Armstrong to End Production of Commercial Products

Lancaster PA, November 5--Armstrong Holdings, Inc. yesterday announced plans to end production of commercial products at its plant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Commercial tile production in Lancaster will end effective December 17, 2004. Corlon commercial sheet production at the Lancaster site will stop by the end of 2005. The commercial tile and commercial sheet businesses will be serviced without interruption from other Armstrong facilities in the United States and around the world. Some commercial sheet volume may be sourced. Armstrong will continue manufacturing residential vinyl sheet products at the Lancaster Floor Plant, and will invest $8 million to reduce cost in this operation. Approximately 450 active employees will be affected at the Lancaster floor plant. "Eliminating jobs disrupts the lives of good employees and their families," said Chairman and CEO Michael D. Lockhart. "Therefore, we will provide a benefit package to reduce the financial impact." Armstrong Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacture of flooring, ceilings and cabinets. In 2003, Armstrong's net sales totaled more than $3 billion. Based in Lancaster, PA, Armstrong has 44 plants in 12 countries and approximately 15,500 employees worldwide. More information about Armstrong is available on the Internet at http://www.armstrong.com.