Armstrong Shedding Jobs in North America

Lancaster, PA, Feb. 13, 2009--Lancaster-based Armstrong World Industries said that is will cut between 500 to 600 jobs in North America in the next three months, according to Lancaster Online.

No jobs will be cut at Armstrong's commercial ceilings plant in Marietta, Pa., or its flooring plant in Lancaster, Beth Riley, Armstrong spokeswoman, said Tuesday.

The job cuts, which will take place at five plants in the U.S. and Canada, are necessary due to the sagging economy, Riley said.

"It's an action of last resort. We certainly regret it, " Riley said. "Volume has declined too much for us not to take cost out."

Four of the five plants affected make hardwood flooring, which has been especially hurt by the poor housing market.

The Lancaster flooring plant was spared. It is being converted to make specialized residential vinyl sheet flooring, Riley said. While hardwood flooring is made almost exclusively for the residential market, vinyl flooring is sold equally in both the commercial and residential markets.

"We made an investment there to produce a fiberglass vinyl flooring that is a growth product," Riley said.

The Armstrong cuts include: about 100 workers in the next month at hardwood flooring plants in Jackson, Tenn., and West Plains, Mo.; another 100 jobs at a vinyl flooring plant in Montreal in mid-March; all 124 workers at a hardwood flooring plant in Vicksburg, Miss., and another 100 workers in May at a hardwood flooring plant in Center, Texas.