Board Authorizes New $250 Million Share Repurchase Program

Albany International Corp. (NYSE:AIN) today reported operating results for its full year and fourth quarter of 2024, which ended December 31, 2024.

"We continue to perform well in both our businesses, as evidenced by strong results at Machine Clothing and ongoing operational progress steered by new leadership at Engineered Composites," said Gunnar Kleveland, President and Chief Executive Officer. "For the full year we reported record revenues of nearly one and a quarter billion dollars driven by organic growth and our Heimbach acquisition. With increased focus on working capital and cash flow, we generated Free Cash Flow of $59 million in the fourth quarter, and $137 million for the full year underlining the strength of the combined businesses. Our balance sheet continues to be in excellent shape giving us the ability to execute our growth strategy.

"With our proven ability to both grow and generate excess cash, as part of our capital allocation strategy, we have re-initiated our share repurchase program. In the fourth quarter of 2024 we repurchased $15 million of shares. The Board has also authorized a new share repurchase program which supersedes our current program and is now up to $250 million."

For the fourth-quarter ended December 31, 2024:

  • Net revenues were $286.9 million, down 11.3%, or 11.0% after adjusting for currency translation, when compared to the prior year. MC's net revenues decreased 1.9%, driven by decreased sales in packaging and publication grades, in part offset by increased sales in engineered fabrics. AEC's net revenues decreased 25.0%, driven by a decrease of net revenues across commercial and defense programs, most notably on the LEAP and CH-53K programs.
  • Gross profit of $90.3 million was 24.6% lower than the $119.9 million reported for the same period of 2023, driven by reductions in the estimated profitability of long-term contracts at AEC and by lower Heimbach gross margins at MC.
  • Selling, General, and Administrative expenses were $48.4 million, compared to $67.7 million in the same period of 2023; the decrease was driven primarily by reductions in expense at Heimbach, decreases in marketing and personnel-related costs at AEC and Corporate, and decreases due to changes in currency translation rates.
  • Operating income was $24.3 million, compared to $41.8 million in the prior year, a decrease of 41.8%, driven by decreased Gross profit and increased Restructuring expenses, which was partially offset by lower Selling, General, and Administrative expenses.
  • The effective tax rate for the quarter was 28.0% compared to a 22.6% effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in tax rate was due to a shift in taxable income to higher-rate jurisdictions, as well as due to less favorable discrete tax adjustments as compared to the prior year.
  • Net income attributable to the Company was $17.7 million ($0.56 per share), compared to $30.5 million ($0.97 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted Diluted earnings per share (or Adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP measure) was $0.58 per share, compared to $1.22 per share for the same period of last year.
  • Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) was $50.0 million, compared to $75.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 33.4%.

Please see the tables below for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures.

"We are on sound financial footing as we enter 2025," said Robert Starr, Chief Financial Officer. "Our businesses continue to perform and generated healthy cash flow this year.

"Starting in the fourth quarter our Global Information System costs (or GIS), which were previously included in Corporate SG&A expenses, are now allocated to the business segments. This presentation better reflects the performance of the individual segments and is how we will review segment performance on a go-forward basis. Our consolidated EPS remains unchanged, but our Adjusted EBITDA margins for the individual segments will be impacted by this allocation."

Outlook for the Full-Year 2025:

Albany International's initial financial guidance for the full-year 2025:

  • Machine Clothing revenue between $705 and $755 million;
  • Machine Clothing Adjusted EBITDA between $220 and $240 million;
  • Albany Engineered Composites revenue between $460 and $510 million;
  • Albany Engineered Composites Adjusted EBITDA between $60 and $70 million;
  • Total company revenue between $1.165 and $1.265 billion;
  • Total company Adjusted EBITDA between $240 and $260 million;
  • Effective income tax rate at approximately 31%;
  • Capital expenditures in the range of $85 to $95 million; and
  • Diluted Earnings Per Share between $3.00 and $3.40.

