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Albany International Reports Third-Quarter Financial Results

Third-Quarter Highlights


ALBANY, N.Y., Oct 21, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Albany International Corp. (NYSE: AIN; PCX/FWB: AIN) reported third-quarter net income per share of $0.58, after tax-related effects that reduced earnings by $0.09 per share. In the third quarter of 2004, net income per share was $0.33, after net income was reduced by restructuring charges of $0.06 per share and a tax valuation allowance of $0.03 per share.

In the third quarter of 2005, the Company reduced its annual estimated tax rate from 30 percent to 28 percent. Had the 28 percent tax rate been in place at June 30, 2005, year-to-date earnings per share through that period would have been $0.03 higher than reported. The results for the third quarter of 2005 also included a charge of $0.12 per share related to the repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings. The combined impact of these two effects was a reduction in earnings per share of $0.09.

Third-quarter net sales increased $19.5 million, or 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, net sales increased 6.5 percent.

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

                                             Increase in      Percent Change
                                            third-quarter
                         Net sales         2005 net sales
                        as reported        due to changes            Excluding
                     Three months ended      in currency              Currency
                       September 30,         translation       As       Rate
    (in thousands)  2005           2004         rates       Reported   Effect

    Engineered
     Fabrics      $186,290       $169,513       $4,083        9.9%      7.5%
    Albany
     Door Systems   26,724         26,081           72        2.5%      2.2%
    Applied
     Technologies   29,316         27,254          865        7.6%      4.4%
    Total         $242,330       $222,848       $5,020        8.7%      6.5%

Gross profit was 41.1 percent of net sales in the third quarter of 2005, compared to 39.2 percent in the third quarter of 2004. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales is due principally to higher net sales and the benefits derived from cost reduction initiatives.

Selling, technical, general, and research expenses increased 9.0 percent compared to the same period last year and increased 7.6 percent excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates. The increase is due principally to payments expected to be made under the Company's annual and long-term incentive bonus plans due to improved operating results and the increase in value of the Company's common stock. A portion of the increase is also related to compensation paid to the Company's new President, including an initial cash bonus.

Operating income improved to $30.8 million in the third quarter of 2005 from $21.5 million in the same period last year. Operating income in the third quarter of 2004 included restructuring charges of $2.6 million.

Year-to-date net sales were 7.3 percent higher than last year. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, net sales were up 4.1 percent.

Following is a table of year-to-date net sales by segment and the effect of changes in currency translation rates:
                         Net sales             Increase in     Percent Change
                        as reported           2005 net sales
                        Nine months           due to changes         Excluding
                           ended               in currency            Currency
    (in thousands)      September 30,          translation      As       Rate
                     2005           2004           rates     Reported   Effect
    Engineered
     Fabrics       $555,752       $517,873       $16,435       7.3%       4.1%
    Albany
     Door Systems    83,706         79,575         2,362       5.2%       2.2%
    Applied
     Technologies    91,342         83,915         2,810       8.9%       5.5%
    Total          $730,800       $681,363       $21,607       7.3%       4.1%

For the first nine months of 2005, gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 40.9 percent, compared to 39.2 percent for the first nine months of last year. The increase is due principally to higher net sales and the benefits derived from cost reduction initiatives.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $46.6 million, after a $10 million contribution to the Company's United States pension plan during the quarter. In the same period last year, net cash provided by operating activities was $24.9 million, after a $20 million contribution to the pension plan.

During the third quarter of 2005, excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, accounts receivable decreased $9.8 million, while inventories increased $4.7 million.

Capital spending was $12.1 million during the third quarter and $30.5 million for the first nine months of 2005. Full-year capital spending is expected to be approximately $45 million, as compared to full-year depreciation and amortization of $52 million and $4 million, respectively.

The Company reduced its outstanding debt by $76.1 million during the third quarter, while cash decreased by $41.4 million. Net debt, as defined in our principal credit facility, was $119 million at the close of the quarter.

During the quarter, the Company did not purchase any additional shares of its Class A Common Stock. However, it remains authorized to purchase an additional 1,002,127 shares without further notice.

The Company is scheduled to close on a $150 million borrowing from Prudential Capital Group on October 25, 2005. The principal will be due in three installments of $50 million each at the end of years 8, 10 and 12 for an average life of 10 years, and the interest rate will be fixed at 5.34 percent. The financing was arranged directly between the Company and Prudential Capital Group.

Comments on Operations

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Schmeler commented, "We are pleased with the operating results for the quarter, which reflect sales growth and the effects of our continued focus on efficiency improvements. Our paper and paperboard customers experienced swings in demand by region and paper grade; however, demand for our products improved in Europe and remained strong in other regions.

"Although market conditions in our Albany Door Systems segment were mixed, with slow economic growth continuing to affect our customers in Europe, demand for our products in the Applied Technologies segment remained strong. As compared to the third quarter of last year, sales increased in both segments."

Engineered Fabrics

This segment includes Paper Machine Clothing and Process Belts (PMC) used in the manufacture of paper and paperboard products.

