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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarter ended:  June 30, 2002

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from             to            

 

Commission file number:  0-16214

 

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

14-0462060

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

1373 Broadway, Albany, New York

 

12204

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

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

 

 

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 ý No o

 

The registrant had 26,552,702 shares of Class A Common Stock and 5,736,476 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2002.

 

 



 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

 

INDEX

 

Part 1 Financial Information

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

 

Consolidated statements of income and retained earnings - three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

 

 

 

Consolidated balance sheets - June 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001

 

 

 

Consolidated statements of cash flows - six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

 

 

 

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

Item 2.  Financial Review

 

 

Part II Other Information

 

 

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 



 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS

(unaudited)

 

(In thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months ended
June 30,

 

Six Months ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

203,937

 

$

207,078

 

$

395,723

 

$

415,616

 

Cost of goods sold

 

117,505

 

121,184

 

228,832

 

242,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

86,432

 

85,894

 

166,891

 

173,019

 

Selling, technical, general and research expenses

 

61,348

 

60,844

 

119,495

 

117,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

25,084

 

25,050

 

47,396

 

55,771

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,209

 

7,746

 

8,636

 

16,732

 

Other (income/expense, net

 

(622

)

1,227

 

3,731

 

2,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

21,497

 

16,077

 

35,029

 

36,616

 

Income taxes

 

7,524

 

5,333

 

12,260

 

13,548

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before associated companies

 

13,973

 

10,744

 

22,769

 

23,068

 

Equity in earnings of associated companies

 

(15

)

124

 

63

 

133

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

13,958

 

10,868

 

22,832

 

23,201

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of taxes

 

(5,837

)

 

(5,837

)

(1,129

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

8,121

 

10,868

 

16,995

 

22,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings, beginning of period

 

352,560

 

325,843

 

345,273

 

314,639

 

Dividends declared

 

(1,621

)

 

(3,208

)

 

Retained earnings, end of period

 

$

359,060

 

$

336,711

 

$

359,060

 

$

336,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

0.43

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.75

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

(0.18

)

0.00

 

(0.18

)

(0.04

)

Net Income

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

0.43

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.74

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

(0.18

)

0.00

 

(0.18

)

(0.03

)

Net Income

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average number of shares used in basic earnings per share computations

 

32,214

 

31,027

 

31,913

 

30,937

 

Average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share computations

 

32,846

 

31,370

 

32,568

 

31,173

 

 

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

 

1



 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

June 30,
2002

 

December 31,
2001

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

45,319

 

$

6,153

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

150,013

 

143,156

 

Note receivable

 

18,259

 

21,103

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

95,254

 

97,789

 

Work in process

 

51,782

 

46,638

 

Raw material and supplies

 

31,837

 

29,649

 

 

 

178,873

 

174,076

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred taxes

 

19,139

 

16,170

 

Prepaid expenses

 

7,090

 

5,288

 

Total current assets

 

418,693

 

365,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

342,487

 

339,102

 

Investments in associated companies

 

4,418

 

4,374

 

Intangibles

 

15,690

 

15,395

 

Goodwill

 

131,385

 

127,944

 

Deferred taxes

 

48,111

 

48,539

 

Other assets

 

28,741

 

30,629

 

Total assets

 

$

989,525

 

$

931,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Notes and loans payable

 

$

18,713

 

$

28,786

 

Accounts payable

 

30,532

 

42,555

 

Accrued liabilities

 

83,214

 

87,924

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

3,617

 

4,837

 

Income taxes payable and deferred

 

27,093

 

21,970

 

Total current liabilities

 

163,169

 

186,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

248,502

 

248,146

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

166,461

 

156,055

 

Deferred taxes and other credits

 

27,838

 

25,012

 

Total liabilities

 

605,970

 

615,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 28,746,495 in 2002 and 27,711,738 in 2001

 

29

 

28

 

Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share;

 

 

 

 

 

authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,736,476 in 2002 and 5,867,476 in 2001

 

6

 

6

 

Additional paid in capital

 

253,290

 

234,213

 

Retained earnings

 

359,060

 

345,273

 

Accumulated items of other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Translation adjustments

 

(158,542

)

(194,950

)

Derivative valuation adjustment

 

(10,685

)

(8,248

)

Pension liability adjustment

 

(14,027

)

(14,027

)

 

 

429,131

 

362,295

 

Less treasury stock (Class A), at cost (2,193,793 shares in 2002 and 2,197,186 shares in 2001)

 

45,576

 

45,651

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

383,555

 

316,644

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

989,525

 

$

931,929

 

 

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

 

2



 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

16,995

 

$

22,072

 

Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of associated companies

 

(63

)

(133

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

25,499

 

28,940

 

Provision for deferred income taxes, other credits and long-term liabilities

 

(401

)

2,262

 

Provision for impairment of goodwill

 

5,837

 

 

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance

 

(1,340

)

(1,334

)

