Lancaster, Pa.—Armstrong World Industries will close two European plants to focus 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 at its Holmsund, Sweden plant, and it is anticipated that facility will also close.
Armstrong said the moves will likely reduce its European flooring workforce by about 38%, as well as result in charges of about $30 million to $35 million through 2011.
For more information, call Armstrong at 717.397.0611