<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC. APPEARS HERE]
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
To all Armstrong shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 1997 Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders to be held at the principal office of the Company, Armstrong House
North, Liberty and Charlotte Streets, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Monday, April
28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., local time.
As fully described in the accompanying proxy statement, in addition to the
election of directors, you are being asked to consider an amendment to the 1993
Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and a shareholder proposal opposed by the Board
seeking to modify the Company's confidential voting policy.
Please carefully review the proxy statement and then complete and execute
your proxy and return it promptly to the Company's independent judges of
election and vote tabulators, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. The vote
of each shareholder is important to the Board of Directors. We appreciate your
time and attention to this letter and the accompanying proxy statement.
Sincerely yours,
/s/George A. Lorch
George A. Lorch
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
March 17, 1997
<PAGE>
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
NOTICE OF ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Armstrong World Industries, Inc.,
will be held, in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors adopted
pursuant to the bylaws of the Company, on Monday, April 28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, at the principal office of the Company, Armstrong House North,
Liberty and Charlotte Streets, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., for the
following purposes:
. To elect two directors for terms expiring in 2000;
. To amend the 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan to meet the requirements
for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code and make certain other changes described in the proxy
statement;
. To vote upon a shareholder proposal to modify the Company's confidential
voting policy; and
. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Only holders of Common Stock of record on the books of the Company at the
close of business on February 21, 1997, will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
The Board's nominees for directors are set forth in the accompanying proxy
statement.
Your vote is important. Please mark, date and sign your proxy and promptly
mail it in the enclosed envelope to the Company's independent judges of election
and vote tabulators, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
Under the Company's confidential voting policy, you may request that your
vote be treated confidentially. Employee participants' votes under Armstrong's
retirement savings plans and stock ownership plan are treated confidentially.
THE ENCLOSED PROXY, WHICH IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, CAN BE RETURNED IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH
REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
L. A. Pulkrabek
Senior Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel
March 17, 1997
<PAGE>
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
Liberty and Charlotte Streets
Lancaster, PA 17603
PROXY STATEMENT
Proxies in the accompanying form are being solicited by the Board of
Directors of the Company for use at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders on
Monday, April 28, 1997. The proxy statement and the form of proxy are being
mailed to shareholders commencing on or about March 17, 1997.
Only holders of Common Stock of record on the books of the Company at the
close of business on February 21, 1997 (the "Record Date"), will be entitled to
vote at the meeting. On the Record Date, there were 40,875,064 shares of Common
Stock of the Company outstanding.
If a shareholder participates in the Company's Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment Plan, the proxy sent to each shareholder will represent the number
of shares registered in the shareholder's name and the number of shares,
including fractional shares, credited to the shareholder's Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment Plan account.
Holders of Common Stock of record as of the close of business on the Record
Date, or their proxies, are entitled to one vote per share and to cumulative
voting rights in the election of directors. Under cumulative voting, a
shareholder, or the shareholder's proxies, may vote the number of shares owned
by the shareholder for as many persons as there are directors to be elected, or
may cumulate such votes and give to one or distribute to either nominee as many
votes as shall equal the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the
number of the shareholder's shares. The nominees receiving the greatest number
of votes will be elected directors.
Under the Company's confidential voting policy, you may choose to have your
vote treated confidentially by checking the confidential voting box or by
otherwise informing the judges of election. A representative of ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C., has been appointed by the Board of Directors as an
independent judge of election and to tabulate the vote. Employee participants'
votes under Armstrong's retirement savings plans and stock ownership plan are
treated confidentially. If you communicate with the Company by adding a comment
on your proxy card or enclosing a note, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C., will convey your comments to the Company in a fashion which will
preserve any requested confidential vote.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Effective December 21, 1996, Ursula F. Fairbairn resigned as a director of
the Company due to a business conflict. The Board is continuing its review of
candidates to replace her. Reflecting the reduced number of directors, the Board
of Directors amended the Company's bylaws to provide that the stated number of
directors shall be not less than 8 nor more than 13. Nominated by the Board of
Directors for reelection at the shareholders' meeting for a term of three years
are Van C. Campbell and J. Phillip Samper.
The Company has been advised by persons named in the accompanying proxy that
they intend to vote pursuant to the proxy for the election of the following
persons and, if necessary, to exercise cumulative voting rights to secure the
election of as many as possible of the following nominees: Van C. Campbell and
J. Phillip Samper. Each individual nominated for election as a director of the
Company has agreed to serve if elected. However, the Company is informed that in
the event of the refusal or inability of any nominee for director to serve, the
persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote at the meeting
pursuant to the proxy for the election of such other person, if any, as may be
nominated by the Board of Directors, subject to the right of the persons named
in the proxy to exercise cumulative voting rights as described above.
1
<PAGE>
------------------------------------
NOMINEES FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE IN 2000
------------------------------------
VAN C. CAMPBELL
Vice Chairman, Corning Incorporated
Member--Armstrong Audit Committee (Chairman) and Finance and Pension Committee
(Chairman)
Director since 1991 Age 58
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Campbell graduated from Cornell University and holds an MBA degree from
Harvard University. He is Vice Chairman of Corning Incorporated (glass and
ceramic products) and is a member of its Board of Directors. He also serves on
the Boards of Dow Corning Corporation, General Signal Corporation, Covance Inc.,
and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. Mr. Campbell is a Trustee of the Corning
Foundation, the Rockwell Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass.
J. PHILLIP SAMPER
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Quadlux, Inc.
Member--Armstrong Board Affairs and Governance Committee and Management
Development and Compensation Committee
Director since 1985 Age 62
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Samper is a graduate of both the University of California at Berkeley and
the American Graduate School of International Management. He also earned a
master's degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He
is currently Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer with Quadlux, Inc.
(commercial/residential ovens). During 1995 until its merger with Silicon
Graphics, Inc., in February 1996, Mr. Samper served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Cray Research, Inc. (high performance computers and
service). Through February 1995, Mr. Samper served as the Chief Executive of Sun
Microsystems Computer Corporation (computer workstations), a major unit of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. He retired as Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer of Eastman
Kodak Company (photographic, chemical and health care products) in 1990 after a
career spanning 28 years. As a Hispanic, Mr. Samper has been active in
pro-Hispanic efforts nationally. He is also a Director of Interpublic Group of
Companies, Inc., Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., Ingram Micro, Inc., and Network
Storage Corp.
------------------------------------
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1999
------------------------------------
H. JESSE ARNELLE
Senior Partner
Arnelle, Hastie, McGee, Willis & Greene
Member--Armstrong Audit Committee and Finance and Pension Committee
Director since 1995 Age 63
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Arnelle is a senior partner and co-founder of Arnelle, Hastie, McGee, Willis
& Greene, a San Francisco-based corporate law firm. He is a graduate of
Pennsylvania State University and the Dickinson School of Law. Mr. Arnelle is
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania State University and
serves on the Boards of Wells Fargo & Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., WMX
Technologies, Inc., FPL Group, Inc., Eastman Chemical Company, Textron
Corporation and Union Pacific Resources, Inc.
2
<PAGE>
------------------------------------
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1999
------------------------------------
DONALD C. CLARK
Former Chairman of the Board
Household International, Inc.
Member--Armstrong Audit Committee and Finance and Pension Committee
Director since 1996 Age 65
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Clark is a graduate of Clarkson University and Northwestern University where
he earned his MBA degree. He joined Household International, Inc. (consumer
financial services) in 1955 and, after holding a number of managerial and
executive positions, was elected Chief Executive Officer in 1982 and Chairman of
the Board in 1984. In 1994, he relinquished the title of Chief Executive Officer
and retired as a Director and Chairman of the Board in May, 1996, as a result of
reaching Household's mandatory retirement age for employee directors. Mr. Clark
is a Director of Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. and is a trustee of Northwestern
University and Clarkson University. He is also a Director of Warner-Lambert
Company, Ameritech Corporation, Scotsman Industries, Inc., and PMI Group, Inc.
GEORGE A. LORCH
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Armstrong
Director since 1988 Age 55
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Lorch is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He began his
Armstrong association in 1963. He has served as the Company's Chairman of the
Board since April 1994. Prior to his election as President and Chief Executive
Officer in September 1993, he served as Executive Vice President from 1988.
After various assignments in marketing (1963-1983) with Armstrong and an
Armstrong subsidiary, he served as Group Vice President for Carpet Operations
during the period 1983 to 1988. Mr. Lorch is also a Director of The Stanley
Works, Household International, Inc., RR Donnelley & Sons Company and Dal-Tile
International Inc. He is a member of The Policy Committee of the Business
Roundtable and a member of The Pennsylvania Business Roundtable.
------------------------------------
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1998
------------------------------------
E. ALLEN DEAVER
Executive Vice President of Armstrong
Director since 1988 Age 61
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Deaver is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a former Army
officer. He began his Armstrong career in 1960 and has served as Executive Vice
President since 1988. Prior to that time, he gained experience in a variety of
engineering and manufacturing positions in the United States and abroad. He was
Group Vice President for Corporate Technology and New Business Development
(1983-1988). Mr. Deaver is a director of the National Association of
Manufacturers, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the
Pennsylvania Economy League. He is also a member of the Boards of Directors of
Pennsylvania Power & Light Company, PP&L Resources, Inc., and Internacional de
Ceramica S.A. de C.V.
3
<PAGE>
------------------------------------
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1998
------------------------------------
JAMES E. MARLEY
Chairman of the Board
AMP Incorporated
Member--Armstrong Board Affairs and Governance Committee (Chairman) and
Management Development and Compensation Committee
Director since 1988 Age 61
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Marley is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and earned a master's
degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University. Since 1993, he has
served as Chairman of the Board of AMP Incorporated (electrical/electronic
connection devices), which he joined in 1963 where he served as President and
Chief Operating Officer (1990-1992) and President (1986-1990). He is active as a
Director of The Pinnacle Health System, The Pennsylvania Business Roundtable,
Manufacturers' Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, and The Pennsylvania
Chamber of Business and Industry. He is also a Director of Harsco Corporation.
JERRE L. STEAD
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Ingram Micro, Inc.
Member--Armstrong Board Affairs and Governance Committee and Management
Development and Compensation Committee (Chairman)
Director since 1992 Age 54
[PHOTO APPEARS HERE]
Mr. Stead is a graduate of the University of Iowa and was a participant in the
Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School. On September 1, 1996, he
became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ingram Micro, Inc. (technology
products and services). During 1995, he served as Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Legent Corporation (integrated product and service software
solutions) until its sale late in 1995. He was Executive Vice President,
American Telephone and Telegraph Company (telecommunications) and Chief
Executive Officer of AT&T Global Information Solutions (computers and
communicating), formerly NCR Corp. (1993-1994). He was President of AT&T Global
Business Communications Systems (communications) (1991-1993). Mr. Stead was
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (1989-1991) of Square D Company
(industrial control and electrical distribution products). He serves the Board
of Garrett Evangelical Seminary and the University of Iowa Board of Visitors. He
is also a Director of TBG Holdings N.V., TJ International, Inc., and American
Precision Industries, Inc.
