Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 57,265	$ 41,749	$ 17,658
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	52,974	56,575	57,182
Amortization	7,140	7,717	6,607
Change in long-term liabilities and deferred taxes	(27,358)	(10,725)	(12,261)
Provision for write-off of property, plant and equipment	867	$ 1,915	$ 619
Fair value adjustment on asset held for sale	3,212
Write-off of pension liability adjustment due to settlement	103	$ 8,331
Gain on disposition or involuntary conversion of assets	(1,056)	(1,126)	$ (3,763)
Excess tax benefit of options exercised	(624)	(201)	(1,134)
Compensation and benefits paid or payable in Class A Common Stock	1,707	1,384	(766)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provide/(use) cash, net of business divestitures:
Accounts receivable	(404)	(6,564)	(8,878)
Inventories	(8,277)	(744)	5,739
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,253	1,318	545
Income taxes prepaid and receivable	(3,156)	2,566	5,731
Accounts payable	(6,001)	640	955
Accrued liabilities	2,081	(11,042)	4,628
Income taxes payable	9,072	1,535	(7,348)
Other, net	7,139	(9,132)	(2,883)
Net cash provided by operating activities	95,937	84,196	62,631
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(48,622)	(58,224)	(61,844)
Purchased software	(1,973)	(649)	(2,613)
Proceeds from sale or involuntary conversion of assets	$ 2,797	$ 1,126	6,268
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net of expenses			16,797
Net cash used in by investing activities	$ (47,798)	$ (57,747)	(41,392)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from borrowings	95,126	13,396	117,452
Principal payments on debt	$ (102,215)	$ (45,124)	(132,691)
Cash received for noncontrolling interest in Albany Safran Composites			28,000
Proceeds from options exercised	$ 1,897	$ 773	5,538
Excess tax benefit of options exercised	624	$ 201	1,134
Debt acquisition costs	(1,673)		(1,639)
Dividends paid	(21,088)	$ (19,729)	(13,929)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities	(27,329)	(50,483)	3,865
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(15,499)	(18,830)	6,844
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,311	(42,864)	31,948
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	179,802	222,666	190,718
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 185,113	$ 179,802	$ 222,666