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

2024

 

2023

 

2024

 

2023

Net revenues

$

286,905

 

 

$

323,584

 

 

$

1,230,615

 

$

1,147,909

 

Cost of goods sold

 

196,582

 

 

 

203,723

 

 

 

828,839

 

 

724,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

90,323

 

 

 

119,861

 

 

 

401,776

 

 

423,718

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

 

48,435

 

 

 

67,701

 

 

 

210,882

 

 

214,915

 

Technical and research expenses

 

10,728

 

 

 

10,324

 

 

 

46,097

 

 

40,627

 

Restructuring expenses, net

 

6,854

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

13,438

 

 

282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

24,306

 

 

 

41,781

 

 

 

131,359

 

 

167,894

 

Interest expense, net

 

3,869

 

 

 

3,552

 

 

 

12,549

 

 

13,601

 

Other (income)/expense, net

 

(4,211

)

 

 

(1,253

)

 

 

1,721

 

 

(6,163

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

24,648

 

 

 

39,482

 

 

 

117,089

 

 

160,456

 

Income tax expense

 

6,903

 

 

 

8,938

 

 

 

29,034

 

 

48,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

17,745

 

 

 

30,544

 

 

 

88,055

 

 

111,610

 

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

66

 

 

 

94

 

 

 

432

 

 

490

 

Net income attributable to the Company

$

17,679

 

 

$

30,450

 

 

$

87,623

 

$

111,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Company shareholders - Basic

$

0.57

 

 

$

0.98

 

 

$

2.81

 

$

3.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Company shareholders - Diluted

$

0.56

 

 

$

0.97

 

 

$

2.80

 

$

3.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares of the Company used in computing earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

31,223

 

 

 

31,195

 

 

 

31,231

 

 

31,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

31,355

 

 

 

31,332

 

 

 

31,338

 

 

31,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share, Class A

$

0.27

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

1.05

 

$

1.01

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

ASSETS

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

115,283

 

 

$

173,420

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

246,688

 

 

 

287,781

 

Contract assets, net

 

166,557

 

 

 

182,281

 

Inventories

 

145,845

 

 

 

169,567

 

Income taxes prepaid and receivable

 

19,187

 

 

 

11,043

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

37,132

 

 

 

53,872

 

Total current assets

$

730,692

 

 

$

877,964

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

563,431

 

 

 

601,989

 

Intangibles, net

 

38,127

 

 

 

44,646

 

Goodwill

 

176,261

 

 

 

180,181

 

Deferred income taxes

 

28,757

 

 

 

22,941

 

Noncurrent receivables, net

 

 

 

 

4,392

 

Other assets

 

111,428

 

 

 

102,901

 

Total assets

$

1,648,696

 

 

$

1,835,014

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

66,095

 

 

$

87,104

 

Accrued liabilities

 

141,904

 

 

 

142,988

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

4,218

 

Income taxes payable

 

18,367

 

 

 

14,369

 

Total current liabilities

 

226,366

 

 

 

248,679

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

318,531

 

 

 

452,667

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

138,830

 

 

 

139,385

 

Deferred taxes and other liabilities

 

16,022

 

 

 

26,963

 

Total liabilities

 

699,749

 

 

 

867,694

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share; authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares; 40,917,539 issued in 2024 and 40,856,910 in 2023

 

41

 

 

 

41

 

Additional paid in capital

 

452,933

 

 

 

448,218

 

Retained earnings

 

1,065,763

 

 

 

1,010,942

 

Accumulated items of other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

Translation adjustments

 

(181,555

)

 

 

(124,901

)

Pension and postretirement liability adjustments

 

(14,328

)

 

 

(17,346

)

Derivative valuation adjustment

 

(106

)

 

 

9,079

 

Treasury stock (Class A), at cost; 9,844,746 shares in 2024 and 9,661,845 in 2023

 

(379,210

)

 

 

(364,665

)

Total Company shareholders' equity

 

943,538

 

 

 

961,368

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

5,409

 

 

 

5,952

 

Total equity

 

948,947

 

 

 

967,320

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

1,648,696

 

 

$

1,835,014

 

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

 

2024

 

2023

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

88,055

 

 

