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FORM 10-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
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OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________________ to _________________________
Commission file number 1-2116
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Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania 23-0366390
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
P. O. Box 3001, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (717) 397-0611
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange on
Title of each class which registered
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Common Stock ($1 par value) New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc. (a)
9-3/4% Debentures Due 2008 Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (a)
(a) Common Stock and Preferred
Stock Purchase Rights only
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of registrant held by
non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing price ($72.8125 per share)
on the New York Stock Exchange on February 10, 1998, was approximately $2.7
billion. For the purposes of determining this amount only, registrant has
defined affiliates as including (a) the executive officers named in Item 10 of
this 10-K Report, (b) all directors of registrant, and (c) each shareholder that
has informed registrant by February 14, 1998, as having sole or shared voting
power over 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of registrant as of
December 31, 1997. As of February 10, 1998, the number of shares outstanding of
registrant's Common Stock was 40,076,306. This amount includes the 4,826,203
shares of Common Stock as of December 31, 1997, held by Mellon Bank, N.A., as
Trustee for the employee stock ownership accounts of the Company's Retirement
Savings and Stock Ownership Plan.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the Proxy Statement dated March 16, 1998, relative to the
April 27, 1998, annual meeting of the shareholders of registrant (the "Company's
1998 Proxy Statement") have been incorporated by reference into Part III of this
Form 10-K Report.
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PART I
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Item 1. Business
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Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation incorporated in
1891. The Company is a manufacturer of interior furnishings, including floor
coverings, and building products which are sold primarily for use in the
furnishing, refurbishing, repair, modernization and construction of residential,
commercial and institutional buildings. It also manufactures various industrial
and other products. In late 1995, Armstrong sold its furniture business and
combined its ceramic tile business with Dal-Tile International Inc.
("Dal-Tile"), retaining a minority equity interest in the combined company.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "Company" means Armstrong World
Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Industry Segments
The company's businesses include four reportable segments: floor coverings,
building products, industry products and ceramic tile.
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NATURE OF OPERATIONS
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at December 31 (millions) 1997 1996 1995
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Net trade sales:
Floor coverings $1,116.0 $1,091.8 $1,053.9
Building products 754.5 718.4 682.2
Industry products 328.2 346.2 348.8
Ceramic tile -- -- 240.1
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Total net sales $2,198.7 $2,156.4 $2,325.0
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Operating income (loss): (Note 1)
Floor coverings $ 186.5 $ 146.9 $ 145.0
Building products 122.3 95.1 92.2
Industry products 55.5 40.1 9.3
Ceramic tile (Note 2) (42.4) 9.9 (168.4)
Unallocated corporate expense 0.1 (36.1) (34.0)
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Total operating income $ 322.0 $ 255.9 $ 44.1
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Depreciation and amortization:
Floor coverings $ 65.5 $ 53.9 $ 47.9
Building products 37.5 37.0 36.8
Industry products 17.3 19.1 19.3
Ceramic tile 4.3 4.3 13.5
Corporate 8.1 9.4 5.6
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Total depreciation
and amortization $ 132.7 $ 123.7 $ 123.1
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Capital additions: (Note 3)
Floor coverings $ 76.6 $ 117.7 $ 77.3
Building products 54.4 67.7 49.2
Industry products 16.5 22.5 45.0
Ceramic tile -- -- 9.6
Corporate 8.7 12.8 6.3
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Total capital additions $ 156.2 $ 220.7 $ 187.4
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Identifiable assets:
Floor coverings $ 713.8 $ 687.9 $ 583.2
Building products 554.9 541.1 513.5
Industry products 248.6 272.8 301.8
Ceramic tile 135.7 168.7 135.8
Corporate 722.5 465.1 615.5
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Total assets $2,375.5 $2,135.6 $2,149.8
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Note 1:
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Restructuring charges in
operating income (millions) 1997 1996 1995
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Floor coverings $ -- $ 14.5 $ 25.0
Building products -- 8.3 6.3
Industry products -- 4.0 31.4
Unallocated corporate expense -- 19.7 9.1
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Total restructuring charges
in operating income $ -- $ 46.5 $ 71.8
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Note 2: 1997 operating income includes a $29.7 million loss as a result of
charges incurred by Dal-Tile International Inc. for uncollectible receivables,
overstocked inventories and other asset revaluations. 1995 operating income
includes a $177.2 million loss due to the ceramic tile business combination. See
"Equity Earnings From Affiliates" on page 4.
Note 3: 1997 and 1995 capital additions for industry segments of property, plant
and equipment from acquisitions were $14.5 million and $15.6 million,
respectively.
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DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In 1995 the company sold the stock of its furniture subsidiary, Thomasville
Furniture Industries, Inc., to INTERCO Incorporated for $331.2 million in cash.
INTERCO also assumed $8.0 million of interest-bearing debt. The company recorded
a gain of $83.9 million after tax on the sale. Certain liabilities related to
terminated benefit plans of approximately $11.3 million were retained by the
company. Thomasville and its subsidiaries recorded sales of approximately $550.2
million in 1995.
EQUITY (EARNINGS) LOSS FROM AFFILIATES
Equity earnings from affiliates for 1997 were primarily comprised of the
company's share of the net loss from the Dal-Tile International Inc. business
combination and the amortization of the excess of the company's investment in
Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets, and income from the 50%
interest in the WAVE joint venture with Worthington Industries. The 1997 loss
included $8.4 million for the company's share of operating losses incurred by
Dal-Tile, a $29.7 million loss for the company's share of the charge incurred by
Dal-Tile, primarily for uncollectible receivables and overstocked inventories,
and $4.3 million for the amortization of Armstrong's initial investment in
Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets of the business combination.
Equity earnings from affiliates for 1996 were primarily comprised of the
company's after-tax share of the net income of the Dal-Tile International Inc.
business combination and the amortization of the excess of the company's
investment in Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets, and the 50%
interest in the WAVE joint venture with Worthington Industries. Results in 1995
reflect only the 50% interest in the WAVE joint venture.
In 1995, the company entered into a business combination with Dal-Tile
International Inc. The transaction was accounted for at fair value and involved
the exchange of $27.6 million in cash and the stock of the ceramic tile
operations, consisting primarily of American Olean Tile Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary, for ownership of 37% of the shares of Dal-Tile. The company's
investment in Dal-Tile exceeded the underlying equity in net assets by $123.9
million which will be amortized over a period of 30 years. The after-tax loss on
the transaction was $116.8 million.
In August 1996, Dal-Tile issued new shares in a public offering decreasing the
company's ownership share from 37% to 33%. During 1997, the company purchased
additional shares of Dal-Tile stock, increasing the company's ownership to 34%.
Armstrong's ownership of Dal-Tile is accounted for under the equity method. The
summarized historical financial information for ceramic tile operations is
presented below.
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(millions) 1995
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Net sales $240.1
Operating income/(1)/ 8.8
Assets/(2)/ 269.8
Liabilities/(2)/ 17.3
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Note 1: Excludes 1995 loss of $177.2 million due to ceramic tile business
combination.
Note 2: 1995 balances were as of December 29, 1995, immediately prior to the
ceramic tile business combination.
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Narrative Description of Business
The Company manufactures and sells interior furnishings, including floor
coverings and building products, and makes and markets a variety of specialty
products for the building, automotive, textile, and other industries. The
Company's activities extend worldwide.
Floor Coverings
The Company is a prominent worldwide manufacturer of floor coverings for the
interiors of homes and commercial and institutional buildings, with a broad
range of resilient flooring together with adhesives, installation and
maintenance materials and accessories. Resilient flooring, in both sheet and
tile form, together with laminate flooring, is made in a wide variety of types,
designs, and colors. Included are types of flooring that offer such features as
ease of installation, reduced maintenance (no-wax), and cushioning for greater
underfoot comfort. Floor covering products are sold to the commercial and
residential market segments through wholesalers, retailers (including large home
centers), and contractors, and to the hotel/motel and manufactured homes
industries.
Building Products
A major producer of ceiling materials in the United States and abroad, the
Company markets both residential and commercial ceiling systems. Ceiling
materials for the home are offered in a variety of types and designs; most
provide noise reduction and incorporate Company-designed features intended to
permit ease of installation. These residential ceiling products are sold through
wholesalers and retailers (including large home centers). Commercial ceiling
systems, designed for use in shopping centers, offices, schools, hospitals, and
other commercial and institutional structures, are available in numerous colors,
performance characteristics and designs and offer characteristics such as
acoustical control, rated fire protection, and aesthetic appeal. Commercial
ceiling materials and accessories, along with acoustical wall panels, are sold
by the Company to ceiling systems contractors and to resale distributors.
Suspension ceiling systems products are manufactured and sold through a joint
venture with Worthington Industries.
Industry Products
The Company, including a number of its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets a
variety of specialty products for the building, automotive, textile and other
industries. These products include flexible pipe insulation sold for use in
construction and in original equipment manufacture; gasket materials for new
equipment and replacement use in the automotive, farm equipment, appliance, and
other industries; textile mill supplies including cots and aprons sold to
equipment manufacturers and textile mills. Industry products are sold, depending
on type and ultimate use, to original equipment manufacturers, contractors,
wholesalers, fabricators and end users.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile for floors, walls and countertops, together with adhesives,
installation and maintenance materials and accessories are sold through home
centers, independent ceramic and floor covering wholesalers and sales service
centers operated by Dal-Tile.
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The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products
are synthetic resins, plasticizers, latex, mineral fibers and fillers, clays,
starches, perlite, films, pigments and inks. In addition, the Company uses a
wide variety of other raw materials. Most raw materials are purchased from
sources outside of the Company. The Company also purchases significant amounts
of packaging materials for the containment and shipment of its various
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products. During 1997, adequate supplies of raw materials were available to all
of the Company's industry segments.
Customers' orders for the Company's products are typically for immediate
shipment. Thus, in each industry segment, the Company has implemented inventory
systems, including its "just in time" inventory system, pursuant to which orders
are promptly filled out of inventory on hand or the product is manufactured to
meet the delivery date specified in the order. As a result, there historically
has been no material backlog in any industry segment.
The competitive position of the Company has been enhanced by patents on products
and processes developed or perfected within the Company or obtained through
acquisition. Although the Company considers that, in the aggregate, its patents
constitute a valuable asset, it does not regard any industry segment as being
materially dependent upon any single patent or any group of related patents.
There is significant competition in all of the industry segments in which the
Company does business. Competition in each industry segment includes numerous
active companies (domestic and foreign), with emphasis on price, product
performance and service. In addition, with the exception of industrial and other
products and services, product styling is a significant method of competition in
the Company's industry segments. Increasing domestic competition from foreign
producers is apparent in certain industry segments and actions continue to be
taken to meet this competition.
The Company invested $141.7 million in 1997, $220.7 million in 1996, and $171.8
million in 1995 for additions to the property, plant and equipment of its
continuing businesses.
Research and development activities are important and necessary in assisting the
Company to carry on and improve its business. Principal research and development
functions include the development of new products and processes and the
improvement of existing products and processes.
The Company spent $47.8 million in 1997, $55.2 million in 1996, and $57.9
million in 1995 on research and development activities worldwide for the
continuing businesses.
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ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
In 1997, the company incurred capital expenditures of approximately $1.2 million
for environmental compliance and control facilities and anticipates comparable
annual expenditures for those purposes for the years 1998 and 1999. The company
does not anticipate that it will incur significant capital expenditures in order
to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the final implementing
regulations promulgated by various state agencies.
As with many industrial companies, Armstrong is currently involved in
proceedings under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act ("Superfund"), and similar state laws at approximately 17 sites.
In most cases, Armstrong is one of many potentially responsible parties ("PRPs")
who have voluntarily agreed to jointly fund the required investigation and
remediation of each site. With regard to some sites, however, Armstrong disputes
the liability, the proposed remedy or the proposed cost allocation. Armstrong
may also have rights of contribution or reimbursement from other parties or
coverage under applicable insurance policies. The company is also remediating
environmental contamination resulting from past industrial activity at certain
of its current plant sites.
Estimates of future liability are based on an evaluation of currently available
facts regarding each individual site and consider factors including existing
technology, presently enacted laws and regulations and prior company experience
in remediation of contaminated sites. Although current law imposes joint and
several liability on all parties at any Superfund site, Armstrong's contribution
to the remediation of these sites is expected to be limited by the number of
other companies also identified as potentially liable for site costs. As a
result, the company's estimated liability reflects only the company's expected
share. In determining the probability of contribution, the company considers the
solvency of the parties, whether responsibility, is being disputed, the terms of
any existing agreements and experience regarding similar matters. The estimated
liabilities do not take into account any claims for recoveries from insurance or
third parties.
Reserves at December 31, 1997, were for potential environmental liabilities that
the company considers probable and for which a reasonable estimate of the
potential liability could be made. Where existing data is sufficient to estimate
the amount of the liability, that estimate has been used; where only a range of
probable liability is available and no amount within that range is more likely
than any other, the lower end of the range has been used. As a result, the
company has accrued, before agreed-to insurance coverage, $9.3 million to
reflect its estimated undiscounted liability for environmental remediation. As
assessments and remediation activities progress at each individual site, these
liabilities are reviewed to reflect additional information as it becomes
available.
Actual costs to be incurred at identified sites in the future may vary from the
estimates, given the inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental
liabilities. Subject to the imprecision in estimating environmental remediation
costs, the company believes that any sum it may have to pay in connection with
environmental matters in excess of the amounts noted above would not have a
material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of
operations, although the recording of future costs may be material to earnings
in such future period.
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As of December 31, 1997, the Company had approximately 10,600 active employees,
of whom approximately 3,800 are located outside the United States. About 62% of
the Company's approximately 4,300 hourly or salaried production and maintenance
employees in the United States are represented by labor unions.
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
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at December 31 (millions) 1997 1996 1995
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Net trade sales:
United States $1,453.1 $1,419.2 $1,586.4
Europe 545.6 548.4 558.7
Other foreign 200.0 188.8 179.9
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Interarea transfers:
United States 111.7 105.0 101.1
Europe 14.9 13.2 13.8
Other foreign 29.2 30.4 32.1
Eliminations (155.8) (148.6) (147.0)
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Total net sales $2,198.7 $2,156.4 $2,325.0
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Operating income:
United States $ 236.1 $ 202.7 $ 7.7
(see note 2 on page 4)
Europe 77.2 79.3 62.6
Other foreign 8.6 10.0 7.8
Unallocated corp. income (expense) 0.1 (36.1) (34.0)
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Total operating income $ 322.0 $ 255.9 $ 44.1
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Identifiable assets:
United States $1,168.9 $1,180.1 $1,044.5
Europe 370.4 383.7 406.7
Other foreign 113.8 107.3 83.4
Corporate 722.5 465.1 615.5
Eliminations (0.1) (0.6) (0.3)
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Total assets $2,375.5 $2,135.6 $2,149.8
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United States net trade sales include export sales to non-affiliated customers
of $40.9 million in 1997, $34.0 million in 1996 and $32.1 million in 1995. Also
included in United States net trade sales were ceramic tile operations sales of
$240.1 million in 1995.
"Europe" includes operations located primarily in England, France, Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Operations in
Australia, Canada, The People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,
Korea, Singapore and Thailand are in "Other foreign."
Transfers between geographic areas and commissions paid to affiliates marketing
exported products are accounted for by methods that approximate arm's-length
transactions, after considering the costs incurred by the selling company and
the return on assets employed of both the selling unit and the purchasing unit.
Operating income of a geographic area includes income accruing from sales to
affiliates.
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The Company's foreign operations are subject to foreign government legislation
involving restrictions on investments (including transfers thereof), tariff
restrictions, personnel administration, and other actions by foreign
governments. In addition, consolidated earnings are subject to both U.S. and
foreign tax laws with respect to earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and to the
effects of currency fluctuations.
Item 2. Properties
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The Company produces and markets its products and services throughout the world,
operating 44 manufacturing plants in 13 countries; 21 of these plants are
located throughout the United States. Additionally, affiliates operate 19 plants
in 6 countries.
Floor covering products and adhesives are produced at 16 plants with principal
manufacturing facilities located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Kankakee, Illinois,
and Stillwater, Oklahoma. Building products are produced at 15 plants with
principal facilities in Macon, Georgia, the Florida-Alabama Gulf Coast area and
Marietta, Pennsylvania. Insulating materials, textile mill supplies, fiber
gasket materials and specialty papers and other products for industry are
manufactured at 16 plants with principal manufacturing facilities at Munster,
Germany, and Fulton, New York.
Sales offices are leased worldwide, and leased facilities are utilized to
supplement the Company's owned warehousing facilities.
Productive capacity and extent of utilization of the Company's facilities are
difficult to quantify with certainty because in any one facility, maximum
capacity and utilization vary periodically depending upon the product that is
being manufactured and individual facilities manufacture more than one type of
product. In this context, the Company estimates that the production facilities
in each of its industry segments were effectively utilized during 1997 at 80% to
90% of overall productive capacity in meeting market conditions. Remaining
productive capacity is sufficient to meet expected customer demands.
The Company believes its various facilities are adequate and suitable.
Additional incremental investments in plant facilities are being made as
appropriate to balance capacity with anticipated demand, improve quality and
service, and reduce costs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
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ASBESTOS-RELATED LITIGATION
PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION
The company is one of many defendants in approximately 83,000 pending claims as
of December 31, 1997, alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos. The
increase in the number of claims during the last two quarters of 1997 is
primarily due to the inclusion of cases that had been subject to an injunction
related to the Georgine Settlement Class Action ("Georgine"), described below,
and those that had been filed in the tort system against other defendants (and
not against the Center for Claims Resolution ("Center") members) while Georgine
was pending.
Nearly all claims seek general and punitive damages arising from alleged
exposures, at various times, from World War II onward, to asbestos-containing
products. Claims against the company generally involve allegations of
negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty and conspiracy with respect to
its involvement with asbestos-containing insulation products. The company
discontinued the sale of all such products in 1969. The claims also allege that
injury may be determined many years (up to 40 years) after first exposure to
asbestos. Nearly all suits name many defendants, and over 100 different
companies are reportedly involved. The company believes that many current
plaintiffs are unimpaired. A large number of claims have been settled,
dismissed, put on inactive lists or otherwise resolved, and the company
generally is involved in all stages of claims resolution and litigation,
including individual trials, consolidated trials and appeals. Neither the rate
of future filings and resolutions nor the total number of future claims can be
predicted at this time with a high degree of certainty.
Attention has been given by various parties to securing a comprehensive
resolution of the litigation. In 1991, the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict
Litigation ordered the transfer of federal cases to the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania in Philadelphia for pretrial purposes. The company supported this
transfer. Some cases are periodically released for trial, although the issue of
punitive damages is retained by the transferee court. That court has been
instrumental in having the parties resolve large numbers of cases in various
jurisdictions and has been receptive to different approaches to the resolution
of claims. Claims in state courts have not been directly affected by the
transfer, although most recent cases have been filed in state courts.
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Georgine Settlement Class Action
Georgine v. Amchem was a settlement class action filed in the Eastern District
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of Pennsylvania, on January 15, 1993, that included essentially all future
personal injury claims against members of the Center, including the company. It
was designed to establish a nonlitigation system for the resolution of such
claims, and offered a method for prompt compensation to claimants who were
occupationally exposed to asbestos if they met certain exposure and medical
criteria. Compensation amounts were derived from historical settlement data and
no punitive damages were to be paid. The settlement was designed to, among other
things, minimize transactional costs, including attorneys' fees, expedite
compensation to claimants with qualifying claims, and relieve the courts of the
burden of handling future claims. Based on maximum mathematical projections
covering a ten-year period starting in 1994, the company estimated in Georgine a
reasonably possible additional liability of $245 million.
The District Court, after exhaustive discovery and testimony, approved the
settlement class action and issued a preliminary injunction that barred class
members from pursuing claims against Center members in the tort system. The U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed that decision, and the reversal
was sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 25, 1997, holding that the
settlement class did not meet the requirements for class certification under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23. The preliminary injunction was vacated on
July 21, 1997, resulting in the immediate reinstatement of enjoined cases and a
loss of the bar against the filing of claims in the tort system. The company
believes that an alternative claims resolution mechanism to Georgine is likely
to emerge.
Asbestos-related liability
During the last half of 1997, the company assessed the impact of the recent
Supreme Court ruling on its projected asbestos resolution and defense costs. In
doing so, the company reviewed, among other things, its historical settlement
amounts, the incidence of past claims, the mix of the injuries and occupations
of the plaintiffs, the number of cases pending against it, the Georgine
projection and its experience. Subject to the uncertainties, limitations and
other factors referred to above and based upon its experience, the company has
recorded $251.7 million on the balance sheet as an estimated minimum liability
to defend and resolve probable and estimable asbestos-related personal injury
claims currently pending and to be filed through 2003. This is management's best
estimate of the minimum liability, although potential future costs for claims
could range up to an additional $387 million or an estimated maximum liability
of approximately $639 million. Because of the uncertainties related to asbestos
litigation, it is not possible to estimate the number of personal injury claims
that may be filed after 2003 or their defense and resolution costs. Therefore,
the company's estimated liability does not include costs for personal injury
claims that may be filed after 2003, although it is likely there will be such
additional claims. Management believes that the potential additional costs for
claims to be filed through 2003 and those filed thereafter, net of any potential
insurance recoveries, will not have a material after-tax effect on the financial
condition of the company or its liquidity, although the net after-tax effect of
any future liabilities recorded in excess of insurance assets could be material
to earnings in a future period.
PROPERTY DAMAGE LITIGATION
The company is also one of many defendants in 10 pending claims as of December
31, 1997, brought by public and private building owners. These claims include
allegations of damage to buildings caused by asbestos-containing products and
generally seek compensatory and punitive damages and equitable relief, including
reimbursement of expenditures, for removal and replacement of such products. The
claims appear to be aimed at friable (easily crumbled) asbestos-containing
products, although allegations encompass all asbestos-containing products,
including previously installed asbestos-containing resilient flooring. Among the
lawsuits that have been resolved are four class actions, which involve public
and private schools, Michigan state public and private schools, colleges and
universities, and private property owners who leased facilities to the federal
government. The company vigorously denies the validity of the allegations
against it in these claims. These suits and claims are not handled by the
Center. Insurance coverage has been resolved and is expected to cover almost all
costs of these claims.
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CODEFENDANT BANKRUPTCIES
Certain codefendant companies have filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of
the Federal Bankruptcy Code. As a consequence, litigation against them (with
some exceptions) has been stayed or restricted. Due to the uncertainties
involved, the long-term effect of these proceedings on the litigation cannot be
predicted.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
The company's primary and excess insurance policies provide product hazard and
nonproducts (general liability) coverages for personal injury claims, and
product hazard coverage for property damage claims. Certain policies also
provide coverage to ACandS, Inc., a former subsidiary of the company. The
company and ACandS, Inc., share certain limits that both have accessed and have
entered into an agreement that reserved for ACandS, Inc., a certain amount of
excess insurance.
California Insurance Coverage Lawsuit
Trial court decisions in the insurance lawsuit filed by the company in
California held that the trigger of coverage for personal injury claims was
continuous from exposure through death or filing of a claim, that a triggered
insurance policy should respond with full indemnification up to policy limits,
and that any defense obligation ceases upon exhaustion of policy limits.
Although not as comprehensive, another decision established favorable defense
and indemnity coverage for property damage claims, providing coverage during the
period of installation and any subsequent period in which a release of fibers
occurred. The California appellate courts substantially upheld the trial court,
and that insurance coverage litigation is now concluded. The company has
resolved most personal injury products hazard coverage matters with its solvent
carriers through the Wellington Agreement, referred to below, or other
settlements. In 1989, a settlement with a carrier having both primary and excess
coverages provided for certain minimum and maximum percentages of costs for
personal injury claims to be allocated to nonproducts (general liability)
coverage, the percentage to be determined by negotiation or in alternative
dispute resolution ("ADR").
The insurance carriers that provided personal injury products hazard,
nonproducts or property damage coverages are as follows: Reliance Insurance
Company; Aetna (now Travelers) Casualty and Surety Company; Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company; Travelers Insurance Company; Fireman's Fund Insurance
Company; Insurance Company of North America; Lloyds of London; various London
market companies; Fidelity and Casualty Insurance Company; First State Insurance
Company; U.S. Fire Insurance Company; Home Insurance Company; Great American
Insurance Company; American Home Assurance Company and National Union Fire
Insurance Company (known as the AIG Companies); Central National Insurance
Company; Interstate Insurance Company; Puritan Insurance Company; and Commercial
Union Insurance Company. Midland Insurance Company, an excess carrier that
provided $25 million of personal injury coverage, certain London companies, and
certain excess carriers providing only property damage coverage are insolvent.
The company is pursuing claims against insolvents in a number of forums.
Wellington Agreement
In 1985, the company and 52 other companies (asbestos defendants and insurers)
signed the Wellington Agreement. This Agreement settled nearly all disputes
concerning personal injury insurance coverage with most of the company's
carriers, provided broad coverage for both defense and indemnity and addressed
both products hazard and non-products (general liability) coverages.
Asbestos Claims Facility ("Facility") and Center
for Claims Resolution
The Wellington Agreement established the Facility to evaluate, settle, pay and
defend all personal injury claims against member companies. Resolution and
defense costs were allocated by formula. The Facility subsequently dissolved,
and the Center was created in October 1988 by 21 former Facility members,
including the company. Insurance carriers, while not members, are represented ex
officio on the Center's governing board and have agreed annually to provide a
portion of the Center's operational costs. The Center adopted many of the
conceptual features of the Facility and has addressed the claims in a manner
consistent with the prompt, fair resolution of meritorious claims. Resolution
and defense costs are allocated by formula; adjustments over time have resulted
in some increased share for the company.
- 11 -
<PAGE>
Insurance Recovery Proceedings
A substantial portion of the company's primary and excess insurance asset is
nonproducts (general liability) insurance for personal injury claims, including
among others, those that involve exposure during installation of asbestos
materials. The Wellington Agreement and the 1989 settlement agreement referred
to above have provisions for such coverage. An ADR process under the Wellington
Agreement is underway against certain carriers to determine the percentage of
resolved and unresolved claims that are nonproducts claims, to establish the
entitlement to such coverage and to determine whether and how much reinstatement
of prematurely exhausted products hazard insurance is warranted. The nonproducts
coverage potentially available is substantial and, for some policies, includes
defense costs in addition to limits. The carriers have raised various defenses,
including waiver, laches, statutes of limitations and contractual defenses. One
primary carrier alleges that it is no longer bound by the Wellington Agreement,
and another alleges that the company agreed to limit its claims for nonproducts
coverage against that carrier when the Wellington Agreement was signed. The ADR
process is in the trial phase of binding arbitration. Other proceedings against
non-Wellington carriers may become necessary.
An insurance asset in the amount of $291.6 million is recorded on the balance
sheet and reflects the company's belief in the availability of insurance in this
amount, based upon the company's success in insurance recoveries, settlement
agreements that provide such coverage, the nonproducts recoveries by other
companies and the opinion of outside counsel. Such insurance is probable of
recovery through negotiation or litigation. A substantial portion of the
insurance asset is in ADR, which the company believes may be resolved in 1998 or
later. A shortfall has developed between available insurance and amounts
necessary for resolution and defense costs. This shortfall was $39.9 million at
the end of 1997 and included a $1.5 million insurance recovery from an insolvent
insurance carrier. The recovery of insurance assets to cover the shortfall will
depend upon the resolution of the ADR and other disputes with the insurance
carriers. The company does not believe that after-tax effect of the shortfall
will be material either to the financial condition of the company or to its
liquidity.
CONCLUSIONS
The company does not know how many claims will be filed against it in the
future, or the details thereof or of pending suits not fully reviewed, or the
defense and resolution costs that may ultimately result therefrom, or whether an
alternative to the Georgine settlement vehicle may emerge, or the scope of its
insurance coverage ultimately deemed available.
The company has assessed the impact of the recent Supreme Court ruling on its
projected asbestos resolution and defense costs. Subject to the uncertainties,
limitations and other factors referred to above and based upon its experience,
the company has recorded on the balance sheet $251.7 million as a minimum
estimated liability to defend and resolve probable and estimable asbestos-
related personal injury claims currently pending and to be filed through 2003.
- 12 -
<PAGE>
This is management's best estimate of the minimum liability, although potential
future costs for these claims could range up to an additional $387 million or an
estimated maximum liability of approximately $639 million. Because of the
uncertainties related to asbestos litigation, it is not possible to estimate the
number of personal injury claims that may be filed after 2003 or their cost.
Therefore, the company's estimated liability does not include costs for personal
injury claims that may be filed after 2003, although it is likely there will be
such additional claims. Management believes that the potential additional costs
for claims to be filed through 2003 and those filed thereafter, net of any
potential insurance recoveries, will not have a material after-tax effect on the
financial condition of the company or its liquidity, although the net after-tax
effect of any future liabilities recorded in excess of insurance assets could be
material to earnings in a future period.
An insurance asset in the amount of $291.6 million is recorded on the balance
sheet and reflects the company's belief in the availability of insurance in this
amount, based upon the company's success in insurance recoveries, settlement
agreements that provide such coverage, the nonproducts recoveries by other
companies, and the opinion of outside counsel. Such insurance is probable of
recovery through negotiation or litigation. A substantial portion of the
insurance asset is in ADR, which the company believes may be resolved in 1998 or
later. A shortfall has developed between available insurance and amounts
necessary for resolution and defense costs. This shortfall was $39.9 million at
the end of 1997 and included a $1.5 million insurance recovery from an insolvent
insurance carrier. The recovery of insurance assets to cover the shortfall will
depend upon the resolution of the ADR and other disputes with the insurance
carriers. The company does not believe that after-tax effect of the shortfall
will be material either to the financial condition of the company or to its
liquidity.
The company believes that a claims resolution mechanism alternative to the
Georgine settlement will eventually emerge, and that the resolution and defense
costs are likely to be higher than the earlier maximum mathematical projection
in Georgine.
Subject to the uncertainties, limitations and other factors referred to
elsewhere in this note and based upon its experience, the company believes it is
probable that substantially all of the defense and resolution costs of property
damage claims will be covered by insurance.
Even though uncertainties remain as to the potential number of unasserted claims
and the liability resulting therefrom, and after consideration of the factors
involved, including the ultimate scope of its insurance coverage, the Wellington
Agreement and other settlements with insurance carriers, the results of the
California insurance coverage litigation, the establishment of the Center, the
likelihood that an alternative to the Georgine settlement will eventually
emerge, and its experience, the company believes the asbestos-related claims
against the company would not be material either to the financial condition of
the company or to its liquidity, although the net after-tax effect of any future
liabilities recorded in excess of insurance assets could be material to earnings
in such future period.
- 13 -
<PAGE>
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
- ------------------------------------
The information appearing in Item 10 hereof under the caption "Executive
Officers of the Registrant" is incorporated by reference herein.
PART II
-------
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matters
-------
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the
Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc., and the Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc. As of
February 10, 1998, there were approximately 7,100 holders of record of the
Company's Common Stock.
During 1997, the Company issued a total of 1,800 shares of Common Stock to
nonemployee directors of the Company pursuant to the Company's Restricted Stock
Plan for Nonemployee Directors. Given the small number of persons to whom these
shares were issued, applicable restrictions on transfer and the information
regarding the Company possessed by the directors, these shares were issued
without registration in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.
Quarterly Financial Information
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First Second Third Fourth Total year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997 Dividends per share of common stock 0.40 0.44 0.44 0.44 1.72
Price range of common stock--high 72 1/4 75 1/4 74 9/16 75 3/8 75 3/8
Price range of common stock--low 64 3/4 61 1/2 64 3/8 64 1/8 61 1/2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Dividends per share of common stock 0.36 0.40 0.40 0.40 1.56
Price range of common stock--high 64 1/2 61 5/8 65 1/2 75 1/4 75 1/4
Price range of common stock--low 57 7/8 53 1/2 51 7/8 61 3/4 51 7/8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- 14 -
<PAGE>
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
- --------------------------------
ELEVEN-YEAR SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in millions except for per-share data) For year 1997 1996 1995 1994
====================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales 2,198.7 2,156.4 2,325.0 2,226.0
Cost of goods sold 1,461.7 1,459.9 1,581.1 1,483.9
Total selling, general and administrative expenses 385.3 413.2 457.0 449.2
Equity (earnings) loss from affiliates 29.7 (19.1) (6.2) (1.7)
Restructuring charges -- 46.5 71.8 --
Loss from ceramic tile business formation/
(gain) from sales of woodlands -- -- 177.2 --
Operating income (loss) 322.0 255.9 44.1 294.6
Interest expense 28.0 22.6 34.0 28.3
Other expense (income), net (2.2) (6.9) 1.9 0.5
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses before
income taxes 296.2 240.2 8.2 265.8
Income taxes 111.2 75.4 (5.4) 78.6
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses 185.0 164.8 13.6 187.2
As a percentage of sales 8.4% 7.6% 0.6% 8.4%
As a percentage of average monthly assets (a) 9.0% 8.5% 0.7% 10.7%
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses
applicable to common stock (b) 185.0 158.0 (0.7) 173.1
Per common share--basic (c) 4.55 4.04 (0.02) 4.62
Per common share--diluted (c) 4.50 3.82 (0.02) 4.09
Net earnings (loss) 185.0 155.9 123.3 210.4
As a percentage of sales 8.4% 7.2% 5.3% 9.5%
Net earnings (loss) applicable to common stock (b) 185.0 149.1 109.0 196.3
As a percentage of average shareholders' equity 22.3% 19.6% 15.0% 31.3%
Per common share--basic (c) 4.55 3.81 2.94 5.24
Per common share--diluted (c) 4.50 3.61 2.68 4.62
Dividends declared per share of common stock 1.72 1.56 1.40 1.26
Capital expenditures 160.5 228.0 182.7 138.4
Aggregate cost of acquisitions 4.2 -- 20.7 --
Total depreciation and amortization 132.7 123.7 123.1 120.7
Average number of employees--continuing businesses 10,643 10,572 13,433 13,784
Average number of common shares outstanding (millions) 40.6 39.1 37.1 37.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-end position
Working capital--continuing businesses 128.5 243.5 346.8 384.4
Net property, plant and equipment--continuing businesses 972.2 964.0 878.2 966.4
Total assets 2,375.5 2,135.6 2,149.8 2,159.0
Net long-term debt 223.1 219.4 188.3 237.2
Total debt as a percentage of total capital (d) 39.2% 37.2% 38.5% 41.4%
Shareholders' equity 810.6 790.0 775.0 735.1
Book value per share of common stock 20.20 19.19 20.10 18.97
Number of shareholders (e) (f) 7,137 7,424 7,084 7,473
Common shares outstanding (millions) 40.1 41.2 36.9 37.2
Market value per common share 74 3/4 69 1/2 62 38 1/2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------============================================================
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
1993 1992 1991 1990
====================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales 2,075.7 2,111.4 2,021.4 2,082.4
Cost of goods sold 1,453.7 1,536.1 1,473.7 1,469.8
Total selling, general and administrative expenses 435.6 446.6 415.1 404.0
Equity (earnings) loss from affiliates (1.4) (0.2) -- --
Restructuring charges 89.3 160.8 12.5 6.8
Loss from ceramic tile business formation/
(gain) from sales of woodlands -- -- -- (60.4)
Operating income (loss) 98.5 (31.9) 120.1 262.2
Interest expense 38.0 41.6 45.8 37.5
Other expense (income), net (6.1) (7.2) (8.5) 19.7
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses before
income taxes 66.6 (66.3) 82.8 205.0
Income taxes 17.6 (2.9) 32.7 69.5
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses 49.0 (63.4) 50.1 135.5
As a percentage of sales 2.4% -3.0% 2.5% 6.5%
As a percentage of average monthly assets (a) 2.8% -3.3% 2.7% 7.5%
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses
applicable to common stock (b) 35.1 (77.2) 30.7 116.0
Per common share--basic (c) 0.95 (2.08) 0.83 2.98
Per common share--diluted (c) 0.93 (2.08) 0.83 2.73
Net earnings (loss) 63.5 (227.7) 48.2 141.0
As a percentage of sales 3.1% -10.8% 2.4% 6.8%
Net earnings (loss) applicable to common stock (b) 49.6 (241.5) 28.8 121.5
As a percentage of average shareholders' equity 9.0% -33.9% 3.3% 13.0%
Per common share--basic (c) 1.34 (6.51) 0.78 3.12
Per common share--diluted (c) 1.27 (6.51) 0.78 2.86
Dividends declared per share of common stock 1.20 1.20 1.19 1.135
Capital expenditures 110.3 109.8 129.7 186.5
Aggregate cost of acquisitions -- 4.2 -- 16.1
Total depreciation and amortization 117.0 123.4 122.1 116.5
Average number of employees--continuing businesses 14,796 16,045 16,438 16,926
Average number of common shares outstanding (millions) 37.2 37.1 37.1 38.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-end position
Working capital--continuing businesses 279.3 239.8 353.8 305.2
Net property, plant and equipment--continuing businesses 937.6 967.2 1,042.8 1,032.7
Total assets 1,869.2 1,944.3 2,125.7 2,124.4
Net long-term debt 256.8 266.6 301.4 233.2
Total debt as a percentage of total capital (d) 52.2% 57.2% 46.9% 45.7%
Shareholders' equity 569.5 569.2 885.5 899.2
Book value per share of common stock 14.71 14.87 23.55 24.07
Number of shareholders (e) (f) 7,963 8,611 8,896 9,110
Common shares outstanding (millions) 37.2 37.1 37.1 37.1
Market value per common share 53 1/4 31 7/8 29 1/4 25
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------============================================================
</TABLE>
- 15 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1989 1988 1987
====================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales 2,050.4 1,843.4 1,608.7
Cost of goods sold 1,423.2 1,287.6 1,112.0
Total selling, general and administrative expenses 380.7 331.3 288.8
Equity (earnings) loss from affiliates -- -- --
Restructuring charges 5.9 -- --
Loss from ceramic tile business formation/
(gain) from sales of woodlands (9.5) (1.9) --
Operating income (loss) 250.1 226.4 207.9
Interest expense 40.5 25.8 11.5
Other expense (income), net (5.7) (13.1) (4.3)
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses before
income taxes 215.3 213.7 200.7
Income taxes 74.6 79.4 82.2
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses 140.7 134.3 118.5
As a percentage of sales 6.9% 7.3% 7.4%
As a percentage of average monthly assets (a) 8.6% 10.4% 11.3%
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses
applicable to common stock (b) 131.0 133.9 118.0
Per common share--basic (c) 2.88 2.90 2.50
Per common share--diluted (c) 2.75 2.88 2.49
Net earnings (loss) 187.6 162.7 150.4
As a percentage of sales 9.1% 8.8% 9.3%
Net earnings (loss) applicable to common stock (b) 177.9 162.3 150.0
As a percentage of average shareholders' equity 17.9% 17.0% 17.6%
Per common share--basic (c) 3.92 3.51 3.18
Per common share--diluted (c) 3.72 3.50 3.16
Dividends declared per share of common stock 1.045 0.975 0.885
Capital expenditures 216.9 167.8 157.6
Aggregate cost of acquisitions -- 355.8 71.5
Total depreciation and amortization 121.6 99.4 83.6
Average number of employees--continuing businesses 17,167 15,016 14,036
Average number of common shares outstanding (millions) 45.4 46.2 47.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-end position
Working capital--continuing businesses 449.4 260.6 345.3
Net property, plant and equipment--continuing businesses 944.0 930.4 674.1
Total assets 2,008.9 2,073.1 1,574.9
Net long-term debt 181.3 185.9 67.7
Total debt as a percentage of total capital (d) 36.1% 35.9% 22.8%
Shareholders' equity 976.5 1,021.8 913.8
Book value per share of common stock 23.04 21.86 19.53
Number of shareholders (e) (f) 9,322 10,355 9,418
Common shares outstanding (millions) 42.3 46.3 46.2
Market value per common share 37 1/4 35 32 1/4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------============================================================
</TABLE>
Notes:
(a) Assets exclude insurance recoveries for asbestos-related liabilities.
(b) After deducting preferred dividend requirements and adding the tax benefits
for unallocated preferred shares.
(c) See definition of basic and diluted earnings per share on page 35. Earnings
per share data is restated for all periods for adoption of SFAS No. 128.
(d) Total debt includes short-term debt, current installments of long-term debt,
long-term debt and ESOP loan guarantee. Total capital includes total debt
and total shareholders' equity.
(e) Includes one trustee who is the shareholder of record on behalf of
approximately 6,000 to 6,500 employees for years 1988 through 1997.
(f) Includes, for 1987, a trustee who was the shareholder of record on behalf of
approximately 11,000 employees who obtained beneficial ownership through the
Armstrong Stock Ownership Plan, which was terminated at the end of 1987.