Unrealized currency transaction losses/(gains)

 

115

 

(553

)

(Gain)/Loss on disposition of assets

 

(2,971

)

27

 

Shares contributed to ESOP

 

2,736

 

2,953

 

Tax benefit of options exercised

 

1,643

 

407

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(5,780

)

19,478

 

Sale of accounts receivable

 

(1,076

)

 

Note receivable

 

2,844

 

 

Inventories

 

(4,798

)

6,718

 

Prepaid expenses

 

(1,802

)

621

 

Accounts payable

 

(10,727

)

(11,022

)

Accrued liabilities

 

(1,731

)

(3,222

)

Income taxes payable

 

4,969

 

3,007

 

Other, net

 

2,625

 

274

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

32,574

 

70,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(11,420

)

(11,560

)

Purchased software

 

(270

)

(473

)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

3,789

 

33

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(7,901

)

(12,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

37,661

 

26,682

 

Principal payments on debt

 

(48,558

)

(76,335

)

Dividends paid

 

(3,208

)

 

Proceeds from options exercised

 

14,683

 

3,174

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

578

 

(46,479

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash flows

 

13,915

 

(12,866

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

39,166

 

(850

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

6,153

 

5,359

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

45,319

 

$

4,509

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements

 

3



 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.  Management Opinion

 

In the opinion of management the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal, recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods.  The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2001.  Certain prior period data has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

2.  Accounting Changes

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 (FAS No. 142), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. FAS No. 142 changed the accounting for goodwill from an amortization method to an impairment-only approach.  An initial transition impairment test of goodwill was required as of January 1, 2002.  The Company completed this initial transition impairment test during the second quarter of 2002, which resulted in a non-cash charge of $5.8 million to write-off the carrying value of goodwill in the Applied Technologies business segment. This charge has been reflected as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and retained earnings. There is no tax effect from this charge.

 

For purposes of applying FAS No. 142, the Company has determined that the reporting units are consistent with the operating segments identified in Note 6, Operating Segment Data.  Fair values of the reporting units and the related implied fair values of their respective goodwill were established using public company analysis and discounted cash flows.

 

The Company is continuing to amortize certain patents and trade names that have finite lives.

 

The changes in intangible assets and goodwill from December 31, 2001 to June 30, 2002 were as follows

(in thousands):

 

 

 

Balance at
December 31, 2001

 

Transition
Impairment

 

Year to Date
Amortization

 

Foreign
Exchange/
Other

 

Balance at
June 30, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortizable Intangible Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents

 

$

3,091

 

 

$

158

 

$

302

 

$

3,235

 

Trade Names

 

3,398

 

 

250

 

401

 

3,549

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

6,489

 

 

 

408

 

 

703

 

 

6,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Pension Costs

 

8,906

 

 

 

 

8,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Intangibles

 

$

15,395

 

 

$

408

 

$

703

 

$

15,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unamortized Intangible Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

127,944

 

$

(5,837

)

 

$

9,278

 

$

131,385

 

 

4



 

As of June 30, 2002, the remaining goodwill included $108.3 million in the Engineered Fabrics segment and $23.1 million in the Albany Door Systems segment.

 

Amortization expense relating to intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2002 was $0.4 million.  Estimated amortization expense (in thousands) for the years ending December 31, 2002 through 2006 is as follows:

 

Year

 

Annual
Amortization

 

2002

 

$

800

 

2003

 

800

 

2004

 

800

 

2005

 

800

 

2006

 

800

 

 

The following table shows the effect on net income had FAS No. 142 been adopted in the prior period

(in thousands, except per share amounts) :

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June

 

Three Months Ended
June

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income as reported

 

$

16,995

 

$

22,072

 

$

8,121

 

$

10,868

 

Add back amortization of goodwill

 

 

3,400

 

 

1,700

 

Adjusted Net Income

 

$

16,995

 

$

25,472

 

$

8,121

 

$

12,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share-basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income as reported

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.35

 

Add back amortization of goodwill

 

 

.11

 

 

.06

 

Adjusted Net Income

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.82

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share-diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income as reported

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.35

 

Add back amortization of goodwill

 

 

.11

 

 

.05

 

Adjusted net income

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.82

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.40

 

 

3.              Other Expense, Net

 

Other Expense/(income) items consists of:

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

Currency transactions

 

$

(298

)

$

(847

)

$

(2,410

)

$

91

 

Debts costs

 

965

 

1,099

 

524

 

515

 

Securitization program

 

1,169

 

 

462

 

 

Derivative adjustment

 

(102

)

993

 

(162

)

226

 

Other miscellaneous expenses

 

1,997

 

1,178

 

964

 

395

 

Total

 

$

3,731

 

$

2,423

 

$

(622

)

$

1,227

 

 

5



 

4.  Earnings Per Share

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income available to common stockholders

 

$

16,995

 

$

22,072

 

$

8,121

 

$

10,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in calculating net income per share

 

31,913

 

30,937

 

32,214

 

31,027

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

655

 

236

 

632

 

343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in calculating diluted net income per share

 

32,568

 

31,173

 

32,846

 

31,370

 

 

In February and May 2002, the Board of Directors declared cash dividends of $0.05 per share.