The Board of Directors held eight meetings during 1996. Each incumbent
director, except for J. Phillip Samper, attended at least 75% of the aggregate
total meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings (20 in total during 1996)
of the standing Audit, Board Affairs and Governance, Management Development and
Compensation, Finance and Pension and Public Policy Committees on which each
such director served. Effective April 1, 1996, the Board Affairs and Governance
Committee assumed the duties formerly dealt with by the Public Policy Committee.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
During 1996, the directors who are not officers or employees of the Company
were each compensated at the rate of $20,000 per year and, in addition, $1,000
for each Board and Committee meeting attended and $1,000 per diem plus
reasonable expenses for special assignments in connection with Board activity.
An annual fee of $3,000 is paid to each Committee chairperson. Directors who are
officers or employees of the Company are not separately compensated as directors
or for attendance at Board or Committee meetings or as
4
<PAGE>
Committee chairpersons. Directors may elect to defer cash payments to the
Armstrong Deferred Compensation Plan which is described on page 11. During 1996,
seven nonemployee directors made such deferrals to the Armstrong Deferred
Compensation Plan, and two nonemployee directors have account balances under the
Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (a plan as to which future
deferrals were terminated June 25, 1990).
On December 18, 1995, the Board voted to discontinue the Directors'
Retirement Income Plan for directors who join the Board after January 1, 1996.
Under the Plan, a director who attains at least six years of Board service is
eligible for retirement benefits following termination of Board service. The
annual retirement benefit is equal to the Board retainer in effect on the date
of termination and is payable for a period equal to the director's length of
Board service. Payments cease upon a director's death. Current directors who
elected to discontinue Plan participation and waive their right to any accrued
benefit became eligible to receive awards of phantom shares of Common Stock
under the Armstrong Deferred Compensation Plan. Under such an election, a
director who had less than 12 years of Board service on January 1, 1996, became
eligible to receive an annual award of 200 phantom shares commencing January 1,
1996, and continuing each January 1 up until the time the director attains 12
years of Board service. In addition, all directors who elected to discontinue
participation in the Directors' Retirement Income Plan received a phantom share
award to replace the value of the accrued benefit the director elected to
forfeit. The phantom share award to each director was the greater of 200 shares
times the number of full years of Board service as of January 1, 1996, or that
number of shares whose fair market value as of January 1, 1996, equated to the
present value of benefits accrued under the Directors' Retirement Income Plan.
Four of the five current directors who joined the Board prior to January 1,
1996, elected to discontinue their participation in the Directors' Retirement
Income Plan and receive the phantom share awards. Any director who joins the
Board after January 1, 1996, will receive an annual award of 200 phantom shares
each January 1 up until the time the director attains 12 years of Board service.
In addition to the foregoing, all nonemployee directors participate in the
Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors pursuant to which each
nonemployee director is entitled to receive an initial award of 200 shares of
Common Stock upon becoming a director and annual awards of shares of Common
Stock on July 1 of each year. Under an award schedule approved by the
shareholders, the annual award of 200 restricted shares of Common Stock will
increase to 300 shares effective July 1, 1997; 400 shares effective July 1,
1999; and 500 shares effective July 1, 2001. Under the Plan, the shares of
Common Stock may not be transferred by the director and are subject to
forfeiture under certain conditions. Subject to these forfeiture provisions,
each nonemployee director has the right to receive dividends on and has voting
power with respect to the shares.
The Board of Directors adopted a minimum stock ownership guideline for
nonemployee directors equal to five times the annual Board retainer. Currently,
this equates to $100,000 worth of Common Stock. Directors have five years from
date of notification to meet this ownership guideline. Shares awarded under the
Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors and deferred stock units held
under the Armstrong Deferred Compensation Plan will be counted for purposes of
satisfying the ownership guideline. Four of the six current directors have met
the minimum stock ownership guideline.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors has, among others, an Audit Committee, a Management
Development and Compensation Committee and a Board Affairs and Governance
Committee as described below. The Finance and Pension Committee and the
Executive Committee are also standing committees of the Board. The Committees
receive their authority and assignments from the Board of Directors and report
to the Board.
Audit Committee--The Committee is composed of Van C. Campbell (Chairman), H.
- ---------------
Jesse Arnelle and Donald C. Clark. The Committee held three meetings during
1996. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee's activities included,
but were not limited to, recommendation of the employment of the independent
auditors; review of the scope and results of the independent auditors' audit
activities and the fees proposed and charged therefor; review of nonaudit
services of the independent auditors and the fees proposed and charged therefor;
review of the scope and results of the internal audit activities; review of
officers' travel and entertainment expenses; and review of the financial
activities, financial position and related reports of the consolidated Company.
5
<PAGE>
Management Development and Compensation Committee--The Committee is composed of
- -------------------------------------------------
Jerre L. Stead (Chairman), James E. Marley and J. Phillip Samper. Ursula F.
Fairbairn was also a member of the Committee until her resignation from the
Board in December 1996. The Committee held four meetings during 1996. In
fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee reviews and recommends to the
Board of Directors matters involving the annual compensation of all directors
who are officers of the Company; reviews the compensation plans for all officers
of the Company; and periodically reviews the management development plans, the
salary and incentive compensation plans and the administration of such plans
covering the salaried employees of the Company. Meeting annually, the Committee
reviews matters of senior management succession. The Committee also administers
the Long-Term Stock Option Plan for Key Employees, the 1993 Long-Term Stock
Incentive Plan, the Company's Management Achievement Plan and the Armstrong
Deferred Compensation Plan.
Board Affairs and Governance Committee--The Committee is composed of James E.
- --------------------------------------
Marley (Chairman), J. Phillip Samper and Jerre L. Stead. Ursula F. Fairbairn
also served on the Committee until her resignation from the Board in December
1996. The Committee held two meetings during 1996. In fulfilling its
responsibilities, the Committee reviews and recommends new director candidates
for consideration by the Board of Directors and recommends to the Board the
director nominees for election at the annual shareholders' meeting. It also
reviews and makes recommendations dealing with development, performance and
effective functioning of the Board. The Board Affairs and Governance Committee
will consider nominees recommended by shareholders of the Company. Such
recommendations should be made in writing, should include a statement of the
recommended nominee's qualifications and should be addressed to the Committee at
the address of the Company. Actual nominations must be made in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Company's bylaws, a copy of which may be
obtained upon written request to the Secretary of the Company. The Committee
also reviews matters of nonemployee directors' compensation and administers the
Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. During 1996, the Committee
assumed the duties of the Public Policy Committee and will focus on the
Company's policies concerning environmental matters, health, safety, EEO and
other diversity issues.
DIRECTORS' AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS' SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following tabulation shows the amount of all Armstrong stock-based
holdings beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company's directors
(and nominees), the named individuals set forth in Table 1 on page 10 and all
the directors and executive officers as a group as of December 31, 1996. Except
as otherwise noted below, in each instance the nature of beneficial ownership
consists of sole voting and investment power.
Common Stock and Stock-Based Holdings
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stock Options Total Beneficial Deferred
Name Stock/1/ Exercisable Within 60 Days Ownership Stock Units/2/
- ---- ----- -------------------------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
H. Jesse Arnelle 409 -- 409 316
Henry A. Bradshaw 20,891 22,800 43,691 --
Van C. Campbell 1,200 -- 1,200 2,262
Donald C. Clark 604 -- 604 340
E. Allen Deaver 31,995 78,240 110,235 11,414
George A. Lorch 82,954 118,140 201,094 13,308
James E. Marley 1,430 -- 1,430 2,236
Frank A. Riddick III 22,104 39,060 61,164 795
J. Phillip Samper 2,457 -- 2,457 494
Robert J. Shannon, Jr. 11,706 14,410 26,116 2,461
Jerre L. Stead 3,070 -- 3,070 820
Directors, nominees and
executive officers as a
group (19 persons) 262,473 378,345 640,818 40,227
</TABLE>
/1/ Includes the following shares held by each nonemployee director under the
Company's Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors as to which each
director has voting but not investment power
6
<PAGE>
and which shares are subject to forfeiture in certain events: H. Jesse Arnelle--
400; Van C. Campbell--1,000; Donald C. Clark--400; James E. Marley--1,100; J.
Phillip Samper--1,100; and Jerre L. Stead--900.
The amounts also include shares of Common Stock which may be deemed to be
beneficially owned through the employee stock ownership accounts of the
Company's Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan ("RSSOP") as follows:
George A. Lorch--1,557; E. Allen Deaver--1,610; Henry A. Bradshaw--1,119; Frank
A. Riddick III--7; Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--490; and current directors and
executive officers as a group--8,658. Each of the named individuals and each
member of the group has shared voting power and no investment power with respect
to the shares of Common Stock which may be deemed to be allocated to them under
the RSSOP. The ownership of each such individual and all the current directors
and executive officers as a group represents less than 1% of the outstanding
shares in the RSSOP stock ownership accounts. For a further description, see
Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan ("RSSOP") under "Executive Officers'
Compensation" and for a description of the ownership of the RSSOP Stock, see
"Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners."
Also included are the indirectly owned shares held in the RSSOP retirement
savings accounts of the following individuals: George A. Lorch--712; E. Allen
Deaver--589; Henry A. Bradshaw--275; Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--193; and in the
case of Mr. Lorch, the 62 shares owned jointly by Mr. Lorch with his wife, as to
which he holds shared voting and investment power; and in the case of Jerre L.
Stead, the 100 shares owned jointly by Mr. Stead with his wife, as to which he
holds shared voting and investment power.
With respect to current executive officers other than the named individuals, the
group amount includes the 390 shares held jointly with family members, as to
which voting and investment power is shared, and 812 shares owned indirectly
through the retirement savings accounts of the RSSOP.
/2/ Includes phantom shares of Company Stock held in the Stock Subaccount under
the Armstrong Deferred Compensation Plan. The phantom shares of Company Stock
are evidenced by a bookkeeping entry and participants have no voting or
investment power.
The ownership shown under the "Total Beneficial Ownership" column for each
director represents less than 1% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on
December 31, 1996. All current directors and executive officers as a group
beneficially own approximately 1.5% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on
December 31, 1996.
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Management Development and Compensation Committee is responsible for
establishing the Company's overall philosophy and policies governing the
compensation programs for management personnel. The competitiveness of the
Armstrong executive compensation program is assessed by comparing the total
value of the program elements (base salary, annual incentive, long-term
incentives, employee benefits and perquisites) to that of a selected group of 18
other leading manufacturing companies with comparable sales revenue.
Executive Compensation Principles and Philosophy--The design of the executive
- ------------------------------------------------
compensation program is based on the principles that (1) the level and mixture
of compensation opportunity be sufficient to attract, retain and motivate the
caliber of executive talent vital to the Company's continued success, (2)
incentive compensation be at risk and conditional on the attainment of
performance goals that are directly related to increasing the long-term value of
the Company and achieving superior levels of total shareholder return, and (3)
individual senior managers be required to own specified amounts of Armstrong
Common Stock to ensure an ownership stake and enhance the alignment of their
personal interests with shareholder interests.