Beginning in 1996, ceramic tile results were reported under the equity method,
whereas prior to 1996, ceramic tile operations were reported on a consolidated
or line item basis.
- 16 -
<PAGE>
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of Operations
-------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 COMPARED WITH 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL CONDITION
As shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (see page 33), the company
had cash and cash equivalents of $57.9 million at December 31, 1997. Cash
provided by operating activities, supplemented by increases in short-term debt;
proceeds from the sale of land, facilities and other assets, and cash proceeds
from exercised stock options, covered normal working capital requirements;
purchases of property, plant and equipment; payment of cash dividends;
repurchase of shares; acquisitions and investments in joint ventures and
computer software.
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 1997, was
$246.6 million compared with $220.9 million in 1996. The increase is primarily
due to the higher level of earnings before noncash charges and lower
restructuring payments year-to-year, partially offset by the payment of cash due
to a shortfall between currently available insurance and amounts necessary to
pay asbestos-related claims. Working capital was $128.5 million as of December
31, 1997, $115.0 million lower than the $243.5 million at year-end 1996. The
ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.27 to 1 as of December 31,
1997, compared with 1.76 to 1 as of December 31, 1996. The ratio decreased from
December 31, 1996, primarily due to accrued expenses for projected short-term
asbestos-related liability payments and higher levels of short-term debt used to
finance higher levels of receivables and inventories, refinancing of long-term
debt and other general corporate purposes.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from operations and uses of cash flow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 17 -
<PAGE>
Net cash used for investing activities was $152.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, down from $239.8 million in 1996. This reduction was
primarily due to lower purchases of property, plant and equipment and higher
proceeds from the sale of land, facilities and other assets which were partially
offset by additional acquisitions and investments in joint ventures, and higher
investment in computer software.
Net cash used for financing activities was $98.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, as cash provided by higher levels of short-term debt was
offset by cash used for payment of dividends and reduction of long-term debt. In
1996, net cash used for financing activities was $171.8 million as cash was used
to reduce debt and redeem outstanding preferred stock in addition to the payment
of dividends and repurchases of stock.
Under the 1994 and 1996 board-approved 5,500,000 common share repurchase plans,
the company has repurchased approximately 3,661,000 shares through December 31,
1997, including 1,281,000 shares repurchased in 1997.
Long-term debt, excluding the company's guarantee of the ESOP loan, increased
slightly in 1997. At December 31, 1997, long-term debt of $223.1 million, or
16.7% of total capital, compared with $219.4 million, or 17.4% of total capital,
at the end of 1996. The 1997 and 1996 year-end ratios of total debt (including
the company's financing of the ESOP loan) as a percent of total capital were
39.2% and 37.2%, respectively.
Other sources of capital include a $300 million revolving line of credit,
expiring 2001, which is used for general corporate purposes and as a backstop
for commercial paper notes; and $500 million of unissued debt and/or equity
securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should a need
develop for additional financing, it is management's opinion that the company
has sufficient financial strength to warrant the required support from lending
institutions and financial markets. Early in 1998, the company's long-term debt
rating was reduced by Standard & Poor's from A+ to A while Moody's remained at
A2. The company's short-term debt ratings remained at A-1 from Standard & Poor's
and P-1 from Moody's.
The company has increased its investment in computer software with projects to
develop and implement a new corporate logistics system and a new financial and
human resource system. These new systems are year-2000-compliant. In addition, a
year 2000 project, expected to be completed in 1999, is converting the remainder
of the company's systems to minimize this exposure. The costs of this project
are not expected to be material to the company's results of operations,
financial condition or liquidity. Since the company cannot yet be asssured that
suppliers and other third parties with which it does business will be compliant
on a timely basis, the company cannot assess the potential impact, if any, that
their noncompliance may have on the company.
The company is involved in significant asbestos-related litigation which is
described more fully on pages 59-64 and which should be read in connection with
this discussion and analysis. The company does not know how many claims will be
filed against it in the future, or the details thereof, or of pending suits not
fully reviewed, or the expense and any liability that may ultimately result
therefrom, or whether an alternative to the Georgine settlement vehicle may
emerge, or the ultimate liability if such alternative does not emerge, or the
scope of its nonproducts insurance coverage ultimately deemed available.
The company has assessed the impact of the recent Supreme Court ruling on its
projected asbestos resolution and defense costs. Subject to the uncertainties,
limitations and other factors referred to above and based upon its experience,
the company has recorded a current liability and long-term reserve totaling
$251.7 million on the balance sheet as an estimated minimum liability to defend
and resolve probable and estimable asbestos-related personal injury claims
currently pending and to be filed through 2003. This is management's best
estimate of the minimum liability, although potential future costs for claims
could range up to an additional $387 million or an estimated maximum liability
of approximately $639 million. Because of the uncertainties related to asbestos
litigation, it is not possible to estimate the number of personal injury claims
that may be filed after 2003 or their cost. Therefore, the company's estimated
liability does not reflect amounts for personal injury claims that may be filed
after 2003, although it is likely there will be such additional claims.
Management believes that the potential additional costs for claims to be filed
through 2003 and those filed thereafter, net of any potential insurance
recoveries, will not have a material after-tax effect on the financial condition
of the company or its liquidity, although the net after-tax effect of any future
liabilities recorded in excess of insurance assets could be material to earnings
in a future period.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 18 -
<PAGE>
------------------------------ --------------------------------
Total debt/total debt + equity Funds from operations/total debt
------------------------------ --------------------------------
[BAR CHART APPEARS HERE] [BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]
An insurance asset in the amount of $291.6 million is recorded on the balance
sheet and reflects the company's belief in the availability of insurance in this
amount, based upon the company's success in insurance recoveries, the
agreements, including the Wellington Agreement, that provide such coverage, the
nonproducts recoveries by other companies and the opinion of outside counsel.
Such insurance is probable of recovery through negotiation, alternative dispute
resolution ("ADR") or litigation. A substantial portion of the insurance asset
is in ADR, which the company believes will not be resolved until 1998 or later.
As a consequence, a shortfall has developed between available insurance and
amounts necessary for resolution and defense costs. This shortfall was $39.9
million at the end of 1997 and included a $1.5 million insurance recovery from
an insolvent insurance carrier. The recovery of insurance assets to cover the
shortfall will depend upon the resolution of the ADR and other disputes with the
insurance carrier. The company does not believe that the after-tax effect of the
shortfall will be material either to the financial condition of the company or
to its liquidity.
Subject to the uncertainties, limitations and other factors referred to in the
note covering asbestos-related legal proceedings, the company believes it is
probable that substantially all of the expenses and any liability payments
associated with the property damage claims will be paid under insurance coverage
settlement agreements and through coverage from the outcome of the California
insurance litigation. Even though uncertainties still remain as to the potential
number of unasserted claims, liability resulting therefrom, and the ultimate
scope of its insurance coverage, after consideration of the factors involved,
including the Wellington Agreement and settlements with other insurance
carriers, the results of the California insurance coverage litigation, the
remaining reserve, the establishment of the Center, the likelihood that an
alternative to the Georgine settlement will eventually emerge, and its
experience, the company believes the asbestos-related claims against the company
would not be material either to the financial condition of the company or to its
liquidity, although as stated above, the net effect of any future liabilities
recorded in excess of insurance assets could be material to earnings in such
future period.
On June 16, 1997, the company commenced an all cash offer to purchase all of the
outstanding common shares and common share equivalents (including convertible
debentures and warrants on an as-if converted basis) of Domco Inc. ("Domco"), a
Canadian subsidiary of Sommer Allibert, S.A. ("Sommer"). The offer has been
extended and amended on a number of occasions since June, most recently to
increase the bid price per common share to CDN $26.50 (thereby increasing the
aggregate proposed purchase price to CDN $560 million) and to extend the
expiration date of the offer to May 29, 1998. The extension is intended to
permit the Quebec Securities Commission to rule on the issues of whether the
merger of Tarkett AG ("Tarkett") with Sommer constitutes an indirect takeover of
Domco and, if so, at a purchase price in excess of 115% of Domco's per share
price without providing similar value to Domco's minority shareholders in
violation of the rules under the Quebec Securities Act. The offer is conditional
upon the valid tender of 51% of the outstanding common shares of Domco on a
diluted basis. The company has recorded an asset of $8.3 million for costs
associated with the Domco acquisition. The company has obtained requisite
regulatory approvals from the United States Federal Trade Commission, the
Canadian Minister of Industry and the Competition Bureau in Canada. Sommer has
stated that it does not intend to sell its shares of Domco to the company, and
Domco's board of directors has rejected the company's offer to subscribe for
Domco common shares.
On June 9, 1997, the company filed a complaint in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging that Sommer
(subsequently amended to include Tarkett and Marc Assa, the President du
Directoire of Sommer), had used confidential information provided by the company
during negotiations regarding the purchase of Sommer's worldwide flooring assets
to structure a transaction with Tarkett in violation of a confidentiality
agreement and exclusivity understanding with the company and a duty to negotiate
in good faith. The company intends to continue to pursue this litigation to
recover damages in a trial scheduled to begin on September 15, 1998. The
ultimate magnitude of the company's potential recovery is not known at this
time.
- 19 -
<PAGE>
On June 23, 1997, the company filed a claim, amended on August 11, 1997, in the
Ontario Court (General Division) alleging that Sommer and its representatives on
Domco's board breached their fiduciary duty to Domco and acted in a manner
oppressive to Domco's minority shareholders when they rejected the company's bid
for Domco. The company's motion requesting a court injunction to prevent the
takeover of Domco by Tarkett, among other items, was dismissed. The company is
continuing to pursue this litigation to recover damages from Sommer and Domco's
directors, among other relief.
The company intends to continue to pursue all legal remedies available to it in
the United States and Canada against Sommer, Domco's directors, Tarkett and Marc
Assa.
MARKET RISK
The company uses financial instruments, including fixed and variable rate debt,
as well as swap, forward and option contracts to finance its operations and to
hedge interest rate, currency and commodity exposures. The swap, forward and
option contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the underlying
exposure and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The
company does not enter into contracts for speculative purposes and is not a
party to any leveraged instruments.
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
The table below provides information about the company's debt obligations. The
table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates
by expected maturity dates. Weighted average variable rates are based on implied
forward rates in the yield curve at the reporting date. The information is
presented in US dollar equivalents, which is the company's reporting currency.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected maturity After
date ($ millions) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Liabilities
Long-term debt:
Fixed rate $ 13.5 $ 21.0 $ 22.1 $ 7.5 $ 0.0 $ 153.0 $ 217.1
Avg. interest rate 8.88% 4.79% 8.14% 9.00% 0.00% 9.13% 8.59%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable rate $ 1.0 $ 4.0 $ 5.0 $ 2.0 $ 0.0 $ 8.5 $ 20.5
Avg. interest rate 9.38% 8.28% 8.28% 8.28% 0.00% 3.90% 6.52%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The company is also party to forward starting interest rate swaps entered into
in anticipation of future debt issuance. On December 31, 1997, the notional
amount under these forward starting swaps was $100.0 million with all swap
initiation dates occurring during 1998. The market value of these forward
agreements on December 31, 1997, was $3.2 million less than the notional amount.
EXCHANGE RATE SENSITIVITY
The company uses foreign currency forward contracts and options to reduce the
risk that future cash flows from transactions in foreign currencies will be
negatively impacted by changes in exchange rates.
The table below provides anticipated net foreign cash flows for goods, services
and financing transactions for the next 12 months.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency Commercial Financing Net Net
exposure ($ millions) exposure exposure hedge position
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
British pound $(24.0) $(17.1) $ 12.1 $(29.0)
Canadian dollar 37.0 -- -- 37.0
French franc (17.0) 3.3 (3.3) (17.0)
German mark (48.0) 12.4 (12.4) (48.0)
Italian lira 25.0 2.3 (2.3) 25.0
Spanish peseta 7.0 2.3 (2.3) 7.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: A positive amount indicates the company is a net receiver of this
currency, while a negative amount indicates the company is a net payer.
- 20 -
<PAGE>
Company policy allows hedges of cash flow exposures of up to one year. The table
below summarizes the company's foreign currency forward contracts and average
contract rates at December 31, 1997. Foreign currency amounts are translated at
exchange rates as of December 31, 1997.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency Forward Contracts
contracts ($ millions) Sold Avg. rate Bought Avg. rate
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
British pound $ 5.0 $ 1.68 $17.1 1.61
Dutch guilder 2.0 2.00 -- --
French franc 3.3 5.9 -- --
German mark 12.4 1.79 -- --
Italian lira 2.3 1726 -- --
Spanish peseta 2.3 151.5 -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The foreign currency hedges are straightforward contracts that have no embedded
options or other terms that involve a higher level of complexity or risk.
COMMODITY PRICE SENSITIVITY
The table below provides information about the company's natural gas swap
contracts that are sensitive to changes in commodity prices. For the contracts,
the table presents the notional amounts in millions of Btu's (MMBtu) and
weighted average contract prices. All contracts mature in or before January
1999.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Balance Sheet Commodity
Related Derivatives 1998 1999 Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swap contracts (long)
Contract amounts (MMBtu) 600,000 100,000 700,000
Weighted average price ($/MMBtu) $2.26 $2.43 $2.29
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Net sales in 1997 of $2.20 billion were 2.0% higher when compared with net sales
of $2.16 billion in 1996. Removing the currency translation impact of the
stronger U.S. dollar, sales would have increased 3.6%. Added sales from the new
Swedish flooring and soft-fiber ceilings joint ventures, along with sales growth
in laminate flooring and the worldwide commercial and U.S. home center
businesses, offset sales declines in the U.S. residential sheet flooring
business.
Net earnings of $185.0 million, or $4.50 per diluted share compared with $155.9
million, or $3.61 per diluted share, in 1996. The increase is primarily related
to the positive impact of manufacturing productivity improvements and some lower
raw material costs in 1997 and to the negative impact of the 1996 charges for
restructuring, floor discoloration product issues and the company's share of the
extraordinary loss of Dal-Tile International Inc., in which the company had a
33% equity interest. Adversely affecting 1997 earnings were ceramic tile losses
of $42.4 million, or $38.6 million after tax, including $8.4 million, or $6.1
million after tax, for the company's 34.4% share of operating losses incurred by
Dal-Tile; an additional $29.7 million before- and after-tax loss for the
company's share of the charge incurred by Dal-Tile, primarily for uncollectible
receivables and overstocked inventories; and $4.3 million, or $2.8 million after
tax, for the amortization of Armstrong's initial investment in Dal-Tile over the
underlying equity in net assets of the business combination. Net earnings in
1996 included after-tax charges of $29.6 million for restructuring, or $0.70 per
diluted share; $22.0 million for costs associated with the discoloration of a
limited portion of flooring products, or $0.53 per diluted share; and $8.9
million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the company's share of an extraordinary
loss from Dal-Tile.
- 21 -
<PAGE>
The company's Economic Value Added (EVA) performance as measured by return on
EVA capital of 13.3% in 1997 exceeded the company's 11% cost of capital by 2.3
percentage points. In 1996, the return on EVA capital was 14.8% and exceeded the
company's 12% cost of capital by 2.8 percentage points. In 1997, the company's
cost of capital was reduced to 11%, partially due to lower interest rates and
stock price volatility.
Cost of goods sold in 1997 was 66.5% of sales, lower than the 67.7% in 1996
which included charges associated with a floor discoloration issue. Cost of
goods sold was positively affected by continued productivity improvements and
some lower raw material costs which offset some promotional pricing actions and
a less favorable product mix.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in 1997 were $385.3 million,
or 17.5% of sales, which includes the currency translation impact of the
stronger U.S. dollar and some lower advertising and administrative costs when
compared with 1996. In 1996, SG&A expenses were $413.2 million, or 19.2% of
sales, and included a $14.0 million nonrecurring charge for floor discoloration.
During 1996, the company learned that discoloration had occurred in a limited
portion of its residential sheet flooring product lines. After correcting the
manufacturing process to eliminate any further occurrence of this problem, the
company recorded charges of $34.0 million before tax, or $22.0 million after tax
($0.53 per diluted share), for associated inventory and claims costs.
In 1996, the company incurred restructuring charges of $46.5 million, or $29.6
million after tax ($0.70 per diluted share), related primarily to reorganization
of staff and plant positions, consolidation of the installation products
businesses, restructuring of production processes and write-down of assets.
Severance payments charged against restructuring reserves were $17.2 million in
1997 relating to the elimination of 394 positions of which 247 terminations
occurred since the beginning of 1997. As of December 31, 1997, an immaterial
amount remained in the reserves for restructuring actions. Interest expense in
1997 of $28.0 million was higher than 1996's interest expense of $22.6 million.
The primary reason for the increase was higher levels of short-term debt used to
finance a variety of general corporate purposes.
The company's 1997 effective tax rate was 37.5%, negatively impacted by 3.4
percentage points from the recording of the company's equity share of the 1997
loss from Dal-Tile. The 1996 rate of 31.4% was positively affected by 1.7
percentage points from recording the company's equity share of the 1996 income
from Dal-Tile.
GEOGRAPHIC AREA RESULTS (see page 8)
UNITED STATES
Net sales in 1997 were $1.45 billion, higher than the $1.42 billion recorded in
1996. Sales growth was strongest in the U.S. home center channel serviced
through the Corporate Retail Accounts distribution unit, in the commercial
flooring and ceilings businesses and in insulation products. These increases
offset the negative impact of sales declines in U.S. residential sheet flooring.
Operating income in 1997 of $236.1 million was higher than 1996's operating
income of $202.7 million. Cost reduction efforts, most notably in building
products and insulation products, positively impacted 1997 operating income;
however, this improvement was offset by the $42.4 million loss from the ceramic
tile segment (discussed on page 24). In 1996, operating income was negatively
impacted by the previously mentioned charges of $34.5 million for restructuring
and $34.0 million for floor discoloration issues.
Export sales of Armstrong products from the U.S. to trade customers of $40.9
million increased $6.9 million, or over 20% compared with 1996. The majority of
the increase has come from a growth in sales to Latin America.
EUROPE
Sales and earnings results in the European markets remained mixed and
year-to-year comparisons were negatively impacted by the currency translation
effects of a stronger dollar. Net sales of $545.6 million in 1997 decreased less
than 1% with growth from recent product alliances, such as the Swedish flooring
and ceilings joint ventures, and sales to Central and Eastern Europe, especially
Russia, offset by the currency translation effects. Sales of industry products
in our traditional market segments declined, reflecting competitive pricing and
weakness in market economies in Western Europe, including the U.K. Operating
income decreased less than 3% from 1996 with negative currency translation
effects and small declines in floor coverings and building products somewhat
offset by gains from significant cost reductions in industry products. Operating
income in 1996 included $11.0 million of restructuring charges.
- 22 -
<PAGE>
OTHER FOREIGN
Net sales increased 6% from 1996 with growth occurring in insulation and
building products which have both benefited from manufacturing facilities in
China. Operating income decreased 14% in 1997, reflecting startup costs at the
Shanghai ceiling plant earlier in 1997 and the more recent economic climate in
other Southeast Asian countries.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net trade sales
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDUSTRY SEGMENT RESULTS (see page 3)
FLOOR COVERINGS
Worldwide floor coverings sales of $1.12 billion increased 2.2% from $1.09
billion in 1996 which included a $14.1 million reduction for product returns for
the potential discoloration of a limited portion of its product lines. The 1997
increase came primarily from the addition of sales from the laminate and Swedish
joint venture product lines and higher sales in the U.S. commercial and home
center channels. U.S. residential sheet flooring sales declined and were
adversely affected by a general weakness in high-end professionally installed
flooring, some shift toward alternative flooring products and consolidation of
the wholesaler distribution channel.
Operating income of $186.5 million compares to 1996's $146.9 million which
included charges of $34.0 million associated with the discoloration issue and
$14.5 million for restructuring primarily related to the consolidation in the
installation products business unit and other reorganizations in the floor
products operations staff. Sales increases and productivity gains were more than
offset by the negative impact of promotional pricing, a shift in product mix to
more mid-priced residential sheet flooring and other lower margin products in
the U.S. and start-up costs related to acquisitions and new product lines.
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment in the floor coverings
segment of $76.6 million in 1997 were directed toward improving manufacturing
processes. Capital expenditures in 1996 were $117.7 million and were primarily
related to the rollout of the Quest display and merchandising system and toward
improved manufacturing process effectiveness.
Outlook
New products, including laminate flooring and those of the Swedish flooring
joint venture, and sales of commercial and residential tile products should
continue to be the drivers of sales growth in 1998. New strategies in the
residential sheet flooring and laminate businesses will be focused on addressing
changes in the end-use market for these products. Manufacturing margins should
increase due to higher sales and lower costs resulting from the simplification
of product structures and the manufacturing process. The margin increase should
more than offset the higher advertising expense directed toward higher brand
awareness. The home center channel, serviced through Corporate Retail Accounts,
should continue to grow in 1998 at rates estimated to be greater than the
overall home improvement category. Consolidation in the installation products
business has been completed, and this business is now positioned to turn sales
growth into solid returns.
BUILDING PRODUCTS
Net sales of $754.5 million in the building products segment increased 5.0% from
1996. Sales growth was experienced in all geographic areas. In the Americas,
strength came from the U.S. commercial market segment and Latin America. In
Europe, added sales from the new Swedish soft-fiber ceilings joint venture and
Eastern Europe offset the impact of sluggish Western European economies and
continued lower selling prices. Sales grew in the Pacific Area (less than 10% of
the segment's business); however, the economic slowdown in Southeast Asia in the
latter part of 1997 has increased price competitiveness in this region.
Operating income of $122.3 million increased 28.7% from 1996, which included
$8.3 million in restructuring charges. The major factors in the 1997 improvement
were higher sales volume and increased productivity, reduced raw material prices
and lower startup costs in China than in 1996. In addition, solid increases in
profits continue to be realized from the WAVE grid joint venture. Negative
factors somewhat reducing the improvement were competitive pricing actions in
the U.S. home center channel and in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe and
Russia, the increased sales are concentrated in lower margin products. Capital
expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $54.4 million compared with
$67.7 million in 1996.
- 23 -
<PAGE>
Outlook
Business plans in this unit are directed toward heightened brand awareness,
customer specific selling and training programs as well as focused efforts
toward the most profitable products and channels. Continued growth is
anticipated in commercial ceilings market segments in the U.S. and Latin
America. In Europe, the results are expected to follow the same trend as 1997,
with modest growth in the core Western European market and increased sales from
the metal ceilings and Swedish soft-fiber ceilings alliances and Eastern Europe.
The market in Asia is expected to continue to show growth although most of the
Southeast Asian countries will be negatively affected for some time by the
economic climate.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital additions
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[BAR CHART APPEARS HERE]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDUSTRY PRODUCTS
Worldwide industry products segment sales of $328.2 million declined 5.2% when
compared with 1996; however, without the translation impact of the stronger U.S.
dollar, sales would have increased 2%. In the insulation products business sales
declines from competitive market pressure in Europe were offset by increases in
North America and the Pacific area. Sales of gasket products and textile
products, the other two businesses in this segment, were slightly above 1996.
A record operating income of $55.5 million increased $15.4 million from 1996's
$40.1 million. The majority of the increase was related to productivity gains in
insulation products in all geographic areas. Profits increased in gasket
products due to the introduction of new products into European markets and an
improved cost profile. The textile products business recorded a profit in 1997
compared with a loss in 1996. Capital expenditures for property, plant and
equipment in the industry products segment were $16.5 million compared with
$22.5 million in 1996.
Outlook
The European building industry is forecasted to remain soft in 1998. Competition
due to overcapacity in the insulation products industry will continue to result
in some price erosion; however, continued attention to lowering costs should
counter the negative impact of competition. In Asia, the market for insulation
products is expected to continue to expand although the economic climate in this
area may affect results. Worldwide growth in gasket sales is anticipated,
primarily due to new products with new applications.
CERAMIC TILE
The ceramic tile segment's 1997 operating loss of $42.4 million included $8.4
million for the company's share of operating losses incurred by Dal-Tile
International Inc., in which the company has a 34.4% equity interest; an
additional $29.7 million after-tax loss for the company's share of the charge
incurred by Dal-Tile, primarily for uncollectible receivables and overstocked
inventories; and $4.3 million for the amortization of Armstrong's initial
investment in Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets of the business
combination. In 1996, the ceramic tile segment reported income of $9.9 million.
Outlook
Major reorganization and restructuring efforts took place at
Dal-Tile during 1997 to reduce overhead expenses and improve cash flow. Dal-Tile
management anticipates that, in 1998, the business should return to earning a
profit and be focused on improving customer service and increasing sales with
the assistance of the new logistics system implemented in 1997. The company is
evaluating all options regarding the Dal-Tile investment to ensure that the best
interests of Armstrong's shareholders are served.
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On February 25, 1998, the company filed a Form 13D/A with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to its ownership of Dal-Tile Common Stock
stating that the company has concluded that its interests would be best served
by disposing of its Dal-Tile investment. The company intends to pursue options
available to it to sell its shares of Dal-Tile Common Stock either in a private
transaction or through the public markets, though it is not precluding the
possibility of acquiring additional shares should circumstances change in the
future.
- 24 -
<PAGE>
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." This statement requires that all items that are recognized under
accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a
financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other
financial statements.
In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information." This statement establishes standards for
reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements
and requires selected information about operating segments in interim financial
reports issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for related
disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
The company plans to adopt these accounting standards for periods beginning with
January 1, 1998, as required. The adoption of these standards will not impact
consolidated results, financial condition, or long-term liquidity.
FOURTH QUARTER 1997 COMPARED
WITH FOURTH QUARTER 1996
Net sales of $527.4 million were slightly lower than 1996's fourth-quarter sales
of $528.6 million. Sales would have increased 2.0% without the negative currency
translation effect of a stronger U.S. dollar. Sales decreased in the floor
coverings segment as strong sales in the U.S. residential flooring tile business
unit and Europe, especially from the Swedish flooring joint venture, were more
than offset by lower U.S. residential sheet flooring sales. Building products
sales grew due to strength in the U.S. commercial market segment and added sales
from the Swedish soft-fiber ceilings joint venture. Sales decreased in the
industry products segment, largely due to a stronger U.S. dollar and competitive
pricing in insulation products, particularly in Europe.
Operating income of $72.2 million compares with $79.4 million in the
fourth-quarter 1996. By operating segment, increases were reported in the
building products and industry products segments, while declines were reported
in the floor coverings and ceramic tile segments. Operating income in the floor
coverings segment of $40.5 million decreased when compared with $45.6 million in
1996. Sales increases in residential tile and commercial sheet and tile flooring
were offset by promotional pricing and a shift in product mix to more mid-priced
residential sheet flooring and other lower margin products. Fourth-quarter
operating income for building products was $28.8 million compared with 1996
fourth-quarter income of $21.7 million. The significant factors driving this
increase were sales growth, lower costs from productivity improvements and the
increase in profits realized from the WAVE grid joint venture. Industry products
operating income of $13.9 million increased from $9.9 million in the fourth
quarter 1996. The increase resulted from lower manufacturing costs in the
insulation, gasket and textile products business units.
The ceramic tile segment fourth-quarter operating loss of $8.4 million
represents Armstrong's share of the net loss of the Dal-Tile business
combination and the amortization of the excess of the company's initial
investment in Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets. Fourth-quarter
1996 operating income of $4.7 million reflects Armstrong's share of the
after-tax operating income of Dal-Tile and the amortization of the excess of the
company's initial investment in Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net
assets.
Cost of goods sold as a percent of sales was 67.6%, compared with 69.2% in the
fourth quarter 1996. Lower raw material costs in floor coverings and building
products, productivity improvements and controlled manufacturing period expense
were the primary reasons for the lower manufacturing costs.
Armstrong's effective tax rate in fourth quarter 1997 was 31.3% and was
comparable to the effective tax rate for continuing businesses of 31.4% in
fourth quarter 1996.
- 25 -
<PAGE>
Net earnings were $46.8 million, or $1.15 per diluted share and included losses
of $5.5 million after tax, or $0.13 per diluted share, from the ceramic tile
segment. These results compare with 1996's fourth-quarter net earnings of $53.2
million or $1.28 per diluted share, including $4.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted
share, of earnings from the company's investment in Dal-Tile.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 COMPARED WITH 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL CONDITION
As shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (see page 33), net cash
provided by operating activities and the sale of assets was sufficient to cover
normal working capital requirements, payments related to restructuring
activities and additional investment in plant, property and equipment. Most of
the 1996 beginning cash balance plus proceeds from exercised stock options
covered the reduction of debt, payments of dividends, preferred stock
redemptions, repurchase of shares, purchase of computer software and additional
investment in Dal-Tile International Inc. The beginning cash balance of $256.9
million included proceeds from the sale of Thomasville Furniture Industries,
Inc., in December 1995.
Working capital was $243.5 million as of December 31, 1996, $103.3 million lower
than the $346.8 million reported at year-end 1995. The reduction in working
capital over 12 months resulted primarily from the $191.5 million decrease in
cash. Partially offsetting the working capital decrease were increases in
inventories of $10.2 million, income tax benefits of $22.5 million, the $33.9
million decrease in short-term debt and current installments of long-term debt
and the $24.1 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.76 to 1 as of December
31, 1996, compared with 1.92 to 1 as of December 31, 1995, primarily due to the
reduced levels of cash.
On October 1, 1996, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and the Retirement
Savings Plan (RSP) were merged to form the new Retirement Savings and Stock
Ownership Plan (RSSOP). Prior to the merger of the plans, on July 31, the
trustee of the ESOP converted the preferred stock held by the trust into
approximately 5.1 million shares of common stock with a book value of $139.1
million at a one-for-one ratio.
Long-term debt, excluding the company's guarantee of the ESOP loan, increased
$31.1 million in 1996. The increase was primarily due to a low interest rate
loan for a capital addition at the Kankakee, Illinois, floor tile plant. At
December 31, 1996, long-term debt of $219.4 million represented 17.4% of total
capital compared with 14.9% at the end of 1995. The 1996 and 1995 year-end
ratios of total debt (including the company's financing of the ESOP loan) as a
percent of total capital were 37.2% and 38.5%, respectively.
In July 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the company to repurchase 3.0
million shares of its common stock (in addition to the 2.5 million shares
authorized in 1994), through the open market or through privately negotiated
transactions, bringing the total authorized common share repurchases to 5.5
million shares. The increased stock repurchase authorization will allow greater
flexibility in deploying cash flow and, to the extent that shares can be
repurchased at attractive prices, should increase earnings per share. Since the
inception of the plan, the company repurchased approximately 2,380,000 shares
through December 31, 1996, including approximately 1,328,000 shares repurchased
in 1996. In addition to shares repurchased under the above plan, approximately
364,600 ESOP shares were repurchased in 1996.
Capital in excess of par value increased $112.8 million from December 31, 1995,
primarily as a result of two transactions. First, the company reissued treasury
stock to the trustee of the ESOP in the conversion of the preferred stock held
by the trust as mentioned above. Capital in excess of par value increased $102.4
million representing the excess of conversion value of the ESOP convertible
shares over the average acquisition cost of the treasury shares. Second,
Dal-Tile issued new shares in a public offering in August and used part of the
proceeds from the public offering to refinance all of its existing debt.
Although Armstrong's ownership share declined to 33% from 37%, Dal-Tile's net
assets increased, adding to the overall carrying value of Armstrong's investment
and resulting in the company recording $14.5 million as additional capital in
excess of par value.
- 26 -
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Net sales of $2.16 billion were lower when compared with 1995's net sales of
$2.33 billion which included $0.24 billion of sales from the ceramic tile
operations. Beginning in 1996, ceramic tile was reported on the equity method;
therefore, a year-to-year sales comparison cannot be made for this industry
segment. Sales growth occurred in the floor coverings and building products
segments. The floor coverings segment sales growth came primarily from
residential and commercial floor tile sold through the U.S. home center channel
and floor sales in Eastern Europe and Russia. In the building products segment,
strong commercial ceiling sales in the latter part of the year offset earlier
servicing problems resulting from severe weather conditions in the first quarter
1996. Industry products sales were adversely affected by competitive pressure in
European insulation products and lower global textile products sales which more
than offset the positive impact of increases in the gasket and specialty paper
business.
Earnings from continuing businesses after income taxes in 1996 were $164.8
million or $4.04 per basic share and $3.82 per diluted share and included
after-tax charges of $29.6 million for restructuring and $22.0 million for costs
associated with the discoloration of a limited portion of flooring products.
Earnings from continuing businesses after income taxes in 1995 were $13.6
million and included a $46.6 million charge after tax for restructuring and a
loss of $116.8 million after tax related to the business combination of
Armstrong's ceramic tile operations with Dal-Tile.
Net earnings for 1996 were $155.9 million, or $3.81 per basic share and $3.61
per diluted share and included the restructuring and discoloration charges
mentioned above plus $8.9 million or $0.21 per diluted share for the company's
portion of an extraordinary loss from Dal-Tile related to the refinancing of
Dal-Tile's outstanding debt. Net earnings in 1995 were $123.3 million or $2.94
per basic share and $2.68 per diluted share and included $25.8 million of
after-tax earnings from the discontinued operations of Thomasville Furniture
Industries, Inc., and $83.9 million representing the after-tax gain from its
sale.
The company's Economic Value Added (EVA) performance as measured by return on
EVA capital was 14.8% in 1996, exceeding 1995's return on EVA capital of 14.0%
and the company's 12% cost of capital.
Cost of goods sold in 1996 was 67.7% of sales, slightly lower than the 68.0%
recorded in 1995. The 1996 cost of goods sold included $5.9 million for charges
associated with the floor discoloration issue which were offset by lower raw
material and other manufacturing costs. The cost of goods sold in 1995 included
the impact of start-up costs of approximately $3.1 million related to the
insulation products facility in Mebane, North Carolina.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in 1996 were $413.2 million
which included $14.0 million of expenses related to the discoloration issue. In
1995, SG&A expenses were $457.0 million and included $59.9 million of SG&A
expenses of the ceramic tile operations which was reported on an equity basis in
1996.
The second-quarter 1996 before-tax restructuring charge for continuing
businesses of $46.5 million, or $29.6 million after tax ($0.79 per basic share
and $0.70 per share on a diluted basis), related primarily to the reorganization
of corporate and business unit staff positions; realignment and consolidation of
the Armstrong and W.W. Henry installation products businesses; restructuring of
production processes in the Munster, Germany, ceilings facility; early
retirement opportunities for employees in the Fulton, New York, gasket and
specialty paper products facility; and write-down of assets. These actions
affected approximately 500 employees, about two-thirds of whom were in staff
positions. These restructuring actions continued the company's ongoing efforts
to streamline the organization and enable the businesses to be the best-cost
suppliers in their markets. The charges were estimated to be evenly split
between cash payments and noncash charges. The majority of the cash outflow was
expected to occur over 12 months. It was anticipated that ongoing cost
reductions and productivity improvements should permit recovery of the charges
in less than two years. In 1995, restructuring charges of $71.8 million before
tax or $46.6 million after tax ($1.09 per share on a diluted basis) were
recorded. These charges related primarily to the closure of a plant in
Braintree, Massachusetts, and for severance and early retirement incentives for
approximately 670 employees in the North American resilient flooring business
and the European industry products and building products businesses.
- 27 -
<PAGE>
Actual severance payments charged against restructuring reserves were $32.1
million in 1996 relating to the elimination of 724 positions, of which 323
terminations occurred since the beginning of 1996. As of December 31, 1996,
$50.3 million of reserves remained for restructuring actions.
In July 1996, the company learned that discoloration in a limited portion of its
residential sheet flooring product lines was occurring. The problem was traced
to a raw material used in production primarily between September 1995 and July
1996. The manufacturing process was corrected to eliminate any further
occurrence of this problem. New production was shipped to customers to meet
demand for this product. A portion of the production of the affected product
lines was shipped to retailers and potentially installed in consumers' homes.
The remainder was in the company's, wholesalers' or retailers' inventory.
In September 1996, the company recorded charges of $34.0 million before tax or
$22.0 million after tax ($0.53 per diluted share) for costs associated with the
discoloration issue. These charges included the write-down to realizable value
of the company's inventory on hand or to be returned from independent
wholesalers and the potential cost of removing and replacing discolored product
installed in consumers' homes. The company planned to continue to monitor claims
levels associated with these products and make any further adjustments in the
reserve based on experience.
Interest expense in 1996 of $22.6 million was lower than 1995's interest expense
of $34.0 million. The primary reasons for the decrease were the lower levels of
short-term debt and lower interest expense requirements on long-term debt.
Armstrong's effective tax rate for continuing businesses in 1996 was 31.4%. In
1995, Armstrong's effective tax benefit for continuing businesses was 65.9%.
Removing the tax effects of the loss on the ceramic tile business combination,
the effective tax rate would have been 29.7%, reflecting tax benefits related to
reduced foreign and state income tax expense.
GEOGRAPHIC AREA RESULTS (see page 8)
UNITED STATES
Net sales in 1996 were $1.42 billion, slightly lower than the $1.59 billion
recorded in 1995 which included $0.24 billion of ceramic tile sales. Sales
through the home center channel had significant year-to-year increases. The
commercial markets for ceilings and the residential and commercial markets for
floor tile continue to show strength. U.S. residential sheet flooring sales were
slightly below 1995. Operating income of $202.7 million was higher than 1995's
operating income of $7.7 million which included a $177.2 million loss due to the
ceramic tile business combination. An organizational effectiveness study to
review the company's staff support activities was implemented by late 1996, and
the restructuring activities associated with this study had an adverse impact on
operating income of $34.5 million before tax. Operating income was also
negatively affected by the one-time charge of $34.0 million related to the floor
discoloration issue mentioned above. Restructuring activities in 1995 resulted
in $45.5 million before tax charged against operating income. Operating income
for 1996 was positively impacted by higher sales levels in the floor coverings
and building products segments and was leveraged through ongoing cost reduction
efforts. Export sales of Armstrong products from the U.S. to trade customers of
$34.0 million increased nearly $1.9 million, or 6.1%, compared with 1995.
EUROPE
Sales in 1996 by the European affiliates reflected the soft economy largely
offset by the ability to enter into new market areas such as Eastern Europe and
Russia. Net sales decreased 1.8% to $548.4 million compared with 1995.
Insulation sales were negatively impacted by competitive pressures, although
they increased in the latter half of 1996. Floor Products sales increased from
1995, setting several quarterly sales records in 1996. Building Products sales
increased slightly, despite softened demand and competitive pressure in the
Western European commercial market segment. Operating income increased 26.8%
over 1995, primarily due to cost savings obtained from prior years'
restructuring activities. Restructuring charges in Europe were $11.0 million and
$24.9 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively. In floor products, increased
volume in addition to productivity improvements have resulted in improved
profits in the residential sheet business. European insulation products
operating income has been positively impacted by its continued efforts to be the
best-cost supplier in the industry.
OTHER FOREIGN
Sales increased 4.9% over 1995, with ceiling sales in the Pacific Rim providing
a significant part of the growth. Sales growth in Latin America for Building
Products continues a trend established over the past three years. Operating
income increased 28.6% over 1995, with start-up costs for the new ceilings plant
in China totaling $3.8 million offset by lower costs in the Pacific area Floor
Products and Building Products Operations.
- 28 -
<PAGE>
INDUSTRY SEGMENT RESULTS (see page 3)
FLOOR COVERINGS
In the floor coverings segment, 1996 net sales of $1.09 billion were slightly
above 1995's $1.05 billion and included a reduction of $14.1 million for
customer returns associated with the discoloration of a limited portion of its
Residential Inlaid Color Sheet Flooring products line. The adverse effect of
these returns and the small decline in the U.S. residential sheet business were
offset by increases in residential sheet flooring sales in Europe, especially
Eastern Europe and Russia, and sales of all products to U.S. home centers. In
the home center channel, which is serviced through the Corporate Retail Accounts
Division, the strategy of segmenting products for the home centers proved to be
successful. Laminate flooring, manufactured and marketed in alliance with the F.
Egger Company of Austria, had a good initial market reaction. Operating income
included a $34.0 million charge associated with the discoloration issue and a
$14.5 million restructuring charge primarily related to the consolidation of the
separate Armstrong and W.W. Henry installation products businesses and to other
reorganizations in the floor products operations staff. Operating income in 1995
included a restructuring charge of $25.0 million primarily related to the
elimination of positions in North America. Records were set in 1996 in both the
U.S. residential and commercial tile businesses. Lower raw material costs and
increased manufacturing productivity had a positive impact on the cost profile
of this business. However, operating income was adversely impacted by start-up
costs for laminate flooring. Capital expenditures in this segment increased
$40.4 million to $117.7 million and were directed toward the rollout of the
Quest display and merchandising system and toward improved manufacturing process
effectiveness.