 

5.  Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

 

Total comprehensive income/(loss) consists of:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

Net income

 

$

16,995

 

$

22,072

 

$

8,121

 

$

10,868

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

36,408

 

(31,615

)

34,008

 

(3,894

)

Interest rate swap transition adjustment as of January 1, 2001, net of tax

 

 

(4,888

)

 

 

Current period (decrease)/increase in fair values of interest rate swaps, net of tax

 

(2,437

)

(643

)

(4,580

3,494

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

50,966

 

$

(15,074

)

$

37,549

 

$

10,468

 

 

6



 

6.  Operating Segment Data

 

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

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineered Fabrics

 

$

332,474

 

$

344,470

 

$

170,983

 

$

170,901

 

Albany Door Systems

 

41,886

 

46,973

 

22,119

 

23,498

 

Applied Technologies

 

21,363

 

24,173

 

10,835

 

12,679

 

Consolidated Total

 

$

395,723

 

$

415,616

 

$

203,937

 

$

207,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineered Fabrics

 

$

77,163

 

$

81,956

 

$

40,267

 

$

38,402

 

Albany Door Systems

 

276

 

3,806

 

163

 

1,717

 

Applied Technologies

 

3,139

 

1,159

 

1,753

 

(89

)

Research expense

 

(12,331

)

(11,702

)

(6,048

)

(6,082

)

Unallocated expenses

 

(20,851

)

(19,448

)

(11,051

)

(8,898

)

Operating income before reconciling items

 

47,396

 

55,771

 

25,084

 

25,050

 

Reconciling items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(8,636

)

(16,732

)

(4,209

)

(7,746

)

Other expense, net

 

(3,731

)

(2,423

)

622

 

(1,227

)

Consolidated income before income taxes

 

$

35,029

 

$

36,616

 

$

21,497

 

$

16,077

 

 

With the exception of a non-cash charge of $5.8 million to write-off the carrying value of goodwill in Applied Technologies, there was no material change in the total assets of the reportable segments during the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

 

7.  Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2002 was 35%.   During the second quarter of 2001, the Company changed its estimated annual tax rate from 40% to 37% which caused the effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2001 to be approximately 33%. The lower tax rates are principally due to improvements in the tax efficiency of the Company’s global operations and the change in goodwill accounting.

 

8.              Contingencies

 

Albany International Corp. (“Albany”) and its affiliate, Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. (“Brandon”), are defendants in a number of proceedings for injuries allegedly suffered as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products.

 

Albany marketed asbestos-containing dryer fabrics during the period from 1967 to 1976.  Such fabrics generally had a life of from three to twelve months.  At August 2, 2002, there were 9,405 claims pending against Albany, compared to 8,934 claims pending as of May 3, 2002, 7,347 claims as of December 31, 2001,  1,997 claims as of December 31, 2000, and 2,276 claims as of December 31, 1999.  While Albany believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims, it has settled certain of these cases for amounts it considers reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each case.  Albany’s insurer, Liberty Mutual, has defended each case under a standard reservation of rights.  As of August 2, 2002, Albany had resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 2,216 asbestos-related personal injury claims for $1,178,500.  Of this amount,

 

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$1,143,500, or 97%, was paid by Liberty Mutual.  Albany has over $130 million in confirmed insurance coverage that should be available with respect to current and future asbestos claims, as well as additional insurance coverage that it should be able to access.

 

Brandon, a subsidiary of Geschmay Corp., is also a separate defendant in most of these cases.  Brandon was defending against 7,597 claims as of August 2, 2002, compared to 9,380 claims as of May 3, 2002, 8,759 claims as of December 31, 2001, 3,598 claims as of December 31, 2000 and 1,887 claims as of December 31, 1999.  The Company acquired Geschmay Corp., formerly known as Wangner Systems Corporation, in 1999. Brandon did not manufacture asbestos-containing products, but acquired certain assets in 1978 from Abney Mills, which had previously manufactured and sold asbestos-containing dryer felts.  Because Brandon did not manufacture asbestos-containing products, and because it does not believe that it was the legal successor to, or otherwise responsible for obligations of, Abney Mills with respect to products manufactured by Abney Mills, it believes it has strong defenses to the claims that have been asserted against it.  In some instances, plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed claims against it, while in others it has entered into what it considers to be reasonable settlements.  As of August 2, 2002, Brandon had resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 2,491 claims for a total of $152,499.  Brandon’s insurance carriers have agreed to indemnification and defense costs related to these proceedings of 88.2% of the total, subject to the standard reservation of rights.  The remaining 11.8% is being sought from an insurance company that denies that it issued a policy.  Brandon’s internal records demonstrate otherwise, and Brandon has filed suit against this company as well as its other carriers.  Based on advice of counsel, Brandon is confident that it will prevail in establishing 100% indemnification and defense cost coverage.