Third-quarter net sales for the Engineered Fabrics segment increased 9.9 percent compared to the same period last year. Excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates, net sales increased 7.5 percent. Net sales were positively affected by strong demand for our products in each of our primary markets, resulting from new product performance and value-focused solutions for our customers. Year-to-date net sales increased 7.3 percent and increased 4.1 percent excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates.

Albany Door Systems

This segment includes sales and service of High Performance Doors and after-market sales to a variety of industrial customers.

Third-quarter Door Systems net sales increased 2.5 percent compared to the third quarter of 2004 and 2.2 percent excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates.

The improvement in net sales during the quarter is due to distribution channel improvements and new product introductions in North America as well as growth in the European service business. Door sales in Europe, in particular in Germany, continue to be affected by weak economic conditions. Efficiency improvements in all Door Systems operations contributed to improved earnings.

Year-to-date net sales increased 5.2 percent and increased 2.2 percent excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates.

Applied Technologies

This segment includes materials and structural-component businesses including insulation for personal outerwear and home furnishings (PrimaLoft); specialty materials and composite structures for aircraft and other applications (Techniweave); specialty filtration products for wet and dry applications (Industrial Process Technologies); industrial insulation products (High Performance Materials); and fabrics, wires and belting products for the nonwovens and pulp industries (Engineered Products).

Third-quarter Applied Technologies net sales increased 7.6 percent compared to the same period in 2004 and 4.4 percent excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates. Strong results in Engineered Products and PrimaLoft in both North America and Europe, and demand for our filtration products in China and Brazil, contributed to the sales increase.

As with the other business segments, earnings improved due to sales growth as well as continuing efficiency improvements.

Year-to-date net sales increased 8.9 percent and increased 5.5 percent excluding the effect of changes in currency translation rates.

Looking Ahead

Mr. Schmeler continued, "Our focus on growth in each of our business segments allowed us to build on the efficiency gains in our operations with solid revenue improvements. However, in the Engineered Fabrics segment, there is increased concern about sustainable paper and paperboard demand in the current energy-influenced economic environment. Because of the continuing restructuring by some global paper manufacturers, ongoing weakness in the North American market, and recent announcements by some of our customers regarding production curtailments in Europe, we are unlikely to maintain recent rates of PMC sales growth in the near term. Despite this short-term outlook, we remain committed to growth in PMC.

"Albany Door Systems will continue to pursue growth strategies that lead to innovative custom door solutions, value-focused sales, and increased service and support activities. In addition, continuing efforts to improve efficiencies should further contribute to earnings.

"Growth in the Applied Technologies segment should result from our continued investments in new products and the application of existing technologies to new markets. Our opportunities for filtration products in power generation applications and for composites and advanced materials in aircraft are encouraging. In addition, we are pleased by the increased demand for PrimaLoft personal insulation products and expansion of our Engineered Products in the nonwovens industry.

"We expect that investments for growth will increase in the coming quarters, and will impact our capital expenditures and people costs in 2006. These strategic investments will likely include new hires in key areas, capital expenditures for all business segments, and potential acquisitions in the Applied Technologies segment. We expect capital spending next year will be between $70 and $80 million. These investments support our long-term growth plans and may positively impact operations as early as late 2006.

"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.

"As with all of our customers, increased costs resulting from higher energy prices will continue to impact our operations in the fourth quarter. We do not expect these increases to exceed $12 million for the full-year 2005."

The Company plans a live webcast to discuss third-quarter 2005 financial results on Monday, October 24, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. For access, go to 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 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, 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.
                           ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                     (in thousands except per share data)
                                 (unaudited)

      Three Months Ended                                  Nine Months Ended
         September 30,                                       September 30,
       2005         2004                                   2005          2004

    $242,330     $222,848  Net sales                    $730,800      $681,363
     142,689      135,603  Cost of goods sold            431,649       414,200
      99,641       87,245  Gross profit                  299,151       267,163
                           Selling, technical, general
      68,842       63,134   and research expenses        206,522       196,946
           -        2,576  Restructuring, net                  -        45,244

      30,799       21,535  Operating income               92,629        24,973
       1,848        3,533  Interest expense, net           8,662        11,073
        (665)       2,053  Other (income)/expense, net       916        10,180
      29,616       15,949  Income before income taxes     83,051         3,720
      11,140        5,640  Income tax expense             25,783         5,753

                           Income/(loss) before
      18,476       10,309   associated companies          57,268       (2,033)
          32          158  Equity in earnings of
                            associated companies             500          375
      18,508       10,467  Net income/(loss)              57,768       (1,658)

     468,235      416,594  Retained earnings,
                            beginning of period          434,057      433,407
      (2,899)      (2,536) Dividends declared             (7,981)      (7,224)

                           Retained earnings,
    $483,844     $424,525   end of period               $483,844     $424,525
                           Earnings per share - basic:
       $0.58        $0.33  Net income/(loss)               $1.82       ($0.05)

                           Earnings per share - diluted:
       $0.57        $0.32  Net income/(loss)               $1.79       ($0.05)

                           Average number of shares
                            used in basic earnings
      32,063       32,160   per share computations        31,791       32,947
                           Average number of shares
                            used in diluted earnings
      32,513       32,732   per share computations        32,292       32,947