BUILDING PRODUCTS
In the building products segment, net sales of $718.4 million in 1996 increased
more than 5.3% when compared to 1995 with growth primarily in North America and
the Pacific Rim. North American sales increased significantly with the major
areas of market strength in the commercial market segment and the home center
channel. Manufacturing recovered from the severe weather conditions of early
1996, while inventories and service levels stabilized in anticipation of sales
growth in 1997. Operating income increased to $95.1 million, 3.1% over 1995.
Operating income in 1996 included an $8.3 million restructuring charge, the
majority of which related to simplifying production processes in the Munster,
Germany, ceilings facility. The balance of the restructuring charge was
associated with staff reorganizations and asset write-downs in Europe. In 1995,
operating income was adversely impacted by a $6.3 million restructuring charge,
primarily related to elimination of administrative functions in the European
operations. In the earlier part of 1996, operating income had been adversely
impacted by weather-related problems in North America and Europe. During 1996,
additional costs were incurred for integration and start-up of the new metal
ceilings products business and the wet-formed ceiling products plant in China.
However, higher sales volume in 1996, improvements in its production processes
and reductions in its nonmanufacturing expenses more than offset these
additional costs. Capital expenditures in this segment increased by $18.5
million to $67.7 million. Excellent profit growth continued from WAVE, the grid
system joint venture with Worthington Industries.
INDUSTRY PRODUCTS
Sales for the industry products segment of $346.2 million in 1996 decreased less
than 1% when compared with 1995 sales of $348.8 million. Sales in 1995 included
$7.9 million of an exchange translation benefit when compared to 1996 rates and
$4.9 million from the champagne cork business divested in 1995. Operating income
for 1996 was $40.1 million and includes a $4.0 million restructuring charge, the
majority of which related to an early retirement offering to employees of the
Fulton, New York, gasket and specialty paper products facility. Operating income
in 1995 of $9.3 million included a $31.4 million restructuring charge related to
the closing of the Braintree, Massachusetts, plant and elimination of employee
positions in Europe. For insulation products, cost reductions in Europe enabled
the business to remain competitive through lower selling prices and thus to
continue to gain market share, while in the U.S. sales growth was achieved
through increased market share. As a result of these strategies, operating
income for insulation products increased. Income increased significantly for
Armstrong Industrial Specialties, Inc., especially in its gaskets business. The
textile products business continues to implement several cost-saving initiatives
to reduce its overhead. Despite these changes, the business continued to
generate a small operating loss of approximately $3.0 million due to continued
worldwide market softness in the textile industry. Capital expenditures in the
industry products segment decreased $22.5 million from the higher levels of 1995
when expenditures were made for the construction of two plants and for the
acquisition of another plant.
- 29 -
<PAGE>
CERAMIC TILE
In the ceramic tile segment, 1996 results represent the company's share of the
after-tax net income of the Dal-Tile business combination reduced by the
amortization of the excess of the company's initial investment in Dal-Tile over
the underlying equity in net assets. Operating income for 1995 reflected the
pretax operating income of the ceramic tile operations, primarily the American
Olean Tile Company. Dal-Tile took several initiatives during 1996 to integrate
the business, including the closure of two plants and numerous sales service
centers. Sales growth in 1996 for ceramic tile occurred primarily in the home
center and independent distributor channels.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
(See pages 20 to 21 under Item 7 above.)
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
- ----------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarterly Financial Information
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarterly financial information (millions except for per-share data) First Second Third Fourth Total year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997 Net sales $518.3 $577.4 $575.6 $527.4 $2,198.7
Gross profit 171.3 199.2 195.6 170.9 737.0
Net earnings 45.5 58.9 33.8 46.8 185.0
Per share of common stock:
Basic: Net earnings 1.11 1.45 0.83 1.16 4.55
Diluted: Net earnings 1.10 1.43 0.82 1.15 4.50
Dividends per share of common stock 0.40 0.44 0.44 0.44 1.72
Price range of common stock--high 72 1/4 75 1/4 74 9/16 75 3/8 75 3/8
Price range of common stock--low 64 3/4 61 1/2 64 3/8 64 1/8 61 1/2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Net sales $501.2 $563.2 $563.4 $528.6 $2,156.4
Gross profit 156.7 198.4 178.4 163.0 696.5
Earnings before extraordinary loss 36.3 30.6 44.2 53.7 164.8
Net earnings 36.3 30.6 35.8 53.2 155.9
Per share of common stock:*
Basic: Earnings before extraordinary loss 0.89 0.74 1.07 1.30 4.04
Net earnings 0.89 0.74 0.87 1.29 3.81
Diluted: Earnings before extraordinary loss 0.81 0.68 1.06 1.29 3.82
Net earnings 0.81 0.68 0.86 1.28 3.61
Dividends per share of common stock 0.36 0.40 0.40 0.40 1.56
Price range of common stock--high 64 1/2 61 5/8 65 1/2 75 1/4 75 1/4
Price range of common stock--low 57 7/8 53 1/2 51 7/8 61 3/4 51 7/8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*The sum of the quarterly earnings per-share data does not equal the total year
amounts due to changes in the average shares outstanding and, for diluted data,
the exclusion of the antidilutive effect in certain quarters.
- 30 -
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Millions except for per-share data Years ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
=====================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 2,198.7 $ 2,156.4 $ 2,325.0
Cost of goods sold 1,461.7 1,459.9 1,581.1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 737.0 696.5 743.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses 385.3 413.2 457.0
Equity (earnings) loss from affiliates 29.7 (19.1) (6.2)
Restructuring charges -- 46.5 71.8
Loss from ceramic tile business combination -- -- 177.2
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 322.0 255.9 44.1
Interest expense 28.0 22.6 34.0
Other expense (income), net (2.2) (6.9) 1.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from continuing businesses before income taxes 296.2 240.2 8.2
Income taxes 111.2 75.4 (5.4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from continuing businesses 185.0 164.8 13.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discontinued business:
Earnings from operations of Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc.
(less income taxes of $13.9) -- -- 25.8
Gain on disposal of discontinued business
(less income taxes of $53.4) -- -- 83.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before extraordinary loss 185.0 164.8 123.3
Extraordinary loss (less income taxes of $0.7) -- (8.9) --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 185.0 $ 155.9 $ 123.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------======================================
Dividends paid on Series A convertible preferred stock -- 8.8 18.8
Tax benefit on dividends paid on unallocated preferred shares -- 2.0 4.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings applicable to common stock $ 185.0 $ 149.1 $ 109.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------======================================
Per share of common stock (see note on page 35):
Basic:
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses $ 4.55 $ 4.04 $ (0.02)
Earnings from discontinued business -- -- 0.70
Gain on sale of discontinued business -- -- 2.26
Earnings before extraordinary loss 4.55 4.04 2.94
Extraordinary loss -- (0.23) --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 4.55 $ 3.81 $ 2.94
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------======================================
Diluted:
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses $ 4.50 $ 3.82 $ (0.02)
Earnings from discontinued business -- -- 0.60
Gain on sale of discontinued business -- -- 1.96
Earnings before extraordinary loss 4.50 3.82 2.68
Extraordinary loss -- (0.21) --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 4.50 $ 3.61 $ 2.68
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------======================================
</TABLE>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 35-64, are an integral
part of these statements.
- 31 -
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Millions except for numbers of shares and per-share data As of December 31 1997 1996
============================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 57.9 $ 65.4
Accounts and notes receivable
(less allowance for discounts and losses: 1997--$37.5; 1996--$34.9) 252.6 216.7
Inventories 220.1 205.7
Income tax benefits 25.9 49.4
Other current assets 43.5 27.3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 600.0 564.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment
(less accumulated depreciation and amortization: 1997--$1,004.3; 1996--$974.9) 972.2 964.0
Insurance for asbestos-related liabilities 291.6 141.6
Investment in affiliates 174.9 204.3
Other noncurrent assets 336.8 261.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 2,375.5 $ 2,135.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------========================
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt $ 84.1 $ 14.5
Current installments of long-term debt 14.5 13.7
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 339.9 273.3
Income taxes 33.0 19.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 471.5 321.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt 223.1 219.4
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) loan guarantee 201.8 221.3
Deferred income taxes 53.7 30.5
Postretirement and postemployment benefit liabilities 248.0 247.6
Asbestos-related long-term liabilities 179.7 141.6
Other long-term liabilities 172.1 151.9
Minority interest in subsidiaries 15.0 12.3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noncurrent liabilities 1,093.4 1,024.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $1 par value per share
Authorized 200 million shares; issued 51,878,910 shares 51.9 51.9
Capital in excess of par value 155.1 162.1
Reduction for ESOP loan guarantee (207.7) (217.4)
Retained earnings 1,339.6 1,222.6
Foreign currency translation (1.8) 17.3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,337.1 1,236.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less common stock in treasury, at cost:
1997--11,759,510 shares; 1996--10,714,572 shares 526.5 446.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 810.6 790.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,375.5 $ 2,135.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------========================
</TABLE>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 35-64, are an integral
part of these statements.
- 32 -
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Millions Years ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
==============================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $185.0 $155.9 $123.3
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization excluding discontinued business 132.7 123.7 123.1
Depreciation and amortization for discontinued business -- -- 13.0
Deferred income taxes 24.2 11.2 (8.7)
Equity change in affiliates 37.2 (18.2) (6.3)
Gain on sale of discontinued businesses -- -- (83.9)
Loss on ceramic tile business combination net of taxes -- -- 116.8
Loss from restructuring activities -- 46.5 71.8
Restructuring payments (18.6) (37.4) (18.3)
Payments for asbestos-related claims (41.4) -- --
Extraordinary loss -- 8.9 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of
discontinued business, restructuring and dispositions:
(Increase) decrease in receivables (40.8) 3.6 6.9
(Increase) in inventories (12.8) (11.5) (34.3)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets 10.5 (22.8) 9.8
(Increase) in other noncurrent assets (69.0) (57.4) (23.4)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses 16.6 (3.2) (37.0)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable 11.5 2.5 (8.2)
Increase in other long-term liabilities 23.2 15.2 20.0
Other, net (11.7) 3.9 5.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 246.6 220.9 270.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment excluding discontinued business (141.7) (220.7) (171.8)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment for discontinued business -- -- (14.3)
Investment in computer software (18.8) (7.3) (10.9)
Proceeds from sale of land, facilities and discontinued businesses 24.3 3.6 342.6
Acquisitions (4.2) -- (20.7)
Investment in affiliates (12.4) (15.4) (27.6)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (152.8) (239.8) 97.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt 69.3 (7.1) 3.2
Issuance of long-term debt 7.2 40.8 --
Reduction of long-term debt (17.0) (40.0) (20.1)
Cash dividends paid (70.0) (70.1) (70.8)
Purchase of common stock for the treasury, net (89.2) (81.5) (41.3)
Preferred stock redemption -- (21.4) (2.9)
Proceeds from exercised stock options 7.9 6.2 7.0
Other, net (6.8) 1.3 2.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used for financing activities (98.6) (171.8) (122.6)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (2.7) (0.8) 0.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ (7.5) $(191.5) $244.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------=============================
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year $ 65.4 $256.9 $ 12.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------=============================
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 57.9 $ 65.4 $256.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------=============================
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid $ 23.5 $ 20.7 $ 29.6
Income taxes paid $ 54.5 $ 65.5 $ 76.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------=============================
</TABLE>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 35-64, are an integral
part of these statements.
- 33 -
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Millions except for per-share data Years ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
=========================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Series A convertible preferred stock:
Balance at beginning of year $ -- $ 258.9 $ 261.6
Conversion of preferred stock to common -- (241.5) --
Shares retired -- (17.4) (2.7)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year $ -- $ -- $ 258.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock, $1 par value:
Balance at beginning and end of year $ 51.9 $ 51.9 $ 51.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital in excess of par value:
Balance at beginning of year $ 162.1 $ 49.3 $ 39.3
Gain in investment in affiliates -- 14.5 --
Minimum pension liability adjustments (4.5) (7.4) --
Conversion of preferred stock to common -- 102.4 --
Stock issuances and other (2.5) 3.3 10.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year $ 155.1 $ 162.1 $ 49.3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reduction for ESOP loan guarantee:
Balance at beginning of year $ (217.4) $ (225.1) $ (233.9)
Principal paid 19.6 13.4 10.7
Loans to ESOP (5.5) (4.2) --
Accrued compensation (4.4) (1.5) (1.9)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year $ (207.7) $ (217.4) $ (225.1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings:
Balance at beginning of year $1,222.6 $1,133.8 $1,076.8
Net earnings for year 185.0 155.9 123.3
Tax benefit on dividends paid on unallocated common shares 2.0 1.0 --
Tax benefit on dividends paid on unallocated preferred shares -- 2.0 4.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $1,409.6 $1,292.7 $1,204.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends:
Preferred stock $ -- $ 8.9 $ 18.8
Common stock
$1.72 per share in 1997; 70.0
$1.56 per share in 1996; 61.2
$1.40 per share in 1995 52.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends $ 70.0 $ 70.1 $ 70.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year $1,339.6 $1,222.6 $1,133.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year $ 17.3 $ 18.0 $ 8.3
Translation adjustments and hedging activities (18.2) (4.4) 10.9
Allocated income taxes (0.9) 3.7 (1.2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year $ (1.8) $ 17.3 $ 18.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less treasury stock at cost:
Balance at beginning of year $ 446.5 $ 511.8 $ 468.9
Stock purchases 89.2 81.5 41.3
Conversion of preferred stock to common -- (139.1) --
Stock issuance activity, net (9.2) (7.7) 1.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year $ 526.5 $ 446.5 $ 511.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity $ 810.6 $ 790.0 $ 775.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------====================================
</TABLE>
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 35-64, are an integral
part of these statements.
- 34 -
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- ------------------------------------------
Use of Estimates. These financial statements are prepared in accordance with
- ----------------
generally accepted accounting principles and include management estimates and
judgments, where appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Consolidation Policy. The consolidated financial statements and accompanying
- --------------------
data in this report include the accounts of the parent Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated statements.
Earnings per Common Share. In 1997, the company adopted Statement of Financial
- -------------------------
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per Share." The adoption of this
statement requires the company to replace primary and fully diluted earnings per
share with basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share are
computed by dividing the earnings available to common shareholders by the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year.
Diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution of securities
that could share in the earnings. (See note on page 41.)
Advertising Costs. The company's practice is to expense the costs of
- -----------------
advertising as they are incurred.
Postretirement Benefits. The company has plans that provide for medical and life
- -----------------------
insurance benefits to certain eligible employees when they retire from active
service. Generally, the company's practice is to fund the actuarially determined
current service costs and the amounts necessary to amortize prior service
obligations over periods ranging up to 30 years, but not in excess of the full
funding limitations.
Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized using enacted tax
- -----
rates for expected future tax consequences of events recognized in the financial
statements or tax returns. The tax benefit for dividends paid on unallocated
shares of preferred stock held by the ESOP was recognized in shareholders'
equity.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Short-term investments, substantially all of which
- -------------------------
have maturities of three months or less when purchased, are considered to be
cash equivalents and are carried at the lower of cost or an amount generally
approximating market value.
Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.
- -----------
Approximately 57% of 1997's inventories are valued using the last in, first out
(LIFO) method. Other inventories are generally determined on a first in, first
out (FIFO) method.
- 35 -
<PAGE>
Long-Lived Assets. Property, plant and equipment values are stated at
- -----------------
acquisition cost, with accumulated depreciation and amortization deducted to
arrive at net book value. Depreciation charges for financial reporting purposes
are determined generally on the straight-line basis at rates calculated to
provide for the retirement of assets at the end of their useful lives.
Accelerated depreciation is generally used for tax purposes. Impairment losses
are recorded when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash
flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets'
carrying amount. When assets are disposed of or retired, their costs and related
depreciation are removed from the books, and any resulting gains or losses are
reflected in "Selling, general and administrative expenses."
Costs of the construction of certain long-term assets include capitalized
interest which is amortized over the estimated useful life of the related asset.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles. Goodwill and other intangibles are amortized on
- ------------------------------
a straight-line basis over periods up to 30 years. On a periodic basis, the
company estimates the future undiscounted cash flows of the businesses to which
goodwill relates in order to ensure that the carrying value of goodwill has not
been impaired.
Financial Instruments. The company uses financial instruments to diversify or
- ---------------------
offset the effect of currency and interest rate variability.
The company may enter into foreign currency forward contracts and options to
offset the effect of exchange rate changes on cash flow exposures denominated in
foreign currencies. The exposures include firm commitments and anticipated
events encompassing sales, royalties, service fees, dividends and intercompany
loans.
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on contracts are marked to market and
recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings. Unrealized gains and
losses on foreign currency options (which consist primarily of purchased options
that are designated as effective hedges) as well as option premium expense are
deferred and included in the statements of earnings as part of the underlying
transactions. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency
contracts used to hedge intercompany transactions having the character of
long-term investments are included in the foreign currency translation component
of shareholders' equity.
The company may enter into interest rate swap agreements to alter the interest
rate risk profile of outstanding debt, thus altering the company's exposure to
changes in interest rates. In these swaps, the company agrees to exchange, at
specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts
calculated by reference to a notional principal amount. Any differences paid or
received on interest rate swap agreements are recognized as adjustments to
interest rate expense over the life of the swap.
The company continuously monitors developments in the capital markets and only
enters into currency and swap transactions with established counterparties
having investment-grade ratings. The exposure to individual counterparties is
limited, and thus the company considers the risk of counterparty default to be
negligible.
- 36 -
<PAGE>
- --------------------
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
- --------------------
INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
at December 31 (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net trade sales:
Floor coverings $1,116.0 $1,091.8 $1,053.9
Building products 754.5 718.4 682.2
Industry products 328.2 346.2 348.8
Ceramic tile -- -- 240.1
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net sales $2,198.7 $2,156.4 $2,325.0
- -------------------------------------==================================
Operating income (loss): (Note 1)
Floor coverings $ 186.5 $ 146.9 $ 145.0
Building products 122.3 95.1 92.2
Industry products 55.5 40.1 9.3
Ceramic tile (Note 2) (42.4) 9.9 (168.4)
Unallocated corporate expense 0.1 (36.1) (34.0)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating income $ 322.0 $ 255.9 $ 44.1
- -------------------------------------==================================
Depreciation and amortization:
Floor coverings $ 65.5 $ 53.9 $ 47.9
Building products 37.5 37.0 36.8
Industry products 17.3 19.1 19.3
Ceramic tile 4.3 4.3 13.5
Corporate 8.1 9.4 5.6
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total depreciation
and amortization $ 132.7 $ 123.7 $ 123.1
- -------------------------------------==================================
Capital additions: (Note 3)
Floor coverings $ 76.6 $ 117.7 $ 77.3
Building products 54.4 67.7 49.2
Industry products 16.5 22.5 45.0
Ceramic tile -- -- 9.6
Corporate 8.7 12.8 6.3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total capital additions $ 156.2 $ 220.7 $ 187.4
- -------------------------------------==================================
Identifiable assets:
Floor coverings $ 713.8 $ 687.9 $ 583.2
Building products 554.9 541.1 513.5
Industry products 248.6 272.8 301.8
Ceramic tile 135.7 168.7 135.8
Corporate 722.5 465.1 615.5
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $2,375.5 $2,135.6 $2,149.8
- -------------------------------------==================================
Note 1:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring charges in
operating income (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Floor coverings $-- $ 14.5 $ 25.0
Building products -- 8.3 6.3
Industry products -- 4.0 31.4
Unallocated corporate expense -- 19.7 9.1
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total restructuring charges
in operating income $-- $ 46.5 $ 71.8
- ------------------------------------------=============================
Note 2: 1997 operating income includes a $29.7 million loss as a result of
charges incurred by Dal-Tile International Inc. for uncollectible receivables,
overstocked inventories and other asset revaluations. 1995 operating income
includes a $177.2 million loss due to the ceramic tile business combination. See
"Equity Earnings From Affiliates" on page 40.
Note 3: 1997 and 1995 capital additions for industry segments of property, plant
and equipment from acquisitions were $14.5 million and $15.6 million,
respectively.
- 37 -
<PAGE>
The floor coverings segment includes resilient flooring, adhesives, installation
and maintenance materials and accessories sold to U.S. commercial and
residential segments through wholesalers, retailers and contractors. The
Corporate Retail Accounts division provides products and marketing services to
home centers, which have become an important part of the company's business. To
improve logistical cost-effectiveness, 13 independent regional distribution
centers are being established to service these customers (12 of the centers were
in place by the end of 1997). To reduce interchannel conflict, segmented
resilient flooring products were introduced to allow exclusive product offerings
by our customers. Raw materials, especially plasticizers and resins, are a
significant cost of resilient flooring products. The company has no influence on
the worldwide market of these materials and is subject to cost changes.
The building products segment manufactures both commercial and residential
ceiling systems. Grid products, manufactured through the WAVE joint venture with
Worthington Industries, have become an important part of this business
worldwide. Earnings from this joint venture are included in this segment's
operating income and in "Equity Earnings from Affiliates" (see page 40). The
major sales activity in this segment is in commercial ceiling systems sold to
resale distributors and contractors worldwide, with European sales having a
significant impact. Ceiling systems for the residential home segment are sold
through wholesalers and retailers, mainly in the United States. Through a joint
venture with a Chinese partner, a plant facility in Shanghai manufactures
ceilings for the Pacific area.
The industry products segment makes a variety of specialty products for the
building, automotive, textile and other industries worldwide. The majority of
sales in this segment are flexible pipe insulation used in construction and in
original equipment manufacturing. These sales are primarily in Europe, with
Germany having the largest concentration due to its regulatory requirements. The
major product costs for insulation are raw materials and labor. Strong
competition exists in insulation since there are minimal barriers to entry into
this market. Gasket materials are sold for new and replacement use in the
automotive, construction and farm equipment, appliance, small engine and
compressor industries. The automotive and diesel build rates are the most
sensitive market drivers for these products. Other products in the industry
products segment are textile mill supplies, including cots and aprons sold to
equipment manufacturers and textile mills.
The ceramic tile products segment includes ceramic tile sold through home
centers, Dal-Tile sales service centers and independent distributors. Ceramic
tile products face significant competition from foreign suppliers. Starting in
1996, this segment's results are reported as "Equity Earnings from Affiliates"
and are included in operating income.
- 38 -
<PAGE>
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
at December 31 (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net trade sales:
United States $1,453.1 $1,419.2 $1,586.4
Europe 545.6 548.4 558.7
Other foreign 200.0 188.8 179.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interarea transfers:
United States 111.7 105.0 101.1
Europe 14.9 13.2 13.8
Other foreign 29.2 30.4 32.1
Eliminations (155.8) (148.6) (147.0)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net sales $2,198.7 $2,156.4 $2,325.0
- --------------------------------------------===================================
Operating income:
United States $ 236.1 $ 202.7 $ 7.7
(see note 2 on page 37)
Europe 77.2 79.3 62.6
Other foreign 8.6 10.0 7.8
Unallocated corp. income (expense) 0.1 (36.1) (34.0)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating income $ 322.0 $ 255.9 $ 44.1
- --------------------------------------------===================================
Identifiable assets:
United States $1,168.9 $1,180.1 $1,044.5
Europe 370.4 383.7 406.7
Other foreign 113.8 107.3 83.4
Corporate 722.5 465.1 615.5
Eliminations (0.1) (0.6) (0.3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $2,375.5 $2,135.6 $2,149.8
- --------------------------------------------===================================
United States net trade sales include export sales to non-affiliated customers
of $40.9 million in 1997, $34.0 million in 1996 and $32.1 million in 1995. Also
included in United States net trade sales were ceramic tile operations sales of
$240.1 million in 1995.
"Europe" includes operations located primarily in England, France, Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Operations in
Australia, Canada, The People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,
Korea, Singapore and Thailand are in "Other foreign."
Transfers between geographic areas and commissions paid to affiliates
marketing exported products are accounted for by methods that approximate
arm's-length transactions, after considering the costs incurred by the selling
company and the return on assets employed of both the selling unit and the
purchasing unit. Operating income of a geographic area includes income accruing
from sales to affiliates.
- 39 -
<PAGE>
- -------------------------
OPERATING STATEMENT ITEMS
- -------------------------
NET SALES
Net sales in 1997 totaled $2,198.7 million, 2.0% above the 1996 total of
$2,156.4 million and 5.4% below the 1995 total of $2,325.0 million. Prior to
1996, ceramic tile segment sales were consolidated with total company results.
Ceramic tile net sales for 1995 were $240.1 million.
EQUITY (EARNINGS) LOSS FROM AFFILIATES
Equity earnings from affiliates for 1997 were primarily comprised of
the company's share of the net loss from the Dal-Tile International Inc.
business combination and the amortization of the excess of the company's
investment in Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets, and income from
the 50% interest in the WAVE joint venture with Worthington Industries. The 1997
loss included $8.4 million for the company's share of operating losses incurred
by Dal-Tile, a $29.7 million loss for the company's share of the charge incurred
by Dal-Tile, primarily for uncollectible receivables and overstocked
inventories, and $4.3 million for the amortization of Armstrong's initial
investment in Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets of the business
combination. Equity earnings from affiliates for 1996 were primarily comprised
of the company's after-tax share of the net income of the Dal-Tile International
Inc. business combination and the amortization of the excess of the company's
investment in Dal-Tile over the underlying equity in net assets, and the 50%
interest in the WAVE joint venture with Worthington Industries. Results in 1995
reflect only the 50% interest in the WAVE joint venture.
In 1995, the company entered into a business combination with Dal-Tile
International Inc. The transaction was accounted for at fair value and involved
the exchange of $27.6 million in cash and the stock of the ceramic tile
operations, consisting primarily of American Olean Tile Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary, for ownership of 37% of the shares of Dal-Tile. The company's
investment in Dal-Tile exceeded the underlying equity in net assets by $123.9
million which will be amortized over a period of 30 years. The after-tax loss on
the transaction was $116.8 million.
In August 1996, Dal-Tile issued new shares in a public offering decreasing the
company's ownership share from 37% to 33%. During 1997, the company purchased
additional shares of Dal-Tile stock, increasing the company's ownership to 34%.
Armstrong's ownership of Dal-Tile is accounted for under the equity method. The
summarized historical financial information for ceramic tile operations is
presented below.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 240.1
Operating income/(1)/ 8.8
Assets/(2)/ 269.8
Liabilities/(2)/ 17.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: Excludes 1995 loss of $177.2 million due to ceramic tile business
combination.
Note 2: 1995 balances were as of December 29, 1995, immediately prior to the
ceramic tile business combination.
EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING BUSINESSES
Earnings from continuing businesses were $185.0 million in 1997 compared with
$164.8 million in 1996 and $13.6 million in 1995. Earnings from continuing
businesses in 1997 included $38.6 million in losses from its ceramic tile
segment mentioned above. Included in the earnings for 1996 and 1995 were
after-tax restructuring charges of $29.6 million and $46.5 million,
respectively. 1995 earnings included the $116.8 million after-tax loss for the
ceramic tile business combination mentioned above.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In 1995 the company sold the stock of its furniture subsidiary, Thomasville
Furniture Industries, Inc., to INTERCO Incorporated for $331.2 million in cash.
INTERCO also assumed $8.0 million
- 40 -
<PAGE>
of interest-bearing debt. The company recorded a gain of $83.9 million after tax
on the sale. Certain liabilities related to terminated benefit plans of
approximately $11.3 million were retained by the company. Thomasville and its
subsidiaries recorded sales of approximately $550.2 million in 1995.
NET EARNINGS
Net earnings were $185.0 million for 1997 compared with $155.9 million and
$123.3 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators
of the basic and diluted per share calculations for earnings (loss) from
continuing businesses.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per-Share
Millions except for per-share data (Loss) Shares Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the year ended 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Earnings per Share
Earnings from continuing businesses $ 185.0 40.6 $ 4.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dilutive options 0.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted Earnings per Share
Earnings available for common $ 185.0 41.0 $ 4.50
- ---------------------------------------------===================================
For the year ended 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from continuing businesses $ 164.8
Less: preferred stock dividends 8.8
Plus: tax benefit on dividends paid on
unallocated preferred shares 2.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Earnings per Share
Earnings available for common $ 158.0 39.1 $ 4.04
- ---------------------------------------------===================================
Earnings from continuing businesses $ 164.8
Less: increased contribution to the ESOP
assuming conversion of preferred
shares to common 3.2
Less: net reduction in tax benefits assuming
conversion of the ESOP preferred
shares to common 0.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dilutive options 0.4
Common shares issuable under the ESOP 2.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted Earnings per Share
Earnings available for common $ 161.0 42.1 $ 3.82
- ---------------------------------------------===================================
For the year ended 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from continuing businesses $ 13.6
Less: preferred stock dividends 18.8
Plus: tax benefit on dividends paid on
unallocated preferred shares 4.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Earnings per Share
Earnings (loss) available for common $ (0.7) 37.1 $ (0.02)
- ---------------------------------------------===================================
Earnings from continuing businesses $ 13.6
Less: increased contribution to the ESOP
assuming conversion of preferred
shares to common 7.3
Less: net reduction in tax benefits assuming
conversion of the ESOP preferred
shares to common 1.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dilutive options 0.3
Common shares issuable under the ESOP 5.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted Earnings per Share
Earnings available for common $ 5.1 42.8 $ (0.02)/1/
- ---------------------------------------------===================================
Note 1: Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing businesses for 1995
was antidilutive.
- 41 -
<PAGE>
In 1996, the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and retirement savings plan
were merged resulting in the conversion of convertible preferred shares into
common stock. Basic earnings per share for "Earnings from continuing businesses"
in 1996 and 1995 are determined by dividing the earnings, after deducting
preferred dividends (net of tax benefits on unallocated shares), by the average
number of common shares outstanding, including the converted ESOP shares from
the conversion date forward. Diluted earnings per share for 1996 and 1995
include the shares of common stock outstanding, the dilutive effect of stock
options and the adjustments to common shares and earnings required to portray
the convertible preferred ESOP shares on an "if converted" basis prior to
conversion.
In 1997, the company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share,"
effective December 15, 1997. As a result, the company's reported earnings per
share for 1996 and 1995 were restated. The effect of this accounting change on
previously reported earnings per-share data was as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per-share amounts 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary earnings (loss) from continuing
businesses per share as reported $ 3.97 $ (0.02)
Effect of SFAS No. 128 0.07 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing
businesses per share as restated $ 4.04 $ (0.02)
- ---------------------------------------------------------=======================
Fully diluted earnings (loss) from continuing
businesses per share as reported $ 3.81 $ (0.02)
Effect of SFAS No. 128 0.01 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing
businesses per share as restated $ 3.82 $ (0.02)
- ---------------------------------------------------------=======================
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
Restructuring charges amounted to $46.5 million in 1996 and $71.8 million in
1995.
The second-quarter 1996 restructuring charge related primarily to the
reorganization of corporate and business unit staff positions; realignment and
consolidation of the Armstrong and W.W. Henry installation products businesses;
restructuring of production processes in the Munster, Germany, ceilings
facility; early retirement opportunities for employees in the Fulton, New York,
gasket and specialty paper products facility; and write-down of assets. These
actions affected approximately 500 employees, about two-thirds of whom were in
staff positions. The charges were estimated to be evenly split between cash
payments and noncash charges. The majority of the cash outflow was expected to
occur within the following 12 months. It was anticipated that ongoing cost
reductions and productivity improvements should permit recovery of these charges
in less than two years. The 1995 restructuring charges related primarily to the
closure of a plant in Braintree, Massachusetts, and for severance of 670
employees in the North American flooring business and the European industry
products and building products businesses.
- 42 -
<PAGE>
Actual severance payments charged against restructuring reserves were $17.2
million in 1997 relating to the elimination of 394 positions, of which 247
terminations occurred since the beginning of 1997. As of December 31, 1997, an
immaterial amount remained in the reserves for restructuring actions.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation $ 117.4 $ 108.6 $ 114.9
Amortization 15.3 15.1 8.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 132.7 $ 123.7 $ 123.1
- ----------------------------------------========================================
Depreciation expense increased in 1997 primarily due to higher capital
expenditures in 1996.
SELECTED OPERATING EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance and repair costs $ 107.3 $ 105.3 $ 120.2
Research and development costs 47.8 55.2 57.9
Advertising costs 10.5 18.4 25.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and dividend income $ (4.9) $ (6.5) $ (3.3)
Foreign exchange, net loss 0.5 1.2 2.6
Postretirement liability
transition obligation -- -- 1.6
Discontinued businesses 0.8 (2.8) --
Minority interest 0.6 0.3 0.6
Other 0.8 0.9 0.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ (2.2) $ (6.9) $ 1.9
- --------------------------------------------====================================
EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
Employee compensation and the average number of employees are presented in the
table below. Restructuring charges for severance costs and early retirement
incentives have been excluded.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee compensation
cost summary (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wages and salaries $ 494.7 $ 509.7 $ 589.2
Payroll taxes 50.7 51.5 61.7
Pension credits (22.2) (16.1) (12.1)
Insurance and other benefit costs 51.9 50.7 58.7
Stock-based compensation 9.6 5.8 0.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 584.7 $ 601.6 $ 698.3
- ------------------------------------------======================================
Average number of employees 10,643 10,572 13,433
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 43 -
<PAGE>
PENSION COSTS
The company and a number of its subsidiaries have pension plans covering
substantially all employees. Benefits from the principal plan are based on the
employee's compensation and years of service.
The company also had defined-contribution pension plans for eligible employees
at certain of its U.S. subsidiaries, such as the Employee Stock Ownership Plan
(ESOP) described on page 47.
Funding requirements, in accordance with provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code, are determined independently of expense using an expected long-term rate
of return on assets of 8.67%. The company's principal plan was subject to the
full funding limitation in 1997, 1996 and 1995, and the company made no
contribution to that plan in any of those years.
The total pension cost or credit from all plans is presented in the table below.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total pension (credit)
cost (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. defined-benefit plans:
Net pension credit $ (47.8) $ (39.9) $ (26.5)
Early retirement incentives -- 10.1 28.7
Net curtailment gain -- -- (1.2)
Defined contribution plans 10.4 9.9 4.2
Net pension cost of non-U.S
defined-benefit plans 8.2 8.5 8.1
Other funded and unfunded
pension costs 7.0 5.4 3.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total pension (credit) cost $ (22.2) $ (6.0) $ 16.6
- --------------------------------------------====================================
In 1995, the company recognized a $1.6 million curtailment gain from the sale of
the furniture business and a $0.4 million curtailment loss from the ceramic tile
business combination.
The net credit for U.S. defined-benefit pension plans was determined using the
assumptions presented in the table below.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net credit for U.S. defined-benefit
pension plans (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assumptions:
Discount rate 7.25% 7.00% 8.00%
Rate of increase in future
compensation levels 4.50% 4.25% 5.25%
Expected long-term rate of
return on assets 8.75% 8.75% 8.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual return on assets $ (324.3) $ (124.2) $ (406.7)
Less amount deferred 201.5 10.4 313.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected return on assets $ (122.8) $ (113.8) $ (93.7)
Net amortization and other (11.4) (9.4) (9.3)
Service cost--benefits earned
during the year 15.8 17.2 16.7
Interest on the projected benefit
obligation 70.6 66.1 59.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension credit $ (47.8) $ (39.9) $ (26.5)
- ------------------------------------------======================================
- 44 -
<PAGE>
The funded status of the company's U.S. defined-benefit pension plans at the end
of 1997 and 1996 is presented in the following table.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status of U.S. defined-benefit
pension plans (millions) 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assumptions:
Discount rate 7.00% 7.25%
Compensation rate 4.00% 4.50%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Vested benefit obligation $ (911.5) $ (824.4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated benefit obligation $ (977.4) $ (899.4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation for
services rendered to date $(1,048.0) $ (981.2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets at fair value $ 1,754.5 $ 1,501.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets in excess of projected
benefit obligation $ 706.5 $ 520.7
Unrecognized transition asset (27.6) (33.9)
Unrecognized prior service cost 90.2 99.9
Unrecognized net gain--experience
different from assumptions (604.9) (462.6)
Provision for restructuring charges (1.4) (9.1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid pension cost $ 162.8 $ 115.0
- ------------------------------------------------------==========================
The plan assets, stated at estimated fair value as of December 31, are primarily
listed stocks and bonds.
The company has pension plans covering employees in a number of foreign
countries that utilize assumptions that are consistent with, but not identical
to, those of the U.S. plans.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cost for non-U.S. defined-benefit
pension plans (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual return on assets $ (15.4) $ (8.4) $ (11.2)
Less amount deferred 8.6 2.5 5.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected return on assets $ (6.8) $ (5.9) $ (5.3)
Net amortization and other 0.5 0.5 0.4
Service cost--benefits earned
during the year 5.7 5.3 4.9
Interest on the projected benefit
obligation 8.8 8.6 8.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension cost $ 8.2 $ 8.5 $ 8.1
- ------------------------------------------------================================
- 45 -
<PAGE>
The funded status of the non-U.S. defined-benefit pension plans at the end of
1997 and 1996 is presented in the following table.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status of non-U.S. defined-benefit
pension plans (millions) 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Vested benefit obligation $(116.4) $(112.8)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated benefit obligation $(119.3) $(117.2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation for services
rendered to date $(127.4) $(125.5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets at fair value 95.5 84.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation greater than
plan assets $ (31.9) $ (41.0)
Unrecognized transition obligation 1.4 2.4
Unrecognized prior service cost 5.3 5.1
Unrecognized net gain--experience
different from assumptions (21.8) (16.9)
Adjustment required to recognize
minimum liability (0.4) (0.6)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued pension cost $ (47.4) $ (51.0)
- ----------------------------------------------------------======================
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS
AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The company has postretirement benefit plans that provide for medical and life
insurance benefits to certain eligible employees, worldwide, when they retire
from active service. The company funds these benefit costs primarily on a
pay-as-you-go basis, with the retiree paying a portion of the cost for health
care benefits through deductibles and contributions.
The company announced in 1989 and 1990 a 15-year phaseout of its cost of health
care benefits for certain future retirees. These future retirees include parent
company nonunion employees and some union employees. Shares of ESOP common stock
are scheduled to be allocated to these employees, based on employee age and
years to expected retirement, to help offset future postretirement medical
costs. In addition, they may enroll in a voluntary portion of the ESOP to
purchase additional shares.
The postretirement benefit costs were determined using the assumptions presented
in the table below.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periodic postretirement
benefit costs (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assumptions:
Discount rate 7.25% 7.00% 8.25%
Rate of increase in future
compensation levels 4.50% 4.25% 5.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost of benefits earned
during the year $ 3.3 $ 3.7 $ 2.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest cost on accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation 17.6 17.0 17.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net amortization and other 0.3 0.5 (0.8)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periodic postretirement benefit cost $ 21.2 $ 21.2 $ 19.1
- ---------------------------------------------===================================
- 46 -
<PAGE>
The status of the company's postretirement benefit plans at the end of 1997 and
1996 is presented in the following table.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Status of postretirement
benefit plans (millions) 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Assumptions:
Discount rate 7.00% 7.25%
Compensation rate 4.00% 4.50%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation (APBO):
Retirees $ 180.7 $ 164.9
Fully eligible active plan participants 11.8 14.7
Other active plan participants 70.2 67.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total APBO $ 262.7 $ 247.1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized prior service credit 6.8 7.8
Unrecognized net loss (50.9) (37.9)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost $ 218.6 $ 217.0
- ----------------------------------------------=======================
The assumed health care cost trend rate used to measure the APBO was 10% in
1996, decreasing 1% per year to an ultimate rate of 6% by the year 2000. The
health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts
reported. To illustrate, if the health care cost trend rate assumptions were
increased by 1%, the APBO as of December 31, 1997, would be increased by $22.4
million. The effect of this change on the total of service and interest costs
for 1997 would be an increase of $2.3 million.
The company provides certain postemployment benefits to former or inactive
employees and their dependents during the period following employment but before
retirement.
Postemployment benefit expense totaled $3.1 million in 1997, which
included a $3.2 million credit resulting from an increase in the percentage of
disabled employees assumed to qualify for Medicare coverage. In 1996, the
company recorded postemployment benefit expense of $3.1 million, which included
a $2.9 million credit resulting from favorable actuarial experience with regard
to assumed plan retirement and mortality rates. In 1995, postemployment benefit
expense was $3.2 million, which included a $4.1 million credit from the transfer
of the payment responsibility for certain disability benefits to the company's
defined-benefit pension plan.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (ESOP)
In 1989, Armstrong established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that
borrowed $270 million from banks and insurance companies, repayable over 15
years and guaranteed by the company. The ESOP used the proceeds to purchase
5,654,450 shares of a new series of convertible preferred stock issued by the
company. In 1996, the ESOP was merged with the Retirement Savings Plan to form
the new Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (RSSOP). On July 31, 1996,
the trustee of the ESOP converted the preferred stock held by the trust into
approximately 5.1 million shares of common stock at a one-for-one ratio.