Annual Compensation--Base salaries are administered on a "pay for performance"
- -------------------
philosophy. Each year, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) prepares a
salary plan for each of the Company's officers that, among other things, takes
into account their performance and contributions. The proposed
7
<PAGE>
salary plans are reviewed by the Committee and, subject to agreed-upon
modification, approved for all officers of the Company. The Committee recommends
to the Board of Directors for approval the annual base salary compensation of
all officers who are directors of the Company.
The Company's primary annual incentive plan is the Management Achievement Plan.
A participant can earn cash awards in relation to the attainment of corporate
and business unit goals. A specific weighting is assigned to each of these
achievement segments where such segments are applicable. Each participant has a
targeted annual incentive award which is expressed as a percentage of base
salary earnings and varies with the participant's level of responsibility.
Economic Value Added (EVA(R)) serves as the Company's principal financial
measure and is the basis for determining awards under the Management Achievement
Plan. EVA equals the dollar amount arrived at by taking net operating profit
after taxes and subtracting a charge for the use of the capital needed to
generate that profit. For the corporate and business unit achievement segments,
there are threshold levels of EVA performance below which no incentive awards
are paid. For the corporate and major business unit segments, there are no caps
or maximum award limits so there will be incremental awards for higher levels of
EVA achievement. The incentive awards for the Chairman and CEO, the Executive
Vice President and the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer are based entirely on corporate EVA achievement. The incentive awards
for all other executive officers are based solely on corporate and/or business
unit EVA goal achievement.
The Management Achievement Plan has been structured so that the level of cash
compensation (base salary plus annual bonus) will exceed the median level of
cash compensation for the selected group of companies when high levels of
corporate, business unit and individual performance are achieved. Conversely,
when the Company and business units fall short of established targets, the level
of cash compensation will fall below the median level of cash compensation for
the selected group.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation--The Company's 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive
- --------------------------------
Plan provides for the grant of stock options, performance restricted shares, and
restricted stock awards. Each year, the Committee reviews and, where
appropriate, authorizes long-term incentive grants under the Plan. Restricted
stock awards are made to key employees for purposes of special recognition and
employment retention.
In 1996, stock options were granted at the fair market value of the stock on the
date of the grant. In determining the number of stock options granted to
management, the Committee took into account: position levels, the targeted
amounts of the long-term incentive award for selected participants, and other
factors determined to be relevant such as individual performance, employment
retention and the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan. If the
stock price increases significantly, participants stand to realize commensurate
rewards and the opportunity to increase their stock ownership positions by
exercising their options.
Performance restricted share grants were made to a group of selected senior
executives, including all of the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table shown on page 10. The Committee considered position levels,
the targeted amounts of the long-term incentive award, individual performance,
employment retention and the number of shares available for issuance under the
Plan in determining the number of performance restricted shares to grant to the
senior executive group. Grants made in 1996 are rights to earn shares of
Armstrong Common Stock if the Company's total shareholder return performance
over the three-year period of 1996 through 1998 meets specific goals established
by the Committee. The number of performance restricted shares earned, if any,
will be based on Armstrong's relative total shareholder return compared to that
of 12 companies in the Peer Group Index selected by the Committee (referenced in
footnote 2 of the Performance Graph on page 15). Shares earned will be subject
to a three-year restriction period commencing January 1, 1999.
For approximately 50 of the Company's senior executives (including the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table shown on page 10 except for Mr.
Bradshaw), the number of stock options and performance restricted shares granted
in 1996 was twice the normal annual grant amount. Generally, these executives
will not receive stock option or performance restricted share grants prior to
1998.
8
<PAGE>
Stock Ownership Guidelines--Early in 1995, the Company adopted stock
- --------------------------
ownership guidelines for the top 70 senior executives. These guidelines
establish minimum levels of Armstrong stock ownership (including deferred stock
units) that executives are expected to meet within five years of notification,
ranging from a value equal to one times base salary for lower level executives
to four times base salary for the CEO. These ownership guidelines are intended
to ensure that senior executives will have a significant ownership stake in the
Company while providing an added incentive for the executives to focus on
long-term shareholder value creation. In the second year of measurement, Messrs.
Lorch, Deaver, Bradshaw, Riddick and Shannon have satisfied their respective
minimum levels of stock ownership. Two-thirds of the other executive officers
have also met the minimum ownership guidelines.
Tax Deductibility Under Section 162(m)--The Committee's intention is that all
- --------------------------------------
performance-based compensation be deductible for federal income tax purposes. It
is the opinion of the Company that annual incentive payments under the
Management Achievement Plan and all outstanding stock option grants and grants
of performance restricted shares will qualify as performance-based compensation
under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).
CEO Compensation--Under Mr. Lorch's leadership, the Armstrong organization
- ----------------
achieved the following during 1996:
. Posted record sales and earnings from continuing businesses (excluding the
earnings impact of restructuring and special charges).
. Earned in excess of the Company's cost of EVA capital for the third
consecutive year.
. More than doubled the value to shareholders of the Company's ceramic tile
investment to over $350 million.
. Supported a 12% increase in the price of Armstrong Common Stock from $62 to
$69.50 per share which increased the market value of the Company by $245 million
to a market capitalization of $2.9 billion. Reached an all-time record high of
$75.25 per share. Announced an 11.1% increase in the annual dividend rate from
$1.44 to $1.60 per share.
. Reached a repurchase level of 2,379,934 under the 2.5 million share repurchase
program and authorized an additional 3 million share repurchase program.
. From a business operations perspective:
--increased the sale of products to U.S. home improvement center retailers
by 17%;
--introduced a new laminate flooring product category and the new Quest
merchandising program for flooring retailers;
--dedicated the opening of a new ceilings plant in Shanghai, China; and
--successfully completed labor negotiations at the Company's U.S.
manufacturing facilities without a work stoppage.
. Implemented organizational effectiveness changes which have added and will
continue to add value through defined roles and responsibilities, improved
decision making and accountability for results.
. Received the following recognition:
--Armstrong's Board of Directors was identified by Chief Executive
magazine as one of the "five best in America."
--Company received U.S. Department of Labor's Exemplary Voluntary Efforts
(EVE) Award for equal employment opportunity initiatives.
These business and financial achievements were among the factors that caused
the Committee to approve the 1996 compensation as displayed in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 10.
The Chairman and CEO's total direct compensation opportunity at target has been
established such that less than 30% of the total direct compensation opportunity
will be fixed and represented by base salary earnings. The remainder will be
performance-based, comprised of an annual cash incentive opportunity under the
Management Achievement Plan and a stock based long-term incentive opportunity
under the 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.
The Management Development and Compensation Committee consists of Jerre L. Stead
(Chairman), James E. Marley and J. Phillip Samper.
9
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Ursula F. Fairbairn (who resigned from the Board effective December 21, 1996),
James E. Marley, J. Phillip Samper and Jerre L. Stead served as members of the
Company's Management Development and Compensation Committee during 1996.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS' COMPENSATION
The following table shows the compensation received by the Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company (the "Named Executives") for services to the Company and its
subsidiaries during the last three fiscal years:
TABLE 1: SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards Payouts
---------------------------------------
Securities
Other Restricted Underlying All
Annual Stock Options/ LTIP Other
Name and Salary Bonus Compensation Award(s) SARs Payouts Compensation
Principal Position Year ($) ($)/1/ ($)/3/ ($)/5/ (#) ($) ($)/9/
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G.A. Lorch 1996 622,500 1,154,738 -- 0 70,880 0/7/ 63,004
Chairman and 1995 587,500 929,425 -- 3,137,500/4/ 276,500/4/ 772,334 22,807
Chief Executive Officer 1994 537,600 612,864 -- 584,218 12,500 0 19,798
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E.A. Deaver 1996 457,800 788,561 -- 0 40,000 0/7/ 113,455
Executive Vice President 1995 433,350 636,592 -- 0 15,200 772,334 23,921
1994 381,600 362,520 -- 501,093 10,000 0 20,056
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.A. Bradshaw 1996 271,200 308,612 -- 0 7,710 0/7/ 21,492
President, Worldwide 1995 252,000 289,258 -- 45,875 7,150 396,056 13,726
Building Products Operations 1994 231,600 231,600 -- 83,905 4,350 0 12,334
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F.A. Riddick III 1996 291,000 462,690 -- 598,750 68,120/6/ 0 6,279
Senior Vice President, 1995 208,954/2/ 259,731 88,982 534,750 30,000 0 194
Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R.J. Shannon, Jr. 1996 238,300 271,036 -- 369,250 35,500/6/ 0 19,716
President, Worldwide 1995 211,600 158,731 -- 91,750 0 384,508/8/ 1,685
Floor Products Operations 1994 185,490 115,892 -- 245,945 0 0 704
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
/1/Bonuses are paid in the year following the year in which shown.
/2/Mr. Riddick's employment with the Company commenced March 15, 1995.
/3/Except for the income related to Mr. Riddick's relocation during 1995, the
aggregate value does not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of shown salary and
bonus.
/4/On December 18, 1995, the Board of Directors made a special long-term
incentive award to Mr. Lorch consisting of 50,000 shares of restricted stock and
250,000 stock options. These awards were made in recognition of Mr. Lorch's
outstanding performance as Chairman and CEO, and to serve to retain his
employment with the Company for at least the next five years. The shares of
restricted stock vest and become free of restrictions in one-third installments
at three, four and five years from the date of the award. The stock options
become exercisable in one-third installments at three, four and five years from
the date of the grant. The shares of restricted stock vest and the stock options
become exercisable upon a change in control of the Company.
/5/Messrs. Riddick and Shannon received restricted stock awards of shares of
Common Stock in recognition of their contributions and to serve to retain their
employment. Mr. Riddick received 10,000 shares of Common Stock which vest and
become free of restrictions in one-third installments at three, four and five
years from the date of the award. Mr. Shannon received 5,000 shares of Common
Stock which vest and become free of restrictions in one-third installments at
three, four and five years from the date of the award, and 1,000 shares of
Common Stock which vest and become free of restrictions at five years from the
date of the award. All restrictions lapse upon a change in control of the
Company. The number and value of all shares of restricted stock held by each of
the Named Executives as of December 31, 1996, which includes performance
restricted shares earned under the 1993 grants and performance restricted shares
that can be earned under the 1995 and 1996 grants, were as follows: George A.
Lorch--
10
<PAGE>
80,734 ($5,611,013); E. Allen Deaver--21,869 ($1,519,896); Henry A.
Bradshaw--10,163 ($706,329); Frank A. Riddick III--23,942 ($1,663,969); and
Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--12,208 ($848,456). In order to earn the performance
restricted shares granted in 1995 and 1996, the Company's total shareholder
return for the two three-year periods ending in 1997 and 1998 must meet specific
goals established by the Management Development and Compensation Committee.
During the performance periods, participants are credited with dividend
equivalents which are used to grant additional performance restricted shares
that are subject to the same performance requirements and the same terms and
conditions.