 

The Company believes that all asbestos-related claims against it are without merit.  Based upon its understanding of the insurance policies available, how settlement amounts have been allocated to various policies, recent settlement experience, the absence of any judgments against the Company, and the defenses available, the Company currently does not anticipate any material liability relating to the resolution of the above proceedings in excess of existing insurance limits.  Consequently, the Company does not believe, based upon currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Although the Company cannot predict the number and timing of future claims, based upon the foregoing factors and the trends in claims against it to date, the Company does not anticipate that additional claims likely to be filed in the future will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  However, the Company is aware that litigation is inherently uncertain, especially when the outcome is dependent primarily on determinations of factual matters to be made by juries.  The Company is also aware that numerous other defendants in asbestos cases, as well as others who claim to have knowledge and expertise on the subject, have found it difficult to anticipate the volume of future asbestos claims.  For these reasons, there can be no assurance that the foregoing conclusions will not change.

 

The Company anticipates that additional claims will be filed against it in the future but is unable to predict the timing and number of such future claims.

 

Stockholders and other interested persons are encouraged to read the discussion of these matters set forth in Part II, Legal Proceedings, on pages 16 – 17 of this Form 10-Q.

 

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9.  Restructuring

 

Pursuant to previously announced restructuring initiatives, during the six months ended June 30, 2002, the Company terminated 362 employees.  Restructuring reserves decreased from $24.5 million at December 31, 2001 to $18.7 million at June 30, 2002 principally due to amounts paid to employees terminated.

 

In June 2002, the Company recorded additional expense of $3.0 million for restructuring initiatives announced in 2001.  These additional costs primarily related to termination benefits.  Also in June 2002, the Company recorded a gain of $3.0 million related to the sale of a portion of the Company’s manufacturing facility in Mexico.  Both of these items are included in cost of goods sold.

 

10.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections as of April 2002”.  This Standard addresses a number of items related to leases and other matters. The Company is required to adopt this Standard as of January 1, 2003.  The Company does not expect the adoption of FAS No. 145 to have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

In June 2002, the FASB issued FAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”.  This Standard addresses the recognition, measurement and reporting of costs that are associated with exit or disposal activities.  FAS No. 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002.  The Company does not expect the adoption of FAS No. 146 to have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2002

 

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

 

FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Assumptions

 

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

 

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

 

The Company has interest rate swap agreements that fix the rate of interest on $200 million of the Company’s debt.  The Company has determined that the swaps qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with GAAP, and accordingly, changes in the fair value of these swaps are recorded in shareholders’ equity in the caption, “Derivative valuation adjustment”.  Future events, such as a change in the Company’s underlying debt arrangements, could require that the Company record changes in fair value in earnings.  The Company values these swaps by estimating the cost of entering into one or more inverse swap transactions that would neutralize the original transactions.  As of June 30, 2002, the pre-tax cost to neutralize the original swap transactions would have been approximately $15.1 million.

 

During 2001, the Company entered into a trade accounts receivable securitization program whereby it sells designated North American accounts receivable, with no recourse.  The accounts receivable are sold on an ongoing basis to a subsidiary of the Company which is a qualified special purpose entity and, in accordance with GAAP, is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements.  As of June 30, 2002, the Company had sold accounts receivable of $62.8 million and received cash of $42.4 million plus a note receivable.  If the securitization program were terminated, the Company might need to borrow from its existing credit facilities for working capital requirements.

 

Albany International Corp. (“Albany”) and its affiliate, Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. (“Brandon”), are defendants in a number of proceedings for injuries allegedly suffered as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products.  Albany marketed asbestos-containing dryer fabrics during the period from 1967 to 1976.  Such fabrics generally had a life of from three to twelve months.  At August 2, 2002, there were 9,405 claims pending against Albany, compared to 8,934 claims pending as of May 3, 2002, 7,347 claims as of December 31, 2001,  1,997 claims as of December 31, 2000, and 2,276 claims as of December 31, 1999.  While Albany believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims, it has settled certain of these cases for amounts it considers reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each case.  Albany’s insurer, Liberty Mutual, has defended each case under a standard reservation of rights.  As of August 2, 2002, Albany had resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 2,216 asbestos-related personal injury claims for $1,178,500.  Of this amount, $1,143,500, or 97%, was paid by Liberty Mutual.  Albany has over $130 million in confirmed insurance

 

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coverage that should be available with respect to current and future asbestos claims, as well as additional insurance coverage that it should be able to access.

