Looking Ahead
          Mr. Schmeler continued, “In the Engineered Fabrics segment, we are seeing some early signs of slowing paper and paperboard demand in North America. However, other global paper and paperboard markets appear unchanged for the near term.  Due to our strong order backlog and strategies for growth, we are optimistic about the next two quarters.  We will continue to generate growth by concentrating on the areas under our control, including efficiency improvements and new products that deliver value for our customers.

          “Albany Door Systems will continue to focus on growth by targeting new market segments with value-added products and with high-performance doors designed for specific applications.  We expect continued growth in North America as the distribution channels improve.  In Europe and Asia, we expect some moderate improvement as we launch strategies for new products in growing markets.

          “Applied Technologies will benefit from new product development in several product lines.  Increased sales, combined with the benefits of efficiency gains, should provide continued earnings growth in the second half.

          “In all of our business segments, we had a good second quarter and first six months of 2005 because demand for our products and services was strong, and we continued to control our costs and improve efficiencies.  Increased costs resulting from higher energy prices will continue to impact our operations, but are not expected to exceed the $12 million annual increase previously announced.

          “For the remainder of 2005, we are cautiously optimistic about our growth prospects.  Our growth strategies include the continued focus on important value drivers for our customers, which improve their operations and increase their profitability.  In doing so, we believe we are providing superior value to our customers and creating value for our shareholders.”

          The Company plans a live webcast to discuss second-quarter 2005 financial results on Friday, July 22, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  For access, go to http://www.albint.com.

          Albany International is the world’s largest producer of paper machine clothing and high-performance doors with manufacturing plants strategically located to serve its global customers.  Additional information about the Company and its businesses and products is available at http://www.albint.com.

          This release contains certain items that may be considered to be non-GAAP financial measures.  Such items are provided because management believes that, when presented together with the GAAP items to which they relate, they can provide additional useful information to investors regarding the registrant’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

          The effect of changes in currency translation rates is calculated by converting amounts reported in local currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of a prior period.  That amount is then compared to the U.S. dollar amount reported in the current period.

          Forward-looking statements in this release or in the webcast, including statements about future economic conditions, energy costs, growth, sales and earnings, cash flows, derivatives, pricing, markets, new products, paper industry outlook, capital expenditures, tax rates, and depreciation and amortization are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic conditions affecting the paper industry and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.