Armstrong Continues to Downsize in Europe

Lancaster, PA, Sept. 23, 2010--Armstrong World Industries will close two European plants as it focuses its efforts on certain products and regions where it believes it can be successful.

Armstrong said it will concentrate its European flooring manufacturing operations in Germany and continue to make linoleum and homogenous vinyl flooring for the commercial market in its Delmenhorst and Bietigheim plants, respectively.

During the fourth quarter, Armstrong plans to withdraw from the residential market and, as a result, its Teesside, UK manufacturing facility will likely close.

In addition, Armstrong no longer intends to make heterogeneous vinyl flooring in Europe at its Holmsund, Sweden plant, and it is anticipated that the Holmsund facility will also close.

Armstrong said the moves will likely reduce its European flooring workforce by about 38%, as well as result in changes of about $30 million to $35 million through 2011.