/6/Messrs. Riddick and Shannon received special stock option grants during 1996.
Mr. Riddick received a grant of 50,000 stock options and Mr. Shannon received a
grant of 25,000 stock options. These grants were made in recognition of their
outstanding performance and to serve to retain their employment with the Company
for at least the next five years. These stock options become exercisable in
one-third installments at three, four and five years from the date of grant. All
stock options become exercisable upon a change in control of the Company.
/7/In spite of an average annual return to shareholders of 12.2% over the
three-year period from 1994 through 1996, no shares were earned in 1996 under
the performance restricted share grants made in 1994 since the Company's total
shareholder return performance was below the 50th percentile level of companies
comprising the Standard & Poor's 500.
/8/As its president, Mr. Shannon received a cash payment under a long-term
incentive plan established for the American Olean Tile Company, Inc., formerly a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. On December 29, 1995, Armstrong combined
its ceramic tile operations with Dal-Tile International Inc.
/9/The amounts include the above-market interest credited to each named
individual's Armstrong Deferred Compensation Plan account: George A.
Lorch--$25,580; E. Allen Deaver--$25,851; Henry A. Bradshaw--$13,646; Frank A.
Riddick III--$442; and Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--$1,607. The amounts also include
the imputed income for Group Life Insurance in excess of $50,000: George A.
Lorch--$525; E. Allen Deaver--$936; Henry A. Bradshaw--$1,404; Frank A. Riddick
III--$119; and Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--$29. The amounts also include vested
amounts in the RSSOP for members' Equity, Bonus and Match Accounts: George A.
Lorch--$1,156; E. Allen Deaver--$3,308; Henry A. Bradshaw--$6,442; Frank A.
Riddick III--$553; and Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--$5,557. The amounts also include
the present value costs of the Company's portion of 1996 premiums for
split-dollar life insurance: George A. Lorch--$35,743; E. Allen Deaver--$83,360;
Frank A. Riddick III--$5,165; and Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--$12,523. As a
condition of participation in the split-dollar life insurance program, the Named
Executives waived future participation in the Company-paid group term life
insurance program.
Management Achievement Plan--The Management Achievement Plan is designed to
- ---------------------------
promote the Company's financial success by motivating key Company and selected
subsidiary executives to produce outstanding results by providing them the
opportunity to earn additional financial rewards based on the attainment of
defined corporate and business unit goals. Under the Plan, the Company
establishes for each participant at the beginning of each year a target
incentive cash award based on the achievement of defined corporate and business
unit goals. At the end of the year, the results actually achieved are evaluated
against these goals to determine the amount, if any, of additional compensation
earned by individuals participating in the Plan.
Deferred Compensation Plan--To enhance the attraction and retention of
- --------------------------
high-quality members of the Board of Directors and upper management, the Board
approved in 1985 the Deferred Compensation Plan covering directors and certain
management employees to be selected by the Deferred Compensation Committee.
Under the Plan, employee participants can elect to defer up to 20% of base
salary and 100% of their actual bonus. Nonemployee directors can make voluntary
elections to defer up to 100% of cash fees and may also receive deferred stock
units as described under the Directors' Compensation section on page 4.
Participants are eligible to receive certain supplemental retirement benefits
upon retirement or the attainment of a certain age. Payment of the supplemental
retirement benefit normally is by monthly annuity for a period of 15 years (10
years in the case of nonemployee directors). For deferrals completed in 1993 and
beyond, the trusts will be funded with assets having a present value equal to
the projected account balance through the end of the current year. The majority
of the present value of these assets is represented by life insurance policies
owned by the trusts on the lives of participants in the Plan. Benefits under the
Deferred Compensation Plan are financed so that the Company anticipates
recapturing the benefit costs under the Plan.
11
<PAGE>
Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan ("RSSOP")--Effective September 30,
- -----------------------------------------------------
1996, the Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Employee Stock Ownership Plan
("ESOP") was restructured and its assets and liabilities were merged into the
Retirement Savings Plan for Salaried Employees of Armstrong World Industries,
Inc. The plan as amended and restated is now called the Retirement Savings and
Stock Ownership Plan of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. As part of the ESOP
restructuring, the Company called for the redemption of all shares of Series A
ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock as of August 1, 1996. The ESOP Trustee, as
permitted under the ESOP preferred stock terms, converted the shares of ESOP
preferred stock into shares of Common Stock at a conversion ratio of one share
of Common Stock for each share of ESOP preferred stock, effective August 1,
1996.
The RSSOP consists of two parts. The first part--Retirement Savings
Accounts--provides a cash or deferred arrangement intended to qualify under
Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a) and 401(k) and also permits employee
after-tax contributions. The second part--Stock Ownership Accounts--is both a
stock bonus plan and an employee stock ownership plan intended to qualify under
Sections 401(a), 401(k) and 4975(e)(7) of the Code, and as such is designed to
invest primarily in the Company's Common Stock. All employees of the Company and
participating subsidiaries of the Company, including the Named Executives, who
meet certain eligibility criteria are eligible to participate in the RSSOP.
Compensation received by the Named Executive pursuant to the RSSOP is reflected
in the "All Other Compensation" column of Table 1 on page 10.
Employment Protection Plan for Salaried Employees--The Company's Employment
- -------------------------------------------------
Protection Plan for Salaried Employees is designed to encourage the attraction
of new employees and to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and
dedication of salaried employees of the Company, as well as to protect certain
rights and benefits of employment. Under the Plan, eligible salaried employees
(excluding the Named Executives and certain other officers who are covered under
individual change in control agreements) of the Company are entitled to
severance pay and continuation of benefits if they are terminated for other than
cause or resign for good reason, in each case as defined in the Plan, within two
years following a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Plan. The
amount of the severance pay to which an eligible employee is entitled is based
on the employee's length of service and cash compensation, ranging from a
minimum of two weeks' pay to a maximum of 104 weeks' pay, subject to certain
limitations, and is payable in a lump sum promptly following the employee's date
of termination.
Change in Control and Termination of Employment Arrangements--The Company has
- ------------------------------------------------------------
entered into agreements with a small group of senior officers, including the
Named Executives, to provide certain severance and noncompetition benefits in
the event the officer is involuntarily terminated or terminates for good reason
as defined in the agreement within two years following a change in control of
the Company. The purpose of the agreements is to foster the continued employment
of key officers by allowing them to focus attention on their assigned
responsibilities without distraction in the event of circumstances arising from
the possibility of a change in control of the Company. The agreement has an
automatic renewal feature such that the terms will continue in effect unless
either the Company or the officer elects not to extend the agreement. For
purposes of these agreements, change in control has been defined to include: (1)
acquisition by a person (excluding certain qualified owners) of beneficial
ownership of 20% or more of the Company's Common Stock, (2) change in the
composition of the Board of Directors such that existing Board members and their
approved successors do not constitute a majority of the Board, (3) consummation
of a merger or consolidation of the Company unless shareholders of voting
securities immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to hold
60% or more of the voting securities of the resulting entity, and (4)
shareholder approval of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or sale of
all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
Circumstances triggering payment of specified benefits include: (1) involuntary
termination of employment for reasons other than cause, death or disability or,
(2) voluntary termination by the officer for good reason where there are
significant changes in the nature of employment including reduction in
compensation, changes in responsibility or relocation of the place of
employment. Severance benefits under the agreements include: (1) a lump sum
severance payment equal to two times the sum of (a) the officer's annual base
salary, and (b) the officer's highest annual bonus earned in the three years
prior to termination or prior to change in control, (2) continuation of life,
disability, accident and health insurance benefits
12
<PAGE>
for three years following termination, (3) payment of remaining premium payments
for split-dollar life insurance policies, (4) enhanced retirement benefits
payable as a lump sum for officers under 50 years of age or those who have not
completed ten years of service, and (5) payment of legal fees in connection with
a good faith dispute involving the agreement. The agreement also includes a
noncompetition benefit whereby the officer is eligible for a monthly
noncompetition payment covering the one-year period following termination of
employment. The monthly payment is one-twelfth of the sum of (a) the officer's
annual base salary, and (b) the officer's highest annual bonus earned in the
three years prior to termination or prior to change in control. The
noncompetition payments cease and past payments are subject to recovery under
certain conditions should the officer engage in activities determined to be in
violation of the agreement.
Severance Pay Plan for Salaried Employees--The Company's Severance Pay Plan for
- -----------------------------------------
Salaried Employees, adopted in 1990, is designed to cushion the effects of
unemployment for those salaried employees whose employment is terminated on
action initiated by the Company under certain conditions. All parent Company
salaried employees are eligible for severance pay if they are terminated by the
Company and are not otherwise excluded from the receipt of such benefits for
reasons set forth in the Plan. No employee is eligible for severance pay where
the employee voluntarily terminates employment or where the termination is in
connection with the sale of a plant, unit, division or subsidiary and the
employee has the opportunity for continued employment in a similar position with
comparable compensation and within the same geographic area with a successor
organization. The amount of the severance pay that an eligible employee may
receive is based on the employee's length of service, reason for termination and
cash compensation level in accordance with a schedule ranging from a minimum of
two weeks' pay to a present maximum of 78 weeks' pay. Subject to certain
limitations, benefits may be paid by salary continuation or lump-sum payments or
a combination of periodic and lump-sum payments. The Severance Pay Committee has
the right to depart from the severance pay schedule where related factors
justify an upward or downward adjustment in the level of benefits. In no event
may the severance benefit exceed 104 weeks' pay.
TABLE 2: OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth information regarding the grant of stock
options during 1996 under the Company's 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
("the Plan") to each of the Named Executives:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual Grants
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Percent Of
Underlying Total Options/
Options/SARs SARs Granted Exercise Or Grant Date
Granted/1/ To Employees Base Price Expiration Present Value/2/
Name (#) In Fiscal Year ($/share) Date ($)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. A. Lorch 70,880 9.7 59.875 02/24/06 847,838
E. A. Deaver 40,000 5.5 59.875 02/24/06 478,464
H. A. Bradshaw 7,710 1.1 59.875 02/24/06 92,224
F. A. Riddick III 68,120 9.3 59.875 02/24/06 814,824
R. J. Shannon, Jr. 35,500 4.9 59.875 02/24/06 424,637
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
/1/With certain exceptions for death or disability and defined change in control
events under the Plan, most options/SARs become exercisable in equal
installments at one and two years from the date of grant. Of the stock options
granted to Messrs. Riddick and Shannon, 50,000 shares granted to Mr. Riddick and
25,000 shares granted to Mr. Shannon become exercisable in equal installments at
three, four and five years from the date of grant. All stock options become
exercisable immediately upon a change in control of the Company.
/2/In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the estimated
grant date present values were determined using the Black-Scholes model. The
material assumptions and adjustments incorporated in the model include: an
option term of five years, volatility of 21%, dividend yield of 2.32%, a
risk-free interest rate of 6.17%, and a reduction of 16% to reflect the
probability that the above stock options will be forfeited prior to the
expiration date. The ultimate value of the options will depend on the future
market price of the Company's stock which cannot be forecast with reasonable
accuracy.