The number of shares released for allocation to participant accounts is based on
the proportion of principal and interest paid to the total amount of debt
service remaining to be paid over the life of the borrowings. Through December
31, 1997, the ESOP had allocated to participants a total of 1,800,000 shares and
retired 800,000 shares.
The ESOP currently covers parent company nonunion employees and some union
employees.
- 47 -
<PAGE>
The company's guarantee of the ESOP loan has been recorded as a long-term
obligation and as a reduction of shareholders' equity on its consolidated
balance sheet.
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Details of ESOP debt service
payments (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred dividends paid $ -- $ 8.9 $ 18.8
Common stock dividends paid 8.5 4.0 --
Employee contributions 9.7 5.3 6.7
Company contributions 14.7 11.0 6.2
Company loans to ESOP 5.5 4.2 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Debt service payments made
by ESOP trustee $ 38.4 $ 33.4 $ 31.7
- --------------------------------==============================
The company recorded costs for the ESOP, utilizing the 80% of the shares
allocated method, of $10.4 million in 1997, $9.4 million in 1996 and $3.5
million in 1995. These costs were partially offset by savings realized from
changes to company-sponsored health care benefits and elimination of the
contribution-matching feature in the company-sponsored voluntary retirement
savings plan.
The trustee borrowed $5.5 million from the company in 1997 and $4.2 million in
1996. These loans were made to ensure that the financial arrangements provided
to employees remain consistent with the original intent of the ESOP.
TAXES
Taxes totaled $178.5 million in 1997, $141.6 million in 1996 and $71.9 million
in 1995.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Details of taxes (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) from continuing businesses before income taxes:
Domestic $ 236.4 $ 176.5 $ (28.7)
Foreign 92.9 87.6 68.0
Eliminations (33.1) (23.9) (31.1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 296.2 $ 240.2 $ 8.2
- ----------------------------------------------==================================
Income tax provision (benefit):
Current:
Federal $ 46.8 $ 36.2 $ (19.7)
Foreign 35.7 33.4 23.4
State 1.5 1.4 (0.2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current 84.0 71.0 3.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred:
Federal 30.9 4.9 (6.2)
Foreign (3.7) (0.5) (2.7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred 27.2 4.4 (8.9)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income taxes 111.2 75.4 (5.4)
Payroll taxes 50.7 51.5 61.7
Property, franchise and capital
stock taxes 16.6 14.7 15.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total taxes $ 178.5 $ 141.6 $ 71.9
- ----------------------------------------------==================================
At December 31, 1997, unremitted earnings of subsidiaries outside the United
States were $117.9 million (at December 31, 1997, balance sheet exchange rates)
on which no U.S. taxes have been provided. If such earnings were to be remitted
without offsetting tax credits in the United States, withholding taxes would be
$5.4 million. The company's intention, however, is to reinvest those earnings
permanently or to repatriate them only when it is tax effective to do so.
- 48 -
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation to
U.S. statutory tax rate (millions) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax expense at statutory rate $ 103.7 $ 84.1 $ 2.9
State income taxes 1.0 0.9 --
(Benefit) on ESOP dividend (0.9) (1.5) (2.1)
Tax (benefit) on foreign and
foreign-source income 1.1 6.2 (7.7)
Utilization of excess foreign
tax credit (2.9) (6.5) --
Equity in (earnings) loss of affiliates 9.9 (4.2) --
Insurance programs (0.8) (1.2) --
Other items 0.1 (2.4) (0.1)
Loss from ceramic tile business
combination -- -- 1.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax (benefit) expense at effective rate $ 111.2 $ 75.4 $ (5.4)
- ------------------------------------------------================================
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS
In 1996, Dal-Tile refinanced all of its existing debt resulting in an
extraordinary loss. The company's share of the extraordinary loss was $8.9
million after tax, or $0.21 per diluted share.
- -------------------
BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
- -------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $57.9 million at the end of 1997 from
$65.4 million in 1996. Operating and other factors causing the decrease in cash
and cash equivalents are detailed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
on page 33.
RECEIVABLES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts and notes
receivable (millions) 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customers' receivables $ 255.2 $ 214.7
Customers' notes 15.1 18.4
Miscellaneous receivables 19.8 18.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
290.1 251.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less allowance for discounts and losses 37.5 34.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net $ 252.6 $ 216.7
- -----------------------------------------------------=========================
The increase in receivables of $35.9 million was primarily due to the Swedish
flooring and ceiling acquisitions, a higher level of billings related to
Corporate Retail Accounts and Building Products and some extended terms in Floor
Coverings.
Generally, the company sells its products to select, preapproved groups of
customers, whose businesses are directly affected by changes in economic and
market conditions. The company considers these factors and the financial
condition of each customer when establishing its allowance for losses from
doubtful accounts.
Trade receivables are recorded in gross billed amounts as of date of shipment.
Provision is made for estimated applicable discounts and losses.
INVENTORIES
Inventories were $220.1 million in 1997, $14.4 million higher than 1996. The
increase was primarily due to the addition of inventories from the Swedish
flooring and ceilings joint ventures.
Approximately 57% of the company's total inventory in 1997 and 1996 was valued
on a LIFO (last-in, first-out) basis. Inventory values were lower than would
have been reported on a total FIFO (first-in, first-out) basis, by $60.3 million
at the end of 1997 and $60.6 million at year-end 1996.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories (millions) 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finished goods $ 149.4 $ 143.7
Goods in process 19.9 20.1
Raw materials and supplies 50.8 41.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 220.1 $ 205.7
- -----------------------------------------------------=========================
- 49 -
<PAGE>
INCOME TAX BENEFITS
Income tax benefits were $25.9 million in 1997 and $49.4 million in 1996. Of
these amounts, deferred tax benefits were $21.5 million in 1997 and $26.9
million in 1996.
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets were $43.5 million in 1997, an increase of $16.2 million
from the $27.3 million in 1996, primarily due to an increase in prepaid
expenses.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land $ 20.4 $ 24.4
Buildings 395.4 409.2
Machinery and equipment 1,450.5 1,344.8
Construction in progress 110.2 160.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,976.5 1,938.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less accumulated depreciation
and amortization 1,004.3 974.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net $ 972.2 $ 964.0
- -----------------------------------------------------===========================
The $37.6 million increase in gross book value to $1,976.5 million at the end of
1997 included $141.7 million for capital additions and a $55.2 million reduction
from sales, retirements, dispositions and other changes. Also because of
translating property, plant and equipment in foreign currency into U.S. dollars
at lower exchange rates, 1997 gross book value was lower by $48.9 million and
net book value declined by $14.1 million.
The unexpended cost of approved capital appropriations amounted to $121.2
million at year-end 1997, substantially all of which is scheduled to be expended
during 1998.
INSURANCE FOR ASBESTOS-RELATED LIABILITIES
Insurance for asbestos-related liabilities was $291.6 million reflecting the
company's belief in the ultimate availability of insurance in an amount to cover
the estimated potential liability of a like amount (see page 55). Such insurance
has either been agreed upon or is probable of recovery through negotiation,
alternative dispute resolution or litigation. See discussion on pages 59-64.
INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES
Investments in affiliates were $174.9 million in 1997, a decrease of $29.4
million, reflecting the decrease from the company's 34% share of the Dal-Tile
losses somewhat offset by the increase from the 50% interest in the WAVE joint
venture.
In 1997 the company purchased additional shares of Dal-Tile for $9.7 million
through open market trades.
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill and other intangibles $ 60.3 $ 46.1
Pension-related assets 219.8 158.3
Other 56.7 56.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 336.8 $ 261.2
- ------------------------------------------------------==========================
Other noncurrent assets increased $75.6 million in 1997. Goodwill and other
intangibles increased $14.2 million, reflecting higher spending levels in
computer software systems and acquired intangibles from acquisitions. The $61.5
million increase in pension-related assets reflects the net pension credit of
$47.8 million and an increase in the assets of the deferred compensation plans.
- 50 -
<PAGE>
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payables, trade and other $ 174.0 $ 158.2
Asbestos-related claims 72.0 --
Employment costs 47.7 49.7
Restructuring costs 12.2 27.6
Other 34.0 37.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 339.9 $ 273.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------======================
INCOME TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable--current $ 32.2 $ 19.3
Deferred--current 0.8 0.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 33.0 $ 19.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------======================
The tax effects of principal temporary differences between the carrying amounts
of assets and liabilities and their tax bases are summarized in the following
table. Management believes it is more likely than not that the results of future
operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize deferred tax
assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income taxes (millions) 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postretirement and postemployment benefits $ (87.0) $ (87.0)
Restructuring benefits (7.4) (13.6)
Asbestos-related liabilities (82.1) (49.4)
Capital loss carryforward (20.4) (22.1)
Other (75.0) (65.8)
Valuation allowance 29.3 22.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred assets $(242.6) $(215.8)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated depreciation $ 102.4 $ 95.6
Pension costs 48.3 38.2
Insurance for asbestos-related liabilities 94.4 49.4
Other 30.5 36.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred income tax liabilities $ 275.6 $ 219.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred income tax liabilities (assets) $ 33.0 $ 3.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less net income tax (benefits)--current (20.7) (26.7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income taxes--long term $ 53.7 $ 30.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------======================
- 51 -
<PAGE>
DEBT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Average
year-end year-end
interest interest
(millions) 1997 rate 1996 rate
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term debt:
Commercial paper $ 60.8 6.33% $ -- --
Foreign banks 23.3 6.23% 14.5 6.81%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total short-term debt $ 84.1 6.30% $ 14.5 6.81%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt:
9 3/4% debentures
due 2008 $125.0 9.75% $125.0 9.75%
Medium-term notes
8.75-9% due
1998-2001 39.1 8.94% 52.8 8.93%
Bank loans
due 1999-2000 25.0 4.74% 21.0 4.79%
Industrial
development bonds 19.5 5.10% 19.5 5.25%
Other 29.0 7.76% 14.8 8.57%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total long-term debt $237.6 8.46% $233.1 8.67%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less current installments 14.5 8.91% 13.7 8.91%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net long-term debt $223.1 8.43% $219.4 8.65%
- -------------------------------===========================================
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Scheduled amortization of long-term debt (millions)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 $25.0 2002 $--
2000 27.1 2003 --
2001 9.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The 9 3/4% debentures and the medium-term notes are not redeemable until
maturity and have no sinking-fund requirements.
The bank loans have favorable interest rates.
The industrial development bonds mature in 2004 and 2024 and have favorable
interest rates.
Other debt includes an $18.6 million zero-coupon note due in 2013 that had a
carrying value of $2.5 million at December 31, 1997.
Armstrong has a revolving line of credit of $300.0 million, expiring in 2001,
for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 1997, there were no borrowings
under this facility. In addition, the company's foreign subsidiaries have
approximately $109.6 million of unused short-term lines of credit available from
banks. Some credit lines are subject to an annual commitment fee.
The company can borrow from its banks generally at rates approximating the
lowest available to commercial borrowers and can issue short-term commercial
paper notes supported by the lines of credit.
- 52 -
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
The estimated fair value of the company's financial instruments are as follows:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996
(In millions at Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
December 31) amount value amount value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 57.9 $ 57.9 $ 65.4 $ 65.4
Receivables 252.6 252.6 216.7 216.7
Liabilities:
Short-term and
long-term debt $321.7 $356.6 $247.6 $281.4
Other noncurrent
financial liabilities 172.1 160.1 151.9 141.4
Off-balance sheet financial
instruments:
Foreign currency
contract obligations $ -- $ 0.3 $ -- $ 1.2
Letters of credit/financial
guarantees -- 186.1 -- 178.1
Line of credit -- 409.6 -- 441.3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair values were determined as follows:
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable
and accrued expenses, short-term debt and current installments of long-term debt
approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
The fair value estimates of long-term debt were based upon quotes from major
financial institutions taking into consideration current rates offered to the
company for debt of the same remaining maturities.
Other noncurrent financial liabilities consist primarily of deferred payments,
for which cost approximates fair value.
Foreign currency contract obligations are estimated by obtaining quotes from
brokers.
Letters of credit, financial guarantees and line of credit amounts are based on
the estimated cost to settle the obligations.
- 53 -
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS
The company does not normally provide collateral or other security to support
letters of credit, financial guarantees or lines of credit.
The company is party to forward starting interest rate swaps entered into in
anticipation of future debt issuance. The current notional amount under these
forward starting swaps is $100.0 million with all swap initiation dates
occurring during 1998. The market value of these forward agreements on December
31, 1997, was $3.2 million less than the notional amount.
The company uses foreign currency forward contracts and options to reduce the
risk that future cash flows from transactions in foreign currencies will be
negatively impacted by changes in exchange rates.
The table below provides anticipated net foreign cash flows for goods, services
and financing transactions for the next 12 months.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency Commercial Financing Net Net
exposure ($ millions) exposure exposure hedge position
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
British pound $(24.0) $(17.1) $12.1 $(29.0)
Canadian dollar 37.0 -- -- 37.0
French franc (17.0) 3.3 (3.3) (17.0)
German mark (48.0) 12.4 (12.4) (48.0)
Italian lira 25.0 2.3 (2.3) 25.0
Spanish peseta 7.0 2.3 (2.3) 7.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: A positive amount indicates the company is a net receiver of this
currency, while a negative amount indicates the company is a net payer.
The company policy allows hedges of cash flow exposures of up to one year. The
table below summarizes the company's foreign currency forward contracts and
average contract rates at December 31, 1997. Foreign currency amounts are
translated at exchange rates as of December 31, 1997.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency Forward Contracts
contracts ($ millions) Sold Avg. rate Bought Avg. rate
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
British pound $ 5.0 1.68 $17.1 1.61
Dutch guilder 2.0 2.00 -- --
French franc 3.3 5.9 -- --
German mark 12.4 1.79 -- --
Italian lira 2.3 1726 -- --
Spanish peseta 2.3 151.5 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
The foreign currency hedges are straightforward contracts that have no embedded
options or other terms that involve a higher level of complexity or risk.
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Other long-term liabilities were $172.1 million in 1997, an increase of $20.2
million from $151.9 million in 1996. Increases of $4.9 million for
pension-related liabilities and $5.8 million for deferred compensation were the
primary causes for the increase. Also included in other long-term liabilities
were amounts for workers' compensation, vacation accrual, a reserve for
estimated environmental-remediation liabilities (see "Environmental Matters" on
the next page) and a $4.6 million residual reserve for the estimated potential
liability primarily associated with claims pending in the company's
asbestos-related litigation.
- 54 -
<PAGE>
Based upon the company's experience with the asbestos-related litigation--as
well as the Wellington Agreement, other settlement agreements with certain of
the company's insurance carriers and an earlier interim agreement with several
primary carriers--the residual reserve of $4.6 million is intended to cover
potential liability and settlement costs that are not covered by insurance,
legal and administrative costs not covered under the agreements and certain
other factors that have been involved in the litigation about which
uncertainties exist. Future costs of litigation against the company's insurance
carriers and other legal costs indirectly related to the litigation, expected to
be modest, will be expensed outside the reserve. Amounts, primarily insurance
litigation costs, estimated to be payable within one year are included under
current liabilities.
This reserve does not address any unanticipated reduction in expected insurance
coverage that might result in the future related to pending lawsuits and claims
nor any potential shortfall in such coverage for claims that are subject to the
settlement class action referred to on pages 59-64.
ASBESTOS-RELATED LIABILITIES
The company reserved $179.7 million in long-term liabilities and $72.0 million
in current accrued liabilities for asbestos-related claims. The company has
recorded an insurance asset (see page 50) in the amount of $291.6 million for
coverage of asbestos-related claims. See discussion on pages 59-64.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
In 1997, the company incurred capital expenditures of approximately $1.2 million
for environmental compliance and control facilities and anticipates comparable
annual expenditures for those purposes for the years 1998 and 1999. The company
does not anticipate that it will incur significant capital expenditures in order
to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the final implementing
regulations promulgated by various state agencies.
As with many industrial companies, Armstrong is currently involved in
proceedings under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act ("Superfund"), and similar state laws at approximately 17 sites.
In most cases, Armstrong is one of many potentially responsible parties ("PRPs")
who have voluntarily agreed to jointly fund the required investigation and
remediation of each site. With regard to some sites, however, Armstrong disputes
- 55 -
<PAGE>
the liability, the proposed remedy or the proposed cost allocation. Armstrong
may also have rights of contribution or reimbursement from other parties or
coverage under applicable insurance policies. The company is also remediating
environmental contamination resulting from past industrial activity at certain
of its current plant sites.
Estimates of future liability are based on an evaluation of currently available
facts regarding each individual site and consider factors including existing
technology, presently enacted laws and regulations and prior company experience
in remediation of contaminated sites. Although current law imposes joint and
several liability on all parties at any Superfund site, Armstrong's contribution
to the remediation of these sites is expected to be limited by the number of
other companies also identified as potentially liable for site costs. As a
result, the company's estimated liability reflects only the company's expected
share. In determining the probability of contribution, the company considers the
solvency of the parties, whether responsibility, is being disputed, the terms of
any existing agreements and experience regarding similar matters. The estimated
liabilities do not take into account any claims for recoveries from insurance or
third parties.
Reserves at December 31, 1997, were for potential environmental liabilities that
the company considers probable and for which a reasonable estimate of the
potential liability could be made. Where existing data is sufficient to estimate
the amount of the liability, that estimate has been used; where only a range of
probable liability is available and no amount within that range is more likely
than any other, the lower end of the range has been used. As a result, the
company has accrued, before agreed-to insurance coverage, $9.3 million to
reflect its estimated undiscounted liability for environmental remediation. As
assessments and remediation activities progress at each individual site, these
liabilities are reviewed to reflect additional information as it becomes
available.
Actual costs to be incurred at identified sites in the future may vary from the
estimates, given the inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental
liabilities. Subject to the imprecision in estimating environmental remediation
costs, the company believes that any sum it may have to pay in connection with
environmental matters in excess of the amounts noted above would not have a
material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of
operations, although the recording of future costs may be material to earnings
in such future period.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
Awards under the 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan may be in the form of stock
options, stock appreciation rights in conjunction with stock options,
performance restricted shares and restricted stock awards. No more than
4,300,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the Plan, and no more than
430,000 shares of common stock may be awarded in the form of restricted stock
awards. The Plan extends to April 25, 2003. Pre-1993 grants made under
predecessor plans will be governed under the provisions of those plans.
- 56 -
<PAGE>
Options are granted to purchase shares at prices not less than the closing
market price of the shares on the dates the options were granted. The options
generally become exercisable in one to three years and expire 10 years from the
date of grant.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in option shares outstanding
(thousands except for share price) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option shares at beginning of year 2,161.4 1,841.6 1,612.1
Options granted 286.8 728.7 642.8
Option shares exercised (265.5) (376.7) (390.9)
Stock appreciation rights exercised (4.7) (10.8) (11.5)
Options cancelled (16.7) (21.4) (10.9)
Option shares at end of year 2,161.3 2,161.4 1,841.6
Option shares exercisable at end
of year 1,262.1 1,185.8 1,196.7
Shares available for grant 1,585.5 1,914.6 2,838.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average price per share:
Options outstanding $ 54.01 $ 50.06 $ 43.00
Options exercisable 46.88 41.11 37.93
Options granted 69.63 60.30 52.47
Option shares exercised 39.10 36.27 33.48
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at
December 31, 1997.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock options outstanding as of 12/31/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding Options exercisable
--------------------------------------- -----------------------
Range Number Weighted- Weighted- Number Weighted-
of outstanding average average exercisable average
exercise at remaining exercise at exercise
prices 12/31/97 option life price 12/31/97 price
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$28-38 359,876 4.3 $31.75 359,876 $31.75
38-54 361,127 6.4 45.10 361,127 45.10
54-62 846,219 7.7 58.57 527,999 57.91
62-66 306,000 8.1 63.26 10,000 65.50
66-74 288,050 9.2 69.75 3,100 71.15
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,161,272 1,262,102
- -----------=========----------------------------------=========--------------
Performance restricted shares issuable under the 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive
Plan entitle certain key executive employees to earn shares of Armstrong's
common stock, only if the total company or individual business units meet
certain predetermined performance measures during defined performance periods
(generally three years). Total company performance measures include Armstrong's
total shareholder return relative to a peer group of 12 companies. At the end of
the performance periods, common stock awarded will carry additional restriction
periods (generally three or four years), whereby the shares will be held in
custody by the company until the expiration or termination of the restrictions.
Compensation expense will be charged to earnings over the period in which the
restrictions lapse. Within the performance periods at the end of 1997 were
109,837 performance restricted shares outstanding, with 6,253 accumulated
dividend equivalent shares. Restricted common stock awards will be issued in
1998 based on the performance period ending December 31, 1997. Within the
restriction periods at the end of 1997 were 180,199 shares of restricted common
stock outstanding, with 9,118 accumulated dividend equivalent shares, based on
performance periods ending prior to 1997.
- 57 -
<PAGE>
Restricted stock awards can be used for the purposes of recruitment, special
recognition and retention of key employees. Awards for 27,700 shares of
restricted stock were granted (excluding performance based awards discussed
above) during 1997. At the end of 1997, there were 151,039 restricted shares of
common stock outstanding with 7,097 accumulated dividend equivalent shares.
On January 1, 1996, the company adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," which permits entities to continue to apply the
provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net earnings and pro
forma earnings per share disclosures. Had compensation cost for these plans been
determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, the company's net earnings and earnings
per share (EPS) would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings: As reported $ 185.0 $ 155.9 $ 123.3
Pro forma 180.7 150.7 121.4
Basic EPS: As reported 4.55 3.81 2.94
Pro forma 4.45 3.68 2.89
Diluted EPS: As reported 4.50 3.61 2.68
Pro forma 4.39 3.49 2.64
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fair value of grants was estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions for 1997, 1996
and 1995.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Risk-free interest rates 6.21% 6.17% 6.38%
Dividend yield 2.46% 2.32% 2.39%
Expected lives 5 years 5 years 5 years
Volatility 19% 21% 25%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Because the SFAS No. 123 method of accounting has not been applied to grants
prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation cost may not be
representative of that to be expected in future years.
TREASURY SHARES
Treasury share changes for 1997, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years ended
December 31 (thousands) 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares
Balance at beginning of year 10,714.6 15,014.1 14,602.1
Stock purchases/(1)/ 1,299.2 1,357.6 795.7
Stock issuance activity, net/(2)/ (254.3) (5,657.1) (383.7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year 11,759.5 10,714.6 15,014.1
- -------------------------------------------========------========------=========
Note 1: Includes small unsolicited buybacks of shares, shares received under
share tax withholding transactions and open market purchases of stock through
brokers.
Note 2: 1996 includes 5,057,400 shares issued as a result of conversion of
preferred to common stock.
- 58 -
<PAGE>
In July 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the company to repurchase an
additional 3.0 million shares of its common stock through the open market or
through privately negotiated transactions bringing the total authorized common
share repurchases to 5.5 million shares. Under the total plan, Armstrong has
repurchased approximately 3,661,000 shares through December 31, 1997, with a
total cash outlay of $218.7 million, including 1,281,000 repurchased in 1997.
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS PLAN
In 1996, the Board of Directors renewed the company's 1986 shareholder rights
plan and in connection therewith declared a distribution of one right for each
share of the company's common stock outstanding on and after January 19, 1996.
In general, the rights become exercisable at $300 per right for a fractional
share of a new series of Class A preferred stock 10 days after a person or
group, other than certain affiliates of the company, either acquires beneficial
ownership of shares representing 20% or more of the voting power of the company
or announces a tender or exchange offer that could result in such person or
group beneficially owning shares representing 28% or more of the voting power of
the company. If thereafter any person or group becomes the beneficial owner of
28% or more of the voting power of the company or if the company is the
surviving company in a merger with a person or group that owns 20% or more of
the voting power of the company, then each owner of a right (other than such 20%
shareholder) would be entitled to purchase shares of company common stock having
a value equal to twice the exercise price of the right. Should the company be
acquired in a merger or other business combination, or sell 50% or more of its
assets or earnings power, each right would entitle the holder to purchase, at
the exercise price, common shares of the acquirer having a value of twice the
exercise price of the right. The exercise price was determined on the basis of
the Board's view of the long-term value of the company's common stock. The
rights have no voting power nor do they entitle a holder to receive dividends.
At the company's option, the rights are redeemable prior to becoming exercisable
at five cents per right. The rights expire on March 21, 2006.
- ------------------------------
LITIGATION AND RELATED MATTERS
- ------------------------------
ASBESTOS-RELATED LITIGATION
PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION
The company is one of many defendants in approximately 83,000 pending claims as
of December 31, 1997, alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos. The
increase in the number of claims during the last two quarters of 1997 is
primarily due to the inclusion of cases that had been subject to an injunction
related to the Georgine Settlement Class Action ("Georgine"), described below,
and those that had been filed in the tort system against other defendants (and
not against the Center for Claims Resolution ("Center") members) while Georgine
was pending.
Nearly all claims seek general and punitive damages arising from alleged
exposures, at various times, from World War II onward, to asbestos-containing
products. Claims against the company generally involve allegations of
negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty and conspiracy with respect to
its
- 59 -
<PAGE>
involvement with asbestos-containing insulation products. The company
discontinued the sale of all such products in 1969. The claims also allege that
injury may be determined many years (up to 40 years) after first exposure to
asbestos. Nearly all suits name many defendants, and over 100 different
companies are reportedly involved. The company believes that many current
plaintiffs are unimpaired. A large number of claims have been settled,
dismissed, put on inactive lists or otherwise resolved, and the company
generally is involved in all stages of claims resolution and litigation,
including individual trials, consolidated trials and appeals. Neither the rate
of future filings and resolutions nor the total number of future claims can be
predicted at this time with a high degree of certainty.
Attention has been given by various parties to securing a comprehensive
resolution of the litigation. In 1991, the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict
Litigation ordered the transfer of federal cases to the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania in Philadelphia for pretrial purposes. The company supported this
transfer. Some cases are periodically released for trial, although the issue of
punitive damages is retained by the transferee court. That court has been
instrumental in having the parties resolve large numbers of cases in various
jurisdictions and has been receptive to different approaches to the resolution
of claims. Claims in state courts have not been directly affected by the
transfer, although most recent cases have been filed in state courts.
Georgine Settlement Class Action
Georgine v. Amchem was a settlement class action filed in the Eastern District
- ------------------
of Pennsylvania, on January 15, 1993, that included essentially all future
personal injury claims against members of the Center, including the company. It
was designed to establish a nonlitigation system for the resolution of such
claims, and offered a method for prompt compensation to claimants who were
occupationally exposed to asbestos if they met certain exposure and medical
criteria. Compensation amounts were derived from historical settlement data and
no punitive damages were to be paid. The settlement was designed to, among other
things, minimize transactional costs, including attorneys' fees, expedite
compensation to claimants with qualifying claims, and relieve the courts of the
burden of handling future claims. Based on maximum mathematical projections
covering a ten-year period starting in 1994, the company estimated in Georgine a
reasonably possible additional liability of $245 million.
The District Court, after exhaustive discovery and testimony, approved the
settlement class action and issued a preliminary injunction that barred class
members from pursuing claims against Center members in the tort system. The U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed that decision, and the reversal
was sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 25, 1997, holding that the
settlement class did not meet the requirements for class certification under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23. The preliminary injunction was vacated on
July 21, 1997, resulting in the immediate reinstatement of enjoined cases and a
loss of the bar against the filing of claims in the tort system. The company
believes that an alternative claims resolution mechanism to Georgine is likely
to emerge.
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<PAGE>
Asbestos-related liability
During the last half of 1997, the company assessed the impact of the recent
Supreme Court ruling on its projected asbestos resolution and defense costs. In
doing so, the company reviewed, among other things, its historical settlement
amounts, the incidence of past claims, the mix of the injuries and occupations
of the plaintiffs, the number of cases pending against it, the Georgine
projection and its experience. Subject to the uncertainties, limitations and
other factors referred to above and based upon its experience, the company has
recorded $251.7 million on the balance sheet as an estimated minimum liability
to defend and resolve probable and estimable asbestos-related personal injury
claims currently pending and to be filed through 2003. This is management's best
estimate of the minimum liability, although potential future costs for claims
could range up to an additional $387 million or an estimated maximum liability
of approximately $639 million. Because of the uncertainties related to asbestos
litigation, it is not possible to estimate the number of personal injury claims
that may be filed after 2003 or their defense and resolution costs. Therefore,
the company's estimated liability does not include costs for personal injury
claims that may be filed after 2003, although it is likely there will be such
additional claims. Management believes that the potential additional costs for
claims to be filed through 2003 and those filed thereafter, net of any potential
insurance recoveries, will not have a material after-tax effect on the financial
condition of the company or its liquidity, although the net after-tax effect of
any future liabilities recorded in excess of insurance assets could be material
to earnings in a future period.
PROPERTY DAMAGE LITIGATION
The company is also one of many defendants in 10 pending claims as of December
31, 1997, brought by public and private building owners. These claims include
allegations of damage to buildings caused by asbestos-containing products and
generally seek compensatory and punitive damages and equitable relief, including
reimbursement of expenditures, for removal and replacement of such products. The
claims appear to be aimed at friable (easily crumbled) asbestos-containing
products, although allegations encompass all asbestos-containing products,
including previously installed asbestos-containing resilient flooring. Among the
lawsuits that have been resolved are four class actions, which involve public
and private schools, Michigan state public and private schools, colleges and
universities, and private property owners who leased facilities to the federal
government. The company vigorously denies the validity of the allegations
against it in these claims. These suits and claims are not handled by the
Center. Insurance coverage has been resolved and is expected to cover almost all
costs of these claims.
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<PAGE>
CODEFENDANT BANKRUPTCIES
Certain codefendant companies have filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of
the Federal Bankruptcy Code. As a consequence, litigation against them (with
some exceptions) has been stayed or restricted. Due to the uncertainties
involved, the long-term effect of these proceedings on the litigation cannot be
predicted.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
The company's primary and excess insurance policies provide product hazard and
nonproducts (general liability) coverages for personal injury claims, and
product hazard coverage for property damage claims. Certain policies also
provide coverage to ACandS, Inc., a former subsidiary of the company. The
company and ACandS, Inc., share certain limits that both have accessed and have
entered into an agreement that reserved for ACandS, Inc., a certain amount of
excess insurance.
California Insurance Coverage Lawsuit
Trial court decisions in the insurance lawsuit filed by the company in
California held that the trigger of coverage for personal injury claims was
continuous from exposure through death or filing of a claim, that a triggered
insurance policy should respond with full indemnification up to policy limits,
and that any defense obligation ceases upon exhaustion of policy limits.
Although not as comprehensive, another decision established favorable defense
and indemnity coverage for property damage claims, providing coverage during the
period of installation and any subsequent period in which a release of fibers
occurred. The California appellate courts substantially upheld the trial court,
and that insurance coverage litigation is now concluded. The company has
resolved most personal injury products hazard coverage matters with its solvent
carriers through the Wellington Agreement, referred to below, or other
settlements. In 1989, a settlement with a carrier having both primary and excess
coverages provided for certain minimum and maximum percentages of costs for
personal injury claims to be allocated to nonproducts (general liability)
coverage, the percentage to be determined by negotiation or in alternative
dispute resolution ("ADR").
The insurance carriers that provided personal injury products hazard,
nonproducts or property damage coverages are as follows: Reliance Insurance
Company; Aetna (now Travelers) Casualty and Surety Company; Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company; Travelers Insurance Company; Fireman's Fund Insurance
Company; Insurance Company of North America; Lloyds of London; various London
market companies; Fidelity and Casualty Insurance Company; First State Insurance
Company; U.S. Fire Insurance Company; Home Insurance Company; Great American
Insurance Company; American Home Assurance Company and National Union Fire
Insurance Company (known as the AIG Companies); Central National Insurance
Company; Interstate Insurance Company; Puritan Insurance Company; and Commercial
Union Insurance Company. Midland Insurance Company, an excess carrier that
provided $25 million of personal injury coverage, certain London companies, and
certain excess carriers providing only property damage coverage are insolvent.
The company is pursuing claims against insolvents in a number of forums.
Wellington Agreement
In 1985, the company and 52 other companies (asbestos defendants and insurers)
signed the Wellington Agreement. This Agreement settled nearly all disputes
concerning personal injury insurance coverage with most of the company's
carriers, provided broad coverage for both defense and indemnity and addressed
both products hazard and non-products (general liability) coverages.
- 62 -
<PAGE>
Asbestos Claims Facility ("Facility") and
Center for Claims Resolution
The Wellington Agreement established the Facility to evaluate, settle, pay and
defend all personal injury claims against member companies. Resolution and
defense costs were allocated by formula. The Facility subsequently dissolved,
and the Center was created in October 1988 by 21 former Facility members,
including the company. Insurance carriers, while not members, are represented ex
officio on the Center's governing board and have agreed annually to provide a
portion of the Center's operational costs. The Center adopted many of the
conceptual features of the Facility and has addressed the claims in a manner
consistent with the prompt, fair resolution of meritorious claims. Resolution
and defense costs are allocated by formula; adjustments over time have resulted
in some increased share for the company.
Insurance Recovery Proceedings
A substantial portion of the company's primary and excess insurance asset is
nonproducts (general liability) insurance for personal injury claims, including
among others, those that involve exposure during installation of asbestos
materials. The Wellington Agreement and the 1989 settlement agreement referred
to above have provisions for such coverage. An ADR process under the Wellington
Agreement is underway against certain carriers to determine the percentage of
resolved and unresolved claims that are nonproducts claims, to establish the
entitlement to such coverage and to determine whether and how much reinstatement
of prematurely exhausted products hazard insurance is warranted. The nonproducts
coverage potentially available is substantial and, for some policies, includes
defense costs in addition to limits. The carriers have raised various defenses,
including waiver, laches, statutes of limitations and contractual defenses. One
primary carrier alleges that it is no longer bound by the Wellington Agreement,
and another alleges that the company agreed to limit its claims for nonproducts
coverage against that carrier when the Wellington Agreement was signed. The ADR
process is in the trial phase of binding arbitration. Other proceedings against
non-Wellington carriers may become necessary.
- 63 -
<PAGE>
An insurance asset in the amount of $291.6 million is recorded on the balance
sheet and reflects the company's belief in the availability of insurance in this
amount, based upon the company's success in insurance recoveries, settlement
agreements that provide such coverage, the nonproducts recoveries by other
companies and the opinion of outside counsel. Such insurance is probable of
recovery through negotiation or litigation. A substantial portion of the
insurance asset is in ADR, which the company believes may be resolved in 1998 or
later. A shortfall has developed between available insurance and amounts
necessary for resolution and defense costs. This shortfall was $39.9 million at
the end of 1997 and included a $1.5 million insurance recovery from an insolvent
insurance carrier. The recovery of insurance assets to cover the shortfall will
depend upon the resolution of the ADR and other disputes with the insurance
carriers. The company does not believe that after-tax effect of the shortfall
will be material either to the financial condition of the company or to its
liquidity.
CONCLUSIONS
The company does not know how many claims will be filed against it in the
future, or the details thereof or of pending suits not fully reviewed, or the
defense and resolution costs that may ultimately result therefrom, or whether an
alternative to the Georgine settlement vehicle may emerge, or the scope of its
insurance coverage ultimately deemed available.
The company has assessed the impact of the recent Supreme Court ruling on its
projected asbestos resolution and defense costs. Subject to the uncertainties,
limitations and other factors referred to above and based upon its experience,
the company has recorded on the balance sheet $251.7 million as a minimum
estimated liability to defend and resolve probable and estimable
asbestos-related personal injury claims currently pending and to be filed
through 2003. This is management's best estimate of the minimum liability,
although potential future costs for these claims could range up to an additional
$387 million or an estimated maximum liability of approximately $639 million.
Because of the uncertainties related to asbestos litigation, it is not possible
to estimate the number of personal injury claims that may be filed after 2003 or
their cost. Therefore, the company's estimated liability does not include costs
for personal injury claims that may be filed after 2003, although it is likely
there will be such additional claims. Management believes that the potential
additional costs for claims to be filed through 2003 and those filed thereafter,
net of any potential insurance recoveries, will not have a material after-tax
effect on the financial condition of the company or its liquidity, although the
net after-tax effect of any future liabilities recorded in excess of insurance
assets could be material to earnings in a future period.
An insurance asset in the amount of $291.6 million is recorded on the balance
sheet and reflects the company's belief in the availability of insurance in this
amount, based upon the company's success in insurance recoveries, settlement
agreements that provide such coverage, the nonproducts recoveries by other
companies, and the opinion of outside counsel. Such insurance is probable of
recovery through negotiation or litigation. A substantial portion of the
insurance asset is in ADR, which the company believes may be resolved in 1998 or
later. A shortfall has developed between available insurance and amounts
necessary for resolution and defense costs. This shortfall was $39.9 million at
the end of 1997 and included a $1.5 million insurance recovery from an insolvent
insurance carrier. The recovery of insurance assets to cover the shortfall will
depend upon the resolution of the ADR and other disputes with the insurance
carriers. The company does not believe that after-tax effect of the shortfall
will be material either to the financial condition of the company or to its
liquidity.
The company believes that a claims resolution mechanism alternative to the
Georgine settlement will eventually emerge, and that the resolution and defense
costs are likely to be higher than the earlier maximum mathematical projection
in Georgine.
Subject to the uncertainties, limitations and other factors referred to
elsewhere in this note and based upon its experience, the company believes it is
probable that substantially all of the defense and resolution costs of property
damage claims will be covered by insurance.
Even though uncertainties remain as to the potential number of unasserted claims
and the liability resulting therefrom, and after consideration of the factors
involved, including the ultimate scope of its insurance coverage, the Wellington
Agreement and other settlements with insurance carriers, the results of the
California insurance coverage litigation, the establishment of the Center, the
likelihood that an alternative to the Georgine settlement will eventually
emerge, and its experience, the company believes the asbestos-related claims
against the company would not be material either to the financial condition of
the company or to its liquidity, although the net after-tax effect of any future
liabilities recorded in excess of insurance assets could be material to earnings
in such future period.
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<PAGE>
Independent auditors' report
The Board of Directors and Shareholders,
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.:
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Armstrong World
Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In
connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also
have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying
index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Armstrong World
Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein.
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Philadelphia, PA
February 13, 1998
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<PAGE>
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Disclosure
--------------------
Not applicable.
PART III
--------
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Directors of the Registrant
- ---------------------------
The information appearing in the tabulation in the section captioned "Election
of Directors" on pages 1-5 of the Company's 1998 Proxy Statement is incorporated
by reference herein.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
- ------------------------------------
George A. Lorch* -- Age 56; Chairman of the Board since April 25, 1994; and
President (Chief Executive Officer) since September 7, 1993; Executive Vice
President 1988-1993.
Marc R. Olivie -- Age 44; President, Worldwide Building Products Operations
since October 15, 1996; and the following positions with Sara Lee Corporation
(branded consumer products): President, Sara Lee Champion Europe, Inc. (Italy)
March 1994-October 1996; Vice President, Corporate Development, Sara Lee/DE
(Netherlands) September 1993-March 1994; Executive Director, Corporate
Development, Sara Lee Corporation (Chicago, Illinois/France) April
1990-September 1993.
Robert J. Shannon, Jr. -- Age 49, President, Worldwide Floor Products Operations
since February 1, 1997; President Floor Products Operations International
February 1, 1996, through February 1, 1997; President American Olean Tile
Company, Inc. March 1, 1992 through December 29, 1995.
Stephen E. Stockwell -- Age 52; President, Corporate Retail Accounts Division
since November 22, 1994; Vice President, Corporate Retail Accounts July 1, 1994,
through November 22, 1994; General Manager, Residential Sales, Floor Division
January 26, 1994 through July 1, 1994; Field Sales Manager, Floor Division,
1988-1994.
Ulrich J. Weimer -- Age 53; President, Armstrong Insulation Products since
February 1, 1996; Geschaftsfuhrer, Armstrong World Industries G.m.b.H. since
December 11, 1995; General Manager, Worldwide Insulation Products Operations
February 1, 1993 through June 1, 1995.