$

111,610

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

82,452

 

 

 

70,374

 

Amortization

 

 

6,842

 

 

 

6,359

 

Change in deferred taxes and other liabilities

 

 

(15,331

)

 

 

(2,046

)

Impairment of property, plant, equipment, and inventory

 

 

2,038

 

 

 

1,773

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

 

1,025

 

 

 

1,404

 

Compensation and benefits paid or payable in Class A Common Stock

 

 

4,715

 

 

 

6,936

 

Provision/(recovery) for credit losses from uncollected receivables and contract assets

 

 

310

 

 

 

640

 

Foreign currency remeasurement (gain)/loss on intercompany loans

 

 

81

 

 

 

(2,831

)

Fair value adjustment on foreign currency options

 

 

 

 

 

(139

)

Gain on sale of assets

 

 

(513

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided/(used) cash, net of impact of business acquisition:

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

31,764

 

 

 

(11,038

)

Contract assets

 

 

12,289

 

 

 

(32,156

)

Inventories

 

 

14,627

 

 

 

15,093

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

4,002

 

 

 

1,530

 

Income taxes prepaid and receivable

 

 

(8,574

)

 

 

(2,897

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(3,084

)

 

 

(5,672

)

Accrued liabilities

 

 

(1,275

)

 

 

(10,441

)

Income taxes payable

 

 

6,918

 

 

 

(1,988

)

Noncurrent receivables

 

 

(780

)

 

 

3,723

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

(7,702

)

 

 

(9,783

)

Other, net

 

 

582

 

 

 

7,605

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

218,441

 

 

 

148,056

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

Purchase of business, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(133,470

)

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(80,249

)

 

 

(83,560

)

Purchased software

 

 

(958

)

 

 

(869

)

Proceeds received from sale of assets

 

 

1,027

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(80,180

)

 

 

(217,899

)

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

145,595

 

 

 

78,040

 

Principal payments on debt

 

 

(279,838

)

 

 

(92,274

)

Debt acquisition costs

 

 

 

 

 

(4,108

)

Purchase of Treasury shares

 

 

(14,175

)

 

 

 

Taxes paid in lieu of share issuance

 

 

(2,931

)

 

 

(3,136

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(32,483

)

 

 

(31,163

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(183,832

)

 

 

(52,641

)

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(12,566

)

 

 

4,128

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(58,137

)

 

 

(118,356

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

173,420

 

 

 

291,776

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

115,283

 

 

$

173,420

 

Financial tables and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP measures

The following tables present Net revenues and the effect of changes in currency translation rates:

(in thousands, except percentages)

Net revenues as reported, Q4 2024

(Decrease) due to changes in currency translation rates

Q4 2024 revenues on same basis as Q4 2023 currency translation rates

Net revenues as reported, Q4 2023

% Change compared to Q4 2023, excluding currency rate effects

Machine Clothing

$

188,079

$

(897

)

$

188,976

$

191,741

(1.4

)%

Albany Engineered Composites

 

98,826

 

(111

)

 

98,937

 

131,843

(25.0

)%

Consolidated total

$

286,905

$

(1,008

)

$

287,913

$

323,584

(11.0

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

Net revenues as reported, YTD 2024

(Decrease)/ increase due to changes in currency translation rates

YTD 2024 revenues on same basis as 2023 currency translation rates

Net revenues as reported, YTD 2023

% Change compared to 2023, excluding currency rate effects

Machine Clothing

$

749,907

$

(1,896

)

$

751,803

$

670,768

12.1

%

Albany Engineered Composites

 

480,708

 

50

 

 

480,658

 

477,141

0.7

%

Consolidated total

$

1,230,615

$

(1,846

)

$

1,232,461

$

1,147,909

7.4

%

The following tables present Gross profit and Gross profit margin:

(in thousands, except percentages)

Gross profit, Q4 2024

Gross profit margin, Q4 2024

Gross profit, Q4 2023

Gross profit margin, Q4 2023

Machine Clothing

$

83,595

44.4

%

$

93,527

48.8

%

Albany Engineered Composites

 