13
<PAGE>
TABLE 3: AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of stock
options during 1996 and the unexercised options held as of the end of 1996 by
each of the Named Executives
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Securities
Shares Realized Underlying Unexercised Value Of Unexercised,
Acquired (market price Options/SARs In-The-Money Options/
On at exercise less At Fiscal Year-End SARs At Fiscal Year-End
Exercise exercise price) (#) ($)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Name (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. A. Lorch 0 0 82,700 320,880 2,387,288 2,369,720
E. A. Deaver 2,860 76,863 58,240 40,000 1,665,285 385,000
H. A. Bradshaw 4,980 171,863 22,800 7,710 665,294 74,209
F. A. Riddick III 0 0 30,000 68,120 690,000 655,655
R. J. Shannon, Jr. 500 12,094 9,160 35,500 337,568 341,688
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
TABLE 4: LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS - AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Future Payouts Of Performance
Number Of Performance Shares Under Nonstock Price-Based Plan/1/
Performance Period Until -----------------------------------------------
Restricted Maturation Threshold Target Maximum
Name Shares Or Payout (#) (#) (#)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. A. Lorch 12,160 1996-1998 6,080 12,160 36,480
E. A. Deaver 6,500 1996-1998 3,250 6,500 19,500
H. A. Bradshaw 1,320 1996-1998 660 1,320 3,960
F. A. Riddick III 5,000 1996-1998 2,500 5,000 15,000
R. J. Shannon, Jr. 1,800 1996-1998 900 1,800 5,400
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
/1/The number of performance restricted shares earned will be determined on the
basis of the Company's total shareholder return (share price appreciation plus
reinvested dividends) over the performance period as compared to the companies
composing the peer group as set forth in footnote 2 of the Performance Graph.
The Committee has established an award achievement schedule that specifies
threshold, target and maximum award performance levels. The target award will be
earned if the Company's total shareholder return ranks fifth among the peer
group. The threshold award will be earned if Armstrong ranks sixth among the
peer group, and the maximum award will be earned if the Company finishes with
the highest total shareholder return among the peer group. The maximum award
will also be payable in the event of a change in control of the Company. No
performance restricted shares will be earned if the Company's total shareholder
return is less than zero. During the performance period, participants will be
credited with dividend equivalents which will be used to grant additional
performance restricted shares that will be subject to the same performance
requirements and the same terms and conditions. Performance restricted shares
that are earned will be converted to an equal number of shares of Common Stock.
These shares will be subject to a three-year restriction period commencing
January 1, 1999. Shares earned, including those acquired through reinvested
dividends, will vest at a rate of one-third per year during the restriction
period, subject to acceleration upon a change in control of the Company.
14
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return/1/
Among Armstrong Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index and a Peer Group Index/2/
The following graph compares the cumulative total return, including
reinvestment of dividends, among the Company's Common Stock, a broad equity
market index and a peer group index:
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Armstrong World Peer Group
Industries, Inc. Index S&P 500
---------------- ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1991 100 100 100
1992 113 122 108
1993 196 162 118
1994 145 140 120
1995 240 178 165
1996 276 211 203
</TABLE>
/1/Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1991, in Company Common Stock or index
including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31.
/2/Is composed of companies which as a group reflects the Company's mix of
residential, nonresidential and international end-use markets. The peer group
includes American Standard Cos., Inc., Black & Decker, Masco Corp., Newell Co.,
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., PPG Industries, Premark International, Shaw
Industries, Inc., Sherwin-Williams Co., Stanley Works, USG Corp. and Whirlpool
Corp.
RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN BENEFITS
The following table shows the estimated pension benefits payable to a covered
participant at normal retirement age under the Company's Retirement Income Plan,
which is a qualified defined benefit pension plan, as well as under the
Company's Retirement Benefit Equity Plan, which is a partially funded,
nonqualified supplemental pension plan that provides benefits that would
otherwise be denied participants by reason of certain Internal Revenue Code
limitations on qualified plan benefits. The amounts shown in Table 5 are based
on compensation that is covered under the plans and years of service with the
Company and its subsidiaries.
15
<PAGE>
TABLE 5: ANNUAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT BASED ON SERVICE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Final
Compensation 25 Years 30 Years 35 Years 40 Years
------------ -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 300,000 $112,000 $134,000 $156,000 $174,000
500,000 189,000 227,000 265,000 295,000
700,000 267,000 320,000 373,000 415,000
900,000 344,000 413,000 482,000 536,000
1,100,000 422,000 506,000 590,000 656,000
1,300,000 499,000 599,000 699,000 777,000
1,500,000 577,000 692,000 807,000 897,000
1,700,000 654,000 785,000 916,000 1,018,000
1,900,000 732,000 878,000 1,024,000 1,138,000
</TABLE>
A participant's compensation covered by the Company's pension plan is the
average of his or her annual compensation (as reported under the columns
captioned "Salary" and "Bonus" in the Summary Compensation Table) in the three
best paid years in the 10 years prior to retirement. The 1996 annual covered
compensation and estimated years of service under the Plan for each of the Named
Executives were as follows: George A. Lorch--$1,551,925 (33.5 years); E. Allen
Deaver--$1,094,392 (36.5 years); Henry A. Bradshaw--$560,458 (33.9 years); Frank
A. Riddick III--$550,731 (16.8 years); and Robert J. Shannon, Jr.--$397,031
(26.5 years). Benefits shown assume retirement in 1996 and are computed as a
straight life annuity beginning at age 65 and are not subject to deduction for
Social Security or other offsets. Mr. Riddick's estimated years of service
include 15 years of prior service credit awarded to him under a provision of the
Retirement Benefit Equity Plan. His Armstrong retirement benefit will be reduced
by any retirement benefit payable to him by previous employers for this 15-year
period.
If the Retirement Income Plan is terminated within five years following a
change in control of the Company, any Plan assets remaining after satisfying
Plan liabilities are first to be applied to increase retirement income to
employees, including the Named Executives, up to an amount that they would have
been eligible to receive under the Plan assuming, on an actuarial basis, they
continued employment until retirement. In the event a salaried member is
terminated other than for cause or resigns for good reason, in each case as
defined in the Plan, within two years following a change in control of the
Company, then such members with at least 10 years of service and at least 50
years of age would be eligible for early retirement without certain normal
reductions applying and with the addition of certain Social Security replacement
benefits; such members with 15 or more years of service also would receive
credit under the Plan for an additional five years of service. The Retirement
Benefit Equity Plan provides for certain restrictions on amendment or
termination of the Plan following a change in control of the Company and
provides for payment either by the Company or from an established and funded
Retirement Benefit Equity Trust, a nonqualified trust under which assets are
held to provide for the payment of benefits under the Retirement Benefit Equity
Plan.
16
<PAGE>
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth each person or entity who may be deemed to
have beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company as of December 31, 1996, based upon information furnished to the
Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount and Nature of Percent of Class
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Outstanding/1/
- ----------------------------------- -------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Mellon Bank Corporation 3,882,605/2/ 9.4
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15258
Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. 2,634,715/3/ 6.4
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111
Putnam Investments, Inc. 2,353,317/4/ 5.7
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
</TABLE>
/1/In accordance with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, this percentage is based upon the total 41,304,308 shares of
Common Stock that were outstanding on December 31, 1996.
/2/Mellon Bank, N.A., a subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation, is the trustee of
the employee stock ownership portion of Armstrong's Retirement Savings and Stock
Ownership Plan (the "RSSOP"). In that capacity, Mellon Bank, N.A., may be deemed
to be the beneficial owner of, and has shared voting power and sole investment
power with respect to 3,537,605 shares of Common Stock, or 8.57% of the Common
Stock outstanding. Under the RSSOP, shares of Common Stock are allocated to a
participant's account and are voted by Mellon Bank, N.A., in accordance with the
participant's direction. Unallocated shares and allocated shares for which the
trustee does not receive directions are voted by the trustee in the same
proportion as the directed shares are voted. Under the RSSOP, in the event of a
tender offer for the stock in the RSSOP, the trustee is required to tender
unallocated shares in the same proportion that allocated shares are tendered.
Mellon Bank, N.A., disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares of Common Stock
that have been allocated to the individual accounts of employee participants in
the RSSOP for which directions have been received and followed. Mellon Bank
Corporation and its affiliates, Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, Mellon
Bank, N.A., Mellon Capital Management Corporation, Mellon Equity Associates, The
Boston Company Asset Management, Inc., and The Dreyfus Corporation, may be
deemed to beneficially own an additional 345,000 shares of Common Stock, or
0.83% of the Common Stock outstanding, in various fiduciary capacities, as to
which shares Mellon Bank Corporation and its affiliates exercise sole voting
power with respect to 302,000 shares, shared voting power with respect to 38,000
shares, sole investment power with respect to 252,000 shares and shared
investment power with respect to 57,000 shares.
/3/Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. ("Loomis, Sayles"), an investment adviser
registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, may be
deemed to beneficially own 2,634,715 shares of Common Stock, or 6.4% of the
Common Stock outstanding, as to which shares Loomis, Sayles exercises sole
voting power with respect to 1,105,090 shares, shared voting power with respect
to 400 shares and shared investment power with respect to 2,634,715 shares.
Loomis, Sayles has asserted that none of its clients has the right to receive or
the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale
of Common Stock that relates to more than 5% of the Common Stock outstanding.
/4/Putnam Investments, Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own these shares,
which are held by two subsidiary investment advisers: Putnam Investment
Management, Inc., which is the investment adviser to the Putnam family of mutual
funds and The Putnam Advisory Company, Inc., which is the investment adviser to
Putnam's institutional clients. Both subsidiaries have shared dispositive power
over the shares as investment managers, but each of the mutual fund's trustees
have voting power over the shares held by each fund, and The Putnam Advisory
Company, Inc., has shared voting power over the 286,490 shares held by the
institutional clients. Putnam Investments, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Putnam Investments, Inc., and Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc., disclaim voting and investment power over these shares.
17
<PAGE>
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE 1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On February 24, 1997, the Management Development and Compensation Committee
approved amendment of the 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "1993
Incentive Plan" or "Plan") and the Board of Directors ratified such action. The
Company's shareholders are being asked to approve these amendments to the 1993
Incentive Plan which will (i) establish the aggregate maximum number of shares
of Common Stock for which any one individual may be granted awards of stock
options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), performance restricted shares and
restricted stock awards under the Plan in any one calendar year at 300,000
shares; (ii) establish performance criteria upon which performance restricted
shares will be based; and (iii) revise the existing provision in the Plan which
precludes a stock option from fully vesting prior to the expiration of eighteen
months from the date of grant.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code disallows federal income tax
deductions for certain executive compensation paid by publicly held corporations
in excess of $1 Million per year (the "$1 Million limit"). Under Section 162(m),
compensation that qualifies as performance-based compensation is not subject to
the $1 Million limit. In part, because the 1993 Incentive Plan was approved by
the shareholders prior to the adoption of Section 162(m), compensation arising
from prior awards under the Plan has been excluded from the $1 Million limit.