Douglas L. Boles -- Age 40; Senior Vice President, Human Resources since
March 1, 1996; and the following positions with PepsiCo (consumer products):
Vice President of Human Resources, Pepsi Foods International Europe Group (U.K.)
June 1995-February 1996; Vice President of Human Resources, Walkers Snack Foods
(U.K.) March 1994-June 1995; Vice President of Human Resources, Snack Ventures
Europe (Netherlands) September 1992-March 1994.
Deborah K. Owen -- Age 46; Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
since January 1, 1998; Attorney, Law Offices of Deborah K. Owen, Columbia, MD,
September 1996-September 1997; Partner, Arent Fox Kintner Poltkin & Kahn law
firm, Washington DC, August 1994-August 1996; Commissioner, Federal Trade
Commission, Washington, DC, October 1989-August 1994.
Frank A. Riddick, III -- Age 40; Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer since April 1995; and the following positions with FMC
Corporation, Chicago, IL (chemicals, machinery): Controller May 1993-March 1995;
Treasurer December 1990-May 1993.
Edward R. Case -- Age 51; Vice President and Treasurer since May 8, 1996; and
the following positions with Campbell Soup Company (branded food products):
Director, Corporate Development October 1994-May 1996; Director, Financial
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<PAGE>
Planning, U.S. Soup May 1993-September 1994; Deputy Treasurer September
1991-April 1993.
Bruce A. Leech, Jr. -- Age 55; Controller since February 1, 1990.
All information presented above is current as of March 1, 1998. The term of
office for each Executive Officer in his present capacity is one year, and each
such Executive Officer will serve until reelected or until a successor is
elected at the annual meeting of directors which follows the annual
shareholders' meeting. Each Executive Officer has been employed by the Company
in excess of five continuous years with the exception of Messrs. Boles, Case,
Olivie, Riddick and Ms. Owen.
(*)Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors as of March 1,
1998.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
- --------------------------------
The information appearing in the sections captioned "Directors' Compensation" on
pages 5-6 and "Executive Officers' Compensation," (other than the information
contained under the subcaption "Performance Graph") and "Retirement Income Plan
Benefits," on pages 11-15 of the Company's 1998 Proxy Statement is incorporated
by reference herein.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information appearing in the sections captioned "Stock Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners" on page 17 and "Directors' and Executive Officers' Security
Ownership" on page 7 of the Company's 1998 Proxy Statement is incorporated by
reference herein.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial statements and schedules filed as a part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K are listed in the "Index to Financial Statements and Schedules" on
page 72.
- 67 -
<PAGE>
a. The following exhibits are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K:
Exhibits
- --------
No. 3(a) Copy of registrant's By-laws, as amended effective March 9,
1998.
No. 3(b) Registrant's restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, are incorporated by reference herein from
registrant's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein they
appear as Exhibit 3(b).
No. 4(a) Registrant's Rights Agreement effective as of March 21,
1996, between the registrant and Chemical Mellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent, relating to the
registrant's Preferred Stock Purchase Rights is incorporated
by reference herein from registrant's registration statement
on Form 8-A/A dated March 15, 1996, wherein it appeared as
Exhibit 4.
No. 4(b) Registrant's Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
as amended and restated effective October 1, 1996, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1996 Annual
Report on Form 10-K where it appeared as Exhibit 4(b). *
No. 4(d) Registrant's Indenture, dated as of March 15, 1988,
between the registrant and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
New York, as Trustee, as to which The First National Bank of
Chicago is successor trustee, is incorporated herein by
reference from registrant's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K
wherein it appeared as Exhibit 4(c).
No. 4(e) Registrant's Supplemental Indenture dated as of October
19, 1990, between the registrant and The First National Bank
of Chicago, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference herein
from registrant's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it
appeared as Exhibit 4(d).
No. 10(i)(a) Copy of Agreement Concerning Asbestos-Related Claims
dated June 19, 1985, (the "Wellington Agreement") among the
registrant and other companies.
No. 10(i)(b) Producer Agreement concerning Center for Claims
Resolution dated September 23, 1988, among the registrant and
other companies as amended is incorporated by reference herein
from registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it
appeared as Exhibit 10(i)(b).
No. 10(i)(c) Credit Agreement between the registrant, certain banks listed
therein, and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as
Agent, dated as of February 7, 1995, providing for a
$200,000,000 credit facility, is incorporated by reference
herein from registrant's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K
wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(i)(c).
No. 10(iii)(a) Registrant's Long-Term Stock Option Plan for Key Employees, as
amended, is incorporated by reference herein from registrant's
1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10(iii)(a). *
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<PAGE>
No. 10(iii)(b) Registrant's Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee
Directors, as amended, is incorporated by reference herein
from registrant's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it
appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(b). *
No. 10(iii)(c) Registrant's Directors' Retirement Income Plan, as amended, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1996 Annual
Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(c).
*
No. 10(iii)(d) Registrant's Management Achievement Plan for Key Executives,
as amended, is incorporated by reference herein from
registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it
appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(d). *
No. 10(iii)(e) Registrant's Retirement Benefit Equity Plan (formerly known as
the Excess Benefit Plan), as amended, is incorporated by
reference herein from registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form
10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(e). *
No. 10(iii)(f) Armstrong Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1994 Annual
Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(f).
*
No. 10(iii)(g) Registrant's Employment Protection Plan for Salaried Employees
of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., as amended, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1994 Annual
Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(g).
*
No. 10(iii)(h) Registrant's Restricted Stock Plan For Nonemployee Directors,
as amended, is incorporated by reference herein from
registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it
appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(h). *
No. 10(iii)(i) Registrant's Severance Pay Plan for Salaried Employees, is
incorporated by referenced herein from registrant's 1994
Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10(iii)(i). *
No. 10(iii)(j) Copy of registrant's 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan as
amended. *
No. 10(iii)(k) Form of Agreement between the Company and certain of its
Executive Officers, together with a schedule identifying those
executives is incorporated by reference herein from
registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1997, wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10. *
No. 10(iii)(l) Form of Indemnification Agreement between the registrant and
each of the registrant's Nonemployee Directors, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1996 Annual
Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(l).
*
No. 11 A statement regarding computation of per share earnings on
both basic and diluted bases is
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<PAGE>
set forth in the Financial Statement Schedules on pages 73 and
74 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
No. 21 List of the registrant's domestic and foreign subsidiaries.
No. 23 Consent of Independent Auditors.
No. 24 Powers of Attorney and authorizing resolutions.
No. 27.1 Financial Data Schedule
No. 27.2 Restated Financial Data Schedule
No. 27.3 Restated Financial Data Schedule
* Compensatory Plan
- 70 -
<PAGE>
b. During the last quarter of 1997, no reports on Form 8-K were filed.
This 10-K contains certain "forward looking statements" (within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Among other things, they
pertain to the Company's earnings, liquidity and financial condition; the
ultimate outcome of the Company's asbestos-related litigation (including the
likelihood that an alternative to the Georgine settlement will be negotiated);
and certain operational matters. Words or phrases denoting the anticipated
results of future events - such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "will likely," "are expected to," "will continue," "project," and
similar expressions that denote uncertainty - are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from
anticipated future results: (1) as a result of risk and uncertainties identified
in connection with those forward-looking statements, including those factors
identified under the sections captioned "Outlook" in Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and those factors
identified under the caption "Litigation and Related Matters" in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in connection with the Company's
asbestos-related litigation; (2) as a result of factors over which the company
has no control, including the strength of domestic and foreign economies, sales
growth, competition and certain costs increases; or (3) if the factors on which
the Company's conclusions are based do not conform to the Company's
expectations.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
--------------------------------
(Registrant)
By /s/ George A. Lorch
---------------------------------
Chairman
Date March 20, 1998
-------------------------------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Directors and Principal Officers of the registrant:
George A. Lorch Chairman and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
Frank A. Riddick, III Senior Vice President, Finance
(Principal Financial Officer)
Bruce A. Leech, Jr. Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
H. Jesse Arnelle Director
Van C. Campbell Director By /s/ George A. Lorch
Donald C. Clark Director -----------------------------
James. E. Marley Director (George A. Lorch, as
David W. Raisbeck Director attorney-in-fact and
J. Phillip Samper Director on his own behalf)
Jerre L. Stead Director As of March 20, 1998
- 71 -
<PAGE>
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Index to Financial Statements and Schedules
The following consolidated financial statements and Financial Review are filed
as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 1997,
1996, and 1995
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following additional financial data should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements. Schedules not included with this additional data have been
omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is presented
in the financial statements or the financial review.
Additional Financial Data Page No.
------------------------- --------
Computation for Basic Earnings
per Share 73
Computation for Diluted Earnings
per Share 74
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Reserves 75
- 72 -
<PAGE>
Exhibit No. 11(a)
COMPUTATION FOR BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT FOR PER-SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents
- -----------------------------------------
Average number of common shares outstanding 40.6 39.1 37.1
==== ==== ====
Basic Earnings Per Share
Earnings from continuing businesses $185.0 $164.8 $13.6
Less:
Dividend requirement on Series A
convertible preferred stock -- 8.8 18.8
Plus:
Tax benefit on dividends paid on
unallocated preferred shares -- 2.0 4.5
---- ---- ----
Pro forma earnings (loss) available for common
- ----------------------------------------------
shareholders:
- -------------
Continuing businesses 185.0 158.0 (0.7)
Discontinued business -- -- 109.7
----- ----- -----
Before Extraordinary Loss 185.0 158.0 109.0
Extraordinary Loss -- (8.9) --
----- ----- -----
Net Earnings $185.0 $149.1 $109.0
====== ====== ======
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock
- -----------------------------------------------
Continuing businesses $ 4.55 $ 4.04 $(0.02)
Discontinued business -- -- 2.96
------ ------ ------
Before Extraordinary Loss 4.55 4.04 2.94
Extraordinary Loss -- (0.23) --
------ ------ ------
Net Earnings $ 4.55 $ 3.81 $ 2.94
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
- 73 -
<PAGE>
Exhibit No. 11(b)
COMPUTATION FOR DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT FOR PER-SHARE DATA)
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents
- -----------------------------------------
Average number of common shares outstanding 40.6 39.1 37.1
Average number of common shares issuable
under stock options 0.4 0.4 0.3
Average number of common shares issuable
under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan -- 2.6 5.4
---- --- ---
Average number of common and common
equivalent shares outstanding 41.0 42.1 42.8
==== ==== ====
Adjustments to Earnings
- -----------------------
Earnings from continuing businesses $185.0 $164.8 $13.6
Less:
Increased contribution to the Employee
Stock Ownership Plan assuming
conversion of preferred shares to
common -- 3.2 7.3
Net reduction in tax benefits assuming
conversion of the Employee Stock
Ownership Plan preferred shares to
common -- 0.6 1.2
---- --- ---
Pro forma earnings available for common
- ---------------------------------------
shareholders:
- -------------
Continuing businesses 185.0 161.0 5.1
Discontinued business -- -- 109.7
---- ---- -----
Before Extraordinary Loss 185.0 161.0 114.8
Extraordinary Loss -- (8.9) --
---- ---- ----
Net Earnings $185.0 $152.1 $114.8
====== ====== ======
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of
- ------------------------------------
common stock
- ------------
Continuing businesses $4.50 $3.82 (a) $(0.02)
Discontinued business -- -- 2.56
---- ---- ----
Before Extraordinary Loss $4.50 $3.82 $2.68
Extraordinary Loss -- (0.21) --
---- ----- ----
Net Earnings $4.50 $3.61 $2.68
===== ===== =====
(a) Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing businesses for 1995
was antidilutive.
- 74 -
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
-----------
Valuation and Qualifying Reserves of Accounts Receivable
--------------------------------------------------------
For Years Ended December 31
---------------------------
(amounts in millions)
Provision for Losses 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------- ---- ---- ----
Balance at Beginning of Year $10.9 $ 8.7 $ 9.7
Additions Charged to Earnings 7.3 5.4 2.9
Deductions 5.4 3.2 3.9
Balance at End of Year $12.8 $10.9 $ 8.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for Discounts
- -----------------------
Balance at Beginning of Year $24.0 $20.3 $17.3
Additions Charged to Earnings 76.7 74.5 82.2
Deductions 76.0 70.8 79.2
Balance at End of Year $24.7 $24.0 $20.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for Discounts and Losses
- ----------------------------------
Balance at Beginning of Year $34.9 $29.0 $27.0
Additions Charged to Earnings 84.0 79.9 85.1
Deductions 81.4 74.0 83.1
Balance at End of Year $37.5 $34.9 $29.0
- 75 -
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
No. 3(a) Copy of registrant's By-laws, as amended effective March
9, 1998.
No. 3(b) Registrant's restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, are incorporated by reference herein from
registrant's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein they
appear as Exhibit 3(b).
No. 4(a) Registrant's Rights Agreement effective as of March 21,
1996, between the registrant and Chemical Mellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent, relating to
the registrant's Preferred Stock Purchase Rights is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's
registration statement on Form 8-A/A dated March 15, 1996,
wherein it appeared as Exhibit 4.
No. 4(b) Registrant's Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
as amended and restated effective October 1, 1996, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1996
Annual Report on Form 10-K where it appeared as Exhibit
4(b). *
No. 4(d) Registrant's Indenture, dated as of March 15, 1988,
between the registrant and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York, as Trustee, as to which The First National
Bank of Chicago is successor trustee, is incorporated
herein by reference from registrant's 1995 Annual Report
on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit 4(c).
No. 4(e) Registrant's Supplemental Indenture dated as of October
19, 1990, between the registrant and The First National
Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference
herein from registrant's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K
wherein it appeared as Exhibit 4(d).
No. 10(i)(a) Copy of Agreement Concerning Asbestos-Related Claims dated
June 19, 1985, (the "Wellington Agreement") among the
registrant and other companies.
No. 10(i)(b) Producer Agreement concerning Center for Claims Resolution
dated September 23, 1988, among the registrant and other
companies as amended is incorporated by reference herein
from registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein
it appeared as Exhibit 10(i)(b).
No. 10(i)(c) Credit Agreement between the registrant, certain banks
listed therein, and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, as Agent, dated as of February 7, 1995, providing
for a $200,000,000 credit facility, is incorporated by
reference herein from registrant's 1994 Annual Report on
Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(i)(c).
- 76 -
<PAGE>
No. 10(iii)(a) Registrant's Long-Term Stock Option Plan for Key
Employees, as amended, is incorporated by reference herein
from registrant's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein
it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(a). *
No. 10(iii)(b) Registrant's Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee
Directors, as amended, is incorporated by reference herein
from registrant's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein
it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(b). *
No. 10(iii)(c) Registrant's Directors' Retirement Income Plan, as
amended, is incorporated by reference herein from
registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it
appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(c). *
No. 10(iii)(d) Registrant's Management Achievement Plan for Key
Executives, as amended, is incorporated by reference
herein from registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K
wherein it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(d). *
No. 10(iii)(e) Registrant's Retirement Benefit Equity Plan (formerly
known as the Excess Benefit Plan), as amended, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1996
Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10(iii)(e). *
No. 10(iii)(f) Armstrong Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1994
Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10(iii)(f). *
No. 10(iii)(g) Registrant's Employment Protection Plan for Salaried
Employees of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., as amended,
is incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1994
Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10(iii)(g). *
No. 10(iii)(h) Registrant's Restricted Stock Plan For Nonemployee
Directors, as amended, is incorporated by reference herein
from registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein
it appeared as Exhibit 10(iii)(h). *
No. 10(iii)(i) Registrant's Severance Pay Plan for Salaried Employees, is
incorporated by referenced herein from registrant's 1994
Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10(iii)(i). *
No. 10(iii)(j) Copy of registrant's 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
as amended. *
No. 10(iii)(k) Form of Agreement between the Company and certain of its
Executive Officers, together with a schedule identifying
those executives is incorporated by reference herein from
registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1997, wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10. *
- 77 -
<PAGE>
No. 10(iii)(l) Form of Indemnification Agreement between the registrant
and each of the registrant's Nonemployee Directors, is
incorporated by reference herein from registrant's 1996
Annual Report on Form 10-K wherein it appeared as Exhibit
10(iii)(l). *
No. 11 A statement regarding computation of per share earnings on
both basic and diluted bases is set forth in the Financial
Statement Schedules on pages 73 and 74 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
No. 21 List of the registrant's domestic and foreign
subsidiaries.
No. 23 Consent of Independent Auditors.
No. 24 Powers of Attorney and authorizing resolutions.
No. 27.1 Financial Data Schedule
No. 27.2 Restated Financial Data Schedule
No. 27.3 Restated Financial Data Schedule
* Compensatory Plan
- 78 -
<PAGE>
Exhibit 3(a)
Bylaws
of
Armstrong
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
EFFECTIVE MARCH 9, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARTICLE I
Office
The principal office of the Company shall be in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania.
All meetings of directors and stockholders shall be held at the
principal office of the Company unless the Board of Directors shall decide
otherwise, in which case such meetings may be held within or without the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the Board may from time to time direct.
ARTICLE II
Stockholder's Meetings
An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held in each calendar year
on such date and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors for the
purpose of electing directors and the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.
Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the
President or the Board of Directors. At any time, upon written request of any
person or persons who have duly called a special meeting, it shall be the duty
of the Secretary to fix the date of the meeting, to be held not more than sixty
days after the receipt of the request, and to give due notice thereof. If the
Secretary shall neglect or refuse to fix the date of the meeting and give notice
thereof, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so.
Special meetings of the holders of No Par Preferred Stock for the
purpose of electing directors may be called as provided in the Articles of
Incorporation, as amended.
Written notice of the place, day, and hour of all meetings of
stockholders and, in the case of a special meeting, of the general nature of the
business to be transacted, shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled
to vote at the particular meeting either personally or by sending a copy of the
notice through the mail, or by telegram, charges prepaid, to the address of the
stockholder appearing on the books of the Company or supplied by him to the
Company for the purpose of notice. Except as otherwise provided by these bylaws
or by law, such notice shall be given at least five days before the date of the
meeting by the President, Vice President, or Secretary. A waiver in writing of
any written notice required to be given, signed by the person entitled to such
notice, whether before or after the time stated, shall be deemed equivalent to
the giving of such notice. Attendance of a person, either in person or by proxy,
at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where
a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or
convened.
Nominations of candidates for election to the Board of Directors may be
made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the Company entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, any meeting called for the election of directors.
Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of
the Company, shall be made in writing and shall be received by the Secretary of
the Company not later than (i), with respect to an election of directors to be
held at an annual meeting of stockholders, ninety (90) days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting and
<PAGE>
(ii), with respect to an election of directors to be held at a special meeting
of stockholders, the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the
date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders or public
disclosure of the meeting is made, whichever is earlier. Such notification shall
contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying
stockholder: (a) the name, age, business address, and residence address of each
proposed nominee and of the notifying stockholders; (b) the principal occupation
of each proposed nominee; (c) a representation that the notifying stockholder
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or
persons specified in the notice; (d) the class and total number of shares of the
Company that are beneficially owned by the notifying stockholders and, if known,
by the proposed nominee; (e) the total number of shares of the Company that will
be voted by the notifying stockholder for each proposed nominee; (f) a
description of all arrangements or understandings between the notifying
stockholders and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such
person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be
made by the notifying stockholder; (g) such other information regarding each
nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a
proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Rule 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, had the
nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors;
and (h) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so
elected. Nominees of the Board of Directors shall, to the extent appropriate,
provide the same information about themselves as in (a) through (h) above to the
Secretary of the Company. The Company may request any proposed nominee to
furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to
determine the qualifications of the proposed nominee to serve as a director of
the Company. Within fifteen (15) days following the receipt by the Secretary of
a stockholder notice of nomination pursuant hereto, the Board Affairs and
Governance Committee shall instruct the Secretary of the Company to advise the
notifying stockholder of any deficiencies in the notice as determined by the
Committee. The notifying stockholder shall cure such deficiencies within fifteen
(15) days of receipt of such notice. No persons shall be eligible for election
as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance herewith.
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in the discretion of the
presiding officer at the meeting and with the advice of the Board Affairs and
Governance Committee, be disregarded by the presiding officer and, upon his or
her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded. The
determinations of the presiding officer at the meeting shall be conclusive and
binding upon all stockholders of the Company for all purposes.
At any meeting of the stockholders, the presence, in person or by
proxy, of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which
all stockholders are entitled to cast upon any matter shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business upon such matter, and the stockholders present
at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment,
notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a
quorum. If a meeting cannot be organized because a quorum has not attended,
those present may, except as otherwise provided by law, adjourn the meeting to
such time and place as they may determine, but in the case of any meeting called
for the election of directors, those who attend the second of such adjourned
meetings, although less than a quorum, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum
for the purpose of electing directors.
Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, or by law, every stockholder of record shall have the right, at every
stockholders' meeting, to one vote for every share standing in his name on the
books of the Company. In each election of directors, every stockholder entitled
to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes to which he may be
entitled by the total number of directors to be elected, and he may cast the
whole number of such votes for one candidate or he may distribute them among any
two or more candidates.
Every stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may
authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy. Every proxy shall
be executed in writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney in
fact and filed with the Secretary of the Company.
All questions shall be decided by the vote of the stockholders present,
in person or by proxy, entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which
<PAGE>
all stockholders present are entitled to cast, unless otherwise provided by the
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or by law.
Elections for directors need not be by ballot except on demand made by
a stockholder at the election and before the voting begins. In advance of any
meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors may appoint judges of election
who need not be stockholders to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof,
and if such appointment is not made, the chairman of any such meeting may, and
on request of any stockholder or his proxy shall, make such appointment at the
meeting. The number of judges shall be one or three; and if appointed at a
meeting on request of one or more stockholders or proxies, the majority of the
shares present and entitled to vote shall determine whether one or three judges
are to be appointed. No person who is a candidate for office shall act as a
judge. In case any person appointed as judge fails to appear or fails or refuses
to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board of Directors
in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the person or
officer acting as chairman. On request of the chairman of the meeting or of any
stockholder or his proxy, the judges shall make a report in writing of any
challenge or question or matter determined by them and execute a certificate of
any fact found by them.
ARTICLE III
Directors
SECTION 1. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by
a Board of Directors. The directors need not be stockholders of the Company. The
Board shall consist of not less than eight (8) nor more than eleven (11)
directors, the exact number to be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the directors
then in office, such number being in addition to any directors that the holders
of any class of preferred stock, voting as a class, may be entitled to elect as
provided in the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or in a resolution of the
Board establishing any series of preferred stock.
The directors, other than the directors to be elected by the holders of
No Par Preferred Stock, voting as a class, shall be classified in respect to the
time for which they shall severally hold office by dividing them into three
classes, each consisting, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the whole
number of such directors. At each annual meeting, the successors to the class of
directors whose terms expire that year shall be elected to hold office for the
term of three years. Each such director shall hold office for the term for which
he is elected and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any
vacancy in the office of any such directors shall be filled by an election by
the Board for the unexpired term.
Directors to be elected by the holders of No Par Preferred Stock,
voting as a class, shall be elected and hold office as provided in the Articles
of Incorporation, as amended.
SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting, without
notice, immediately following the annual meeting of the stockholders and shall
elect a President, such number of Vice Presidents and Operation or Division
Presidents as the Board may deem advisable, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a
Controller, and such Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers as the Board
may deem advisable. The Board may also at its discretion elect a Chairman of the
Board. Unless sooner removed by the Board, all officers shall hold office until
the next annual meeting of the Board and until their successors shall have been
elected. The Board shall also, from time to time, elect such other officers and
agents as it deems advisable.
The President and the Chairman of the Board, if elected, must be
selected from the members of the Board of Directors, but the other officers may
but need not be directors.
Any two or more offices may be held by the same person except the
offices of President and Secretary, but in no case shall the same person act in
the same matter in two such official capacities.
SECTION 3. All vacancies in office shall be filled by the Board of
Directors, and the Board shall have power to define the duties of all officers
<PAGE>
and agents and fix their compensation and may remove at its discretion any
officer or agent.
SECTION 4. The Board of Directors shall hold meetings at such times and
places as it may determine. Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board
or a Committee thereof by conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other. No notice of regular meetings of the Board need be given. Special
meetings of the Board may be called by the President or a Vice President or the
Secretary or by any two directors by giving written notice at least twenty-four
hours in advance of the time of the meeting to each director, either personally
or by telegram, charges prepaid, or by sending a copy of the notice through the
mail at least two days before the day of the meeting, to the director's address
appearing on the books of the Company or supplied by the director to the Company
for the purpose of notice.
Attendance at any meeting of the Board shall be a waiver of notice
thereof. If all the members of the Board are present at any meeting, no notice
shall be required. A majority of the whole number of the directors shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting a
quorum shall not be present, the meeting may adjourn from time to time until a
quorum shall be present.
SECTION 5. The Board of Directors shall cause to be sent to the
stockholders, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, financial
statements which shall include a balance sheet as of the close of such year,
together with statements of income and surplus for such year, prepared so as to
present fairly its financial condition and results of its operations. Such
financial statements shall have been examined in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards by a firm of independent certified public
accountants selected by the Board and shall be accompanied by such firm's
opinion as to the fairness of the presentation thereof.
SECTION 6. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a
majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to
consist of two or more of the directors of the Company. The Board may designate
one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any
absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such
committee to the extent provided in such resolution shall have and exercise the
authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the
Company.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
President
SECTION 1. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the
Company. He shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the
absence of a Chairman of the Board, at all meetings of the Board of Directors at
which he is present. He shall be ex-officio a member of all standing committees.
He shall have the custody of the corporate seal or may entrust the same to the
Secretary. He shall make reports of the Company's business to the Board at such
times as the Board shall require. He shall perform all the usual duties incident
to the office of President.
Vice-Presidents
SECTION 2. In the absence or disability of the President, his duties
shall be performed by one or more Vice-Presidents designated by the Board of
Directors. They shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by
the Board.
Chairman of the Board
SECTION 3. The Chairman of the Board, if elected, shall preside at all
meetings of the Board of Directors at which he is present. He shall perform such
other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board.
Secretary
<PAGE>
SECTION 4. The Secretary shall attend the meetings of the stockholders
and Board of Directors and keep minutes thereof in suitable books. He shall send
out notices of all meetings as required by law or these bylaws. He shall be
ex-officio an Assistant Treasurer. He shall perform all the usual duties
incident to the office of Secretary.
Assistant Secretaries
SECTION 5. In the absence or disability of the Secretary, his duties
shall be performed by the Assistant Secretaries. They shall perform such other
duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.
Treasurer
SECTION 6. The Treasurer shall have custody of funds of the Company and
keep or cause to be kept accurate accounts of all money received or payments
made in books kept for that purpose. He shall deposit all money received by him
in the name and to the credit of the Company in such bank or other place or
places of deposit as the Board of Directors shall designate. He shall be
ex-officio an Assistant Secretary. He shall perform all the usual duties
incident to the office of Treasurer.
Assistant Treasurers
SECTION 7. In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, his duties
shall be performed by the Assistant Treasurers. They shall perform such other
duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.
Controller
SECTION 8. The Controller shall have general charge of the accounting
of the Company and shall perform all the usual duties incident to the office of
Controller.
Bonds
SECTION 9. Such officers and employees of the Company as the Board of
Directors shall determine shall give bond for the faithful discharge of their
duties in such form and for such amount and with such surety or sureties as the
Board shall require. The expense of procuring such bonds shall be borne by the
Company.
ARTICLE V
Seal
The Company shall have a seal which shall contain the words "Armstrong
World Industries, Inc.," in a circle within which the words "Incorporated Dec.
30, 1891" shall be contained.
ARTICLE VI
Stock Certificates and Transfers
Stock certificates shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may
from time to time determine and shall either be signed by the President or one
of the Vice-Presidents or other officer designated by the Board, and
countersigned by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or other officer
designated by the Board and sealed with the seal of the Company, or, if not so
signed and sealed, shall bear the engraved or printed facsimile signatures of
the officers authorized to sign and the engraved or printed facsimile of the
seal of the Company.
The Board of Directors may appoint for any class of stock one or more
incorporated banks or trust companies in the city of New York, New York, or
elsewhere, to act as Registrar or Registrars, and also one or more incorporated
banks or trust companies in the city of New York, New York, or elsewhere, to act
as Transfer Agent or Transfer Agents. No certificate of stock of any class for
which a Transfer Agent and Registrar have been
<PAGE>
appointed shall be valid or binding unless countersigned by a Transfer Agent and
registered by a Registrar before issue.
The shares of the capital stock of the Company shall, upon the
surrender and cancellation of the certificate or certificates representing the
same, be transferred upon the books of the Company at the request of the holder
thereof, named in the surrendered certificate or certificates, in person or by
his legal representatives or by his attorney duly authorized by written power of
attorney filed with the Company's Transfer Agent. In case of loss or destruction
of a certificate of stock, another may be issued in lieu thereof in such manner
and upon such terms as the Board shall authorize.
The Board of Directors may fix a time, not more than seventy (70) days
prior to the date of any meeting of the stockholders, or the date fixed for the
payment of any dividend or distribution or the date for the allotment of rights,
or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock will be
made or go into effect, as a record date for the determination of the
stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any such meeting, or entitled
to receive payment of any such dividend or distribution, or to receive any such
allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect to any such change,
conversion, or exchange of capital stock. In such case, only such stockholders
as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to
notice of, or to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend
or distribution, or to receive such allotment of rights, or exercise such
rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the books
of the company after any record date fixed as aforesaid.
ARTICLE VII
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Company shall end on the 31st day of December.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
these bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board
of Directors at any regular or special meeting duly convened after the notice of
that purpose, subject always to the power of stockholders under law and in
accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to change such
action.
ARTICLE IX
Limitation on Directors' Personal Liability;
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
SECTION 1. A director of the Company shall not be personally liable for
monetary damages for any action taken or failure to take any action unless the
director has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office under
Section 8363 of the Pennsylvania Directors' Liability Act and such breach or
failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness;
provided, however, that the foregoing provision shall not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director (i) for any responsibility or liability of such director
pursuant to any criminal statute, or (ii) for any liability of a director for
the payment of taxes pursuant to local, state or federal law.
SECTION 2. The Company shall indemnify to the full extent authorized or
permitted by law any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to or
otherwise involved in (as a witness or otherwise) an action, suit or proceeding
(whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether by or in
the right of the Company or otherwise) by reason of the fact that the person is
or was a director or officer of the Company or while a director or officer of
the Company, either serves or served as a director, officer, trustee, employee
or agent of any
<PAGE>
other related enterprise or in connection with a related employee benefit plan
at the request of the Company or serves or served as a director, officer,
trustee, employee or agent of any other unrelated enterprise at the specific
written request of the Company against any expenses and liability actually
incurred including without limitation judgments and amounts paid or to be paid
in settlement of and in actions brought by or in the right of the Company.
Expenses incurred by such a person in defending a civil or criminal action, suit
or proceeding or in enforcing any right under this Article shall be paid by the
Company in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such
amount to the extent it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not
entitled to be indemnified by the Company or, in the case of a criminal action,
the majority of the Board of Directors so determines. The right to
indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred in this Section shall not
be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person indemnified may be
entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or directors or otherwise,
the Company having the express authority to enter such agreements as the Board
of Directors deems appropriate for the indemnification of and advancement of
expenses, including the creation of a fund therefor or equivalent guarantee, to
present or future directors and officers of the Company in connection with their
service as director or officer of the Company or their service as director,
officer, trustee, employee or agent of any other enterprise or in connection
with an employee benefit plan at the request of the Company. The right to
indemnification and the advancement of expenses provided in this Section shall
be a contract right, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in
the capacities described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such person.
SECTION 3. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article IX, nor
the adoption of any provision inconsistent with this Article IX, shall adversely
affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director or officer, or the
rights of a director or officer to indemnification and advancement of expenses,
existing at the time of such amendment, modification or repeal, or the adoption
of such an inconsistent provision.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 10(i)(a)
AGREEMENT CONCERNING
ASBESTOS-RELATED CLAIMS
June 19, 1985
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT CONCERNING ASBESTOS-RELATED CLAIMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. AGREEMENT CONCERNING ASBESTOS-RELATED CLAIMS
I. General Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. Establishment of Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
III. Membership in Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IV. Submission and Withdrawal of Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
V. Cooperation with Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VI. Allocation of Liabilities and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VII. Facility Claims Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
VIII. Coverage Disputes and Waivers of Claims and Defenses . . . . . 5
IX. Coverage Block and Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
X. Liability Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
XI. Allocated Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
XII. Payment of Allocated and Unallocated Expenses Following
Exhaustion of Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
XIII. Start-Up Costs of Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
XIV. Unallocated Expenses of Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
XV. Deductibles and Retrospective Rating Plans . . . . . . . . . . 9
XVI. Application of Insurance Policies Without Deductible
or Retention Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
XVII. Application of Insurance Policies Without Aggregate
Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
XVIII. Policy Periods of Other Than 12 Month Multiples. . . . . . . . 11
XIX. Retrospective and Prospective Application . . . . . . . . . . 11
XX. Insurance Issued by Non-Signatories . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
XXI. Additional Signatories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
XXII. Modification, Term and Choice of Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
XXIII. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
XXIV. Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2. APPENDIX A
A-1 Producer Allocation Formulae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
A-2 Insurer Allocation Formulae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3. APPENDIX B
Conditions, Defenses and Exclusions Reserved by Subscribing
Insurers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4. APPENDIX C
Alternative Dispute Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5. APPENDIX D
Schedules of Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6. APPENDIX E
Insurance Defense Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
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<PAGE>
AGREEMENT CONCERNING ASBESTOS-RELATED CLAIMS
This Agreement to provide for the administration, defense, payment and
disposition of asbestos-related claims (hereinbelow referred to as the
"Agreement") is made between and among the Subscribing Producers, as defined
hereinbelow, and the Subscribing Insurers, as defined hereinbelow.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers have considered the
nature of asbestos-related claims, their number and widespread distribution
throughout the United States, the various rules of law governing their
resolution, the scope and complexity of the insurance arrangements related
thereto, and the burden that such claims have placed on the American civil
justice system; and
WHEREAS, Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers recognize the
existence of numerous insurance coverage disputes between and among Insurers and
Producers, differing court decisions, and the existence of cross-actions among
Producers and among Insurers; and
WHEREAS, Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers desire to simplify
the procedures for handling claims, reduce the costs of such procedures, apply
insurance arrangements in a consistent manner and take other steps reasonable
and practical to ensure the expenditure of funds for the reasonable payment of
meritorious claims at reasonable processing costs; and
WHEREAS, Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers desire to resolve
and discontinue the various disputes concerning insurance coverage for asbestos-
related claims and to embark upon a method for resolution of asbestos-related
claims and the insurance arrangements pertaining thereto;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained
and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Subscribing Producers and
Subscribing Insurers hereby agree as follows:
I. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Any Producer or Insurer may become a signatory to the Agreement on or
before June 19, 1985, and in so doing shall agree to be bound by the terms and
conditions of the Agreement and the Appendices hereto, and prior to said date
shall offer participation in the Agreement to each and every of its Producers or
Insurers, as the case may be. If a Producer or Insurer does not become a
signatory hereto on or before June 19, 1985, but subsequently wants to become a
signatory as a result of changed circumstances, participation in the Agreement
by such Producer or Insurer may be in conflict with the fixed commitments and
compromises upon the basis of which other Producers and Insurers will have
entered into the Agreement on or before June 19, 1985. Participation in the
Agreement by additional proposed signatories therefore shall be considered only
in accordance with Section XXI hereinbelow.
2. The Agreement is intended to apply solely to asbestos-related claims,
as defined hereinbelow. It is the product of informed negotiations among the
signatories hereto, involving compromises of previously stated legal positions.
The Agreement does not necessarily reflect the views of
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<PAGE>
Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers as to their rights and
obligations with regard to matters or persons outside of the scope of the
Agreement, and with respect to all such matters or persons, all signatories
reserve all previously held positions and all other rights and privileges.
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<PAGE>
3. The Agreement is intended to confer rights and benefits only upon
Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers, and is not intended to confer
any rights or benefits upon persons not signatories to the Agreement. No person
other than a signatory hereto shall have any legally enforceable rights under
the Agreement. All rights of action for any breach of this Agreement by any
signatory hereto are hereby reserved to Subscribing Producers and Subscribing
Insurers.
4. All actions taken and statements made by persons or their
representatives relating to their participation in the Agreement, including its
development and implementation, shall be without prejudice or value as
precedents, and shall not be taken as a standard by which other matters may be
judged.
5. All persons subscribing to or otherwise associating themselves with
the Agreement request all Courts to take notice of its underlying purpose, and
to accord all persons subscribing to or otherwise associating themselves with
the Agreement and their representatives full privilege and protection with
respect to the disclosure of their actions, statements, documents, papers and
other materials relating to the Agreement, including its development and
implementation.
II. ESTABLISHMENT OF FACILITY
1. Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers shall establish a non-
profit organization to be known as the Asbestos Claims Facility (hereinafter
referred to as the "Facility"). The Facility shall administer and arrange for
the evaluation, settlement, payment or defense of all asbestos-related claims
against Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers in accordance with the
provisions of the Agreement and Appendix A hereto, and pursuant to the
provisions of law and professional standards applicable to Subscribing Insurers.
2. The Facility shall be governed by a Board of Directors whose members
shall number at least 12 and whose members shall contain an equal number of
representatives of Subscribing Producer members and of Subscribing Insurer
members. The Board of Directors shall have power to increase the number of
directors and to add public directors, to appoint such officers, employees and
committees of persons as the Board sees fit, to define their authorities and
responsibilities and to set the conditions of their appointments. The Board of
Directors shall have no power to modify any provisions of the Agreement or of
the Appendices hereto.
3. The Facility shall not sell, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property or assets and
shall not dissolve or wind up its affairs except upon the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of Subscribing Producer members with two-thirds interest or two-
thirds of Subscribing Insurer members with two-thirds interest.
III. MEMBERSHIP IN FACILITY
1. Subject to the provisions of Section XXI hereinbelow, each Producer
and each Insurer shall become a member of the Facility upon becoming a signatory
to the Agreement and shall invite each of its Producers or
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<PAGE>
Insurers, as the case may be, to become a signatory to the Agreement and thereby
to become a member of the Facility.
2. Voting rights of members and voting procedures shall be determined
respectively by Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers.
3. Neither the Board of Directors nor any other persons shall have any
authority to terminate the membership of a member without the consent of such
member; provided, that membership in the Facility shall terminate at such time
as a member no longer has an obligation to make payments or to pay expenses
pursuant to the Agreement and the Appendices hereto. A member may terminate its
membership in the Facility at any time upon written notice to the Facility, but,
except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, termination of membership shall
not modify the rights and obligations of a Subscribing Producer, Subscribing
Insurer or the Facility under the Agreement and the Appendices hereto.
IV. SUBMISSION AND WITHDRAWAL OF CLAIMS
1. By becoming a signatory to the Agreement, each Subscribing Producer
and each Subscribing Insurer designates the Facility as its sole agent to
administer and arrange on its behalf for the evaluation, settlement, payment or
defense of all asbestos-related claims against such Subscribing Producer or
Subscribing Insurer. As sole agent, the Facility shall have exclusive authority
and discretion to administer, evaluate, settle, pay or defend all asbestos-
related claims. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 2 hereinbelow, the
Facility shall serve perpetually as the sole agent of each Subscribing Producer
and each Subscribing Insurer with respect to all asbestos-related claims.
2. Any Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer may withdraw the
designation of the Facility as its sole agent made pursuant to Paragraph 2
hereinabove, and may terminate the Facility's right and authority to act on
behalf of such Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer by providing written
notice to the Facility 60 days prior to the effective date of such withdrawal;
provided, that such withdrawal shall apply only to asbestos-related claims filed
or made against the withdrawing Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer
subsequent to the effective date of withdrawal. The Facility shall continue to
serve as sole agent for such Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer with
respect to all asbestos-related claims filed on or before the effective date of
withdrawal.
V. COOPERATION WITH FACILITY
Each Subscribing Producer and each Subscribing Insurer shall comply with
the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the Appendices hereto, and shall
cooperate with and assist the Facility in furtherance of such terms and
conditions. Each Subscribing Producer and each Subscribing Insurer shall respond
fully and in a timely manner to reasonable requests by the Facility for
information and shall assist in the securing and giving of evidence concerning
asbestos-related claims. To the extent practicable, the Facility shall maintain
the confidentiality of confidential or proprietary information submitted by
Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers.