6,728

6.8

%

 

26,334

20.0

%

Consolidated total

$

90,323

31.5

%

$

119,861

37.0

%

(in thousands, except percentages)

Gross profit, YTD 2024

Gross profit margin, YTD 2024

Gross profit, YTD 2023

Gross profit margin, YTD 2023

Machine Clothing

$

346,044

46.1

%

$

331,558

49.4

%

Albany Engineered Composites

 

55,732

11.6

%

 

92,160

19.3

%

Consolidated total

$

401,776

32.6

%

$

423,718

36.9

%

A reconciliation from Net income/(loss) (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the current-year and comparable prior-year periods has been calculated as follows:

Three months ended December 31, 2024

(in thousands)

Machine Clothing

Albany Engineered

Composites

Corporate expenses

and other

Total Company

Net income/(loss) (GAAP)

$

41,927

 

$

(7,911

)

$

(16,271

)

$

17,745

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

3,869

 

 

3,869

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

6,903

 

 

6,903

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

8,479

 

 

13,528

 

 

284

 

 

22,291

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

50,406

 

 

5,617

 

 

(5,215

)

 

50,808

 

Restructuring expenses, net

 

6,584

 

 

505

 

 

183

 

 

7,272

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

(3,314

)

 

100

 

 

(4,479

)

 

(7,693

)

Strategic/integration costs

 

7

 

 

 

 

60

 

 

67

 

Other transition expenses

 

 

 

(241

)

 

(244

)

 

(485

)

Pre-tax (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(14

)

 

7

 

 

 

 

(7

)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$

53,669

 

$

5,988

 

$

(9,695

)

$

49,962

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA divided by Net revenues) (non-GAAP)

 

28.5

%

 

6.1

%

 

 

 

17.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31, 2023

(in thousands)

Machine Clothing

Albany Engineered

Composites

Corporate expenses

and other

Total Company

Net income/(loss) (GAAP)

$

42,937

 

$

10,378

 

$

(22,771

)

$

30,544

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

3,552

 

 

3,552

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

8,938

 

 

8,938

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

8,410

 

 

13,211

 

 

334

 

 

21,955

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

51,347

 

 

23,589

 

 

(9,947

)

 

64,989

 

Restructuring expenses, net

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

55

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

2,247

 

 

44

 

 

725

 

 

3,016

 

CEO and other transition expenses

 

 

 

 

 

667

 

 

667

 

Inventory step-up impacting Cost of goods sold

 

4,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,110

 

Strategic/integration costs

 

984

 

 

268

 

 

1,124

 

 

2,376

 

Pre-tax (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(24

)

 

(167

)

 

 

 

(191

)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$

58,719

 

$

23,734

 

$

(7,431

)

$

75,022

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA divided by Net revenues) (non-GAAP)

 

30.6

%

 

18.0

%

 

 

 

23.2

%

Twelve months ended December 31, 2024

(in thousands)

Machine Clothing

Albany Engineered

Composites

Corporate expenses

and other

Total Company

Net income/(loss) (GAAP)

$

183,632

 

$

(11,603

)

$

(83,974

)

$

88,055

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

12,549

 

 

12,549

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

29,034

 

 

29,034

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

33,917

 

 

54,228

 

 

1,149

 

 

89,294

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

217,549

 

 

42,625

 

 

(41,242

)

 

218,932

 

Restructuring expenses, net

 

11,165

 

 

3,649

 

 

329

 

 

15,143

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

(4,561

)

 

(10

)

 

(3,843

)

 

(8,414

)

Strategic/integration costs

 

1,475

 

 

182

 

 

3,469

 

 

5,126

 

Other transition expenses

 

 

 

752

 

 

740

 

 

1,492

 

Pre-tax (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(124

)

 

(186

)

 

 

 

(310

)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$

225,504

 

$

47,012

 

$

(40,547

)

$

231,969

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA divided by Net revenues) (non-GAAP)

 

30.1

%

 

9.8

%

 

 

 

18.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve months ended December 31, 2023

(in thousands)