Following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, this exclusion will no longer be
available under Section 162(m) and the $1 Million limit will apply to certain
executive compensation arising under the Plan.
The purpose of the amendments described in (i) and (ii) above is to ensure
that certain compensation arising from an executive officer's exercise of stock
options or SARs or the receipt of performance restricted shares under the Plan
will qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code and therefore remain deductible by the Company. The
amendment described in (iii) is being made to give the Management Development
and Compensation Committee the maximum flexibility to grant stock options with
vesting terms and conditions that are competitive with stock options that are
granted by comparable companies and therefore enhance the Company's ability to
recruit and retain key employees and otherwise enhance the incentive context in
which stock options are granted.
The foregoing amendments are contingent on shareholder approval at the Annual
Meeting, and if approved, will become effective upon receipt of such approval.
Approval of the amendments requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority
of the votes present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting.
Because executive officers (who may also be members of the Board) are
eligible to receive awards under the Plan, each of them has a personal
interest in the approval of these amendments.
Summary of the 1993 Incentive Plan
The 1993 Incentive Plan was approved by shareholders of the Company in 1993.
The following summary is a brief description of the material features of the
1993 Incentive Plan, as it is proposed to be amended, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the terms of the 1993 Incentive Plan. Shareholders may
obtain a complete copy of the 1993 Incentive Plan upon written request to the
Secretary of the Company.
Term. The Plan became effective on April 26, 1993, and no awards may be granted
under the Plan after April 25, 2003.
Administration. The Plan is administered by the Management Development and
Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") which has the exclusive
authority to make awards under the Plan and all interpretations and
determinations affecting the Plan. No Committee member will be eligible to
participate in the Plan.
Participation and Award Estimates. Participation in the Plan is limited to
officers and other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who are
selected from time to time by the Committee. Participants in the Plan are also
eligible to participate in any other incentive plan of the Company. Because the
grant of awards under the Plan is at the discretion of the Committee, it is not
possible to indicate which persons may receive awards under the Plan or the
amount of such awards.
18
<PAGE>
Types of Awards. Awards under the Plan may be in the form of stock options
(including incentive stock options ["ISOs"] which meet the requirements of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code), SARs, performance restricted shares
and restricted stock awards.
Shares Available for Awards, Annual Maximum Award and Closing Quotation. No more
than 4,300,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Plan (subject to
adjustment as described below for a stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, merger and the like); provided, however, that no more than
430,000 shares of Common Stock may be awarded in the form of restricted stock
awards. Furthermore, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock for
which any one individual may be granted awards of stock options, SARs,
performance restricted shares and restricted stock awards under the Plan in any
one calendar year is 300,000 shares.
As of February 3, 1997, a total of 2,380,417 shares of Common Stock were
subject to outstanding awards under the Plan.
As of February 21, 1997, the closing price of the Company's Common Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions was $69.25.
Stock Options. The term of options granted under the Plan will be fixed by the
Committee; however, such term may not exceed ten years from the grant date. The
per share option price for any shares purchasable under any option will be
determined by the Committee but will not be less than 100% of the fair market
value of the shares on the date the option is granted. Except where other
provisions of the Plan provide for a different exercise period in the event of
death, disability or a change in control, each option will become exercisable at
such times as may be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. Each
option shall be exercisable in full or in part by payment of the option price in
cash or in shares of Common Stock or in any combination of cash and shares of
Common Stock; provided, however, that shares of Common Stock previously acquired
under the 1993 Incentive Plan or any other incentive plan of the Company must
have been owned by the participant for a 12-month period or such longer period
as the Committee determines in order to be utilized for purposes of payment of
the option price.
Stock Appreciation Rights. SARs may be granted by the Committee to a participant
only in tandem with nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options. A SAR
entitles the participant to receive, upon its exercise, a payment equal to (i)
the difference between the SAR exercise price and the fair market value of a
share of Common Stock on the exercise date multiplied by (ii) the number of
shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is exercised. Upon the
exercise of SARs with respect to shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of
Common Stock covered by the SARs' related stock option are correspondingly
reduced. In other words, a participant may exercise either a stock option or a
SAR, but not both, with respect to a share of Common Stock covered by both the
stock option and SAR.
Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee may make restricted stock awards on such
terms and conditions as it determines. Such terms and conditions may include the
circumstances under which such shares will be forfeited by reason of termination
of employment or failure of the participant to satisfy the terms and conditions
of the award. None of the shares subject to a restricted stock award may be
assigned, transferred, pledged or sold until they are delivered to the holder of
the restricted stock award.
The participant shall generally have the rights and privileges of a
shareholder as to the shares awarded pursuant to a restricted stock award,
including the right to vote, except that the shares shall remain in the custody
of the Company until all restrictions have lapsed. If, during a restriction
period, a participant terminates employment for any reason other than death,
disability or retirement, the participant shall forfeit all rights to the
payment of any restricted stock award, unless otherwise provided by the
Committee.
Performance Restricted Shares. The Committee may make, on such terms and
conditions as it determines, performance restricted share grants. A performance
restricted share entitles a participant to receive a target number of shares of
Common Stock based upon the Company's attainment of predetermined performance
goals over a specified performance period. The Management Development and
Compensation
19
<PAGE>
Committee and the Board of Directors have adopted the following performance
criteria upon which performance restricted share awards shall be based: (i)
total shareholder return; (ii) EVA as defined below; (iii) return on
shareholders' equity; (iv) return on capital; (v) earnings per share; (vi)
sales; (vii) earnings; (viii) cash flow; and (ix) operating income. EVA equals
the dollar amount arrived at by taking net operating profit after taxes and
subtracting a charge for the use of the capital needed to generate that profit.
Actual performance goals may be based upon any one or more of these criteria and
may be relative to a peer group or be based upon increases or changes relative
to stated values.
At the time a performance restricted share grant is made, the Committee, may
in its discretion, establish a vesting period applicable to such shares which
shall commence at the end of the performance period. During the vesting period,
the performance restricted shares, or a portion thereof, shall be subject to
forfeiture. The Committee may also establish a restriction period applicable to
any performance restricted shares earned during which such shares may not be
assigned, transferred, pledged or sold.
The number of performance restricted shares actually payable to a participant
at the end of a performance period shall be determined by the Committee based
upon Company's attainment of the predetermined performance goals. If the minimum
performance goals established by the Committee are not met, no performance
restricted shares will be earned by the participant. If the performance goals
are fully achieved, 100% of the performance restricted shares will be earned by
the participant. The Committee may also provide for payment of up to 300% of the
performance restricted shares for Company performance which exceeds the
performance goals. During the performance period, each performance restricted
share will be deemed to be equivalent to one share of Company Common Stock, and
the participant shall be entitled to the dividend equivalent.
At the end of the performance period, performance restricted shares, if any,
which have been earned shall be converted to shares of Common Stock. The
participant shall generally have the rights and privileges of a shareholder as
to the shares of Common Stock earned pursuant to a performance restricted share
grant, including the right to vote, except that the shares shall remain in the
custody of the Company until all restrictions have lapsed.
Upon expiration of any vesting period applicable to performance restricted
shares earned by the participant, or any portion thereof, the participant shall
have the right to receive a distribution of the shares of Common Stock
representing such shares after the lapse of any restrictions imposed thereon.
If, during a performance period, a participant terminates employment for any
reason other than death, disability or retirement, the participant shall forfeit
all rights to the payment of any performance restricted shares, unless otherwise
provided by the Committee. If, following a performance period, a participant
terminates employment for any reason other than death, disability or retirement,
the participant shall forfeit all unvested performance restricted shares, unless
otherwise provided by the Committee.
Adjustments. In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, or other change in the capitalization of
the Company or similar corporate transaction or event affecting the Company's
Common Stock, the Committee shall, in such manner as it deems equitable, adjust
the number of shares that may be available under the 1993 Incentive Plan.
Change in Control. In the event of a change in control: (i) all outstanding
options and SARs become immediately exercisable; (ii) all restrictions imposed
on restricted shares shall immediately lapse; (iii) all outstanding performance
restricted shares shall immediately be deemed to have been earned to the maximum
extent; and (iv) all performance restricted shares earned shall immediately vest
and all restrictions shall immediately lapse. A change in control is defined to
have occurred if: (a) any person acquires beneficial ownership of 28 percent or
more of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company and within five years
thereafter disinterested directors no longer constitute at least a majority of
the Board, or (b) a business combination with an interested shareholder occurs
which has not been approved by a majority of disinterested directors. The terms
person, beneficial ownership, voting stock, disinterested director, business
combination, and interested shareholder are defined in Article 7 of the
Company's Articles of Incorporation.
20
<PAGE>
Amendment and Termination. The Board of Directors may modify, amend, or
terminate the Plan at any time except that, to the extent then required by
applicable law, rule, or regulation, approval of the holders of a majority of
shares of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of the
shareholders will be required to increase the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock available for distribution under the Plan (other than increases due to
adjustments in accordance with the Plan). No modification, amendment, or
termination of the Plan shall adversely affect the rights of a participant under
a grant previously made to him without the consent of such participant.
Other Provisions. At the discretion of the Committee, share tax withholding may
be included as a term of any award under the Plan. The Committee may also offer
participants the right to defer the receipt of all or any portion of his or her
performance restricted shares or restricted stock award. In the event that a
participant is terminated for deliberate or gross misconduct, or if following a
participant's termination of employment, and within three years thereafter, the
participant engages in a business or enters into employment which in the
Committee's discretion is directly or indirectly competitive with the Company,
awards granted under the Plan (other than performance restricted shares or
restricted stock awards which were otherwise distributable to the participant
and previously deferred) are subject to forfeiture.
New Plan Benefits. Because the grant of awards under the Plan is at the
discretion of the Committee, it is not possible to indicate what awards will be
made to persons eligible for participation in the Plan. The proposed amendments
do not provide the Committee with the ability to grant new or significantly
different awards. Accordingly, it is likely that the amount of awards made to
participants in 1996 would be unchanged by the proposed amendments. The
following table shows the number of shares subject to awards made under the Plan
in 1996 to the Named Executives, all current executives as a group and all
employees, including executive officers, as a group. For approximately 50 of the
Company's senior executives (including the Named Executives except for Mr.
Bradshaw), the number of stock options and performance restricted shares granted
in 1996 was twice the normal grant amount. Generally, these executives will not
receive stock options or performance restricted share grants prior to 1998
unless other circumstances warrant such awards.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares Granted in 1996
------------------------------------------------------
Stock Performance Restricted
Name Options Restricted Shares Stock Awards
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
G. A. Lorch 70,880 12,160 --
E. A. Deaver 40,000 6,500 --
H. A. Bradshaw 7,710 1,320 --
F. A. Riddick III 68,120 5,000 10,000
R. J. Shannon, Jr. 35,500 1,800 5,000
All executive officers
as a group 360,210 39,680 30,500
All employees, including
executive officers, as a group 728,680 72,260 42,950
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Nonqualified Options. Under the current applicable provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code, no tax will be payable by the recipient of an option at the time
of grant. Upon exercise of a nonqualified option, the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of the shares with respect to which the option is exercised
over the total option price of such shares will be treated for Federal tax
purposes as ordinary income. Any profit or loss realized on the sale or exchange
of any share actually received will be treated as a capital gain or loss. The
Company will be entitled to deduct the amount, if any, by which the fair market
value on the date of exercise of the shares with respect to which the option was
exercised exceeds the exercise price.