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<PAGE>
VI. ALLOCATION OF LIABILITIES AND EXPENSES
1. Liability payments and allocated expenses shall be allocated to each
Subscribing Producer on the date such Producer becomes a signatory to the
Agreement. Such allocation shall establish the responsibility of each
Subscribing Producer for a percentage of liability payments and a percentage of
allocated expenses attributable to each claim handled by the Facility as sole
agent for such Subscribing Producer under Section IV hereinabove. Each
Subscribing Producer's percentages of liability payments and allocated expenses
shall be established as provided in Appendix A-1 hereto, and shall be subject to
modification only in the manner and to the extent set forth therein. To the
extent that a Subscribing Producer's percentages of liability payments and
allocated expenses attributable to a particular asbestos-related claim are not
payable by one or more Subscribing Insurers pursuant to the Agreement and the
Appendices hereto, such Subscribing Producer shall pay the percentages of
liability payments and allocated expenses in question.
2. Each Subscribing Insurer shall acquiesce in and abide by the
allocation of percentages of liability payments and allocated expenses to each
Subscribing Producer, as described in Paragraph 1 hereinabove, and shall
consider, recognize and hold each Subscribing Producer's shares of liability
payments and allocated expenses attributable to each asbestos-related claim to
be necessary, reasonable and proper and each Subscribing Producer to be properly
bound and obligated to pay such sums. Each Subscribing Insurer shall pay a share
of unallocated expenses and start-up costs as provided in Appendix A-2 hereto,
which shall be subject to modification only in the manner and to the extent set
forth therein.
VII. FACILITY CLAIMS HANDLING
1. Except as otherwise provided in Section IV hereinabove, the Facility
shall administer, evaluate, settle, pay or defend all asbestos-related claims
against Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers, either within the
Facility's procedures or through standard judicial means. The Facility shall
handle each asbestos-related claim on behalf of all Subscribing Producers and
Subscribing Insurers, and shall not settle an asbestos-related claim on behalf
of fewer than all Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers. The Facility
shall settle each asbestos-related claim so as to extinguish claims for all
damages, including punitive damages, and, in the settlement of asbestos-related
claims, the Facility shall not pay punitive damages to claimants.
2. The Facility shall hire competent and experienced legal counsel to
defend asbestos-related claims and shall retain such counsel as are necessary
and appropriate to defend the interests of Subscribing Producers. The Facility
may use its employees and independent persons to provide professional medical
and other assistance and advice.
3. Actions against nonsubscribing persons may be undertaken by the
Facility on behalf of Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers, but the
Agreement shall neither require nor preclude such actions.
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<PAGE>
4. The Facility shall require valid evidence to support each claim
against Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers, and shall require
credible medical evidence in each case prior to making payment to a claimant.
Facility personnel shall be responsible for obtaining such evidence from each
claimant and verifying it.
5. A claimant shall be paid solely for asbestos-related physical
impairment and dysfunction. If such claimant subsequently develops an asbestos-
related malignancy, the claimant may submit a subsequent claim. In addition, the
Facility may provide certain claimants whose claims have not matured with an
opportunity to resubmit a claim to the Facility should additional medical
evidence become available. The Facility may enter into agreements to suspend the
running of statutes of limitations with respect to claims timely presented and
shall adopt uniform, streamlined, expeditious procedures, including voluntary
nonjudicial means of resolving disputed claims.
6. Each asbestos-related claim shall be evaluated on its individual
merits, but this shall not preclude two or more asbestos-related claims from
being settled simultaneously.
7. The Facility shall not make payments pursuant to a pre-determined
schedule of benefits, but detailed claims guidelines shall be used to evaluate
and settle asbestos-related claims. The Facility shall make payments and settle
claims only on behalf of Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers and
shall be entitled to credit for settlements made and judgments paid by
Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers prior to subscription in the
Facility.
8. The Facility shall operate according to annual liability, defense and
operational programs to be established by the Board of Directors. The Facility
shall be subject to annual financial and quality control audits by persons
selected by the Board of Directors and consisting of an equal number of
representatives of Subscribing Producers and of Subscribing Insurers.
VIII. COVERAGE DISPUTES AND WAIVERS OF CLAIMS AND DEFENSES
1. Each Subscribing Producer and each Subscribing Insurer shall forgo
all claims for declaratory relief or damages, as to other Subscribing Producers
and Subscribing Insurers, relating to the application of insurance to the
investigation, settlement, defense or indemnification of asbestos-related claims
within the scope of the Agreement. Upon becoming a signatory to the Agreement,
all such claims shall be withdrawn and dismissed from pending actions, as to
Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers, with prejudice and without
delay.
2. Each Subscribing Producer and each Subscribing Insurer shall forgo
all claims for contribution or indemnity (other than for contribution or
indemnity assumed under written agreement) against other Subscribing Producers
and Subscribing Insurers with respect to all asbestos-related claims except
those claims with respect to which a Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer
has withdrawn pursuant to Section IV hereinabove.
3. Each Subscribing Producer and each Subscribing Insurer shall waive
claims for bad faith or punitive damages, as to other Subscribing Producers
- 8 -
<PAGE>
and Subscribing Insurers, with respect to all matters within the scope of the
Agreement; provided, that this waiver shall not apply to claims, including
punitive damages, for breach of or bad faith with respect to the Agreement.
4. This Section VIII shall not preclude a Subscribing Producer or
Subscribing Insurer from seeking reimbursement under other provisions of the
Agreement. In addition, there are a limited number of issues with respect to
which the possibility of litigation is specifically provided for herein, but,
except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 3 hereinabove, all claims for bad
faith or punitive damages, as to other Subscribing Producers and Subscribing
Insurers, shall be waived in such litigation.
5. Except as otherwise provided in Appendix B hereto, each Subscribing
Insurer shall waive and permanently abandon and shall not assert or apply any
conditions or defenses based upon, or exclusionary provisions contained in,
insurance policies, which defenses or provisions have the effect of reducing or
denying insurance coverage available under any of the insurance policies issued
by Subscribing Insurers to Subscribing Producers. This waiver includes clauses
in multiple insurance policies issued by the same insurer that seek to shift the
entire loss arising out of one occurrence to one of the insurance policies or to
reduce the amounts payable under one insurance policy with respect to the entire
loss by amounts paid under any one of the other insurance policies.
6. Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers shall resolve through
alternative dispute resolution, in the manner set forth in Appendix C hereto,
any disputed issues within the scope of the Agreement and the Appendices hereto.
IX. COVERAGE BLOCK AND FUNDING
1. The "coverage block," with respect to each Subscribing Producer,
consists of all insurance policies issued to such Subscribing Producer by its
Subscribing Insurers to become effective prior to the date (within the period
January 1, 1973 through December 31, 1979) selected by the Producer and set
forth in its Schedules of Insurance and, except as set forth hereinbelow, shall
not include any periods subsequent to said date; provided, that the coverage
block shall not begin prior to the date of said Producer's first involvement
with asbestos or asbestos-containing products. Insurance policies written to
become effective prior to June 19, 1985, and subsequent to the ending date of a
Subscribing Producer's initial coverage block may be added consecutively (by
year with respect to annual limits) to such coverage block by payment, as due,
of any applicable deductibles, retrospective rating premiums or self-insured
retentions in accordance with the provisions of Sections XV and XVI hereinbelow
and subject to appropriate credit for amounts previously paid by the Producer on
account of such deductibles, retrospective rating premiums or self-insured
retentions. Such insurance policies, when added, become part of the Producer's
coverage block. Uninsured periods likewise may be consecutively added, and must
be added if they fall between consecutively added insured periods; provided,
that if a Producer adds a period for which it did not purchase insurance
subsequent to the initial coverage block, such Producer shall make liability
payments and pay allocated expenses for that period.
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<PAGE>
2. The "exposure period," with respect to each asbestos-related claim
for a particular injury, is the period from a person's first exposure to any
asbestos or asbestos-containing products until first diagnosis of such injury or
death resulting from such injury, whichever occurs first.
3. Any insurance policies covering a part of the exposure period for a
particular claim may be used to make liability payments and to pay allocated
expenses for such claim in accordance with the provisions of this Section IX, in
the manner set forth in Sections X and XI hereinbelow.
4. An insurance policy of an insolvent Subscribing Insurer shall be
treated as would any uninsured period in the initial coverage block; provided,
that with respect to an insolvent London Company (exclusive of Lloyds syndicate
members) that has underwritten a share within a particular insurance policy, the
Subscribing Producer in question shall pay such insolvent Company's share of
payments required under the insurance policy pursuant to the Agreement.
5. Insurance policies that expressly provide coverage on a specific
manifestation or claims-made basis or first discovery trigger shall be included
within the coverage block in a manner consistent with their terms.
6. Neither the insurance policies comprising a Subscribing Producer's
coverage block nor any other insurance policies set forth in the Producer's
Schedules of Insurance are dedicated solely to asbestos-related claims, and they
may be used for the administration, handling or disposition of any other claims
covered thereunder and, subject to the terms and conditions of the insurance
policy in question, payments shall apply toward the exhaustion of any applicable
insurance policy limits.
7. With respect to each Subscribing Producer, all liability payments
and allocated expenses arising out of the products hazard or completed
operations hazard, as defined in the insurance policy in question, shall be
covered exclusively by products coverage (subject to applicable aggregate limits
if any), notwithstanding the presence of allegations such as, but not limited
to, strict liability, failure to warn, negligence, breach of warranty, fraud,
misrepresentation, concealment or conspiracy.
X. LIABILITY PAYMENTS
With respect to a particular asbestos-related claim, liability payments
attributable to such claim for each Subscribing Producer shall be made as
provided hereinbelow:
1. Subject to the provisions of Section XX hereinbelow, each
primary insurance policy in the coverage block that covers any part of the
exposure period shall make liability payments; and each excess insurance
policy in the coverage block that covers any part of the exposure period
not then covered by underlying primary or excess insurance in the coverage
block also shall make liability payments; provided, that no insurance
policy shall make liability payments after its limits of liability have
been exhausted. Except as otherwise provided herein, whenever a Subscribing
Producer has no insurance for a particular period within the coverage
block, liability payments
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<PAGE>
otherwise allocable to that period shall be allocated pursuant to Paragraph
2 hereinbelow to the periods within the coverage block for which the
Subscribing Producer has insurance and to periods added to the coverage
block for which the Subscribing Producer did not purchase insurance.
2. The amount of liability payments to be made by each insurance
policy described in Paragraph 1 hereinabove shall bear the same relation to
the aggregate liability payments incurred as the part of the exposure
period then covered by such insurance policy bears to the total parts of
the exposure period then covered by insurance policies in the coverage
block and by periods added to the coverage block for which the Subscribing
Producer did not purchase insurance; provided, that a Subscribing Producer
shall make liability payments only if no part of the exposure period is
then covered by insurance policies in the coverage block, except as
otherwise provided herein.
XI. ALLOCATED EXPENSES
With respect to a particular asbestos-related claim, allocated expenses
attributable to such claim for each Subscribing Producer shall be paid as
provided hereinbelow:
1. Subject to the provisions of Section XX hereinbelow, unless it
expressly provides otherwise, each primary insurance policy in the coverage
block that covers any part of the exposure period shall pay allocated
expenses; and, unless it expressly provides otherwise, each excess
insurance policy in the coverage block that covers any part of the exposure
period not then covered by underlying primary or excess insurance in the
coverage block also shall pay allocated expenses; provided, that such
excess insurance policy shall only pay allocated expenses where: A) payment
of allocated expenses would not apply against the aggregate limits of such
excess insurance policy; or B) no primary insurance policies in the
coverage block cover a part of the exposure period; or C) remaining primary
insurance policies cover 10 percent or less of the period comprising the
coverage block initially selected by the Subscribing Producer; or D) the
initial coverage block is less than ten years and only one primary policy
year remains within the coverage block. Except as otherwise provided
herein, whenever a Subscribing Producer has no insurance paying allocated
expenses for a particular period within the coverage block, allocated
expenses otherwise allocable to that period shall be allocated to the
periods within the coverage block for which the Subscribing Producer has
insurance paying allocated expenses and to periods added to the coverage
block for which the Subscribing Producer did not purchase insurance.
2. The amount of allocated expenses to be paid by each insurance
policy paying allocated expenses pursuant to Paragraph 1 hereinabove shall
bear the same relation to the aggregate allocated expenses incurred as the
part of the exposure period then covered by such insurance policy bears to
the total parts of the exposure period then covered by insurance policies
in the coverage block paying allocated expenses and by periods added to the
coverage block for which the Subscribing Producer did not purchase
insurance; provided, that a Subscribing Producer shall pay allocated
expenses only if no part of the
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<PAGE>
exposure period is covered by insurance policies in the coverage block
paying allocated expenses, except as otherwise provided herein.
3. The payment of allocated expenses shall not apply against the
aggregate limits of primary insurance policies unless the insurance
policies in question expressly provide otherwise. The payment of allocated
expenses shall apply against the aggregate limits of excess insurance
policies unless the insurance policies in question expressly provide
otherwise; provided, that with respect to excess insurance policies that
expressly follow the provisions of underlying insurance policies for the
payment of allocated expenses, such underlying language shall apply except
where it is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the excess
insurance policy.
XII. PAYMENT OF ALLOCATED AND UNALLOCATED EXPENSES
FOLLOWING EXHAUSTION OF LIMITS
1. Each Subscribing Insurer, with respect both to policies of insurance
that expressly provide that the duty to defend ceases upon exhaustion of
aggregate limits (generally, post-1966 standard form insurance policies) and to
pre-1966 standard form insurance policies, shall pay allocated and unallocated
expenses until its limits of liability are exhausted but not thereafter.
2. As to Subscribing Producers whose asbestos-related claims are being
administered by the Facility, Subscribing Insurers that have issued pre-1966
standard form insurance policies shall establish, administer and fund an
Insurance Defense Program, as set forth in Appendix E hereto, to cover the
allocated and unallocated expenses of all claims that under the Agreement would
have triggered a pre-1966 standard form insurance policy. The Insurance Defense
Program, on behalf of Subscribing Insurers that have issued pre-1966 standard
form insurance policies, shall respond, as would any insurance policy paying
allocated expenses under the Agreement, to pay allocated and unallocated
expenses for any claim triggering a pre-1966 standard form insurance policy year
where: A) there is no obligation in such policy year to pay allocated expenses
for such claim; and B) no other insurance policies are paying allocated expenses
for such claim or the payment of allocated expenses by any of the insurance
policies paying allocated expenses for such claim applies against aggregate
limits pursuant to Section XI hereinabove or the Subscribing Producer is paying
allocated expenses for such claim. The Insurance Defense Program shall not be
taken into account in determining whether an excess insurance policy pays
allocated expenses pursuant to Paragraph 1 of Section XI hereinabove.
XIII. START-UP COSTS OF FACILITY
1. All start-up costs shall be paid by Subscribing Primary Insurers in
accordance with Appendix A-2 hereto.
2. Charter subscribers may mitigate the start-up expense burden through
entrance fees that shall be charged to new subscribers in accordance with
Appendix A-2 hereto; provided, that new subscribers do not include Subscribing
Producers, except in the case of a new Producer with no Subscribing Insurers.
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XIV. UNALLOCATED EXPENSES OF FACILITY
1. All unallocated expenses of the Facility shall be paid by Subscribing
Primary Insurers and Subscribing Excess Insurers as they are called upon to make
payments within the terms of the Agreement, as described more fully in Appendix
A-2 hereto.
2. A Subscribing Insurer shall be relieved of the obligation to pay
unallocated expenses upon the exhaustion of all of its obligations to make
liability payments and to pay allocated expenses.
3. A Subscribing Producer shall be obligated to pay a share of Facility
unallocated expenses only after all applicable insurance within the coverage
block is exhausted.
XV. DEDUCTIBLES AND RETROSPECTIVE RATING PLANS
1. When a Subscribing Producer includes within its coverage block a
particular period of insurance subject to a deductible, self-insured retention
or retrospective rating plan under which payment would be due from such
Subscribing Producer, that Subscribing Producer shall pay the deductible,
self-insured retention or retrospective rating premium as due, except as
otherwise provided herein.
2. A "date" shall be mutually agreed upon by each Subscribing Producer
and its Subscribing Insurers for purposes of this Section XV and Sections XVI
and XVII hereinbelow. The agreed-upon date may be the same as or different from
the date unilaterally selected by the Subscribing Producer for the purpose of
defining its coverage block pursuant to Section IX hereinabove. All insurance
policies issued to a Subscribing Producer prior to the mutually agreed-upon date
are "predate" insurance policies. All insurance policies issued to a Subscribing
Producer subsequent to the mutually agreed-upon date are "post-date" insurance
policies.
3. All deductibles and retentions, whether in pre-date or post-date
insurance policies, shall be applied in a pro-rata manner in the same proportion
as the policy year is called upon to make liability payments.
4. Once retrospective rating plans have been closed, whether prior to
or following the date a person becomes a signatory to this Agreement, they shall
not require any additional payments by a Subscribing Producer.
5. Unless otherwise explicitly provided in the insurance policy in
question, payment by a Subscribing Producer of a deductible shall not reduce the
aggregate limits of such insurance policy.
6. With respect to a primary insurance policy containing a clause or
endorsement providing substantially that payments made which include a
deductible amount shall not increase the Insurer's liability with respect to
each occurrence and aggregate, once the Subscribing Producer or the Subscribing
Primary Insurer has paid an amount equal to the aggregate limits, the
Subscribing Producer shall pay no more on account of such deductible and
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the Subscribing Primary. Insurer and Subscribing Excess Insurer shall resolve
between themselves the responsibility for payments for such year.
XVI. APPLICATION OF INSURANCE POLICIES WITHOUT DEDUCTIBLE
OR RETENTION LIMITS
A. PRE-DATE INSURANCE POLICIES
1. Where deductibles and retentions are not limited explicitly by the
insurance policy language, the following schedule of multipliers shall apply to
limit per policy year such deductibles and retentions:
Policy
Year
Face Amount of Cumulative
Deductible or Retention Multiplier Maximum
----------------------- ---------- -------
Up to $5,000 ........................... 10 $ 50,000
Next $20,000 ........................... 7.5 $200,000
2. With respect to per claim deductibles in excess of $25,000, the
maximum to be paid for each policy year by a Subscribing Producer is the
aggregate limit of the deductible-containing insurance policy. With respect to
per occurrence deductibles in excess of $25,000, the affected parties shall
resolve disagreements by negotiation, followed by non-binding alternative
dispute resolution, followed, if necessary, by litigation. Any such resolution
shall apply, in all respects, to the affected parties notwithstanding any other
provisions of the Agreement.
3. Where an insurance policy containing a deductible explicitly provides
that payment of deductibles reduces aggregate limits, then payment of
deductibles shall apply against aggregate limits, following the exhaustion of
which, excess insurance policies shall become available. In all other cases
involving deductibles, payment of deductibles shall not apply against aggregate
limits, and excess insurance shall become available after the underlying
insurance policy has paid its remaining limits.
B. POST-DATE INSURANCE POLICIES
1. Deductibles and retentions shall apply as written. Affected parties
shall resolve any disagreements by negotiation, followed by non-binding
alternative dispute resolution, followed, if necessary, by litigation. Any such
resolution shall apply, in all respects, to the affected parties notwithstanding
any other provisions of the Agreement.
2. With respect to deductibles or retentions in an insurance policy
underlying an excess insurance policy that contains standard excess ultimate net
loss and/or loss payable clauses, such excess insurance policy shall respond
when liability payments equivalent to the amount of the aggregate limits of the
underlying insurance policy in question have been made by the Subscribing
Producer or the Subscribing Insurer or both, unless:
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(A) There is evidence that the Subscribing Excess Insurer was aware
of the uncapped deductible or retention when writing its insurance
policy, such evidence to be in: (1) the schedule of insurance in the
excess insurance policy; (2) the underwriting file of the Subscribing
Excess Insurer; (3) the underwriter's placing slip; or (4) the
underwriting file of the London broker (not any American broker); and
(B) Such evidence is provided to the Producer by the Excess Insurer
within 60 days of March 29, 1985, or of the date that the excess
insurance policy in question is listed in the Producer's Schedules of
Insurance provided to such Excess Insurer, whichever occurs later.
XVII. APPLICATION OF INSURANCE POLICIES WITHOUT AGGREGATE LIMITS
A. PRE-DATE INSURANCE POLICIES
1. With respect to (A) primary products liability coverage written
without aggregate limits either inadvertently or before the aggregate concept
was developed, (B) primary non-products liability coverage written without
aggregate limits at any time, and (C) in the coverage for any particular year
the first excess occurrence policy without aggregate limits written directly
above an insurance policy with aggregate limits, the following schedule of
multipliers shall apply per policy year to provide aggregate limits for such
policies:
Policy
Year
Face Amount of Per Cumulative
Occurrence/Accident Limits Multiplier Maximum
Up to $100,000.......................... 10 $1,000,000
Next $200,000........................... 5 $2,000,000
Next $200,000........................... 3 $2,600,000
Next $500,000........................... 1.5 $3,350,000
Above $1,000,000........................ 1 N/A
In addition, upon exhaustion of all applicable insurance policies for the year
in question, the no-aggregate primary insurance policy shall respond with
coverage equal to ten times the per occurrence/accident limits up to the first
$1 million of the per occurrence/accident limits, minus amounts previously
applied to the maximum limit of such insurance policy.
2. All other primary products liability coverage written without aggregate
limits shall apply as written. In the event of a dispute, affected parties shall
engage in negotiation, followed by non-binding alternative dispute resolution,
followed, if necessary, by litigation. Any such resolution shall apply, in all
respects, to the affected parties notwithstanding any other provisions of the
Agreement.
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<PAGE>
3. All other excess occurrence policies without aggregate limits shall
apply to the extent of one per occurrence/accident limit.
B. POST-DATE INSURANCE POLICIES
Post-date insurance policies without aggregate limits shall apply as
written. In the event of a dispute, affected parties shall engage in
negotiation, followed by non-binding alternative dispute resolution, followed,
if necessary, by litigation. Any such resolution shall apply, in all respects,
to the affected parties notwithstanding any other provisions of the Agreement.
XVIII. POLICY PERIODS OF OTHER THAN 12 MONTH MULTIPLES
1. Unless it expressly provides otherwise, an insurance policy of less
than 12 months shall carry full aggregate limits for the term of such policy.
2. Absent agreement among the affected parties, unless the insurance
policy or other documentary evidence explicitly provides that another result was
intended:
(A) Where an insurance policy was extended prior to the expiration date
for a period other than a multiple of 12 months: (1) if the extension was
at the request of the Subscribing Producer, the period of less than 12
months shall carry pro-rata limits; and (2) if the extension was at the
request of the Subscribing Insurer, the period of less than 12 months
shall carry full aggregate limits;
(B) Where an insurance policy was initially written for more than one
year but not for a multiple of 12 months, then the period of less than 12
months also shall carry full aggregate limits; and
(C) Where an insurance policy was canceled prior to the expiration date
by either the Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer, then the period
of less than 12 months shall carry full aggregate limits, except where a
Subscribing Excess Insurer canceled its insurance policy specifically to
make its insurance policies concurrent with underlying insurance policies
and the Subscribing Producer agreed, in which case the period of less than
12 months shall carry pro rata limits.
3. Deductibles and retentions in insurance policies described in this
Section XVIII shall apply in a manner consistent with the application of limits
hereunder.
XIX. RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION
1. Except as otherwise provided in Section XXI hereinbelow, any and all
provisions of the Agreement shall apply, as between a Subscribing Producer and
Subscribing Insurer, to all liability payments and expenses incurred subsequent
to the date on which both the Subscribing Producer and Subscribing Insurer
became signatories to the Agreement, and with respect thereto and to the extent
inconsistent herewith, shall nullify, repudiate, replace and supplant, as
between such Subscribing Producer and Subscribing Insurer, any prior agreements
or judicial determinations whether or not final; provided,
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that this Paragraph shall not apply to the extent that a Subscribing Insurer, by
written agreement executed prior to March 29, 1985, extinguished or exhausted an
insurance coverage obligation by payment of monies to a Subscribing Producer or
affiliated company. With respect to such extinguishment of an insurance coverage
obligation, the Subscribing Producer in question shall make liability payments
and pay expenses (including payments due under Appendix E) as would the
Subscribing Insurer in question under the Agreement in the absence of such
extinguishment, and the Subscribing Producer shall make such payments and pay
such expenses until the Subscribing Producer has paid hereunder an amount equal
to the monies received from such Subscribing Insurer with respect to such
extinguishment., plus investment income, if any, on such monies, and less any
payments made and expenses paid directly by such Subscribing Producer for
asbestos-related claims.
2. Subject to the provisions of this Section XIX, and except as otherwise
provided hereinbelow in this Paragraph 2, each Subscribing Producer and each
Subscribing Insurer shall be reimbursed for liability payments and allocated and
unallocated expenses, including deductibles, retrospective premiums and loss
conversion factors, incurred prior to the date on which the Subscribing Producer
or Subscribing Insurer became a signatory to the Agreement, such reimbursement
to be made in accordance with the Agreement and as if the Agreement (but not
Section VI or Appendix A-1) were in effect at the time such payments and
expenses initially were incurred; provided, that payments and expenses incurred
pursuant to an agreement explicitly providing that such payments are final or to
a final settlement agreement or final judicial determination that became
effective prior to the date on which the Subscribing Producer or Subscribing
Insurer became a signatory to the Agreement shall not be subject to
reimbursement or reallocation. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section XX
hereinbelow, neither a Subscribing Producer nor a Subscribing Insurer shall make
reimbursements for amounts that otherwise would have been reimbursed hereunder
by an Insurer not a signatory hereto if said Insurer had become a signatory
hereto.
3. Reimbursement of payments and expenses due hereunder shall be made
within 90 days of the date the Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer
became a signatory to the Agreement. At the option of such Producer or Insurer,
reimbursement of payments and expenses may be made quarterly in not more than
twelve equal consecutive installments from the date payable under the Agreement,
with interest upon any unpaid principal balances compounded daily and payable on
a quarterly basis at the rate of interest announced publicly by Citibank, N.A.,
in New York, New York, from time to time as Citibank, N.A.'s Base Rate.
4. Reimbursement of payments and expenses pursuant to Paragraph 2
hereinabove shall be made by and reallocated among primary and excess insurance
policies in a reasonable manner, and shall not require reallocation on an
individual case basis.
5. With respect to fees and expenses incurred in asbestos insurance
coverage litigation, each Subscribing Producer and each Subscribing Insurer, in
the absence of agreement, may submit claims for such fees and expenses to
alternative dispute resolution.
6. A Subscribing Producer shall not be reimbursed for allocated or
unallocated expenses incurred in fulfilling its duty of assistance and
cooperation under its insurance policies:
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(A) In-house costs claimed by a Subscribing Producer to be in excess of
those incurred in fulfilling its duty of assistance and cooperation under
its insurance policies, in the absence of agreement with its Subscribing
Insurers, may be submitted to alternative dispute resolution; and
(B) Claims by a Subscribing Producer for fees and expenses incurred for
coordinating counsel, in the absence of agreement with its Subscribing
Insurers, may be submitted to alternative dispute resolution.
XX. INSURANCE ISSUED BY NON-SIGNATORIES
1. Whenever a Subscribing Producer has an insurance policy issued to it
for a particular period within the coverage block by an Insurer that is not a
signatory hereto, such Producer shall use its reasonable best efforts,
including, if necessary, the timely pursuit of litigation, to obtain a final and
reasonable settlement agreement or final judicial determination concerning the
application of such insurance policy to asbestos-related claims. With respect
thereto, each Subscribing Producer and each Subscribing Insurer, to the extent
practicable, shall cooperate with and assist the Subscribing Producer in
question.
2. Whenever, with respect to an insurance policy described in Paragraph 1
hereinabove, the Subscribing Producer, pursuant to a final settlement agreement
or final judicial determination, has received from the Insurer in question
monies to administer, handle or dispose of asbestos-related claims, such
Subscribing Producer shall make payments and pay expenses (including payments
due under Appendix E) as would the Insurer in question with respect to such
Producer if said Insurer had become a signatory hereto, and the Subscribing
Producer shall make such payments and pay such expenses until the Subscribing
Producer has paid an amount equal to the monies received from such Insurer to
administer, handle or dispose of asbestos-related claims plus investment income,
if any, on such monies and less proration of any payments made and unreimbursed
expenses paid directly by such Subscribing Producer for asbestos-related claims
or incurred in obtaining such judicial determination or settlement agreement.
3. Whenever an insurance policy described in Paragraph 1 hereinabove would
have had to make payments or to pay expenses on a particular claim under the
Agreement had the Insurer in question become a signatory hereto, and the
Subscribing Producer has not received monies from such non-signatory Insurer
pursuant to Paragraphs 1 and 2 hereinabove, each insurance policy in the
coverage block covering a part of the exposure period for such claim shall make
payments and pay expenses, subject to applicable limits of liability, on a pro-
rata basis in lieu of the non-signatory insurance policy and to the extent that
such insurance policy would have had to make payments under the Agreement, up to
the applicable limits of such insurance policy; provided, that the directly
overlying excess insurance policy shall make such payments and pay such expenses
in lieu of the non-signatory insurance policy only if no other insurance
policies in the coverage block cover a part of the exposure period for such
claim. Thereafter, upon a final settlement or final judicial determination
described in Paragraphs 1 and 2 hereinabove, each Subscribing Insurer
contributing hereunder shall, at its option, be reimbursed by the Subscribing
Producer; provided, that total reimbursement of all such
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contributing Insurers shall not exceed the monies received by the Producer from
the non-signatory Insurer to administer, handle or dispose of asbestos-related
claims plus investment income, if any, on such monies and less payments made and
expenses paid directly by such Subscribing Producer for asbestos-related claims
or incurred in obtaining such judicial determination or settlement agreement.
4. Whenever, with respect to an insurance policy described in Paragraph 1
hereinabove, the Subscribing Producer in question does not obtain a final
settlement agreement or final judicial determination pursuant to Paragraphs 1
and 2 hereinabove within two years of the date upon which a Subscribing Insurer
first has actually made liability payments and actually paid allocated expenses
on a pro-rata basis in lieu of such non-signatory insurance policy pursuant to
Paragraph 3 hereinabove, interest shall begin to accrue at the conclusion of
such two year period on all liability payments actually made and allocated
expenses actually paid by such Subscribing Insurer in lieu of the non-signatory
insurance policy, and shall continue until the earlier of the date that the
Subscribing Producer obtains such a final settlement agreement or final judicial
determination or the date that the Subscribing Insurer in question would have
exhausted its obligations to make payments or to pay expenses under the
Agreement if the non-signatory Insurer in question had become a signatory
hereto. Such interest shall be payable on a quarterly basis from the date of
first accrual at the rate of interest announced publicly by Citibank, N.A., in
New York, New York, from time to time as Citibank, N.A.'s Base Rate. When the
Subscribing Producer in question obtains a final settlement agreement or final
judicial determination, pursuant to Paragraphs 1 and 2 hereinabove, such
Producer shall be reimbursed by the Subscribing Insurer in question for interest
paid on any amounts that exceed the monies to which the Subscribing Insurer is
entitled under the reimbursement provisions of Paragraph 3 hereinabove.
XXI. ADDITIONAL SIGNATORIES
1. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 2 hereinbelow, a Producer or
Insurer may become a signatory to the Agreement subsequent to June 19, 1985,
only upon application to and approval by the Board of Directors of the Facility.
In determining whether such a Producer or Insurer may become a signatory hereto,
the Board of Directors shall determine whether the best interests of the
Facility and of the other signatories would be served thereby, in order to
assure that the compromises herein and commitments of resources hereunder are
duly respected, that such Producer or Insurer derives no unfair advantage with
respect to the other signatories and that none of the other signatories suffers
any unfair disadvantage by reason of said Producer's or Insurer's failure to
become a signatory to the Agreement on June 19, 1985.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 1 hereinabove, a Producer
or Insurer that has pending on June 19, 1985, a petition for reorganization
under Chapter 11, Title 11, of the United States Code, may become a signatory to
the Agreement on or before December 31, 1986; provided that:
(A) Such Producer or Insurer conditionally subscribed to the Agreement
prior to June 19, 1985;
(B) Such Producer or Insurer covenants and agrees to be bound by all of
the provisions contained herein and in the Appendices hereto,
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including the respective allocations of liabilities, costs and expenses
pursuant to Appendices A-1 and A-2; and
(C) The court of competent jurisdiction in such Chapter 11 proceeding
shall have confirmed, by December 31, 1986, a plan of reorganization
authorizing and directing such Producer or Insurer to become a signatory
to the Agreement or ratifying said action.
3. With respect to any Producer or Insurer that becomes a signatory hereto
pursuant to Paragraph 1 or Paragraph 2 hereinabove, Sections VIII through and
including XIX of the Agreement shall not apply between such Producer and each of
its Subscribing Insurers or between such Insurer and each of its Subscribing
Producers, as the case may be, absent the express written consent of the
Subscribing Insurer or Subscribing Producer in question. In the absence of such
consent, the insurance policies in question shall be treated under Section XX as
if issued by an Insurer that is not a signatory hereto.
4. Each person that subsequent to June 19, 1985, pursues litigation, other
than as provided for under the Agreement, against a Subscribing Producer or
Subscribing Insurer concerning matters within the scope of the Agreement shall,
upon becoming a signatory hereto:
(A) Reimburse each Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer for all
attorneys' fees and costs incurred in such litigation after June 19, 1985,
and prior to the date such Producer or Insurer becomes a signatory hereto;
(B) Forgo any claims for attorneys' fees and costs incurred in such
litigation after June 19, 1985, and prior to the date such Producer or
Insurer becomes a signatory hereto; and,
(C) Reimburse each such Subscribing Producer or Subscribing Insurer for
all damages (including punitive damages) paid by such Subscribing Producer
or Subscribing Insurer as a result of such litigation.
5. The application of the Agreement provided for herein is reasonable and
necessary to obtain sufficient participation in the Agreement by Producers and
Insurers on or before June 19, 1985, to ensure the continued viability of the
Facility and to further and protect the interests of the signatories hereto.
XXII. MODIFICATION, TERM AND CHOICE OF LAW
1. The Agreement, including Appendices A through E hereto, is the entire
agreement between and among Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers for
the administration, defense, payment and disposition of asbestos-related claims.
All antecedent or contemporaneous extrinsic representations, warranties or
collateral provisions concerning the negotiation and preparation of the
Agreement and the Appendices hereto are intended to be discharged and nullified.
In any dispute involving the Agreement or the Appendices hereto, no signatory
shall introduce evidence of or seek to compel testimony concerning any oral or
written communication made prior to June 19, 1985, with respect to the
negotiation and preparation of the Agreement. Any modifications to the Agreement
and Appendix B hereto may be made only by mutual
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agreement of all Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers and in writing.
Modifications to Appendices A, C, D and E may be made as provided therein.
2. All disputes concerning the validity, interpretation and application of
the Agreement or the Appendices hereto, or any provision thereof, and all
disputes concerning issues within the scope of the Agreement shall be determined
in accordance with applicable common law of the states of the United States.
3. The Agreement shall have perpetual existence, notwithstanding the
failure or invalidation of any particular provision in the Agreement or the
Appendices hereto. Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, neither
termination of the Facility, termination of Facility membership nor withdrawal
pursuant to Section IV hereinabove shall relieve a signatory to the Agreement of
its rights and obligations hereunder, and each such signatory shall continue to
abide and be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the
Appendices hereto.
XXIII. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement and the Appendices hereto, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
1. Allocated Expenses--means all fees and expenses incurred for
services performed outside the Facility that can be directly attributed to
the defense and disposition of a particular asbestos-related claim.
2. Asbestos-Related Claims--means any claims or lawsuits against any
Subscribing Producers, Subscribing Insurers or the Facility, by whomever
brought and in whatever procedural posture such claims or lawsuits may
arise, seeking monetary relief (whether or not such relief is the only
relief sought) for bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, alleged to
have been caused in whole or in part by any asbestos or asbestos-
containing product; provided, that asbestos-related claims shall not
include claims for damage to or destruction of property or statutory
claims for compensation by an employee against an employer.
3. Deductibles--means, with respect to any insurance policy, that part
of liability payments or, if the insurance policy so provides, that part
of allocated expenses to be paid directly by the policyholder or
reimbursed by the policyholder to the Insurer issuing such insurance
policy.
4. Insurers--means persons that are or were engaged in the business of
providing liability insurance to Producers. "Primary Insurers" means
Insurers that have issued primary insurance policies to Producers. "Excess
Insurers" means Insurers that have issued excess insurance policies to
Producers.
5. Liability Payments--means the sums paid in settlement of, or in
satisfaction of a judgment on, any asbestos-related claims, exclusive of
allocated and unallocated expenses for such claims.
6. Persons--means natural persons and organizations of any kind.
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7. Pre-1966 Standard Form Insurance Policy--means an insurance policy
containing substantially the same defense-of-suits-clause as the pre-
10/1/66 National Bureau of Casualty Underwriters editions of the standard
general liability insurance policy.
8. Producers--means persons that are or were engaged in the mining,
manufacturing, production, processing, fabrication, distribution,
installation, sale or use of asbestos or asbestos-containing products or
that may have a liability with respect to asbestos-related claims.
9. Retrospective Rating Plans--means rating plans that establish
premiums based in whole or in part upon the policyholder's actual loss
experience under the insurance policy.
10. Self-Insured Retention--means the amount that is to be paid or
assumed by the policyholder and which amount must be exceeded before
overlying insurance will respond for coverage.
11. Start-Up Costs--means those costs incurred by Insurers to establish
the Facility, including funds used to purchase or lease Facility assets
and to hire Facility personnel.
12. Subscribing Insurers--means Insurers that have become signatories
to the Agreement.
13. Subscribing Producers--means Producers that have become signatories
to the Agreement.
14. Unallocated Expenses--means the overhead, operating and
administrative expenses (other than allocated expenses) incurred in
administering, defending and disposing of asbestos-related claims.
XXIV. SIGNATURE
The Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by
different signatories hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement. Each Subscribing Producer and each
Subscribing Insurer shall send one executed counterpart of the Agreement to a
depository to be established and maintained by the Facility.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the person named below has caused this Agreement to be
signed by its authorized representative on this 19 day of June , 1985.
-- ---- --
Name: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
--------------------------------
By: /s/ Joseph L. Jones
-------------------
Title: President
---------
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Signed, sealed and delivered this 19 day of
--
June , 1985 , in the presence of
- ----- --
/s/ Harry H. Welling
--------------------
Witness to the signature of the above-named
person.
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APPENDIX A-1
PRODUCER ALLOCATION FORMULAE
In accordance with Section VI of the Agreement, the liability payments
(exclusive of punitive damage judgments) and allocated expenses incurred by the
Facility on each asbestos-related claim shall be allocated among all Subscribing
Producers pursuant to the formulae set forth below. Each Subscribing Producer's
percentages determined in accordance with such formulae or Section H below shall
be its "Allocation Percentages." The formulae apply only to Subscribing
Producers who had active claims pending in the tort system as of September 30,
1983. The initial allocation percentages of "new entrants" shall be determined
in accordance with Section H below.
A. LIABILITY PAYMENTS
For open claims as of September 30, 1983, plus new claims reported to
Subscribing Producers or the Facility for the period October 1, 1983, to one
year after the opening date of the Facility, the allocation formula is as
follows:
1. For each major state: Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Washington,
Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi and
Connecticut.
(a) Determine the number of closed claims for each Producer as of
September 30, 1983.
(b) Determine the amount of indemnity dollars, including punitive
damages, if any, paid or owing for each Producer as of September 30,
1983.
(c) Divide each Producer's number of closed claims into its amount
of indemnity paid or owing to arrive at an average cost per claim for
each Producer.
(d) Determine the number of open claims for each Producer as of
September 30, 1983.
(e) Multiply each Producer's number of open claims by each
Producer's average cost per claim. This calculates each Producer's
average cost times open claims.
2. For the remaining states the following procedure will be followed
for each Subscribing Producer.
(a) Add together the number of closed claims in all remaining states
as of September 30, 1983.
(b) Add together the amount of indemnity paid or owing, including
punitive damages, if any, in all remaining states as of September 30,
1983.
(c) Divide each Producer's total number of closed claims into each
Producer's total amount of indemnity paid or owing to
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arrive at each Producer's average cost per claim for states other than
the major ones.
(d) Add together the number of open claims in the remaining states
as of September 30, 1983.
(e) Multiply each Producer's number of open claims by its average
cost per claim. This calculates each Producer's average cost times open
claims for the remaining states.
3. Combining the major states' and remaining states' information:
(a) Add together each Producer's average cost times open claims
(each Producer will have one amount for each major state and one amount
for all remaining states).
(b) To determine each Producer's allocation percentage, divide each
Producer's average cost times open claims by the aggregate of all
Subscribing Producers' average cost times open claims. An adjustment
will be made for each Producer that had 20 or fewer closed claims in a
state. For that Producer, its simple arithmetic nationwide average cost
per claim (total closed claim--all states--divided into the total
amount of indemnity--all states) is used as that state's average cost
per closed claim.