 

Brandon, a subsidiary of Geschmay Corp., is also a separate defendant in most of these cases.  Brandon was defending against 7,597 claims as of August 2, 2002, compared to 9,380 claims as of May 3, 2002, 8,759 claims as of December 31, 2001, 3,598 claims as of December 31, 2000 and 1,887 claims as of December 31, 1999.  The Company acquired Geschmay Corp., formerly known as Wangner Systems Corporation, in 1999. Brandon did not manufacture asbestos-containing products, but acquired certain assets in 1978 from Abney Mills, which had previously manufactured and sold asbestos-containing dryer felts.  Because Brandon did not manufacture asbestos-containing products, and because it does not believe that it was the legal successor to, or otherwise responsible for obligations of, Abney Mills with respect to products manufactured by Abney Mills, it believes it has strong defenses to the claims that have been asserted against it.  In some instances, plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed claims against it, while in others it has entered into what it considers to be reasonable settlements.  As of August 2, 2002, Brandon had resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 2,491 claims for a total of $152,499.  Brandon’s insurance carriers have agreed to indemnification and defense costs related to these proceedings of 88.2% of the total, subject to the standard reservation of rights.  The remaining 11.8% is being sought from an insurance company that denies that it issued a policy.  Brandon’s internal records demonstrate otherwise, and Brandon has filed suit against this company as well as its other carriers.  Based on advice of counsel, Brandon is confident that it will prevail in establishing 100% indemnification and defense cost coverage.

 

The Company believes that all asbestos-related claims against it are without merit.  Based upon its understanding of the insurance policies available, how settlement amounts have been allocated to various policies, recent settlement experience, the absence of any judgments against the Company, and the defenses available, the Company currently does not anticipate any material liability relating to the resolution of the above proceedings in excess of existing insurance limits.  Consequently, the Company does not believe, based upon currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Although the Company cannot predict the number and timing of future claims, based upon the foregoing factors and the trends in claims against it to date, the Company does not anticipate that additional claims likely to be filed in the future will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  However, the Company is aware that litigation is inherently uncertain, especially when the outcome is dependent primarily on determinations of factual matters to be made by juries.  The Company is also aware that numerous other defendants in asbestos cases, as well as others who claim to have knowledge and expertise on the subject, have found it difficult to anticipate the volume of future asbestos claims.  For these reasons, there can be no assurance that the foregoing conclusions will not change.

 

The Company anticipates that additional claims will be filed against it in the future but is unable to predict the timing and number of such future claims.

 

Stockholders and other interested persons are encouraged to read the discussion of these matters set forth in Part II, Legal Proceedings, on pages 16 – 17 of this Form 10-Q.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

 

Net sales decreased to $203.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2002 as compared to $207.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001.  The effect of currency translation rates increased net sales $2.4 million.  Excluding the effects of currency translation, 2002 net sales were down 2.7% as compared to 2001.

 

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Net sales decreased to $395.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002 as compared to $415.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001.  The effect of currency translation rates decreased net sales $1.4 million.  Excluding the effects of currency translation, year to date net sales were down 4.4% as compared to 2001.

 

Engineered Fabrics net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as compared to the same period in 2001 were 0.4% higher in the United States, 5.5% lower in Canada, 2.7% higher in Europe, and 6.1% lower in Asia. Excluding currency effects, engineered fabrics net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2002, as compared to the same period of 2001 were 4.7% lower in Canada, 1.9% lower in Europe, and 8.7% lower in Asia.

 

Albany Door Systems net sales in the second quarter of 2002, in comparison to the second quarter of 2001 were 5.8% lower when measured in U.S. dollars and 10.1% lower excluding currency effects.   In the important German market, construction industry weakness and restricted capital spending adversely affected both sales and earnings.

 

Applied Technologies net sales in the second quarter of 2002 in comparison to the second quarter of 2001 were 14.5% lower when measured in U.S. dollars and 13.3% lower when measured in local currencies.  Sales were impacted by the sale of a portion of the Company’s Mexican operation and the shutdown of non-performing portions of this segment in the fourth quarter of 2001.

 

Engineered Fabrics net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2002, as compared to the same period in 2001 were 1.4% lower in the United States, 7.3% lower in Canada, 2.2% lower in Europe, and 10.6% lower in Asia. Excluding currency effects, engineered fabrics net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2002, as compared to the same period of 2001 were 5.1% lower in Canada, 2.5% lower in Europe, and 10.6% lower in Asia.

 

Albany Door Systems net sales in the first six months of 2002, in comparison to the same period of 2001 were 10.8% lower when measured in U.S. dollars and 11.4% lower excluding currency effects.

 

Applied Technologies net sales for the first six months of 2002 in comparison to the same period of 2001 were 11.6% lower when measured in U.S. dollars and 11.0% lower when measured in local currencies.

 

Second quarter variable costs as a percent of net sales decreased to 33.5% in 2002 from 35.9% for the same period in 2001.  Excluding the effect of the currency rates, variable costs as a percent of net sales were 33.2% in 2002.  The lower percentage in 2002 is the result of the Company’s closing production facilities and increased efficiencies.  For the first six months, variable costs as a percentage of sales were 34.1% in 2002 and 35.3% in 2001.

