Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 17,658	$ 30,977	$ 34,938
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	57,182	56,769	57,502
Amortization	6,607	6,466	8,883
Noncash interest expense		1,027	753
Change in long-term liabilities, deferred taxes and other credits	(12,261)	(123,887)	237
Provision for write-off of property, plant and equipment	619	427	2,345
Write-off of pension liability adjustment due to settlement		118,350
Loss/(gain) on disposition of assets	(3,763)	(92,457)	(1,022)
Excess tax benefit of options exercised	(1,134)	(40)	(93)
Compensation and benefits paid or payable in Class A Common Stock	(766)	2,790	2,812
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business divestitures:
Accounts receivable	(8,878)	(4,990)	(12,082)
Inventories	5,739	11,565	7,105
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	545	592	314
Income taxes prepaid and receivable	5,731	9,472	(3,747)
Accounts payable	955	3,298	(1,677)
Accrued liabilities	4,628	7,616	6,124
Income taxes payable	(7,348)	7,308	2,422
Other, net	(2,883)	(776)	455
Net cash provided by operating activities	62,631	34,507	105,269
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(61,844)	(37,046)	(24,988)
Purchased software	(2,613)	(161)	(3,692)
Proceeds from sale of assets	6,268		2,860
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net of expenses	16,797	150,654
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	(41,392)	113,447	(25,820)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from borrowings	117,452	46,028	14,386
Principal payments on debt	(132,691)	(102,128)	(65,575)
Cash received for noncontrolling interest in Albany Safran Composites	28,000
Proceeds from options exercised	5,538	1,311	789
Excess tax benefit of options exercised	1,134	40	93
Debt acquisition costs	(1,639)
Dividends paid	(13,929)	(21,315)	(15,616)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	3,865	(76,064)	(65,923)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6,844	(81)	(3,373)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	31,948	71,809	10,153
Change in cash balances of discontinued operations			(9,169)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	190,718	118,909	117,925
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 222,666	$ 190,718	$ 118,909