Machine Clothing

Albany Engineered

Composites

Corporate expenses

and other

Total Company

Net income/(loss) (GAAP)

$

188,429

 

$

27,351

 

$

(104,170

)

$

111,610

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

13,601

 

 

13,601

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

48,846

 

 

48,846

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

24,616

 

 

50,764

 

 

1,353

 

 

76,733

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

213,045

 

 

78,115

 

 

(40,370

)

 

250,790

 

Restructuring expenses, net

 

282

 

 

 

 

 

 

282

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

4,117

 

 

63

 

 

(2,884

)

 

1,296

 

CEO and other transition expenses

 

 

 

 

 

2,719

 

 

2,719

 

Inventory step-up impacting Cost of goods sold

 

5,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,480

 

Strategic/integration costs

 

984

 

 

1,081

 

 

3,129

 

 

5,194

 

Pre-tax (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(24

)

 

(641

)

 

 

 

(665

)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$

223,884

 

$

78,618

 

$

(37,406

)

$

265,096

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA divided by Net revenues) (non-GAAP)

 

33.4

%

 

16.5

%

 

 

 

23.1

%

Per share impact of the adjustments to diluted earnings per share are as follows:

Three months ended December 31, 2024

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Pre tax

Amounts

Tax

Effect

After tax

Effect

Per share

Effect

Restructuring expenses, net

$

7,272

 

$

1,244

 

$

6,028

 

$

0.19

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

(7,693

)

 

(2,599

)

 

(5,094

)

 

(0.16

)

Strategic/integration costs

 

67

 

 

(75

)

 

142

 

 

0.00

 

Other transition expenses

 

(485

)

 

(121

)

 

(364

)

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31, 2023

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Pre tax

Amounts

Tax

Effect

After tax

Effect

Per share

Effect

Restructuring expenses, net

$

55

 

$

13

 

$

42

 

$

0.00

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

3,016

 

 

933

 

 

2,083

 

 

0.07

 

CEO and other transition expenses

 

667

 

 

 

 

667

 

 

0.02

 

Inventory step-up impacting Cost of goods sold

 

4,110

 

 

908

 

 

3,202

 

 

0.10

 

Acquisition/integration costs

 

2,376

 

 

486

 

 

1,890

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2024

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Pre tax

Amounts

Tax

Effect

After tax

Effect

Per share

Effect

Restructuring expenses, net

$

15,143

 

$

2,758

 

$

12,385

 

$

0.40

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

(8,414

)

 

(2,839

)

 

(5,575

)

 

(0.18

)

Strategic/integration costs

 

5,126

 

 

1,308

 

 

3,818

 

 

0.12

 

Other transition expenses

 

1,492

 

 

373

 

 

1,119

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2023

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Pre tax

Amounts

Tax

Effect

After tax

Effect

Per share

Effect

Restructuring expenses, net

$

282

 

$

70

 

$

212

 

$

0.01

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

1,296

 

 

416

 

 

880

 

 

0.03

 

CEO and other transition expenses

 

2,719

 

 

 

 

2,719

 

 

0.09

 

Withholding tax related to internal restructuring

 

 

 

(3,026

)

 

3,026

 

 

0.10

 

Inventory step-up impacting Cost of goods sold

 

5,480

 

 

1,211

 

 

4,269

 

 

0.14

 

Acquisition/integration costs

 

5,194

 

 

951

 

 

4,243

 

 

0.14

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of Earnings per share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per share:

 

Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,

Per share amounts

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Earnings per share attributable to Company shareholders - Basic (GAAP)

$

0.57

 

$

0.98

 

$

2.81

 

$

3.56

 

Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation plans

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.01

)

Earnings per share attributable to Company shareholders - Diluted (GAAP)

$

0.56

 

$

0.97

 

$

2.80

 

$

3.55

 

Adjustments, after tax:

 

 

 

 

Restructuring costs

 

0.19

 

 

 

 

0.40

 

 

0.01

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

(0.16

)

 

0.07

 

 

(0.18

)

 

0.03

 

Strategic/integration costs

 

 

 

0.06

 

 

0.12

 

 

0.14

 

CEO and other transition expenses

 

(0.01

)

 

0.02

 

 

0.04

 

 

0.09

 

Inventory step-up impacting Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

 

0.14

 

Withholding tax related to internal restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.10

 

Adjusted Diluted Earnings per share (non-GAAP)

$

0.58

 

$

1.22

 

$

3.18

 

$

4.06

 

(a) Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses represent unrealized gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies on the balance sheet date.