 

In the second quarter of 2002, the Company recorded additional expenses of $3.0 million for restructuring initiatives previously announced in 2001 which were related to termination benefits.  In addition, the Company recorded a gain of $3.0 million related to the sale of a portion of the Company’s manufacturing facility in Mexico.  Both of these items are included in cost of goods sold.

 

Gross profit was 42.4% of net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2002 as compared to 41.5% for the same period in 2001, bringing the year to date gross profit to 42.2% as compared to 41.6% last year. On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, which eliminated goodwill amortization.  Goodwill amortization in 2001 was approximately $1.7 million per quarter.

 

Selling, technical, general and research expenses (STG&R) were up 0.8% and 1.9% for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2002, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2001.  In comparison to the three and six month period ending June 30, 2001, 2002 STG&R includes a $2.0 million and a $4.4 million increase in remeasurement losses related to trade accounts receivable at operations that held amounts

 

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in currencies other than their functional currency. Excluding remeasurement losses and the effect of changes in currency translation rates, 2002 STG&R decreased 4.1% as compared to the second quarter of 2001 and 1.8% compared to the six month period ending June 30, 2001.

 

Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 12.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2002 compared to 12.1% for the comparable period in 2001. The increase is due principally to cost reductions from restructuring initiatives, the elimination of goodwill amortization, which was partially offset by remeasurement losses related to accounts receivable.  Engineered Fabrics operating income was 23.6% of net sales in the second quarter of 2002, compared to 22.5% in the second quarter of 2001. Albany Door Systems was 0.7% of net sales in the second quarter of 2002, in comparison to 7.3% in the second quarter of 2001, which in addition to the above-mentioned effects, was negatively impacted by weak economic conditions in key markets. Applied Technologies operating income was 16.2% in the second quarter of 2002, in comparison to –0.7% in the second quarter of 2001. The improvement is principally due to the sale of a portion of the Company’s Mexican operation and the shutdown of non-performing portions of this segment in the fourth quarter of 2001.

 

Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 12.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2002 compared to 13.4% for the comparable period in 2001. The decrease is primarily due to lower sales in key markets and accounts receivable remeasurement losses, which were partially offset by cost reduction from restructuring initiatives and the elimination of goodwill amortization.   Engineered Fabrics operating income was 23.2% of net sales in the first half of 2002, compared to 23.8% for the same period of 2001.  Albany Door Systems operating income as a percentage of net sales was 0.7% in the first half of 2002, in comparison to 8.1% for the same period of 2001.  Applied Technologies operating income was 14.7% in the first half of 2002, compared to 4.8% for the same period of 2001.

 

Other (income)/expense, net, changed from $1.2 million expense in the second quarter of 2001 to income of $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2002, due principally to a favorable $2.5 million in currency translation on intercompany balances.  The favorable change in currency translation was partially offset by $0.5 million expense related to the trade accounts receivable securitization program. For the first six months, other (income)/expense was expense of $3.7 million in 2002 compared to $2.4 million of expense in 2001.  The increase in expense is primarily due to $1.2 million of costs related to the trade accounts receivable securitization program.

 

Interest expense, net, decreased 45.7% to $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2002 as compared to the same period in 2001.  For the first six months of 2002, interest expense, net was $8.6 million compared to $16.7 million for the same period of 2001.  The decrease is due principally to the significant reduction of debt in 2001.

 

As compared to the second quarter of 2001, net income before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle was positively impacted by lower interest expense ($0.07 per share), an increase in other income related to currency translation rates ($0.05 per share), and lower selling, technical, general, and research expenses, excluding remeasurement losses ($0.03 per share); and was negatively affected by lower sales due to economic weakness ($0.03 per share) and remeasurement losses ($0.04 per share).

 

As a result of adopting FAS No. 142, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $5.8 million to write-off the carrying value of goodwill in the Applied Technologies business segment in the second quarter of 2002. This charge was recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the consolidated statements of income and retained earnings.  There is no tax effect in the quarter from this charge.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

 

Accounts receivable increased $6.9 million and note receivable decreased $2.8 million since December 31, 2001.  Excluding the effects of currency rates and the trade accounts receivable securitization program,

 

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accounts receivable decreased $5.9 million since December 31, 2001.  Inventories increased $4.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2002.  Excluding currency effects, inventories decreased $2.5 million.

 

The Company’s current debt structure, currently provides approximately $170 million in committed and available unused debt capacity with financial institutions. The Company’s ability to borrow additional amounts under the credit agreement is conditional upon the absence of any material adverse change.  Management believes that this debt capacity, in combination with informal commitments and expected cash flows, should be sufficient to meet anticipated operating requirements and normal business opportunities that support corporate strategies.  Total debt declined $10.9 million from December 31, 2001.  Net debt (total debt less cash) decreased $35.7 million and $50.1 million for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2002.  Cash increased $36.0 million during the second quarter of 2002 and $39.2 million year to date.  The Company continues to generate strong cash flows from operations and other sources.

