Albany International Is Weaving Together Past and Future
Sponsored by: Albany International Corp.
In the 1990s, Albany International embraced the new technology that came with the internet age and expanded its manufacturing capabilities. As the world’s leading producer of consumable fabrics in the paper industry, Albany International expanded its business
model to include 3D weaving of composite parts to be used in the aerospace industry. The shift has since made them trailblazers in building customized solutions with industry-leading materials known for their quality and dependability.
“We started seeing how we could leverage our advanced technologies, including weaving, in markets outside of the paper industry,” says Vice President of Emerging Markets and Technology Brent Stevenson. “And after establishing growth paths in multiple industries we eventually decided to go all in on weaving composite parts in the commercial aerospace and defense industries.”
In 2006, that resourceful shift led to the formation of Albany Engineered Composites (AEC), a subsidiary based in Rochester, NH, that produces lightweight, durable aircraft components as well as products for space and hypersonic programs. It is one of seven AEC facilities in the U.S., Germany, France and Mexico, along with 17 machine clothing facilities in 13 countries.
Still a recognized global leader in the core machine clothing products it has manufactured since 1895, Albany International now makes composite parts including engine fan blades and fan cases for the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo at the AEC facilities. Its proprietary 3D weaving technology offers a lightweight, durable alternative to metals and traditional laminates by weaving carbon fiber in three directions and then, through resin infusion, creating a composite component that is designed to offer enhanced performance, damage tolerance and high-automation capabilities.
Rochester also houses the company’s primary research and development center for the AEC business.
Speaking to the role advanced materials can play in future aircraft design, Stevenson says, “We continue to be solutions providers within the machine clothing and aerospace and defense industries, and we’re looking beyond. Composites make aircraft lighter and thus more efficient and more sustainable. In R&D, we’re focusing on that next generation of aircraft where sustainability becomes an even more critical factor in new designs and the traditional approach to manufacturing isn’t going to work anymore.”
As part of this forward-thinking strategy, in 2025 Albany International moved its corporate headquarters to Portsmouth to be closer to the Interstate 95 corridor, creating greater access for customers, investors and guests. The new location also appeals to prospective talent, not just for perks like the fully equipped gym and golf simulator, but for promotions from within, opportunities for community volunteering and career options ranging from finance and IT to engineering and science.
But it’s the positive workplace culture that earned Albany International a spot on the 2025 Forbes list of America’s Best Employers.
“This truly validates what I experience every day as part of this team,” says Chief Human Resources Officer Suzanne Purdum. “This recognition shows that our company is not just a great place to work because of our benefits and opportunities, but also because of the positive, supportive environment we create together. The workplace culture at Albany International is genuinely collaborative, with a strong focus on innovation and growth.”
With this long-standing emphasis on innovation and growth, Albany International continues to evolve and maintain its reputation as a trusted solution provider in materials science – applying advanced technologies to meet the needs of industries today and tomorrow. Their move to Portsmouth reinforces that excitement and commitment to collaboration, partnership and sustained growth in the Greater Portsmouth area.
Stevenson, who’s been with the company for 22 years, says, “I get satisfaction from my job because of what we’re doing and the products we provide to the industry. The culture of Albany International is one that’s focused on taking care of its employees and is one of the biggest contributors to why I have stayed with them for over 20 years.”
For more information about Albany International Corp., visit albint.com.
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