B. CREDIT
An additional adjustment shall be made for all claims settled between
September 30, 1983, and the opening of the Facility. For each Subscribing
Producer, the aggregated payments in this period will be compared to the amount
each Producer would have paid in the Facility.
If a Producer's aggregated payments are equal to what it would have paid
in the Facility, it will receive a full credit for such payments.
If a Producer's aggregated payments are less than what it would have paid
in the Facility, it will receive credit for the full amount paid, and pay an
additional amount, so that its total payments equal what it would have paid in
the Facility.
If a Producer's aggregated payments are greater than what it would have
paid in the Facility, it will receive a credit up to the amount it would have
paid. The excess amount will be considered a "benefit" to all Subscribing
Producers, and will be distributed to each (including the Producer making the
payments) according to its respective allocation percentage.
C. ALLOCATED EXPENSES
Each Subscribing Producer's allocated expense percentage shall be
calculated by dividing its number of open claims as of September 30, 1983, by
the aggregate of all open claims as of September 30, 1983, for all Subscribing
Producers.
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D. PUNITIVE DAMAGES
Punitive damage judgments shall not be distributed among the Subscribing
Producers according to the allocation percentages of this Appendix A-1, but
shall be borne by the Subscribing Producer against which the judgment was
rendered and its Insurers in accordance with the Agreement.
E. NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS
Nothing in the Agreement or this Appendix A-1 shall obligate a non-
defaulting Subscribing Producer to make any payment on behalf of a Subscribing
Producer who is in default in its obligations to make payments to the Facility
under this Agreement or under the By-laws of the Facility, whether by virtue of
insolvency, bankruptcy or otherwise.
F. AUDIT
The data submitted by Producers shall be reviewed for accuracy,
consistency, reasonableness and completeness. A Producer shall no longer be
bound to its allocation percentage if any necessary audit adjustments adversely
affect the Producer's allocation percentage by more than 10 percent. If such a
shift results from the submission of incomplete or inaccurate data on the part
of a Producer, that Producer shall be bound to its adjusted percentage.
G. PROSPECTIVE ADJUSTMENT
1. Irrespective of what information is collected for other purposes,
the following types of information shall be obtained relating to
pending and new claims as they enter the Facility:
(a) Occupation of worker (see 3(a) below).
(b) Duties of the worker.
(c) Employment history (employers, dates, etc.).
(d) Percentage of time involved in removal, repair or maintenance
of asbestos-containing products.
(e) Dates of exposure to asbestos-containing products.
(f) States and/or cities where the claimant worked.
(g) Specific projects on which the claimant worked.
(h) Other as appropriate.
2. The following types of information shall be obtained from
Subscribing Producers:
(a) List of all types of asbestos-containing products.
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(b) Date each Producer ceased placing such asbestos-containing
products in the stream of commerce.
3. Allocation percentages shall be adjusted prospectively one year
after the date of opening of the Facility, and at three-year intervals
thereafter, to reflect changes, if any, from the occupational mix of
claims included in the data base used to compute the then existing
allocation percentage. This adjustment shall be made as follows:
(a) The total number of pending claims as of September 30, 1983,
shall be divided into occupational categories. These categories
shall include plantworker, construction (excluding insulator),
shipyard (all trades involved in ship construction and repair),
insulator and such other comparable categories as are significantly
represented among the pending claims. Each occupational category
shall be stated as a percentage of the whole. These constitute the
"Facility Baseline Percentages."
(b) The calculation described in (a) above shall be performed for
claims pending against each Subscribing Producer to develop its
"Producer Baseline Percentages."
(c) Each Subscribing Producer's "Producer Baseline Percentages"
shall be multiplied times its allocation percentage to determine its
"Occupational Allocation Percentages."
(d) For claims filed after the data cutoff for the preceding
allocation percentage calculation, the calculation described in (a)
above shall be performed to determine changes, if any, in the
"Facility Baseline Percentages." The increase or decrease in the
percentage for each occupational category determined by subtracting
the "Facility Baseline Percentages" from the newly determined
percentages shall be referred to as the "Adjustment Factors."
(e) The percentages determined to be Adjustment Factors will be
applied to the corresponding Occupational Allocation Percentages for
each Producer to determine revised Occupational Allocation
Percentages.
(f) Each Producer's revised Occupational Allocation Percentages
shall be aggregated to determine each Producer's revised allocation
percentage. Any shortfall or overage in the sum of the revised
allocation percentages for all Subscribing Producers shall be
distributed among the Subscribing Producers on the basis of the then
applicable allocation percentages.
(g) In the event a new type of claim appears in significant
numbers for which no Producer Baseline Percentages are appropriate,
the Subscribing Producers shall determine appropriate sharing
percentages for such claims. In the absence of agreement, the matter
shall be decided pursuant to Paragraph 8 below.
(h) The data and percentages computed as a result of one
prospective adjustment shall be used as the bases for the next.
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4. The procedure described above shall be modified as follows to
account for Subscribing Producers who have ceased placing asbestos-
containing products in the stream of commerce:
(a) Determine the dates on which a Subscribing Producer
ceased placing asbestos-containing products in the stream of
commerce.
(b) Determine the percentage of all post-September 30, 1983,
claims in which the claimant's first exposure to asbestos-containing
products occurred subsequent to the date determined in (a) above. In
determining this percentage, alleged post-date exposures resulting
from the removal, repair or maintenance of asbestos-containing
products shall be excluded from those claims with a first exposure
after the date determined in (a).
(c) The percentage determined in (b) above shall be used as a
component in calculating the Adjustment Factor for Producers impacted
by (a) and (b) above, so as to reduce such Producer's allocation
percentage.
5. No Subscribing Producer's allocation percentages shall change
by more than 15 percent of its initial allocation percentages as a result
of any one prospective adjustment, except as may be provided pursuant to
Section H below. Any amount eliminated from the adjustment by application
of this cap shall be distributed among other Subscribing Producers on the
basis of their then applicable allocation percentages.
6. The percentage change in any Subscribing Producer's allocation
percentage, including application of Paragraph 5 above, shall be applied to
its allocation percentage for Allocated Expenses as well as Liability
Payments.
7. All matters pertaining to the prospective adjustment shall be
decided solely by the Subscribing Producers.
8. Any Subscribing Producer that believes that application of any
prospective adjustment to its particular facts is inequitable, that any
determination required by Subparagraphs G.3(a) or 4(a) above is incorrect,
or that the calculation of any prospective adjustment has been performed
inaccurately may take the matter to alternative dispute resolution within
the Facility. Such Producer shall bear the burden of proof. If 51 percent
of the Subscribing Producers with 51 percent of the allocation percentages
(for liability or allocated expenses depending on the issue involved) so
agree, application of the prospective adjustment may be changed without an
alternative dispute resolution proceeding. This shall not preclude any
Subscribing Producer who does not agree from taking the matter to
alternative dispute resolution within the Facility. Such Subscribing
Producer shall bear the burden of proof. No determination through
alternative dispute resolution or by the Subscribing Producers may alter
the 15 percent limitation established in Paragraph 5 above.
H. NEW ENTRANTS
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Those Subscribing Producers whose data were not part of the data base from
which the Producer allocation formulae were derived shall submit such data. In
the event the data that any such Producer submits are substantially the same in
qualitative and quantitative terms as the existing data base, the Producer shall
have its allocation percentages computed pursuant to these formulae. Producers
whose data are not substantially the same in qualitative and quantitative terms
shall be admitted on a mutually-agreeable basis.
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APPENDIX A-2
INSURER ALLOCATION OF START-UP COSTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES
1. Primary Objective
Fairness in allocation method or formula decided upon.
2. Secondary Objective
A. Ease of administration.
B. Attractiveness to prospective members, i.e., sales appeal.
C. Long-term workability.
3. Types of Funding
Funding will be divided into three main areas:
A. Funds (seed money) required to be expended before the final
subscription period is concluded. These funds are reimbursable.
B. Funds provided by a single initial assessment of all Insurer
subscribers to be paid no later than thirty days after the final subscription
date. These funds are to be used for necessary expenses incurred before the
Facility becomes operational.
C. Funds required to ensure the ongoing operation of the Facility,
including the cost of the development of the data processing system and its
continued operation and maintenance, including the repayment of the initial seed
monies furnished by members of the Asbestos Claims Council prior to the final
subscription date.
4. Method of Funding
As regards each area of funding required, a separate method is provided
for:
A. First, as regards funds (seed money) required to be expended before
the final subscription date or at most before a period not to exceed thirty days
thereafter.
(1) It should be noted that members of the Asbestos Claims Council
have already incurred many thousands of dollars of expense, and this
expense is considered to be part of seed money required and will be
included as part of the pre-operation expenditures as being reimbursable.
It is expected that prior to the close of the final subscription period
such expenses will continue to be incurred (e.g., Center for Public
Resources charges, consultant fees and other similar expenses), that these
expenses will continue to be paid by Council members as heretofore and that
these additional expenses will likewise be reimbursable.
B. Second, as regards the single initial assessment for funds to be
used for expenses between the final subscription date and the date when the
Facility becomes operational:
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(1) Immediately after it is determined that the number of
subscriptions is sufficient so that the plan is a viable one, a
nonreimbursable initial assessment fee of $100,000 will be assessed against
each and every non-Lloyds and London Company subscriber. At this same time,
a nonreimbursable initial assessment fee in the amount of $250,000 will be
assessed as a total sum against all those subscribers represented by Lloyds
and London Companies. All the monies collected by reason of these initial
assessment fees are intended to cover expenses incurred between the end of
the subscription period and the establishment of an ongoing line of credit
to be established as soon as possible after the incorporation of the entity
is finalized.
(2) If there should be any monies remaining in this fund when the
Facility operations begin, those monies will pass into the general
operating fund designed to cover the expenses of the operation.
(3) Any Insurer that subscribes to the Facility after the close of
the initial subscription period will pay an initiation assessment of two
times the initial assessment fee of charter subscribers, and that money
will pass into the appropriate operating fund.
C. As regards funds to ensure the ongoing operation of the Facility, the
cost of development, continued operation and maintenance of the data processing
system and the repayment of the initial seed money to members of the Asbestos
Claims Council:
(1) A surcharge which will be established by the Comptroller will
be made against each Insurer (or Producer if its claims are handled by the
Facility after the exhaustion of available coverage) for each of its claims
as same is disposed of predicated upon (a) a percentage of indemnity paid
and (b) a percentage of the allocated expenses paid. In no way or manner
will the amounts of this surcharge in any way reduce or in any other manner
impact the amount of indemnity coverage available to any insured.
(2) For the purposes of this surcharge, a claim will be considered
to be a separate matter for each Insurer (Producer) for whom either an
indemnity payment is made or an allocated expense is incurred or where both
an indemnity payment is made and an allocated expense incurred for the same
matter. For these purposes, the definition of indemnity payment and
allocated expense is the common one used for insurance accounting purposes.
(3) The percentage of the surcharges may be different for indemnity
and for allocated expense. By assessing a surcharge against indemnity, the
problem which arises by reasons of Insurers (or Producers) making only
indemnity payments at any one time is addressed. By assessing surcharges
against allocated expense, the problem which arises by reason of the
Facility successfully defending claims so that no indemnity need be paid is
addressed in that these users also contribute. The underlying rationale is
to assure that all users contribute to the cost of operating the Facility
to the extent that the usage can be properly measured.
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(4) The amount of the surcharge will be determined after studies
are concluded as to the estimation of annual likely indemnity and allocated
payments.
(5) As soon as possible after the Facility becomes a corporate
entity, an initial line of credit will be obtained to ensure that
sufficient funds are available for all preliminary and initial stages of
the operation.
(6) During the initial months of operation, the Comptroller will
draw down from the line of credit that amount of money which is required as
a difference between operating expenses and surcharges received to meet the
obligations incurred by reason of organization and operating expenses.
(7) As the Facility operations mature, there will come a time when
the monthly surcharges collected will exceed the total monthly operating
expenses. Those excess funds will now be applied first toward reinstating
the full amount of the line of credit and thereafter toward reimbursing in
equal shares those carriers who advanced seed money during the
presubscription period and the time between the end of the subscription
period and the collection of the assessment fees referred to in Paragraph
4-B(1).
(8) At the time the line of credit becomes fully reimbursed, it
will be reduced to an amount felt to be necessary and proper by the
Comptroller to ensure against monthly shortfalls in surcharges collected.
(9) Surcharges will continue to be levied in the same manner until
the Comptroller has acquired a fund of money that will be sufficient to
ensure the continued operation of the Facility for a period of at least two
years forward.
(10) At that point in time, the Comptroller will reevaluate the
surcharge schedule and recommend to the Board of Directors a schedule that
will continue the level of available operating funds at a level which will
ensure two future years of operation.
(11) Thereafter for the purposes of timing, an evaluation of the
funding, etc. will be made twice each year e.g., as of June 30 and December
30. At that time, the Comptroller will report and make recommendations to
the Board of Directors. The Board will then direct the necessary action.
(12) The Comptroller may recommend the discontinuance of the line of
credit at any time when he deems he has accumulated sufficient operating
funds to ensure at least two years of future operation.
(13) As regards the cost of development, continued operation and
maintenance of the data processing system, this will be considered to be a
part of the annual operating expenses of the Facility and such expenses
will be covered by the surcharge in the same manner as are all other
expenses.
Further, as regards the data processing system, it is contemplated:
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(a) That the development costs of the system after the
completion of the user specification period will be in the area of
$5,500,000. This is the best available estimate as of October, 1984.
(b) That the Facility will enter into a likely seven year
contract with the vendor for the operation of the system and that the
monthly charges for paying for the cost of development plus operation
of the system will be in the area of $180,000 per month. These
charges will be included in the Facility operation budget.
(c) Because the payment of the development costs is spread
across a contract that contemplates at least seven years of
operation, it is agreed and understood by all Insurer subscribers
that if the Facility should cease to operate before the development
costs are fully paid, the remaining sum due will be divided among all
Insurer subscribers, with the exception of Lloyds and the London
companies, in equal shares in order to discharge this obligation.
APPENDIX B
CONDITIONS, DEFENSES AND EXCLUSIONS
RESERVED BY SUBSCRIBING INSURERS
Subscribing Insurers reserve the right to raise only the following
conditions, defenses or exclusions pursuant to Paragraph 5 of Section VIII of
the Agreement, and Subscribing Producers reserve the right to contest same;
disputes concerning such matters shall be resolved pursuant to Paragraph 6 of
Section VIII of the Agreement:
1. That particular insurance policies were never issued or were
canceled; provided, that a Subscribing Insurer that disputes the existence
of an applicable insurance policy or part thereof notifies the affected
Subscribing Producer of its intention to assert such a defense. The notice
required under this provision shall identify the policy or policies
involved and shall be given within 30 days of March 29, 1985, or of the
date that the insurance policy in question is listed in the Producer's
Schedules of Insurance provided to such Insurer, whichever occurs later.
2. That, with respect solely to matters occurring subsequent to
June 19, 1985:
(a) the Subscribing Producer misrepresented or failed to
disclose information material to an underwriter's issuance of an
insurance policy, including information on the declarations page; or
(b) the Subscribing Producer breached its duties under an
insurance policy, in the event of an occurrence, claim or suit, to
give notice and to assist and cooperate; provided, that notice to and
cooperation with the Facility shall be deemed to satisfy these
duties.
3. That, with respect solely to matters occurring subsequent to
June 19, 1985, or matters that were the subject of a dispute between an
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<PAGE>
Insurer and Producer prior to May 1, 1984, the Subscribing Producer failed
to pay insurance policy premiums.
4. That insurance coverage is not available due to or is affected
by multiple insurance policies issued solely to comply with state
requirements, the inapplicability of a pre-merger or pre-acquisition
insurance policy to after-acquired liabilities, exhaustion of applicable
limits of liability, or the existence or non-existence of a defense
obligation in an insurance policy or the obligation to provide
supplementary defense payments; provided, that nothing contained herein
shall be deemed to modify Sections XI, XII or XVII of the Agreement.
5. That the Subscribing Producer failed to permit inspection and
audit for retrospective premium purposes for a period of three (3) years
after the ending date of the insurance policy period.
6. That, subsequent to May 1, 1984, and other than by operation of
the Agreement, a Subscribing Producer prejudiced the subrogation rights of
a Subscribing Insurer or assigned an interest in an insurance policy
without the approval of the Insurer.
7. That coverage under an insurance policy is not available due to
express exclusions for claims otherwise recoverable under automobile
insurance, claims for statutory worker's compensation benefits or claims
otherwise recoverable under worker's compensation or employer's liability
insurance.
8. That coverage under an insurance policy is not available due to
express exclusions for claims involving particular territories, particular
operations of the insured, particular locations, particular products or
particular diseases.
9. That any changes in any insurance policies must have been made
in writing pursuant to policy terms in order to be effective.
10. That the insurance policy in question does not cover punitive
damage awards due to an express exclusion or because the law of the state
governing the insurability of punitive damages in the particular case holds
that punitive damage awards are not covered by insurance because of public
policy or contract interpretation; provided, that if such holding is by
other than the highest court of the state in question, the Subscribing
Producer and the Subscribing Insurer each shall pay 50 percent of the
punitive damage award. Any disagreement as to whether punitive damage
awards are covered by insurance shall be resolved by negotiation, followed
by non-binding alternative dispute resolution, followed, if necessary, by
litigation. Any such resolution shall apply, in all respects, to the
affected parties notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement.
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APPENDIX C
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
INTRODUCTION
Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") is the method for resolving disputed
issues as provided in the Agreement. ADR involves three basic stages: 1)
good-faith negotiation; 2) a proceeding concluding with a binding decision if
litigation is not allowed and a non-binding decision if litigation is allowed
(the "Proceeding"); and 3) an appellate process for the binding decision.
At the negotiation stage, a person (the "Neutral") will be selected who
will be empowered to employ a full range of informal, mediational techniques
with Principals present. After the Proceeding there will be a final settlement
conference with the Judge and/or the Neutral as a last attempt to reach a Party-
fashioned solution. This is to be followed by a binding decision or litigation
if litigation is allowed. The binding decision may be appealed to a panel of
three Judges.
Before and during formal initiation of the ADR Procedure, all Parties are
strongly encouraged to engage freely in any informal negotiation desired with
the express goal of reaching a negotiated solution.
OBJECTIVES
1. TO ENCOURAGE A NEGOTIATED RESULT RATHER THAN USE OF ADR.
2. TO MAXIMIZE OPTIONS FOR PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS.
3. TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE.
4. TO BE SPEEDY.
5. TO BE EFFICIENT.
6. TO BE FAIR.
7. TO ENCOURAGE CONSISTENCY OF INTERPRETATION.
DEFINITIONS
1. Days--Business days.
2. Party--When there are more than two Parties involved in a dispute, the use
of the word Party in this document shall be interpreted to mean all Parties
on a side. Thus, for example, joint Parties must exercise strikes
collectively.
3. Principal--An individual with settling authority for a Subscriber.
4. Subscribers--Subscribing Producers and Subscribing Insurers.
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THE NEGOTIATION
Day
---
1.00 Negotiation Procedure
1 1.1 A Party or Parties notify the ADR branch of the
Asbestos Claims Facility* ("Facility") of the
dispute and request ADR.
2 1.2 Case is docketed by the Facility.
2.00 Aggregation of Issues Between Disputing Parties
2.1 Issues may be aggregated only by agreement of all
Parties.
3.00 Good Faith Negotiation
3.1 The Facility shall maintain a Panel of Neutrals who
have been approved by the Initial Subscribers.
These Neutrals will be qualified and prepared to
apply the full range of informal mediational
processes and techniques. Criteria for selecting a
Panel of Neutrals are set forth in Exhibit 1
hereto.
3 3.2 If the Parties can agree on one or more Neutrals
selected from the Panel, they will notify the
Facility of the name or names selected. If the
Parties cannot agree, the Facility will notify the
Parties of a list of seven available Neutrals.
5 3.3 The Parties will notify the Facility of three
mutually acceptable Neutrals. Each Party may strike
two names from the list provided by the Facility;
the initiating Party strikes first by telephone.
7 3.4 The Facility will notify the Parties of the name of
the Neutral and the time and the place of the first
meeting. There shall be no ex parte communications
with the Neutral.
9 to
completion 3.5 Good-faith negotiations shall be held with the
Principals and the Neutral present. Good-faith
negotiations require that the Parties make good-
faith offers and/or demands. The Parties and the
Neutral should undertake to develop all options for
resolution and prepare:
3.51 A statement of issues.
3.52 A statement of desired results.
3.53 An exchange of key documents, testimony, and
other relevant information.
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3.54 A statement of offers.
3.6 If, in the judgment of the Neutral, good-faith
negotiations have taken place and the Parties
cannot achieve resolution, either Party may
initiate the Proceeding. If the Parties feel that
good-faith negotiations have taken place and the
Neutral does not agree, the Parties may initiate
the Proceeding. If one Party believes that good-
faith negotiations have taken place, but the other
Party and the Neutral disagree, the Parties shall
proceed as set forth in the Procedure Manual.
- ------------
* The Facility is more particularly described in Sections II through VII of the
Agreement. ADR can be modified by unanimous agreement of the Parties, the
Trial Judge and the Facility. The Parties may apply to the Trial Judge for
modification of the ADR Procedure on a showing of good cause.
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THE PROCEEDING
Day
---
4.00 Initiation of the Proceeding
1 4.1 The Parties notify the Facility of the request for
the Proceeding.
2 4.2 The Facility notifies all Subscribers of the
request for the Proceeding.
3-10 4.3 New Parties may be joined at this point if all
existing Parties agree. A written consent by all
Parties to such joinder must be filed with the
Facility no later than seven days after
notification by the Facility of the Proceeding.
4.4 The Facility shall maintain a Panel of Trial Judges
who have been approved by the Initial Subscribers.
Criteria for selecting a Panel of Trial Judges are
set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto.
11 4.5 If the Parties can agree on one or more Trial
Judges from the Panel, they will notify the
Facility of the name or names selected. If the
Parties cannot agree, the Facility will notify the
Parties of a List of seven available Trial Judges.
The list of Trial Judges shall not include the
Neutral, and there shall be no communication
between the Trial Judge and the Neutral.
13 4.6 The Parties shall notify the Facility of three
mutually acceptable Trial Judges. Each Party may
strike two names from the list provided by the
Facility; the initiating Party strikes first by
telephone.
15 4.7 The Facility shall notify the parties of the name
of the Trial Judge and the time and place of the
first conference. There shall be no ex parte
communications with the Trial Judge.
16 4.8 The Parties shall forward to the Trial Judge a
joint statement of facts, issues, requested relief,
and requests for documents not previously produced
and other relevant information.
19 5.00 Initial Conference. Principals need not be present.
5.1 The Trial Judge shall review and clarify the
statement of dispute, issues, requested relief, and
status of settlement; confirm the trial date, place
and schedule; and rule on any disputes relating to
document production.
6.00 Discovery
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24 6.1 Production of Documents. Parties will produce all
requested documents not previously produced. The Trial
Judge will be present during the production.
29-38 6.2 Depositions.
6.21 No more than five days per side unless the Trial
Judge rules otherwise. The Trial Judge has the
discretion to rule otherwise in cases where
there is a multiplicity of Parties or issues, or
for good cause shown.
6.22 The Trial Judge will be present unless the
Parties agree otherwise.
40 7.00 Pre-Proceeding Conference. The Principals and the Trial
Judge must be present.
7.1 The Parties shall exchange and provide the Trial Judge
(in writing) with:
a. Lists of witnesses and summaries of direct
testimony related to issues to be proven.
b. Exhibits related to issues to be proven.
C. Trial briefs.
7.2 The Trial Judge shall resolve issues such as
authenticity, admissibility, etc.
47-57 8.00 Proceeding. The case shall be presented to the Trial
Judge and the Principals, who are required to be
present.
8.1 The first Party may put on its direct case for up to two
days. The second Party may cross examine for up to one
day. The Trial Judge may summarize the state of
evidence.
8.2 The second Party may put on its direct case for up to
two days. The first Party may cross examine for up to
one day. The Trial Judge may summarize the state of
evidence.
8.3 Each side may have up to one-half day for rebuttal.
8.4 Argument. The First Party may present direct argument
for up to one hour. The Second Party may present
rebuttal for up to one-half hour. The Second Party may
present direct argument for up to one hour. The First
Party may present rebuttal argument for up to one-half
hour. Questioning by the Trial Judge is allowed.
8.5 A record of the Proceeding shall be kept.
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8.6 The Trial Judge has the discretion to alter the length
of the Proceeding in cases where there is a multiplicity
of Parties or issues, or for good cause shown.
58 9.00 Final Settlement Conference
9.1 The Trial Judge shall meet with the Principals. If all
the Parties agree, the Trial Judge may:
a. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each
Party's case;
b. Question the Parties in an effort to conciliate;
and
c. Engage in mediation, as the Trial Judge sees fit.
60 10.A Non-Binding Decision, where the issue is one for which
litigation is allowed.
10.Al There will be no written opinion.
10.A2 An advisory opinion will be provided to any Party who
requests it. The advisory opinion shall not be provided
until two days after the Final Settlement Conference.
10.A3 Nothing from the ADR process is admissible in subsequent
litigation.
10.A4 There will be a cooling off period of up to two days if
the Trial Judge deems it advisable.
62 10.A5 A final negotiation session shall be held after
the non-binding decision, with the Trial Judge and/or
the original Neutral present, if all Parties agree.
10.A6 If settlement is not achieved at the final negotiation
session, the Parties proceed to litigation.
72-79 10.B Binding Decision, where the issue is one for which
litigation is not allowed. The Parties will have one
week to file additional briefs or comments, and then the
Trial Judge shall issue a written opinion and judgment
within two weeks of the close of the Proceeding or the
submission of additional papers, whichever is later. The
opinion and judgment shall contain:
10.Bl Statement of relief granted.
10.B2 Statement of costs, expenses and fees awarded to
the prevailing party. Prejudgment interest shall
be awarded as provided in the Agreement and the
Procedure Manual.
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10.B3 Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law shall be
issued.
10.B4 Petitions for rehearing may be filed but will not
affect the time for appeal
APPELLATE PROCESS
11.00 Appeal
1 11.1 No later than 10 days after the decision any Party
desiring to appeal shall notify the Facility. The
notice of appeal shall include a statement of the
dispute, the requested relief, and the decision
rendered below.
2 11.2 The Facility will docket the appeal and notify all
Subscribers.
11.3 The Facility shall maintain a Panel of Appellate
Judges who have been approved by the Initial
Subscribers. Criteria for selecting a Panel of
Appellate Judges are set forth in Exhibit 3
hereto.
3 11.4 If the Parties can agree on three or more
Appellate Judges from the Panel, they will notify
the Facility of the names selected. If the Parties
cannot agree, the Facility will notify the Parties
of a list of nine available Appellate Judges. The
list of Appellate Judges shall not include the
Neutral or the Trial Judge, and there shall be no
communications between the Appellate Judges and
either the Neutral or the Trial Judge.
4 11.5 The Parties shall notify the Facility of five
mutually acceptable Judges. Each Party may strike
two names from the list provided by the Facility;
the initiating Party strikes first by telephone.
6 11.6 The Facility shall notify the Parties of the three
Appellate Judge Panel and the date of the
appellate pre-argument conference which shall be
held three days later.
9 12.00 Appellate Pre-Argument Conference
12.1 The Court shall review the issues on appeal and
the relief requested.
12.2 The Court shall confirm that the appeal is in good
faith and, if all the Parties agree, shall conduct
settlement negotiations as to the issues on
appeal.
12.3 The Court shall confirm the appeal schedule.
- 41 -
<PAGE>
13.00 Record On Appeal
11 13.1 The Appellant shall file the record with the
Facility.
13 13.2 The Appellee shall supplement the record if
necessary.
14.00 Briefs
21 14.1 The Appellant's brief is due 10 days after the
filing of the record.
41 14.2 The Appellee's brief is due 20 days after filing
of the Appellant's brief.
46 14.3 The Appellant's reply brief is due five days after
filing of the Appellee's brief.
51 15.00 Argument
15.1 Appellant--45 Minutes.
15.2 Appellee--One Hour.
15.3 Appellant--15 Minutes.
15.4 The Court may examine counsel either during the
argument or after the argument is closed.
65 16.00 Decision. The Court shall issue a written opinion within
two weeks of the close of the argument. The opinion
shall contain:
16.1 Statement of relief granted.
16.2 Statement of costs, expenses and fees awarded to
the prevailing Party. Prejudgment interest shall
be awarded as provided in the Agreement and the
Procedure Manual.
66 17.00 Rehearing. The procedure for Rehearing at the appellate
level (and at the Proceeding) shall be as provided in
the Procedure Manual.
100.00 Miscellaneous Provisions
100.1 Amicus Curiae Briefs
a. Any Subscriber may file an amicus curiae
brief as a matter of right at either the
Proceeding or Appellate stage.
b. The Court may accord the brief whatever
weight it deems appropriate.
100.2 The standard for reversal on appellate review is
whether the decision is clearly erroneous. If all
- 42 -
<PAGE>
Parties request, the Trial Judge may help the
Parties resolve their differences, and efforts by
the Trial Judge in this regard are not subject to
appeal.
100.3 All questions of law, including conflicts of law
and burden of proof, shall be resolved by the
Trial Judge as provided in the Procedure Manual.
100.4 The Trial Judge and the Appellate Panel shall have
the power to impose sanctions for failure to
comply with any aspect of the ADR Procedure.
Sanctions also may be imposed for frivolous
appeals and frivolous petitions for rehearing. The
sanctions may include costs, fees, and expenses;
the relief requested by any Party; and any further
monetary or other sanctions that the Trial Judge
or the Appellate Panel deems appropriate. There
will be a right of appeal with regard to any award
of sanctions by the Trial Judge.
100.5 The Board of Directors of the Facility shall
provide guidance and instructions regarding the
ADR Procedure and all problems relating thereto,
with assistance from the General Counsel's office
as necessary.
100.6 There will be no precedential effect of any
decisions rendered in the ADR Procedure.
100.7 All decisions in the ADR Procedure shall be filed
with the Facility but will be maintained by the
Facility on a confidential basis and shall be
available only to Subscribers.
100.8 The Federal Rules of Evidence will be applied by
the Trial Judge unless modified by the Procedure
Manual. Depositions and trial transcripts in prior
actions automatically will be admissible, subject
to whatever weight the Trial Judge determines to
give such evidence.
100.9 The Facility will bear the costs of the ADR
Procedure and the costs of the Neutrals until
Initiation of the Proceeding (4.00). From then on,
all costs will be paid by the losing Party. The
procedure for payment of such costs is provided in
the Procedure Manual.
- 43 -
<PAGE>
PANEL OF NEUTRALS
It is anticipated that the panel of Neutrals will be drawn primarily
from the CPR Judicial List. However, all Neutrals shall be approved by the
Initial Subscribers.
The criteria to be used to select a Neutral are as follows:
1. Neutral and unbiased toward any of the parties or the industries
involved.
2. Distinguished and respected in the business or legal
communities.
3. Available on a sustained basis and on reasonably short notice.
4. Experienced in the techniques of Alternative Dispute Resolution
or willing and able to learn quickly.
5. Unquestioned integrity.
6. Experienced.
7. Creative.
- 44 -
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT I
PANEL OF TRIAL JUDGES
It is anticipated that the panel of Trial Judges will be drawn primarily
from the CPR Judicial List. However, all Trial Judges shall be approved by the
Initial Subscribers.
The criteria to be used to select a Trial Judge are as follows:
1. Neutral and unbiased toward any of the parties or the industries
involved.
2. Distinguished and respected in the business or legal communities.
3. Available on a sustained basis and on reasonably short notice.
4. Unquestioned integrity.
5. Creative.
6. Judicial experience at the trial court level.
7. Exhibits judicial temperament; that is, the judge is:
a. Impartial;
b. Patient;
c. Courteous;
d. Decisive;
e. Fair; and
f. Effective.
- 45 -
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2
PANEL OF APPELLATE JUDGES
It is anticipated that the panel of Appellate Judges will be drawn
primarily from the CPR Judicial List. However, all Appellate Judges shall be
approved by the Initial Subscribers.
The criteria to be used to select an Appellate Judge are as follows:
1. Neutral and unbiased toward any of the parties or the industries
involved.
2. Distinguished and respected in the business or legal communities.
3. Available on a sustained basis and on reasonably short notice.
4. Unquestioned integrity.
5. Creative.
6. Judicial experience at the appellate court level.
7. Exhibits judicial temperament; that is, the judge is:
a. Impartial;
b. Patient;
c. Courteous;
d. Decisive;
e. Fair; and
f. Effective.
- 46 -
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3
APPENDIX D
SCHEDULES OF INSURANCE
Following are: 1) guidelines to assist in the completion of the Schedules
of Insurance pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement; 2) the forms of
Schedules to be used; and 3) the form of Schedules Certification to be executed
by each Subscribing Producer and its Subscribing Insurers. All policies of
insurance affording general liability, products liability or premises coverage
should be scheduled hereunder. Each Subscribing Producer and each of its
Subscribing Insurers shall execute the Schedules Certification (in the form set
forth hereinbelow) within 20 days of the date that such Producer or Insurer
becomes a signatory to the Agreement, and shall note thereon any disputed issues
with respect thereto. The failure by a signatory to the Agreement so to execute
the Schedules Certification within such 20 day period shall be deemed an assent
to and valid execution of the Schedules in question by such signatory.
1. Initial Coverage Block: Set forth the closing date of the initial
coverage block. For the definition of
coverage block, see Section IX of the
Agreement. All insurance policies covering
the period prior to the closing date should
be listed on Section 1 of the form of
Schedules. All insurance policies covering
the period subsequent to the closing date
should be listed on Section 2 of the form
of Schedules.
2. Pre-Date Insurance Policies and
Post-Date Insurance Policies: Set forth the date mutually agreed upon in
accordance with Section XV of the
Agreement. All pre-date insurance policies
and all post-date insurance policies should
be listed on the appropriate Sections of
the form of Schedules.
- 47 -
<PAGE>
3. Insurer: Specify exactly as named in the insurance
policy or other evidential document of
coverage.
4. Policy Period: Refer to the actual period for which the
insurance policy is in effect. For policy
periods of other than 12 month multiples,
see Section XVIII of the Agreement.
5. Policy Type: Specify whether primary, excess or
self-insured.
6. Policy Form: Enter the codes that describe the insurance
policy form:
A. Pre-1966 Standard Form Insurance Policy,
as defined in Section XXIII of the
Agreement.
B. The insurance policy does not pay
allocated expenses following exhaustion
of aggregate limits. See Section XII of
the Agreement.
C. The insurance policy does pay allocated
expenses following exhaustion of
aggregate limits. See Section XII of the
Agreement.
D. The insurance policy expressly provides
coverage on a specific manifestation
basis.
E. The insurance policy expressly provides
coverage on a claims-made basis.
F. The insurance policy expressly provides
coverage on a first discovery basis.
G. The insurance policy pays allocated
expenses and such expenses do not apply
against aggregate limits. See Section XI
of the Agreement.
H. The insurance policy pays allocated
expenses and such expenses apply against
aggregate limits. See Section XI of the
Agreement.
I. The insurance policy does not pay
allocated expenses. See Section XI of the
Agreement
7. Per Occurrence/Accident
- 48 -
<PAGE>
Limits: Refer to the limit for any one occurrence
or any one accident
8. Products Aggregate: Refer to the aggregate limit applicable
to products bodily injury liability
coverage. Certain insurance policies may
contain a combined aggregate for bodily
injury, property damage and other covered
perils; if so, refer to the combined
limit.
With respect to insurance policies
without aggregate limits, see Section
XVII of the Agreement.
9. Products Aggregate
Consumption: The function of the Aggregate Consumption
Summary is to track the consumption of
total products liability aggregate limits
by asbestos products bodily injury
claims.
With respect to an insurance policy
containing a deductible that explicitly
provides that payment of deductibles
reduces aggregate limits, see Section XV
of the Agreement.
With respect to the payment of allocated
expenses applying against aggregate
limits, see Section XI of the Agreement.
10. Non-Products
Coverage: To impute aggregate limits for non-
products coverage, see Section XVII of
the Agreement.
11. Deductibles and Retentions: Enter the codes that describe the
deductible or retention:
J. Per occurrence deductible.
K. Per claim deductible.
L. Deductible reduces the aggregate
limits of the insurance policy.
M. Self-insured retention.
N. Loss limit.
Where deductibles and retentions are not
limited explicitly by the insurance
policy language, see Section XVI of the
Agreement.
Where an insurance policy containing a
deductible explicitly provides that
payment
- 49 -
<PAGE>
of deductibles reduces aggregate limits,
see Section XV of the Agreement.
- 50 -
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D--SCHEDULES OF INSURANCE
Attaching to and forming a part of the Agreement Concerning Asbestos-
Related Claims:
Subscribing Producer:*
-------------------------------------
Initial Coverage Block Ending: / /
----
(date)
SECTION 1 (COVERAGE BLOCK):
A. Pre-Date Insurance Policies (pre- / / )
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Products Coverage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per
Policy Policy Occurrence/Accident B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined
Policy Period No. Insurer** Policy Type Form Limit Aggregate Aggregate Consumption Aggregate Balance
- ------------- ------- --------- ----------- ------ ------------------ ---------------- --------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Non-Products Coverage Retention
------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------
Per
Occurrence/ Aggregate Aggregate
Accident Limit Aggregate Consumption Balance Type Amount Stop Loss Retro Balance
-------------- --------- ----------- ------- ---- ------ --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
- -----------
* This includes all affiliated persons (including related companies and
employees, officers and directors) covered by the insurance policies listed
herein.
**This includes all predecessor and successor persons of each Insurer listed
herein.
- 51 -
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D--SCHEDULES OF INSURANCE
Attaching to and forming a part of the Agreement Concerning Asbestos-
Related Claims:
Subscribing Producer:*
-------------------------------------
Initial Coverage Block Ending: / /
------
(date)
SECTION 1 (COVERAGE BLOCK):
B. Post-Date Insurance Policies (post- / / )
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Products Coverage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per
Policy Policy Occurrence/Accident B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined
Policy Period No. Insurer** Policy Type Form Limit Aggregate Aggregate Consumption Aggregate Balance
- ------------- ------- --------- ----------- ------ ------------------ ---------------- --------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Non-Products Coverage Retention
------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Per
Occurrence/ Aggregate Aggregate
Accident Limit Aggregate Consumption Balance Type Amount Stop Loss Retro Balance
-------------- --------- ----------- ------- ---- ------ --------- -------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
- -----------
* This includes all affiliated persons (including related companies and
employees, officers and directors) covered by the insurance policies listed
herein.
**This includes all predecessor and successor persons of each Insurer listed
herein.
- 52 -
<PAGE>
** This includes all predecessor and successor persons of each Insurer listed
herein.
APPENDIX D--SCHEDULES OF INSURANCE
Attaching to and forming a part of the Agreement Concerning Asbestos-
Related Claims:
Subscribing Producer:*
-------------------------------------
Initial Coverage Block Ending: / /
-------
(date)
SECTION 2 (NON COVERAGE BLOCK):
A. Pre-Date Insurance Policies (pre- / / )
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Products Coverage
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per
Policy Policy Occurrence/Accident B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined
Policy Period No. Insurer** Policy Type Form Limit Aggregate Aggregate Consumption Aggregate Balance
- ------------- ------- --------- ----------- ------ ------------------ ---------------- --------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Non-Products Coverage Retention
------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Per
Occurrence/ Aggregate Aggregate
Accident Limit Aggregate Consumption Balance Type Amount Stop Loss Retro Balance
-------------- --------- ----------- ------- ---- ------ --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
- -----------
* This includes all affiliated persons (including related companies and
employees, officers and
- 53 -
<PAGE>
directors) covered by the insurance policies listed herein.
**This includes all predecessor and successor persons of each Insurer listed
herein.
APPENDIX D--SCHEDULES OF INSURANCE
Attaching to and forming a part of the Agreement Concerning Asbestos-
Related Claims:
Subscribing Producer:*
-------------------------------------
Initial Coverage Block Ending: / /
--------
(date)
SECTION 2 (NON COVERAGE BLOCK):
B. Post-Date Insurance Policies (post- / / )
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Products Coverage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per
Policy Policy Occurrence/Accident B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined B.I. or Combined
Policy Period No. Insurer** Policy Type Form Limit Aggregate Aggregate Consumption Aggregate Balance
- ------------- ------- --------- ----------- ------ ------------------ ---------------- --------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Non-Products Coverage Retention
------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------
Per
Occurrence/ Aggregate Aggregate
Accident Limit Aggregate Consumption Balance Type Amount Stop Loss Retro Balance
-------------- --------- ----------- ------- ---- ------ --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
- -----------
- 54 -
<PAGE>
* This includes all affiliated persons (including related companies and
employees, officers and directors) covered by the insurance policies listed
herein.