       $0.09        $0.08  Dividends per share             $0.25        $0.22


                          ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (in thousands, except share data)

                                               (unaudited)
                                               September 30,      December 31,
                                                    2005              2004
    ASSETS
      Cash and cash equivalents                    $35,961           $58,982
      Accounts receivable, net                     130,484           144,950
      Note receivable                               18,751            18,955
      Inventories                                  197,769           185,530
      Deferred taxes                                22,605            26,526
      Prepaid expenses                              10,617             8,867
          Total current assets                     416,187           443,810

      Property, plant and equipment, net           338,666           378,170
      Investments in associated companies            6,378             6,456
      Intangibles                                   13,201            14,207
      Goodwill                                     155,203           171,622
      Deferred taxes                                84,825            87,848
      Cash surrender value of life
       insurance policies                           36,977            34,583
      Other assets                                  22,823            19,064
          Total assets                          $1,074,260        $1,155,760

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Notes and loans payable                       $4,693           $14,617
      Accounts payable                              37,379            43,378
      Accrued liabilities                          118,377           120,263
      Current maturities of long-term debt           1,010             1,340
      Income taxes payable and deferred             26,216            29,620
          Total current liabilities                187,675           209,218

      Long-term debt                               139,708           213,615
      Other noncurrent liabilities                 146,907           147,268
      Deferred taxes and other credits              29,767            34,882
          Total liabilities                        504,057           604,983

    Commitments and Contingencies                        -                 -

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share;
        authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued         -                 -
      Class A Common Stock, par value
        $.001 per share; authorized 100,000,000
        shares; issued 34,045,574 in 2005 and
        33,176,872 in 2004                              34                33
      Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per
        share; authorized 25,000,000 shares;
        issued and outstanding 3,236,476 in
        2005 and 3,236,476 in 2004                       3                 3
      Additional paid in capital                   317,654           296,045
      Retained earnings                            483,844           434,057
      Accumulated items of other
       comprehensive income:
        Translation adjustments                    (64,996)          (11,711)
        Derivative valuation adjustment                  -            (2,785)
        Pension liability adjustment               (38,369)          (38,369)
                                                   698,170           677,273
      Less treasury stock (Class A), at
       cost (5,050,319 shares in 2005 and
       5,004,152 shares in 2004)                   127,967           126,496
          Total shareholders' equity               570,203           550,777
          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity                 $1,074,260        $1,155,760


                          ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (in thousands)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                        Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                       2005             2004
      OPERATING ACTIVITIES
      Net income/(loss)                             $57,768           ($1,658)
      Adjustments to reconcile net
       income/(loss) to net cash provided
       by operating activities:
        Equity in earnings of associated
         companies                                     (500)             (376)
        Depreciation                                 38,570            39,691
        Amortization                                  2,877             2,710
        Provision for deferred income
         taxes, other credits and long-
         term liabilities                            (1,326)          (19,488)
        Provision for write-off of equipment          2,138            11,931
        Provision for impairment of investment            -             4,000
        Increase in cash surrender value
         of life insurance                           (1,372)           (1,141)
        Change in unrealized currency
         transaction gains and losses                (3,058)            8,150
        Gain on disposition of assets                     -               842
        Shares contributed to ESOP                    4,361             4,546
        Tax benefit of options exercised              4,672             1,322
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
        Accounts receivable                           7,378             3,542
        Note receivable                                 203             3,553
        Inventories                                 (18,840)           (2,800)
        Prepaid expenses                               (807)             (283)
        Accounts payable                               (466)           (4,126)
        Accrued liabilities                          10,767            19,131
        Income taxes payable                         (3,659)            6,626
        Other, net                                   (2,267)               60
        Net cash provided by operating activities    96,439            76,232

      INVESTING ACTIVITIES
        Purchases of property, plant and
         equipment                                  (30,541)          (41,296)
        Purchased software                           (2,035)             (489)
        Proceeds from sale of assets                  5,067             3,944
        Cash received from life insurance
         policy terminations                              -               863
        Premiums paid for life insurance policies    (1,022)           (1,089)
        Net cash used in investing activities       (28,531)          (38,067)

      FINANCING ACTIVITIES
        Proceeds from borrowings                     20,280            53,388
        Principal payments on debt                 (103,965)          (21,295)
        Purchase of treasury shares                  (1,576)          (66,135)
        Proceeds from options exercised              12,531             5,303
        Debt issuance costs                               -            (1,555)
        Dividends paid                               (7,590)           (7,034)
        Net cash used in financing activities       (80,320)          (37,328)

      Effect of exchange rate changes on
       cash flows                                   (10,609)            1,557

      (Decrease)/increase in cash and cash
       equivalents                                  (23,021)            2,394
      Cash and cash equivalents at
       beginning of year                             58,982            78,822
      Cash and cash equivalents at end of
       period                                       $35,961           $81,216

SOURCE Albany International Corp. 

Kenneth C. Pulver, Vice President-Global Marketing & Communications, Albany
International Corp., +1-518-445-2214

http://www.prnewswire.com

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