The calculations of net debt are as follows:

(in thousands)

December 31, 2024

September 30, 2024

June 30, 2024

March 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

Current maturities of long-term debt

$

$

555

$

2,732

$

4,445

$

4,218

Long-term debt

 

318,531

 

361,639

 

374,325

 

434,689

 

452,667

Total debt

 

318,531

 

362,194

 

377,057

 

439,134

 

456,885

Cash and cash equivalents

 

115,283

 

127,222

 

116,439

 

125,412

 

173,420

Net debt (non GAAP)

$

203,248

$

234,972

$

260,618

$

313,722

$

283,465

Free cash flow is defined as GAAP "Net cash provided by operating activities" in a period less "Purchases of property, plant and equipment" and "Purchased software" in the same period. Management believes free cash flow provides an important perspective on our ability to generate cash from our business operations and, as such, that it is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the Company's financial performance. Management uses free cash flow internally to assess overall liquidity. The following table illustrates the calculation of free cash flow:

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

78,456

 

 

$

74,244

 

 

$

218,441

 

 

$

148,056

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(18,264

)

 

 

(34,710

)

 

 

(80,249

)

 

 

(83,560

)

Purchased software

 

(857

)

 

 

(593

)

 

 

(958

)

 

 

(869

)

Free cash flow

$

59,335

 

 

$

38,941

 

 

$

137,234

 

 

$

63,627

 

The calculation of net leverage ratio as of December 31, 2024 is as follows:

Total Company

 

Twelve months ended

(in thousands)

December 31, 2024

Net income/(loss) (GAAP)

$

88,055

 

Interest expense, net

 

12,549

 

Income tax expense

 

29,034

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

89,294

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

218,932

 

Restructuring expenses, net

 

15,143

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (a)

 

(8,414

)

Other transition expenses

 

1,492

 

Strategic/integration costs

 

5,126

 

Pre-tax (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(310

)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$

231,969

 

(in thousands, except for net leverage ratio)

December 31, 2024

Net debt (non-GAAP)

$

203,248

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

231,969

Net leverage ratio (non-GAAP)

 

0.88

The tables below provide a reconciliation of initial outlook for the full-year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP measures) to the comparable GAAP measures:

Initial Outlook Full Year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA

Machine Clothing

 

AEC

(in millions)

Low

High

 

Low

High

Net income attributable to the Company (GAAP) (b)

$

186

 

$

202

 

 

$

10

 

$

16

 

Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

34

 

 

38

 

 

 

50

 

 

54

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

220

 

 

240

 

 

59

 

 

69

 

Restructuring expenses, net (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategic/integration costs (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax (income)/loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$

220

 

$

240

 

$

60

 

$

70

 

(b) Interest, Other income/expense and Income taxes are not allocated to the business segments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Outlook Full Year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA

Total Company

 

 

 

(in millions)

Low

High

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company (GAAP)

$

94

 

$

107

 

 

 

 

Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

15

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

42

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

89

 

 

93

 

 

 

 

EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

239

 

 

259

 

 

 

 

Restructuring expenses, net (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategic/integration costs (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax (income)/loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$

240

 

$

260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Company

 

 

 

Forecast of Full Year 2025 Earnings per share (diluted) (d)

Low

High

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company (GAAP)

$

3.00

 

$

3.40

 

 

 

 

Restructuring expenses, net (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency revaluation (gains)/losses (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategic/integration costs (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Diluted Earnings per share (non-GAAP)

$

3.00

 

$

3.40

 

 

 

 

(c) Due to the uncertainty of these items, we are unable to forecast these items for 2025.

