Armstrong World Industries has announced plans to spin off its ceilings & flooring products businesses into two independent publicly traded companies. The company says the separation will create stronger, more differentiated companies with distinct financial and operating models, end-market business cycles, and strategic growth opportunities. In addition, it will create two separate investment opportunities.

Differentiated Companies With Distinct Financial And Operating Models

FERMA is a flooring manufacturer and distributor with a broad product portfolio that includes solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate flooring, and luxury vinyl plank and tile. These products are available with warranty plans for both residential and light commercial applications. In addition to its flooring products, FERMA also manufactures wood cabinetry products and kitchen cabinets.

Before the 1980s, asbestos was used extensively in ceiling treatments, such as ceiling tiles and the paper backing for these tiles. Asbestos was also in the adhesives used to affix ceiling tiles. In addition, some older homes without ceiling tiles may still have asbestos in their ceilings and floors. Asbestos-containing products, like popcorn ceilings, were popular in the 1950s-1980s, but they can be a major health risk. Asbestos regulations were passed to protect consumers.