 

Capital expenditures for the three months ended June 30, 2002 were $6.3 million, bringing the year to date total to $11.4 million, as compared to $11.6 million for the first six months of last year.  The Company anticipates that capital expenditures, including leases, will be approximately $40 million for the full year and will continue to finance these expenditures with cash from operations and existing credit facilities.

 

OUTLOOK

 

Positive signals in selected paper markets lead some industry experts to expect recovery later this year and into the first quarter of 2003.  While this is encouraging, the traditional industry signals–price increases, operating rate improvements, and supply/demand balance have yet to produce sustained recovery.  Therefore, the Company remains uncertain about the timing of recovery.

 

The previously announced $25 million restructuring initiatives are on target.  The Company realized savings from these initiatives in the second quarter and anticipates additional savings in the second half of 2002 with the full effect by the first quarter of 2003.

 

New product technologies, such as recent product introductions in the global process belt business, present encouraging opportunities and have the potential to provide significant operational savings for our customers.  The Company will continue to develop and promote new technologies to improve customers’ operations.

 

The Company expects some improvement in the late part of the second half for the Applied Technologies and Albany Door System segments.  In the meantime, efficiency improvements and cost reductions in these businesses are being implemented.

 

The Company remains committed to activities that have a positive impact on shareholder returns and will continue to focus on debt reduction, inventory and accounts receivable improvements, cost reductions, and  new products and services that bring added value to customers.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In April 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections as of April 2002”.  This Standard addresses a number of items related to leases and other matters. The Company is required to adopt this Standard as of January 1, 2003.  The Company does not expect the adoption of FAS No. 146 to have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

In June 2002, the FASB issued FAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”.  This Standard addresses the recognition, measurement and reporting of costs that are associated

 

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with exit or disposal activities.  FAS No. 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002.  The Company does not expect the adoption of FAS No. 146 to have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include statements about such matters as industry trends, accounting policies, debt arrangements and capacity, cash flow, capital expenditures, cost savings, litigation, operating efficiency, introduction of new products, contingencies, profitability and industry trends.  Actual future events and circumstances (including future performance, results and trends) could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors.  These factors include even more competitive marketing conditions resulting from customer consolidations, possible softening of customer demand, the occurrence of unanticipated events or difficulties relating to joint venture, operating, capital, global integration and other projects, changes in currency exchange rates, changes in general economic and competitive conditions, technological developments, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Part II-Other Information

 

Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Registrant and many other companies are defendants 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.  The Registrant was defending against 9,405 such claims as of August 2, 2002.  This compares with 8,934 such claims as of May 3, 2002, 7,347 claims as of December 31, 2001, 1,997 claims as of December 31, 2000, and 2,276 claims as of December 31, 1999.  These suits allege a variety of lung and other diseases based on alleged exposure to products previously manufactured by the Registrant and related companies.  The bulk of these suits have been brought in Mississippi and Louisiana, with smaller numbers in North Carolina and other states.  The Registrant anticipates that additional claims will be filed against it and the related companies in the future but is unable to predict the number and timing of such future claims.

 

These suits typically involve claims against from twenty to over two hundred defendants, and the complaints often fail to identify the plaintiffs’ work history or the nature of the plaintiffs’ alleged exposure to the Registrant’s products.  However, the Registrant’s production of asbestos-containing paper machine clothing products was limited to certain synthetic dryer fabrics marketed during the period from 1967 to 1976 and used in paper mills.  (Such fabrics generally had a useful life of from three to twelve months.)  It has been the Registrant’s experience to date that a significant number of the plaintiffs in these cases were never employed in paper mills, and that a significant number of other plaintiffs did not have any contact with any asbestos-containing paper machine clothing sold by the Registrant.  It is the position of the Registrant and the other paper machine clothing defendants that there was insufficient exposure to asbestos from any paper machine clothing products to cause asbestos-related injury in any plaintiff.  Furthermore, asbestos contained in the Registrant’s synthetic products was encapsulated in a resin-coated yarn woven into the interior of the fabric, further reducing the likelihood of fiber release.

 

While the Registrant believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims, it has settled certain of these cases for amounts it considers reasonable given the facts and circumstances of each case.  The Registrant’s insurer, Liberty Mutual, has defended each case under a standard reservation of rights.  As of August 2, 2002, the Registrant had resolved, by means of settlement or outright dismissal, 2,216 asbestos-related personal injury claims for $1,178,500.  Of this amount, $1,143,500, or 97%, was paid by the Registrant’s insurance carrier.  The Registrant has over $130 million in confirmed insurance coverage that should be available with respect to current and future asbestos claims, as well as additional insurance coverage that it should be able to access.

 

Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc.