Incentive Stock Options. With respect to an Incentive Stock Option (ISO),
generally, no taxable gain or loss will be recognized when the option is granted
or exercised. ISOs exercised more than three months after termination of
employment will be taxed in the same manner as nonqualified options described
above. Generally, upon exercise of an ISO, the spread between the fair market
value and the exercise price will be an item of tax preference for purposes of
the alternative minimum tax.
21
<PAGE>
If the shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO are held for at least one
year, any gain or loss realized upon their sale will be treated as long-term
capital gain or loss. The Company will not be entitled to a deduction. If the
shares are not held for the one-year period, ordinary income will be recognized
in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is exercised. The
Company will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of any ordinary
income so recognized. If the shares are not held for the one-year period and the
amount realized upon sale is less than the grant price, such difference will be
a capital loss.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon the grant of an option which has a tandem stock
appreciation right, no taxable income is realized by the holder and no deduction
is available to the Company. Upon exercise of an option through a stock
appreciation rights election, the tax consequences to the holder and the Company
are the same as for exercise of a nonqualified stock option.
Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Restricted Shares. With respect to
restricted stock awards and performance restricted shares granted under the
Plan, the participant will generally recognize ordinary income equal to the
excess of (i) the fair market value of the shares received (determined as of the
date on which the shares become transferable or are not subject to a substantial
risk of forfeiture, whichever occurs first) over (ii) the amount, if any, paid
for the shares. The Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same
amount. A participant may elect to recognize income, with respect to restricted
stock awards, when the shares are granted, and, with respect to performance
restricted shares, when such shares are earned upon expiration of the
performance period rather than upon expiration of the risk of forfeiture; the
amount of ordinary income will be determined as of the date of receipt rather
than upon expiration of the applicable restriction. The Company's tax deduction
will be determined at the same time. Any subsequent gain or loss will be capital
gain or loss.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the amendments to
the 1993 Incentive Plan.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
The New York City Employees' Retirement System has notified the Company that
it will present the following resolution to modify the Company's existing
confidential voting policy (the "Proposal") for consideration at the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. The Company's confidential voting policy is set forth
below. In submitting the Proposal, the proponent disclosed holdings of 199,998
shares of Common Stock of the Company. To be adopted, this resolution, which is
opposed by the Board of Directors, would require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting.
In accordance with the applicable proxy regulations, the Proposal is set
forth below:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of the Corporation request that the board of
directors adopt and implement a policy requiring all proxies, ballots and voting
tabulations that identify how shareholders voted be kept confidential, except
when disclosure is mandated by law, such disclosure is expressly requested by a
shareholder or during a contested election for the board of directors, and that
the tabulators and the inspectors of election be independent and not the
employees of the Corporation.
Shareholder Statement of Support
The confidential ballot is fundamental to the American political system. The
reason for this protection is to ensure that voters are not subjected to actual
or perceived coercive pressure. We believe that it is time that this fundamental
principle of the confidential ballot be applied to public corporations.
Many excellent companies, such as Coca-Cola Co., Dow Chemical, Georgia-Pacific
Corp., Gillette, Kimberly Clark, Louisiana Pacific, and Quaker Oats, use
confidential voting.
In 1989, the Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC) surveyed 22
companies which had adopted some form of confidential voting system. The survey
examined "... the lessons learned by companies that designed and implemented
confidential voting systems." The results, reported in Confidential Proxy Voting
-------------------------
by Patrick S. McGurn (IRRC, 1989), showed that none of the firms reported any
difficulty reaching
22
<PAGE>
quorums, meeting supermajority vote requirements, nor found confidential voting
particularly expensive or difficult to administer.
It is our belief that all shareholders need the protection of a confidential
ballot no less than voters in political elections. While we make no imputation
that our company's management has acted coercively, the existence of this
possibility is sufficient to justify confidentiality.
This resolution would permit shareholders to voluntarily disclose their vote to
management by expressly requesting such disclosure on their proxy cards.
Additionally, shareholders may disclose their vote to any other person they
choose. This resolution would merely restrict the ability of the Corporation to
have access to the vote of its shareholders without their specific consent.
Many shareholders believe confidentiality of ownership is ensured when shares
are held in street or nominee name. This is not always the case. Management has
various means of determining actual (beneficial) ownership. For instance, proxy
solicitors have elaborate databases that can match account numbers with the
identity of some owners. Moreover, why should shareholders have to transfer
their shares to nominees in an attempt to maintain confidentiality? In our
opinion, this resolution is the only way to ensure a secret ballot for all
shareholders irrespective of how they choose to hold their shares.
We believe that confidential voting is one of the most basic reforms needed in
the proxy voting system and that the system must be free of the possibility of
pressure and the appearance of retaliation.
We hope that you would agree and vote FOR this proposal.
---
The Board's Statement in Opposition to the Shareholder Proposal
The shareholder's Proposal disagrees with Armstrong's comprehensive
confidential voting policy. The Company's confidential voting policy fairly
addresses both the desire of some shareholders for confidential voting and the
need of the Board of Directors to be able to fully "listen" to the shareholders.
The proponent's Proposal was rejected by the Company's shareholders at the
1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 annual meetings. In submitting the Proposal again this
year, the proponent is effectively seeking to modify the Company's existing
confidential voting policy. The Board of Directors has determined that the
Proposal is not in the best interest of the Company or its shareholders.
Accordingly, the Board urges shareholders to vote AGAINST the Proposal.
The Board must serve in the best interest of all the Company's shareholders,
large and small, independent and institutional. To so serve, the Board must be
able to determine and to understand as clearly as possible how shareholders with
different expectations vote on various issues, such as the present shareholder
Proposal. The Board, after considering the various and often divergent interests
and viewpoints of the shareholders, must proceed in the best interest of the
Company and all of the shareholders. An open vote, rather than a mandated
confidential vote, fosters this process. The Company's confidential voting
policy, which encourages an open vote but permits confidentiality, has served
its shareholders fairly since its adoption. The current policy seeks to address
key issues of those who prefer confidential voting while preserving the essence
of the Board's need to understand all of the Company's shareholders.
The proponent concedes that there is "no imputation that [Armstrong]
management has acted coercively" toward any shareholder group. The Board of
Directors states unequivocally that it knows of no such coercion ever occurring
at Armstrong and that such action would be contrary to Company policy.
Proponent's suggestion of possible pressure or the appearance of retaliation is
entirely hypothetical. The Company's corporate policy requires all directors,
officers and employees of the Company to maintain high ethical standards and
respect the inherent rights and dignity of all individuals. The rights of the
shareholders of the Company to vote or give a proxy free from any pressure or
threat of retaliation is expressly affirmed in the Company's policy.
The Board of Directors believes proponent's Proposal goes too far in seeking
to mandate political system confidential voting. Shares held by Armstrong
employees in benefit plans are held in trust and voted by trustees who by the
express terms of appointment by the Company are not permitted to disclose to
anyone
23
<PAGE>
how the employee has voted. Other shareholders may choose confidential voting
under the Company's policy. They may also choose to register their shares in the
name of a bank, broker or other nominee, thus electing confidential treatment.
Shareholders with whom the Company has a direct business relationship are
individually contacted each year and given assurance that their vote shall be
treated confidentially.
The Board of Directors further believes that the effect of the shareholder
Proposal is to limit the ability of the Board of Directors to clarify issues
directly with shareholders and counter erroneous statements in contests other
than where the election of directors is involved. The Board thinks this is wrong
and could lead to potential harm to the shareholders.
The confidential voting policy set out below was adopted by the Board of
Directors and has been in effect since early 1994.
ARMSTRONG CONFIDENTIAL VOTING POLICY
To respond to shareholders who prefer that their vote at shareholders'
meetings not be made known to the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company
has adopted the following policy governing the confidentiality of shareholder
votes:
The proxy ballot and voting process for the shareholders' meeting shall
provide the means by which shareholders may expressly elect to have their
votes treated confidentially.
Acting in a coercive manner toward any shareholder is contrary to Company
policy. The rights of the shareholders of the Company to vote or give a
proxy free from any pressure or threat of retaliation is expressly
affirmed.
To underscore this policy, shareholders who the Company reasonably
identifies as both holding a significant amount of Company stock and who
may have a direct business relationship with the Company shall be contacted
on an annual basis, informed of this policy statement and provided with
assurances that their vote shall be treated confidentially in accordance
with this policy. Furthermore, employee shareholders shall have their votes
treated confidentially.
To provide added assurance to those shareholders desiring confidential
voting, the Company shall employ independent tabulators and judges of
election for the shareholders' meetings. Company employees and agents
assisting in the administration of the vote, solicitation, receipt and
tabulation shall provide appropriate certification that they will treat
shareholder votes confidentially in accordance with this policy.
Excepting the second paragraph hereof, which shall apply in all shareholder
voting, the foregoing shall not apply (a) in the event of a contested proxy
solicitation, (b) if disclosure is necessary to meet state or federal legal
requirements or where such information may be necessary to assist in making
a claim or defending against a claim, or (c) if the shareholder requests or
permits disclosure of its vote. To ensure a representative vote or quorum,
proxy solicitors or independent tabulators (who have signed confidentiality
certifications) may communicate with shareholders who have not voted.
Shareholder comments on proxy cards shall be conveyed to the Company by the
independent tabulators in such a fashion as to protect a confidential vote.
The Board of Directors believes it is important that it understand the
positions and preferences of its different shareholders on various issues.
After considering the various and often divergent interests and viewpoints
of the shareholders, the Board must proceed in the best interest of the
Company and all of the shareholders. Accordingly, this policy shall not be
construed so as to prohibit open and voluntary communication between the
Company and its shareholders as to their voting policies or general
preferences.
Adoption of the shareholder's Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the votes present either in person or by proxy at the
meeting. Unless otherwise directed, proxies will be voted AGAINST the
shareholder's Proposal.
The Board of Directors believes it has addressed the interests of most of
those who prefer confidential voting and that it is in the interests of the
Company and its shareholders to reject the Proposal, and it recommends a vote
AGAINST.
24
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Company's Audit
Committee, appointed KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, as auditors of the Company's financial statements for 1996. The
Board of Directors at its February 24, 1997, meeting selected KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP as auditors for 1997.
A representative of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP will be present at the 1997 Annual
Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if that
representative so desires.
