SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): May 11, 1996
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania 1-2116 23-0366390
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification Number)
313 West Liberty Street, P.O. Box 3001, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604
(Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP Code)
Registrant's telephone number, includng area code: (717) 397-0611
Item 5. Other Events.
The registrant's press release dated May 11, 1996 is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description Reference
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99 Press Release dated May 11, 1996 Filed herewith
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
Dated: May 13, 1996 By: /s/ L. A. Pulkrabek
---------------------------
L. A. Pulkrabek
Senior Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
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Exhibit Index
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Sequential Page No.* or
Exhibit No. Description Reference
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99 Press Release dated May 11, 1996 Filed herewith at page 5.
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CENTER FOR CLAIMS RESOLUTION ISSUES STATEMENT
LANCASTER, Pa., May 11 - The Center for Claims Resolution (CCR) issued the
following statement on Friday, May 10. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:
ACK), is a member of the CCR and subscribes to that statement.
The Center for Claims Resolution stated that, "Today, a three-judge panel of
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a decision regarding an
appeal by those who have objected to a preliminary injunction enjoining the
class members of Georgine v. Amchem from prosecuting asbestos-related claims
against the Center for Claims Resolution (CCR) defendants, pending a final order
in Georgine.
"The Court of Appeals ruled against this landmark settlement, ordering that
the preliminary injunction be vacated, and that the District court decertify the
class. The opinion, written by Judge Edward Becker, concluded that the case does
not meet the requirements for class certification and held that a class action
cannot be certified for purposes of settlement unless it can be certified for
full-scale litigation.
"We believe that the Court erred in several respects and the CCR intends to
pursue all appellate remedies, including petitioning for rehearing before the
Third Circuit en banc and, if necessary, review before the U.S. Supreme Court.
"CCR's Counsel is confident that substantial arguments can be made in support
of rehearing and immediately plans to file a petition for a rehearing in the
Third Circuit. We believe there are considerable grounds for this Court to look
favorably upon such a petition. And while petitions for rehearing are not
commonly granted, the judges recognize that this is a very important case.
"Originally filed in January 1993 and approved by the courts in August 1994,
Georgine v. Amchem Products, Inc. has been lauded as a landmark agreement and a
precedent-setting model for tort reform. The agreement, supported by organized
labor, is between plaintiffs' attorneys and 20 defendant companies of CCR. It is
designed to resolve future asbestos claims outside the courtroom--without costly
litigation. During its consideration by the courts, the settlement met several
legal benchmarks, including fairness tests and a court-approved, three-month
national notification campaign that reached millions of Americans through the
media and other forms of communication."
Armstrong is a manufacturer and marketer of branded products and services
that are distinguished by design and/or function for use in finishing the
interiors of residential and commercial buildings worldwide. Its products
include resilient floor coverings, acoustical ceilings and grid systems,
adhesives and insulation. Armstrong also manufactures and markets gasketing
materials for the automotive market.