 

Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. (“Brandon”), a subsidiary of Geschmay Corp., is also a separate defendant in most of these cases.  Brandon was defending against 7,597 claims as of August 2, 2002.  This compares with 9,380 claims as of May 3, 2002, 8,759 claims as of December 31, 2001, 3,598 claims as of December 31, 2000 and 1,887 claims as of December 31, 1999.  The Registrant acquired Geschmay Corp., formerly known as Wangner Systems Corporation, in 1999.

 

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

 

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Under the terms of the Assets Purchase Agreement between Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. and Abney Mills, Abney Mills agreed to indemnify, defend and hold Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. harmless from any actions or claims on account of products manufactured by Abney Mills and its related corporations prior to the date of the sale, whether or not the product was sold subsequent to the date of the sale.  It appears that Abney Mills has since been dissolved.  Nevertheless, a representative of this dissolved entity has been notified of the pendency of these actions and demand has been made that it assume the defense of these actions.

 

Because Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. did not manufacture asbestos-containing products, and because it does not believe that it was the legal successor to, or otherwise responsible for obligations of, Abney Mills with respect to products manufactured by Abney Mills, it believes it has strong defenses to the claims that have been asserted against it.  In some instances, plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed claims against it, while in others it has entered into what it considers to be reasonable settlements.  As of August 2, 2002, Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc. has resolved, by means of settlement or dismissal, 2,491 claims for a total of $152,499.  Brandon Drying Fabric, Inc.’s insurance carriers have agreed to indemnification and defense costs related to these proceedings of 88.2% of the total, subject to the standard reservation of rights.  The remaining 11.8% is being sought from an insurance company that denies that it issued a policy.  Brandon’s internal records demonstrate otherwise, and Brandon has filed suit against this company as well as its other carriers.  Based on advice of counsel, Brandon is confident that it will prevail in establishing 100% indemnification and defense cost coverage.

 

Mount Vernon

 

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

 


 

The Registrant believes that all asbestos-related claims against it are without merit.  Based upon its understanding of the insurance policies available, how settlement amounts have been allocated to various policies, its recent settlement experience, the absence of any judgments against the Registrant or Brandon Drying Fabrics, Inc., and the defenses available, the Registrant currently does not anticipate any material liability relating to the resolution of the aforementioned pending proceedings in excess of existing insurance limits.  Consequently, the Registrant does not believe, based upon 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 Registrant.

 

Although the Registrant cannot predict the number and timing of future claims, based upon the foregoing factors and the trends in claims against it to date, the Registrant does not anticipate that additional claims likely to be filed against it in the future will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  However, the Registrant is aware that litigation is inherently uncertain, especially when the outcome is dependent primarily on determinations of factual matters to be made by juries.  The Registrant is also aware that numerous other defendants in asbestos cases, as well as others who claim to have knowledge and expertise on the subject, have found it difficult to anticipate the outcome of asbestos litigation and the volume of future asbestos claims.  For these reasons, there can be no assurance that the foregoing conclusions will not change.

 

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Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

At the annual meeting of shareholders held on May 9, 2002 items subject to a vote of security holders were the election of eleven directors and the election of auditors.

 

In the vote for the election of eleven members of the Board of Directors of the Company, the number of votes cast for, and the number of votes withheld from, each of the nominees were as follows:

 

Nominee

 

Number of Votes For

 

Number of Votes Withheld

 

Broker Nonvotes

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank R. Schmeler

 

21,201,781

 

57,349,440

 

831,948

 

 

 

 

Thomas R. Beecher, Jr.

 

21,196,192

 

57,349,440

 

837,537

 

 

 

 

Charles B. Buchanan

 

21,195,176

 

57,349,440

 

838,553

 

 

 

 

Francis L. McKone

 

21,194,257

 

57,349,440

 

839,472

 

 

 

 

G. Allan Stenshamn

 

21,185,120

 

57,349,440

 

848,609

 

 

 

 

Barbara P. Wright

 

21,442,441

 

57,349,440

 

591,288

 

 

 

 

Joseph G. Morone

 

21,441,488

 

57,349,440

 

592,241

 

 

 

 

Christine L. Standish

 

21,194,864

 

57,349,440

 

838,865

 

 

 

 

Erland E. Kailbourne

 

21,450,125

 

57,349,440

 

583,604

 

 

 

 

James L. Ferris

 

21,451,217

 

57,349,440

 

582,512

 

 

 

 

John C. Standish

 

21,196,436

 

57,349,440

 

837,293

 

 

 

 

 

In the vote on the motion to appoint the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. as the Company’s auditor for 2002, the number of votes cast for, the number cast against, and the number of votes abstaining with respect to such resolution were as follows:

 

Number of Votes For

 

Number of Votes Against

 

Number of Votes Abstaining

 

Broker Nonvotes

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,459,605

 

57,349,440

 

549,119

 

 

25,005

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

 

18



SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: August 14, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by

  /s/Michael C. Nahl

 

 

 

 

Michael C. Nahl

 

 

 

 

Sr. Vice President and

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer