interest rate of 1.410%		$274
Long-term debt
Credit agreement with borrowings outstanding, net of fixed rate portion, at an end of period interest rate of 2.341% in 2017, due in 2021		114,000
Total		$114,274

 

Assuming borrowings were outstanding for an entire year, an increase of one percentage point in weighted average interest rates would increase interest expense by $1.1 million. To manage interest rate risk, we may periodically enter into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rates on variable debt to a specific rate for a period of time. (See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, which is incorporated herein by reference).