1998 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATING PROCEDURES
Proposals of shareholders intended for inclusion in the Company's proxy
statement relating to the 1998 Annual Meeting must be received at the Company's
Principal Executive Offices (please address to the attention of L. A. Pulkrabek,
Secretary) not later than November 18, 1997. Any such proposal must comply with
Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A of the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The bylaws of the Company require that nominations for a director to be
elected at the 1998 Annual Meeting, other than those made by the Board, be
submitted to the Secretary of the Company not later than January 28, 1998. The
bylaws also require that notice of such nominations contain certain information
regarding the nominee and certain information regarding the nominating
shareholder. Any shareholder may obtain a copy of the applicable bylaw from the
Secretary of the Company upon written request.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of the Company is not aware that any matter other than
those listed in the notice of meeting is to be presented for action at the
meeting. If any of the Board's nominees is unavailable for election as a
director or if any other matter should properly come before the meeting, it is
intended that votes will be cast pursuant to the proxy in respect thereto in
accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons acting as proxies.
Any shareholder who executes and returns the proxy may revoke the same at any
time before it is exercised by filing with the Secretary of the Company written
notice of such revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by
attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will not
in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy. Abstentions and broker
nonvotes on any matter submitted to the shareholders for approval have the
effect of votes against such matter since, under the Company's bylaws, the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes present and entitled to
vote at the meeting, in person or by proxy, is necessary for approval of the
matter. Broker nonvotes as to any matter are shares held by nominees which are
present and voted at the meeting on matters as to which the nominee has
discretionary authority but which are not voted on the matter in question
because the nominee does not have discretionary voting authority as to such
matter.
The Company will pay the expense in connection with printing, assembling and
mailing the notice of meeting, this proxy statement and the accompanying form of
proxy. In addition to the use of mails, proxies may be solicited by directors,
officers and other employees of the Company, personally or by telephone or
telefax. The Company may request persons holding stock in their names or in the
names of nominees to send proxy material to and obtain proxies from their
principals and will reimburse such persons for their expenses in so doing. The
Company has retained the services of Morrow & Co., a professional soliciting
organization, to assist in soliciting proxies from brokerage houses, custodians,
nominees and other fiduciaries. The fees and expenses of that firm for their
services in connection with such solicitation are not expected to exceed
$17,000.
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY ANY SHAREHOLDER TO L. A. PULKRABEK, SENIOR VICE
PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL, ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.,
LIBERTY AND CHARLOTTE STREETS, P. O. BOX 3001, LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA 17604, A
COPY OF THE COMPANY'S 1996 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K WILL BE PROVIDED WITHOUT
CHARGE.
March 17, 1997
25
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ARMSTRONG APPEARS HERE] Printed in the United States of America
<PAGE>
[ARMSTRONG LOGO APPEARS HERE]
STOCK OWNERSHIP ARMSTRONG STOCK FUND PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
TO: MELLON BANK, N.A., TRUSTEE FOR THE STOCK OWNERSHIP ARMSTRONG STOCK FUND OF
THE RETIREMENT SAVINGS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN OF ARMSTRONG WORLD
INDUSTRIES, INC.
In connection with the proxy materials I received relating to the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. to be held on Monday, April
28, 1997, I direct that you execute a proxy in this form solicited by the Board
of Directors of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. with respect to all shares of
Common Stock to which I have the right to give voting directions under the Stock
Ownership Armstrong Stock Fund of the Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership
Plan of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., as follows. I understand you will hold
these directions strictly confidential.
THIS PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION WILL BE VOTED FOR THE LISTED NOMINEES IN THE ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS, FOR THE AMENDMENTS TO THE 1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AND
AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL. IF THIS CARD IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE TRUSTEE BY
THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON APRIL 22, 1997, THE SHARES OVER WHICH YOU HAVE VOTING
CONTROL WILL BE VOTED IN THE SAME PROPORTION AS THOSE SHARES FOR WHICH THE
TRUSTEE RECEIVES DIRECTION.
THIS PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
<PAGE>
Please mark
your votes as
indicated in
this example [X]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Board of Directors recommends a The Board of Directors recommends a
vote FOR vote AGAINST
Item 1. ELECTION OF TWO DIRECTORS. NOMINEES: Van C. Campbell and J. Phillip Samper Item 3. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
<S> <C> <C>
FOR
all nominees To withhold authority to vote for any individual
listed (except WITHHOLD nominee, write the nominees' name below.
as marked to AUTHORITY FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
the contrary to to vote for ------------------------------------------------- [_] [_] [_]
right all nominees
[_] [_]
The Board of Directors recommends a
vote FOR
Item 2. TO AMEND THE 1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN If you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting, please WILL
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN mark the Will Attend block. ATTEND
[_] [_] [_] An admission ticket will be [_]
mailed to you.
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any postponement or adjournment thereof. If necessary,
cumulative voting rights will be exercised to secure the
election of as many as possible of the Board of Director's
nominees.
Please mark, sign (exactly as name(s) appears below), date
and mail this card promptly in the postage prepaid return
envelope provided.
Signature(s)________________________________________Signature(s)___________________________________________Date_______________, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
</TABLE>
[LOGO OF ARMSTRONG APPEARS HERE]
March 1997
PLEASE HELP US
"RECYCLE THE READERSHIP"
OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Armstrong employee shareholder:
We'd like your help again this year.
Like every other organization within Armstrong, we're continuing to seek ways to
cut costs. We've limited our printing quantity level only to what we know will
be required.
This was something of a risk, because it's possible we could find ourselves
running short of annual reports later this year. But, on balance, we felt it was
a worthwhile idea.
Here's how you can help. If it's your custom to read through Armstrong's annual
report, then discard it, you can help us keep our inventory at a safe level by
returning it to us in good condition when you're through with it. (In fact, you
may be among those employees who receive more than one copy because of
unavoidable duplicate mailings by the trustees of our employee shareholder
accounts.)
If you're located outside Lancaster, we suggest you return them to the employee
relations manager for your location for bulk collection. If you're in the
Lancaster area, you may send your copies directly in the company mail to:
Corporate Relations
Room 103E
Armstrong House North
Lancaster, PA 17604
Many thanks!
Corporate Relations
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ARMSTRONG APPEARS HERE]
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC. PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
E. Allen Deaver and George A. Lorch, or any one or more of them, with power of
substitution in each, are hereby authorized to represent the undersigned at the
Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., to be
held at the principal office of the Company, Armstrong House North, in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Monday, April 28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., local time,
and at any postponement or adjournment thereof, and thereat to vote, as
indicated below, the same number of shares as the undersigned would be entitled
to vote if then personally present including shares, if any, credited to the
undersigned's account under the Company's shareholder dividend reinvestment
plan.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE LISTED NOMINEES IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, FOR THE AMENDMENTS TO THE
1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AND AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.
THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
.FOLD AND DETACH HERE.
<PAGE>
Please mark
your votes as [X]
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR indicated in
this example
Item 1. ELECTION OF TWO DIRECTORS. NOMINEES: Van C. Campbell and
J. Phillip Samper
FOR WITHHOLD
all nominees listed AUTHORITY
(except as marked to to vote for
the contrary to right) all nominees
[_] [_]
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write the nominee's
name below.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR
Item 2. TO AMEND THE 1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[_] [_] [_]
The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST
Item 3. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[_] [_] [_]
WILL
ATTEND
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please mark the Will
Attend block. An admission ticket will be mailed to you. [_]
Your vote will be treated confidentially if you mark the box
just below.
PLEASE TREAT MY VOTE CONFIDENTIALLY AS PER COMPANY POLICY. [_]
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment
thereof. If necessary, cumulative voting rights will be exercised to secure the
election of as many as possible of the Board of Directors' nominees.
Please mark, sign (exactly as name(s) appears below), date and mail this card
promptly in the postage prepaid return envelope provided. Executors,
administrators, trustees, attorneys, guardians, etc., should so indicate when
signing.
Signature(s)
----------------------------------
Signature(s)
----------------------------------
Date , 1997
----------------------
.FOLD AND DETACH HERE.
<PAGE>
.Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing.
[LOGO OF ARMSTRONG APPEARS HERE]
ARMSTRONG RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION
TO: FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST CO., TRUSTEE UNDER THE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS OF
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
In connection with the proxy materials I received relating to the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., to be held on Monday, April
28, 1997. I direct that you execute a proxy in the form solicited by the Board
of Directors of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., with respect to all shares of
Common Stock as to which I have the right to give voting directions under the
Retirement Savings Plan for Hourly-Paid Employees of Armstrong World Industries,
Inc., and the Retirement Savings Armstrong Stock Fund of the Retirement Savings
and Stock Ownership Plan of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. as follows. I
understand you will hold these directions strictly confidential.
Date______________________, 1997
Please mark, sign (exactly as name appears
at left), date and mail this card promptly
in the postage prepaid return envelope
provided.
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
Signature
THIS PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION IS CONTINUED
ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
<PAGE>
*Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing*
THIS PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PARTICIPANT'S DIRECTION WILL BE VOTED FOR THE LISTED NOMINEES IN THE ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS, FOR THE AMENDMENTS TO THE 1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AND
AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL. IF THIS CARD IS NOT RETURNED, THE SHARES OVER
WHICH YOU HAVE VOTING CONTROL WILL BE VOTED IN THE SAME PROPORTION AS THOSE
SHARES FOR WHICH THE TRUSTEE RECEIVES DIRECTION.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Please vote by filling in the appropriate boxes below, as shown, using blue or black ink or dark pencil. Do not use red ink. [X]
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please mark the Will Attend block.
An admission ticket will be mailed to you. WILL ATTEND [_]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR FOR all nominees WITHHOLD
Item 1. ELECTION OF TWO DIRECTORS. listed (except as [_] AUTHORITY [_]
NOMINEES: Van C. Campbell and J. Phillip Samper marked to the to vote for all
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, contrary below) nominees
write the nominee's name below.
____________________________________________________________________
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR
Item 2. TO AMEND THE 1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN [_]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST
Item 3. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL. FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN [_]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
postponement or adjournment thereof. If necessary, cumulative voting rights will be exercised to secure the election of as many as
possible of the Board of Directors' nominees.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ARMSTRONG APPEARS HERE]
March 1997
PLEASE HELP US "RECYCLE THE READERSHIP" OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Armstrong employee shareholder:
We'd like your help again this year.
Like every other organization within Armstrong, we're continuing to seek ways to
cut costs. We've limited our printing quantity level only to what we know will
by required.
This was something of a risk, because it's possible we could find ourselves
running short of annual reports later this year. But, on balance, we felt it
was a worthwhile idea.
Here's how you can help. If it's your custom to read through Armstrong's annual
report, and then discard it, you can help us keep our inventory at a safe level
by returning it to us in good condition when you're through with it. (In fact,
you may be among those employees who receive more than one copy because of
unavoidable duplicate mailings by the trustees of our employee shareholder
accounts).
If you're located outside Lancaster, we suggest that you return them to the
employee relations manager for your location for bulk collection. If you're in
the Lancaster area, you may send your copies directly in the company mail to:
Corporate Relations
Room 103E
Armstrong House North
Lancaster, PA 17604