(d) Calculations based on estimated diluted shares outstanding of approximately 31.4 million.

About Albany International Corp.

Albany International is a leading developer and manufacturer of engineered components, using advanced materials processing and automation capabilities, with two core businesses.

  • Machine Clothing is the world’s leading producer of custom-designed, consumable belts essential for the manufacture of paper, paperboard, tissue and towel, pulp, non-wovens and a variety of other industrial applications.
  • Albany Engineered Composites is a growing designer and manufacturer of advanced materials-based engineered components for demanding aerospace applications, supporting both commercial and military platforms.

Albany International is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire, operates 30 facilities in 13 countries, employs approximately 5,400 people worldwide, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol AIN). Additional information about the Company and its products and services can be found at www.albint.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

This release, including the conference call commentary associated with this release, contains certain non-GAAP measures, that should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures. Such non-GAAP measures include net revenues and percent change in net revenues, excluding the impact of currency translation effects; EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin; Net debt; Net leverage ratio; and Adjusted Diluted earnings per share (or Adjusted EPS). Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide additional useful information to investors regarding the Company’s operational performance.

Presenting Net revenues and change in Net revenues, after currency effects are excluded, provides management and investors insight into underlying revenues trends. Net revenues, or percent changes in net revenues, excluding currency rate effects, are calculated by converting amounts reported in local currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of a prior period. These amounts are then compared to the U.S. dollar amount as reported in the current period.

EBITDA (calculated as net income excluding interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS are performance measures that relate to the Company’s continuing operations. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding costs or benefits that are not reflective of the Company’s ongoing or expected future operational performance. Such excluded costs or benefits do not consist of normal, recurring cash items necessary to generate revenues or operate our business. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA expressed as a percentage of net revenues.

The Company defines Adjusted EPS as diluted earnings per share (GAAP), adjusted by the after tax per share amount of costs or benefits not reflective of the Company’s ongoing or expected future operational performance. The income tax effects are calculated using the applicable statutory income tax rate of the jurisdictions where such costs or benefits were incurred or the effective tax rate applicable to total company results.

The Company’s Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, and Adjusted EPS may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Net debt aids investors in understanding the Company’s debt position if all available cash were applied to pay down indebtedness.

Net leverage ratio informs the investors of the Company's financial leverage at the end of the reporting period, providing an indicator of the Company's ability to repay its debt.

We encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements, estimates, guidance or projections that constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “look for,” “guidance,” “guide,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Because forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties (including, without limitation, those set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this release or in the webcast include, without limitation, statements about macroeconomic conditions, including inflationary cost pressures, as well as global events, which include but are not limited to geopolitical events; paper-industry trends and conditions during 2025 and in future years; expectations in 2025 and in future periods of revenues, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA (both in dollars and as a percentage of net revenues), Adjusted EPS, income, gross profit, gross margin, cash flows and other financial items in each of the Company’s businesses, and for the Company as a whole; the timing and impact of production and development programs in the Company’s AEC business segment and the revenues growth potential of key AEC programs, as well as AEC as a whole; the amount and timing of capital expenditures, future tax rates and cash paid for taxes, depreciation and amortization; future debt and net debt levels and debt covenant ratios; and changes in currency rates and their impact on future revaluation gains and losses. Furthermore, a change in any one or more of the foregoing factors could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results in any period. Such statements are based on current expectations, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Statements expressing management’s assessments of the growth potential of its businesses, or referring to earlier assessments of such potential, are not intended as forecasts of actual future growth, and should not be relied on as such. While management believes such assessments to have a reasonable basis, such assessments are, by their nature, inherently uncertain. This release and earlier releases set forth a number of assumptions regarding these assessments, including historical results, independent forecasts regarding the markets in which these businesses operate, and the timing and magnitude of orders for our customers’ products. Historical growth rates are no guarantee of future growth, and such independent forecasts and assumptions could prove materially incorrect in some cases.

Investor / Media Contact:

JC Chetnani VP-Investor Relations and Treasurer jc.chetnani@albint.com

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