Armstrong Adjusts Amount, Timing of Wood Increase

Lancaster, PA, Feb. 18, 2010--Armstrong said it will hike solid hardwood prices in the U.S. and Canada by 5% to 7% percent beginning April 1.

Initially the company said the increase would be 4% to 6% and would take place March 15.

Engineered hardwood flooring prices will rise up to 4 percent.

“As we communicated in January, lumber and energy prices are rising. Significant saw mill capacity was taken off-line during the recession and the impact on lumber costs in the second half of 2009 have been significant," said Daniel Call, vice president, Wood Product Management.

"Since our announcement in January, weather conditions in logging regions have worsened and log shortages have become severe. This has been compounded by an increase in demand from flooring mills that have previously reduced their yard inventory levels. We believe further raw material inflation is likely in the coming months.”