**This includes all predecessor and successor persons of each Insurer listed
herein.
- 55 -
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D--SCHEDULES OF INSURANCE
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing comprises the Schedules of all relevant policies of insurance
known to the Subscribing Producer and to any of its Subscribing Insurers as of
this date. Any insurance policy that subsequently becomes relevant (by discovery
or otherwise) will be added to these Schedules by amendment or addendum, and it
is agreed that all Subscribing Insurers are committed to cooperate with and
assist the Subscribing Producer in the continuing search for policies of
insurance.
These Schedules of Insurance are subject to the terms and conditions of the
Agreement to which they shall be attached and form a part thereof. The
undersigned acknowledge and agree that such Schedules of Insurance are in
compliance with the provisions of the Agreement.
Dated:
Subscribing Producer:
--------------------------------------
Subscribing Insurers:
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
- 56 -
<PAGE>
APPENDIX E
INSURANCE DEFENSE PROGRAM
1. Purpose:
The purpose of the Insurance Defense Program (herein called the "Defense
Program" or the "Program") shall be solely to implement the provisions of
Paragraph 2 of Section XII of the Agreement.
2. Definitions:
"Covered claims" means claims to which the Defense Program applies under
Section 3 below.
"Base standard charge" means the standard charge for a single pre-1966
standard form insurance policy issued to a Subscribing Producer in the lowest
risk category.
"Standard charge" for any calendar year means the amount designated as such
in the Subscribing Insurer's Standard Charge Notice for such calendar year.
"Base surcharge" means the surcharge for a single pre-1966 standard form
insurance policy issued to a Subscribing Producer in the lowest risk category.
"Surcharge" means the amount due as a surcharge under Section 7 below.
"Reserve Fund" means the amount, including all investment income thereon,
held by the Administrators for the payment of defense expenses expected under
the Defense Program.
"Administrators" means those holding office as such under the Defense
Program.
3. Application:
The Defense Program applies only to those asbestos-related claims against
Subscribing Producers that:
(a) are being administered by the Facility; and
(b) under the Agreement would have triggered an obligation to pay
allocated expenses and unallocated expenses under a pre-1966 standard form
insurance policy.
The Defense Program covers only the payment of allocated expenses and
unallocated expenses attributable to such claims. It does not provide coverage
for liability payments. The Defense Program shall not survive termination of the
Facility.
4. Participation:
Each Subscribing Insurer that has issued a pre-1966 standard form insurance
policy to a Subscribing Producer shall become a participant in the Defense
Program and shall be bound by all of the provisions of the Program.
- 57 -
<PAGE>
Each participant shall pay promptly on notice from the Administrators all
standard charges and surcharges due under the Defense Program.
5. Administrators:
The Defense Program shall be administered by a Committee of Administrators,
with no less than six in number, all of which shall be participants. The
Committee shall include representatives of all three classes of participants,
those with relatively high, moderate or low exposure to charges under the
Defense Program.
The Committee will be appointed for a designated term of years by the
Insurer members of the Board of Directors of the Facility. The Board will
designate carriers to be members, and the carriers will designate the individual
representative who will represent them. Each Administrator shall have one vote.
The Committee of Administrators shall have the full power to administer the
Defense Program including power to deal with the Facility with respect to the
defense of claims subject to the Defense Program and the appropriate amounts to
be paid the Facility for conducting such defense and full power to determine the
financing of the Defense Program including the power to determine standard
charges and surcharges and to accumulate reserves.
The Committee will adopt schedules, charges and otherwise conduct their
business on the basis of majority vote. If for some reason a majority decision
cannot be reached, then the matter will be referred to the Insurer members of
the Board of Directors for resolution. If a majority vote is not possible at
that time, then the matter is referred to the Chief Financial Officer for an
absolute and binding decision.
6. Mutual Sharing or Insurance Nature of the Defense Program:
The defense expenses incurred under the Defense Program shall be shared
mutually by the participants in relation to:
(a) the number of pre-1966 standard form insurance policies issued by
each such participant to Subscribing Producers; and
(b) the degree of risk each such policy presents as estimated by the
Administrators.
For the purpose of implementing subdivision (b) above, the Administrators
shall classify Subscribing Producers into three risk categories with the
following risk relativity factors:
Risk Category Risk Relativity
------------- ---------------
A 3
B 2
C 1
The Administrators shall assign Producers to risk categories in accordance
with their respective shares of liability payments unless, by at
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<PAGE>
least a two-thirds majority, they shall determine that such a method is not
appropriate to reflect the relative risk and shall adopt another method.
7. Funding:
The Administrators shall direct the Chief Financial Officer to establish a
Common Reserve Fund to hold all payments made by the participants under the
Defense Program. There must be no co-mingling of monies received for this
purpose with any other funds, monies or assets of the Facility. The Chief
Financial Officer shall keep an account for each participant showing all amounts
paid by the participant, and in the event the Administrators should ever
determine that the defense fund appears to be greater than needed to meet the
cost of defending covered claims, then they shall direct the Chief Financial
Officer to refund the excess to the participants in the ratio that the total
amount paid by each bears to the total amount paid by all participants.
For each calendar year the Administrators shall estimate the amount of
defense expense expected to be incurred by the Facility in defending covered
claims during the calendar year plus an amount appropriate in their judgment as
a reserve against contingencies. The Administrators shall then determine the
base standard charge and send each participant written notice of the
participant's standard charge for such calendar year.
In the event the Administrators determine that the Reserve Fund is not
sufficient to meet the expected defense expenses to be incurred, the
Administrators shall estimate the amount required to meet the deficit. The
Administrators shall then determine the base surcharge and send each participant
written notice of the participant's portion of the total surcharge.
For the first calendar year of subscription the base standard charge for
each pre-1966 standard policy shall be $400 unless the Administrators shall
determine that such an amount is plainly not appropriate.
The following section gives a pro forma example that will enable each
participant to estimate its approximate standard charge for the first year as
soon as the number of its policies subject to the Defense Program and their Risk
Categories are known.
8. Pro Forma Examples of Standard Charges and Surcharges:
The first example uses a base standard charge of $400 and a participant
with 100 pre-1966 standard form insurance policies subject to the Program,
distributed as follows: 40 in Risk Category A; 35 in Risk Category B; and 25 in
Risk Category C. The participants' annual standard charge is computed as
follows:
Policies Risk Category Risk Factor Base Charge Standard Charge
- -------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ---------------
40 A 3 $400 $48,000
35 B 2 $400 $28,000
25 C 1 $400 $10,000
-------
Total standard charge for the year: $86,000
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<PAGE>
If a surcharge were determined to be required during the course of the
year, it would be applied in a like manner as with the basic standard charge.
This second example demonstrates the application of a surcharge as regards a
participant with the same policy and risk distribution as above:
Policies Risk Category Risk Factor Base Charge Surcharge
- -------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ---------
40 A 3 $200 $24,000
35 B 2 $200 $14,000
25 C 1 $200 $ 5,000
-------
Total surcharge for affected year: $43,000
9. Appeals and Dispute Resolution:
The Administrators shall have power to resolve all disputes among
participants relating to the Defense Program and, by at least a two-thirds
majority, to extend equitable relief to an individual participant if a strict
application of its rules or decisions would cause the participant undue and
unfair hardship.
Any participant who is aggrieved by a decision of the Board by less than a
two-thirds majority may submit the matter to binding nonjudicial dispute
resolution under Appendix C of the Agreement.
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<PAGE>
1993 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1 Purposes
The purposes of the 1993 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") are to
advance the long-term success of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (the
"Company"), and to increase shareholder value by providing the incentive of
long-term stock-based rewards to officers, directors and key employees. The Plan
is designed to: (1) encourage stock ownership by Participants to further align
their interest in increasing the value of the Company; and (2) to assist in the
attraction and retention of key employees vital to the Company's success.
1.2 Definitions
For the purpose of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
(a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) "Change in Control" means a situation where: (1) 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 (2) 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.
(c) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any
successor law thereto.
(d) "Company" means Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and solely for purposes of
determining (i) eligibility for participation in the Plan; (ii) employment;
and (iii) the establishment of performance goals, shall include any
corporation, partnership, or other organization of which Armstrong owns or
controls, directly or indirectly, not less than 50 percent of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock or other equity interests.
For purposes of this Plan, the terms "Armstrong" and "Company" shall
include any successor to Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(e) "Committee" means the Management Development and Compensation Committee of
the Board or the full Board, as the case may be.
(f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company, par value $1.00 per
share.
(g) "Disability" means total and permanent disability within the meaning of
Section 22 (e) (3) of the Code.
(h) "Dividend Equivalent" means an amount equal to the cash dividend paid on
one share of Common Stock for each Performance Restricted Share granted
during the Performance Period. All Dividend Equivalents will be reinvested
in Performance Restricted Shares at a purchase price equal to the Fair
Market Value on the dividend date.
(i) "Employee or employment" means with respect to any Non-Employee Director
(as defined herein), service on the Board.
(j) "Fair Market Value" means the closing price of the Common Stock as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions reporting system on
the applicable date or, if no sales were made on such date, on the next
preceding date on which sales of the Common Stock were made.
(k) "Incentive Stock Option" means a Stock Option which meets the definition
under Section 422 of the Code.
(l) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means a Stock Option which does not meet the
definition of an Incentive Stock Option.
<PAGE>
(m) "Participant" means any officer, director or key employee who has met the
eligibility requirements set forth in Section 1.6 hereof and to whom a
grant has been made and is outstanding under the Plan.
(n) "Performance Period" means, in relation to Performance Restricted Shares,
any period for which performance goals have been established.
(o) "Performance Restricted Share" means a right granted to a Participant
pursuant to Article IV.
(p) "Restricted Stock Award" means an award of Common Stock granted to a
Participant pursuant to Article V.
(q) "Restriction Period" means (1) in relation to Performance Restricted
Shares, the period of time, beginning at the end of the Performance Period,
during which the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign,
transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of such shares, and (2) in relation
to Restricted Stock Awards, the period of time during which such shares are
subject to forfeiture pursuant to the Plan.
(r) "Retirement" means termination from employment with the Company after the
Participant has attained age 55 and has completed five years of service
with the Company or termination of employment under circumstances which the
Committee deems equivalent to retirement.
(s) "Stock Appreciation Right" means a right granted to a Participant pursuant
to Article III to surrender to the Company all or any portion of the
related Stock Option and to receive in shares of Common Stock an amount
equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value over the option price on the
date of such exercise.
(t) "Stock Option" means a right, granted to a Participant pursuant to Article
II, to purchase, before a specified date and at a specified price, a
specified number of shares of Common Stock.
(u) "Vesting Period" means the period of time, beginning at the end of the
Performance Period, during which Performance Restricted Shares are subject
to forfeiture pursuant to the Plan.
1.3 Administration
The Plan shall be administered by the Management Development and Compensation
Committee of the Board which shall consist of not less than three directors of
the Company; provided, however, that the Board shall administer the Plan as it
relates to the terms, conditions and grant of awards to Non-Employee Directors.
For purposes of the Plan, the term Committee shall refer to the Management
Development and Compensation Committee of the Board or the full Board, as the
case may be. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts
of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is
present, or acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee, shall be
deemed the acts of the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and to
directions by the Board, the Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan, to
adopt administrative rules, regulations, and guidelines for the Plan, and to
impose such terms, conditions, and restrictions on grants as it deems
appropriate. The Committee, in its discretion, may allow certain optionees
holding unexercised Incentive Stock Options to convert such options to
Nonstatutory Stock Options. The Committee may, with respect to Participants who
are not subject to Section 16 (b) of the Exchange Act, delegate such of its
powers and authority under the Plan as it deems appropriate to designated
officers or employees of the Company.
1.4 Types of Grants Under the Plan
Grants under the Plan may be in the form of any one or more of the following:
(a) Nonstatutory Stock Options
(b) Incentive Stock Options
(c) Stock Appreciation Rights
(d) Performance Restricted Shares
(e) Restricted Stock Awards
1.5 Shares Subject to the Plan and Individual Award Limitation
(a) A maximum of 4,300,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Plan
provided, however, that no more than 430,000 shares may be granted in the
form of Restricted Stock Awards. The total number of shares authorized is
subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7.1
<PAGE>
hereof. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may be treasury shares
or authorized but unissued shares. No fractional shares shall be issued
under the Plan.
(b) If any Stock Option granted under the Plan expires or terminates, the
underlying shares of Common Stock may again be made available for the
purposes of the Plan. Any shares of Common Stock that have been granted as
Restricted Stock Awards, or that have been reserved for distribution in
payment for Performance Restricted Shares but are later forfeited or for
any other reason are not payable under the Plan, may again be made
available for the purposes of the Plan.
(c) The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted
to any Participant in the form of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Performance Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Awards in any one
calendar year is 300,000.
1.6 Eligibility and Participation
Participation in the Plan shall be limited to officers, who may also be
members of the Board, other key employees of the Company and directors who are
not employees of the Company ("Non-Employee Directors").
ARTICLE II - STOCK OPTIONS
2.1 Grant of Stock Options
The Committee may from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan,
grant Stock Options to such Participants. The Committee shall determine the
number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Stock Option and shall
have the authority to grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options,
or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the Committee may grant a Stock
Appreciation Right in connection with a Stock Option, as provided in Article
III.
2.2 Incentive Stock Option Exercise Limitations
The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time an Incentive Stock
Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which an
Incentive Stock Option is exercisable for the first time by a Participant during
any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000 or
such other limit as may be established from time to time under the Code.
2.3 Option Documentation
Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by a written Stock Option agreement
between the Company and the Participant to whom such option is granted,
specifying the number of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired by its
exercise and containing such terms and conditions consistent with the Plan as
the Committee shall determine.
2.4 Exercise Price
The price at which each share covered by a Stock Option may be acquired shall
be determined by the Committee at the time the option is granted and shall not
be less than the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares of Common Stock on
the day the Stock Option is granted. The exercise price will be subject to
adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.1 of the Plan.
2.5 Exercise of Stock Options
(a) Exercisability. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such times and
upon the satisfaction of such conditions and in such installments as the
Committee may provide at the time of grant.
(b) Option Period. For each Stock Option granted, the Committee shall specify
the period during which the Stock Option may be exercised, provided that no
Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from
the date the option was granted.
(c) Exercise in the Event of Termination of Employment.
<PAGE>
(i) Death: Unless otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of
grant, in the event of death of the Participant, the option must be
exercised by the Participant's estate or beneficiaries prior to its
expiration. Each option may be exercised as to all or any portion
thereof regardless of whether or not fully exercisable under the
terms of the grant.
(ii) Disability: Unless otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of
grant, in the event of the Disability of the Participant, the option
must be exercised prior to its expiration. An unexercised Incentive
Stock Option will cease to be treated as such and will become a
Nonstatutory Stock Option twelve months following the date of
termination due to Disability. Each option may be exercised as to all
or any portion thereof regardless of whether or not fully exercisable
under the terms of the grant.
(iii) Retirement: Unless otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of
grant, in the event of the Retirement of the Participant the option
must be exercised prior to its expiration. An unexercised Incentive
Stock Option will cease to be treated as such and will become a
Nonstatutory Stock Option three months following the date of
Retirement.
(iv) Other Terminations: Unless otherwise provided by the Committee at the
time of grant, in the event a Participant ceases to be an employee of
the Company for any reason other than death, Disability, or
Retirement, options which are exercisable on the date of termination
must be exercised within three months after termination. All options
which are not exercisable on the date of termination shall be
cancelled.
(v) Extension of Exercise Period: Notwithstanding all other provisions
under Section 2.5(c), in the event a Participant's employment is
terminated, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, extend the
post termination period during which the option may be exercised,
provided however that such period may not extend beyond the original
option period.
(d) Exercise in the Event of Change in Control. In the event of any Change in
Control, all Stock Options shall immediately become exercisable without
regard to the exercise period set forth in 2.5(a).
2.6 Method of Exercise
The option may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time by written
request received by the Treasurer of the Company. The option price of each share
acquired pursuant to an option shall be paid in full at the time of each
exercise of the option either (1) in cash, or (2) by delivering to the Company
shares of Common Stock or any combination of shares and cash having an aggregate
Fair Market Value equal to the option price of the shares being acquired.
However, shares of Common Stock previously acquired by the Participant under the
Plan or any other incentive plan of the Company shall not be utilized for
purposes of payment upon the exercise of an option unless those shares have been
owned by the Participant for a twelve-month period or such longer period as the
Committee may determine.
ARTICLE III - STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
3.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights
The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Appreciation Rights in
connection with all or any part of an option granted under the Plan. Any Stock
Appreciation Right granted in connection with an option shall be governed by the
terms of the Stock Option agreement and the Plan.
3.2 Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock Appreciation Rights shall become exercisable under the Stock Option
terms set forth in Section 2.5 but shall be exercisable only when the Fair
Market Value of the shares subject thereto exceeds the option price of the
related option.
3.3 Method of Exercise
(a) Stock Appreciation Rights shall permit the Participant, upon exercise of
such rights, to surrender the related option, or any portion thereof, and
to receive, without payment to the Company (except for applicable
withholding taxes), an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value
over the option price. Such amount shall be paid in shares of Common Stock
valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.
(b) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right and surrender of the
related option, or portion thereof, such option, to the extent surrendered,
shall be terminated, and the shares covered by the option so surrendered
shall no longer be available for purposes of the Plan.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV - PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED SHARES
4.1 Grant of Performance Restricted Shares
The Committee may from time to time grant Performance Restricted Shares to
Participants under which payment may be made in shares of Common Stock if the
performance of the Company meets certain goals established by the Committee.
Such Performance Restricted Shares shall be subject to the provisions of the
Plan terms and conditions, and, if earned, a Vesting Period and a Restriction
Period as the Committee shall determine.
4.2 Performance Restricted Share Agreement
Each grant of Performance Restricted Shares shall be evidenced by a written
agreement between the Company and Participant to whom such shares are granted.
The agreement shall specify the number of Performance Restricted Shares granted,
the terms and conditions of the grant, the duration of the Performance Period,
the performance goals to be achieved, and the Vesting Period and the Restriction
Period applicable to shares of Common Stock earned.
4.3 Common Stock Equivalent
Each Performance Restricted Share shall be credited to an account to be
maintained for each such Participant during the Performance Period and shall be
deemed to be the equivalent of one share of Common Stock. At the conclusion of
the Performance Period, Performance Restricted Shares earned, if any, shall be
converted to shares of Common Stock subject to a Vesting Period and a
Restriction Period.
4.4 Performance Goals
Performance Restricted Share awards shall be conditioned upon the Company's
attainment of a specified goal with respect to one or more of the following
performance measures: (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. The Committee shall determine a minimum performance level below
which no Performance Restricted Shares shall be payable and a performance
schedule under which the number of shares earned may be less than, equal to, or
greater than the number of Performance Restricted Shares granted based upon the
Company's performance. The Committee may adjust the performance goals and
measurements to reflect significant unforeseen events; provided, however, that
the Committee may not make any such adjustment with respect to any award of
Performance Restricted Shares to an individual who is then a "covered employee"
as such term is defined in Regulation 1.162-27(c)(2) promulgated under Section
162(m) of the Code ("Section 162(m)"), if such adjustment would cause
compensation pursuant to such Performance Restricted Share award to cease to be
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
4.5 Performance Period
The Committee shall establish a Performance Period applicable to each grant
of Performance Restricted Shares. Each such Performance Period shall commence on
January 1 of the calendar year in which grants are made. There shall be no
limitation on the number of Performance Periods established by the Committee,
and more than one Performance Period may encompass the same calendar year. The
Committee may shorten any Performance Period if it determines that unusual or
unforeseen events so warrant.
4.6 Dividend Equivalents During Performance Period
During the Performance Period, a Participant shall be entitled to receive
Dividend Equivalents which shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional
Performance Restricted Shares at the same time as such underlying Common Stock
cash dividend is paid. Performance Restricted Shares granted through such
reinvestment shall be credited to the Participant's account and shall be payable
to the Participant in the same manner and at the same time as the Performance
Restricted Shares with respect to which such Dividend Equivalents were issued.
<PAGE>
4.7 Right to Payment of Performance Restricted Shares
(a) At the conclusion of the Performance Period, the Committee shall determine
the number of Performance Restricted Shares, if any, which have been earned
on the basis of Company performance in relation to the established
performance goals. In no event shall such number exceed 300% of the shares
contingently granted.
(b) Performance Restricted Shares earned shall be converted to shares of Common
Stock and shall be represented by a stock certificate registered in the
name of the Participant. Certificates evidencing such shares shall be held
in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon are no longer in
effect. After the lapse or waiver of the restrictions imposed, the Company
shall deliver in the Participant's name one or more stock certificates,
free of restrictions, evidencing the shares of Common Stock to which the
restrictions have lapsed or been waived.
4.8 Vesting Period
At the time a Performance Restricted Share grant is made, the Committee shall
establish a period of time (the "Vesting Period") applicable to such shares
earned, if any, which shall begin at the end of the Performance Period. During
the Vesting Period, Performance Restricted Shares shall be subject to the risk
of forfeiture. The Committee may provide for the lapse of such restrictions in
installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in whole or in part,
based on service and such other factors as the Committee may determine.
4.9 Restriction Period
At the time a Performance Restricted Share grant is made, the Committee shall
establish a period of time (the "Restriction Period") applicable to such shares
earned, if any, which shall begin at the end of the Performance Period. During
the Restriction Period, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign,
transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of Performance Restricted Shares that have
been earned. The Committee may provide for the lapse of such restrictions in
installments, in whole or in part, based on service and such other factors as
the Committee may determine.
4.10 Other Terms and Conditions
Performance Restricted Shares earned and restricted shares received with
respect to such shares shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in the Performance Restricted
Share agreement, the Participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder
of the Company, including the right to vote the shares.
(b) Cash dividends paid with respect to Performance Restricted Shares shall be
reinvested to purchase additional shares of Common Stock that shall be
subject to the same terms, conditions, and restrictions that apply to the
Performance Restricted Shares with respect to which such dividends were
issued.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in the Performance Restricted
Share agreement, upon termination of a Participant's employment, all
unvested shares subject to restriction shall be forfeited by the
Participant.
4.11 Termination of Employment - Provisions During a Performance Period
(a) In the event a Participant terminates employment during a Performance
Period by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement, the Participant shall
be entitled to the full number of shares earned, if any, as long as the
Participant had completed a minimum of one year of employment during the
Performance Period. If the termination of employment is by reason of death
or Disability, all other restrictions shall lapse and shares of Common
Stock shall be issued to the Participant or the Participant's designated
beneficiary following the Performance Period. If the termination of
employment is by reason of Retirement, any applicable Restriction Period
shall continue in effect, but in no event beyond the end of the three-year
period following the Participant's Retirement. Following the expiration of
such Restriction Period, shares of Common Stock shall be issued to the
Participant. In the event the Participant had not completed one year of
employment during the Performance Period, the Participant shall forfeit all
rights to earn such Performance Restricted Shares.
(b) If a Participant terminates employment for any reason other than death,
Disability, or Retirement, the Participant shall forfeit all rights to earn
such Performance Restricted Shares.
<PAGE>
(c) Notwithstanding Sections 4.11(a) and 4.11(b), in the event a Participant's
employment is terminated under special circumstances, the Committee may, in
its sole discretion, continue a Participant's rights to earn any or all
Performance Restricted Shares and waive in whole or in part any or all
remaining restrictions.
4.12 Termination of Employment - Provisions Following a Performance Period
(a) In the event a Participant terminates employment following a Performance
Period by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement, all Performance
Restricted Shares earned shall immediately vest. If the termination of
employment is by reason of death or Disability, all other restrictions
shall lapse and shares of Common Stock shall be issued to the Participant
or the Participant's designated beneficiary. If the termination of
employment is by reason of Retirement, any applicable Restriction Period
shall continue in effect, but in no event beyond the end of the three-year
period following the Participant's Retirement. Following the expiration of
such Restriction Period, shares of Common Stock shall be issued to the
Participant.
(b) If a Participant terminates employment for any reason other than death,
Disability, or Retirement, the Participant shall forfeit all Performance
Restricted Shares subject to the Vesting Period. Any applicable Restriction
Period shall continue in effect, but in no event beyond the end of the
three-year period following the Participant's date of termination of
employment. Following the expiration of such Restriction Period, shares of
Common Stock shall be issued to the Participant.
(c) Notwithstanding Sections 4.12 (a) and 4.12 (b), in the event a
Participant's employment is terminated under special circumstances, the
Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive in whole or in part any or all
remaining restrictions.
4.13 Change in Control Provisions
In the event of any Change in Control, all Performance Restricted Shares
earned shall immediately vest and restrictions shall lapse on all shares subject
to restrictions as of the date of such Change in Control. Further, all
Performance Restricted Shares granted, including those granted pursuant to
Dividend Equivalents, shall be deemed to have been earned to the maximum extent
permitted pursuant to Section 4.4 for any Performance Period not yet completed
as of the effective date of such Change in Control.
ARTICLE V - RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
5.1 Award of Restricted Stock
The Committee may authorize awards of Common Stock to officers and key
employees subject to terms, conditions, and a Restriction Period as the
Committee shall determine. Restricted Stock Awards shall be used for the
purposes of recruitment, recognition, and retention of key employees vital to
the Company's success.
5.2 Restricted Stock Award Agreement
Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by a written agreement between
the Company and the Participant to whom such award is granted. The agreement
shall specify the number of shares awarded, the terms and conditions of the
award, the Restriction Period, the rights of the Participant, and the
consequences of forfeiture consistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
determine.
5.3 Awards and Certificates
Shares of Common Stock awarded pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award shall be
registered in the name of the Participant. Certificates evidencing such shares
shall be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon are no
longer in effect. After the lapse or waiver of the restrictions imposed, the
Company shall deliver in the Participant's name one or more stock certificates,
free of restrictions, evidencing the shares of Common Stock to which the
restrictions have lapsed or been waived.
<PAGE>
5.4 Restriction Period
At the time a Restricted Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish a
period of time (the "Restriction Period") applicable to such award during which
the shares of restricted stock are subject to the risk of forfeiture and the
Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or
otherwise dispose of such shares. The Committee may provide for the lapse of
such restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions,
in whole or in part, based on service and such other factors as the Committee
may determine.
5.5 Other Terms and Conditions
Shares of restricted stock awarded and restricted shares received with
respect to such shares shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in the Restricted Stock Award
agreement, the Participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder of
the Company, including the right to vote the shares.
(b) Cash dividends paid with respect to restricted shares shall be reinvested
to purchase additional shares of Common Stock that shall be subject to the
same terms, conditions, and restrictions that apply to the Restricted Stock
Award with respect to which such dividends were issued.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in the Restricted Stock Award
agreement, upon termination of a Participant's employment, all shares
subject to restriction shall be forfeited by the Participant.
5.6 Termination of Employment
(a) In the event a Participant terminates employment during the Restriction
Period by reason of death or Disability, restrictions shall lapse on all
shares subject to restriction at the time of such termination.
(b) In the event a Participant terminates employment during the Restriction
Period by reason of Retirement, restrictions shall lapse on a proportion of
any shares subject to restriction at the time of such Retirement. Any
applicable Restriction Period shall continue in effect, but in no event
beyond the end of the three-year period following the Participant's
Retirement. The number of shares upon which the restrictions shall lapse
shall be prorated for the number of months of employment during the
Restriction Period prior to the Participant's termination of employment.
(c) If a Participant terminates employment for any reason other than death,
Disability, or Retirement, the Participant shall forfeit all shares subject
to restriction.
(d) Notwithstanding Sections 5.6 (a), 5.6 (b) and 5.6 (c), in the event a
Participant's employment is terminated under special circumstances, the
Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive in whole or in part any or all
remaining restrictions.
5.7 Change in Control Provisions
In the event of any Change in Control, restrictions shall lapse on all shares
subject to restrictions as of the date of such Change in Control.
ARTICLE VI - SHARE TAX WITHHOLDING AND DEFERRAL OF PAYMENT
6.1 Share Tax Withholding
(a) At the discretion of the Committee, share tax withholding may be included
as a term of any grant of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Performance Restricted Shares, and Restricted Stock Award.
(b) Share tax withholding shall entitle the Participant to elect to satisfy, in
whole or in part, any tax withholding obligations in connection with the
issuance of shares of Common Stock earned under the Plan by requesting that
the Company either:
(i) withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant,
or
<PAGE>
(ii) by accepting delivery of shares of Common Stock previously owned by
the Participant.
In either case, the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock will
generally be determined on the date of exercise for Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights and on the date following the Restriction Period for
Performance Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Awards. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of a Participant subject to the reporting requirements of
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, no such election shall be effective unless
made in compliance with any applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3(e) or any
successor Rule under the Exchange Act.
(c) Shares of Common Stock previously acquired by the Participant under the
Plan or any other incentive plan of the Company shall not be utilized for
satisfaction of any withholding obligation unless those shares have been
owned by the Participant for a twelve-month period or such longer period as
the Committee may determine.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the Committee,
in its sole discretion may at any time suspend, terminate, or disallow any
or all entitlements to share tax withholding previously granted or extended
to any Participant.
6.2 Deferral of Payment
At the discretion of the Committee, a Participant may be offered the right to
defer the receipt of all or any portion of Performance Restricted Shares or
Restricted Stock Awards otherwise distributable to such Participant. Such right
shall be exercised by execution of a written agreement by the Participant (1),
with respect to Restricted Stock Awards, prior to the expiration of the
applicable Restriction Period and (2), with respect to Performance Restricted
Shares, prior to the expiration of the applicable Vesting Period. Upon any such
deferral, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the deferral shall
remain in the custody of the Company. Cash dividends paid with respect to these
shares shall be reinvested to purchase additional shares of Common Stock that
shall be subject to the same deferral provisions. All other terms and conditions
of deferred payments shall be as contained in said written agreement.
ARTICLE VII - OTHER PROVISIONS
7.1 Adjustment in Number of Shares and Option Prices
Grants of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Restricted
Shares, and Restricted Stock Awards shall be subject to adjustment by the
Committee as to the number and price of shares of Common Stock or other
considerations subject to such grants in the event of changes in the outstanding
shares by reason of stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations,
reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges, or other
relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of grant. In the
event of any such change in the outstanding shares, the aggregate number of
shares available under the Plan may be appropriately adjusted by the Committee.
7.2 No Right to Employment
Nothing contained in the Plan, nor in any grant pursuant to the Plan, shall
confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment
by the Company or its subsidiaries, nor interfere in any way with the right of
the Company or its subsidiaries to terminate the employment or change the
compensation of any employee at any time.
7.3 Nontransferability
A Participant's rights under the Plan, including the right to any shares or
amounts payable, may not be assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred except,
in the event of a Participant's death, to the Participant's designated
beneficiary or, in the absence of such a designation, by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its
discretion, at the time of grant of a Nonstatutory Stock Option or by amendment
of an option agreement for an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option, provide that Stock Options granted to or held by a Participant may be
transferred, in whole or in part, to one or more transferees and exercised by
any such transferee, provided further that (i) any such transfer must be without
consideration, (ii) each transferee must be a member of such Participant's
"immediate family" or a trust established for the exclusive benefit of one or
more members of the Participant's immediate family; and (iii) such transfer is
specifically approved by the Committee following the receipt of a written
request for approval of the transfer (no approval shall be required for
Non-Employee Director transfers); and provided further that any Incentive Stock
Option which is amended to permit transfers during the lifetime of the
Participant shall, upon the effectiveness of such amendment, be treated
thereafter as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. In the event a Stock Option is
transferred as contemplated in this Section, such transfer shall become
effective when approved by the Committee and such Stock
<PAGE>
Option may not be subsequently transferred by the transferee other than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution. Any transferred Stock Option shall
continue to be governed by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan
and the relevant option agreement, and the transferee shall be entitled to the
same rights as the Participant as if no transfer had taken place. As used in
this Section, "immediate family" shall mean, with respect to any person, any
spouse, child, stepchild or grandchild, and shall include relationships arising
from legal adoption.
7.4 Compliance with Government Regulations
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver shares or make
payment upon any right granted under the Plan prior to complying with the
requirements of any governmental authority in connection with the
authorization, issuance, or sale of such shares.
(b) The Plan shall be construed and its provisions enforced and administered in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania applicable to
contracts entered into and performed entirely in such State.
7.5 Rights as a Shareholder
The recipient of any grant under the Plan shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect thereto unless and until certificates for shares of
Common Stock are issued to such recipient.
7.6 Unfunded Plan
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Plan shall be unfunded and
shall not create (or be construed to create) a trust or separate funds. With
respect to any payment not yet made to a Participant, nothing contained herein
shall give any Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general
creditor of the Company.
7.7 Foreign Jurisdiction
The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, amend, or terminate such
arrangements, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may deem
necessary or desirable to make available tax or other benefits of the laws of
foreign countries in order to promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan.
7.8 Other Compensation Plans
Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting other
or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such
approval is required.
7.9 Termination of Employment - Certain Forfeitures
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan (other than provisions
regarding Change in Control, including without limitation Sections 2.5, 4.13 and
5.7 which shall apply in all events) and except for Performance Restricted
Shares or Restricted Stock Awards which would otherwise be free of restrictions
and the receipt of which has been deferred pursuant to Section 6.2, a
Participant shall have no right to exercise any Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right or receive payment of any Performance Restricted Share or
Restricted Stock Award if: (1) the Participant is discharged for willful,
deliberate, or gross misconduct as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion or (2) if following the Participant's termination of employment with
the Company, and within a period of three years thereafter, the Participant
engages in any business or enters into any employment which the Committee in its
sole discretion determines to be (a) directly or indirectly competitive with the
business of the Company or (b) substantially injurious to the Company's
financial interest. A Participant may request the Committee in writing to
determine whether any proposed business or employment activity would justify
such a forfeiture. Such a request shall fully describe the proposed activity and
the Committee's determination shall be limited to the specific activity so
described.
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
8.1 Amendment and Termination
<PAGE>
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.
ARTICLE IX - EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF PLAN
9.1 Effective Date and Duration of Plan
The Plan shall become effective immediately upon the approval and adoption
thereof at the Annual Meeting of the shareholders on April 26, 1993. All rights
granted under the Plan must be granted within ten years from its adoption date
by the shareholders of the Company. Any rights outstanding ten years after the
adoption of the Plan may be exercised within the periods prescribed under or
pursuant to the Plan.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT NO. 21
(as of January 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Jurisdiction of
Domestic Subsidiaries Incorporation
- --------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Armstrong Cork Finance Corporation Delaware
Armstrong Enterprises, Inc. Vermont
Armstrong Holdings Canada, Inc. Delaware
Armstrong Industrial Specialties, Inc. Pennsylvania
Armstrong Industrial Specialties International, Inc. Nevada
Armstrong Realty Group, Inc. Pennsylvania
Armstrong Ventures, Inc. Delaware
Armstrong World Industries Asia, Inc. Nevada
Armstrong World Industries (Delaware) Inc. Delaware
Armstrong World Industries (India) Inc. Nevada
Armstrong World Industries Latin America, Inc. Nevada
A W I (NEVADA), INC. Nevada
Charleswater Products, Inc. Delaware
Chemline Industries, Inc. Delaware
Dal-Tile International Inc. (34.4% ownership interest) Delaware
IWF, Inc. Nevada
I.W. Insurance Company Vermont
The W. W. Henry Company California
The Worthington Armstrong Venture (50%-owned unincorporated
affiliate)
Foreign Subsidiaries
- --------------------
Alphacoustic (UK) Ltd. England
Armstrong Acquisition Canada, Inc. Canada
Armstrong Architectural Products S.L. Spain
Armstrong Building Products England
Armstrong Building Products B.V. Netherlands
Armstrong Building Products Company (Shanghai) Ltd. People's Republic of
China
Armstrong Building Products G.m.b.H. Germany
Armstrong Building Products S.A. France
Armstrong Building Products S.r.l. Italy
Armstrong Europa G.m.b.H. Germany
Armstrong Europe Services England
Armstrong Floor Products Europe G.m.b.H. Germany
Armstrong Floor Products Europe Ltd. England
Armstrong Floor Products Europe Sarl. France
Armstrong FSC, Ltd. Bermuda
Armstrong Hunter Douglas Limited England
Armstrong Industrial Specialties G.m.b.H. Germany
Armstrong Industrial Specialties International, SARL France
Armstrong Industrial Specialties Ltd. England
Armstrong Insulation (Panyu) Co. Ltd. People's Republic of
China
Armstrong Insulation Products England
Armstrong Insulation Products A.G. Switzerland
Armstrong Insulation Products Benelux, S.A. Belgium
Armstrong Insulation Products G.m.b.H. Germany
Armstrong Insulation Products S.A. Spain
Armstrong Insulation Products S.A. France
Armstrong Insulation Products Sp. zo.o. Poland
Armstrong Insulation Products S.r.l. Italy
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Armstrong Insulation Rus. Russia
Armstrong (Japan) K.K. Japan
Armstrong Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Company Canada
Armstrong-Nylex Pty. Ltd. Australia
Armstrong Parafon A.B. Sweden
Armstrong (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Singapore
Armstrong Sweden AB Sweden
Armstrong Textile Products G.m.b.H. Germany
Armstrong (U.K.) Investments England
Armstrong World Industries AB Sweden
Armstrong World Industries Canada Ltd. Canada
Armstrong World Industries (China) Ltd. People's Republic of
China
Armstrong World Industries de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. Mexico
Armstrong World Industries do Brasil Ltda. Brazil
Armstrong World Industries, G.m.b.H. Germany
Armstrong World Industries (H.K.) Limited Hong Kong
Armstrong World Industries Korea, Ltd. Korea
Armstrong World Industries Ltd. England
Armstrong World Industries Pty. Ltd. Australia
Armstrong World Industries (Thailand) Ltd. Thailand
Inarco Limited (40%-owned affiliate) India
Liberty Commercial Services Ltd. Bermuda
Novita Market SA (30%-owned affiliate) Poland
Perfiles y Techos, S.L. (known as Peytesa)
(owned by Worthington Armstrong Espana, S.L.) Spain
Worthington Armstrong Espana, S.L. Spain
Worthington Armstrong Metal Products Co. (Shanghai) Ltd.
(owned by WAVE) People's Republic of
China
Worthington Armstrong UK England
Worthington Armstrong Venture Europe S.A. (owned by WAVE) France
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit No. 23
Consent of Independent Auditors
-------------------------------
The Board of Directors
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.:
We consent to incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 33-38837
and 333-6333 on Form S-3 and the Registration Statement Nos. 2-50942, 2-77936,
2-91890, 33-18996, 33-60070, 33-18998, and 33-29768 on Form S-8 of Armstrong
World Industries, Inc. of our report dated February 13, 1998, relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related consolidated
statements of earnings, cash flows and shareholders' equity and financial
statement schedule for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 1997, which report is included herein.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Philadelphia, PA
March 19, 1998
<PAGE>
Exhibit No. 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
Re: 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K -
I, James E. Marley, as a Director of Armstrong World Industries, Inc.,
do hereby constitute and appoint, GEORGE A. LORCH or, in the case of his absence
or inability to act as such, FRANK A. RIDDICK, III, or, in the case of his
absence or inability to act as such, DEBORAH K. OWEN, my agent, to sign in my
name and in my behalf the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997, and any amendments thereto, to be filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, with the same effect as if such signature were made by me
personally.
/s/ James E. Marley
---------------------------------
James E. Marley
Dated February 23, 1998
------------------------
<PAGE>
(Exhibit No. 24)
All powers of attorney required to be filed are substantially identical in all
material respects. Therefore, in accordance with SEC Regulation 229.601(a)
Instruction 2, only the foregoing copy is being included except, however, that
the manually signed copy filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
includes a complete set of powers of attorney.
All powers of attorney differ only from the form of the foregoing in that they
are executed by the following parties in the capacities indicated on or about
February 23, 1998, and the power by Frank A. Riddick appoints only George A.
Lorch or Deborah K. Owen as his agent:
Frank A. Riddick, III Senior Vice-President, Finance
(Principal Financial Officer)
Bruce A. Leech, Jr. Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
H. Jesse Arnelle Director
Van C. Campbell Director
Donald C. Clark Director
James E. Marley Director
J. Phillip Samper Director
Jerre L. Stead Director
David W. Raisbeck Director
<PAGE>
(Exhibit No. 24)
I, Deborah K. Owen, Senior Vice-President and Secretary of Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that, at a meeting of the Board
of Directors of said corporation duly held on the 23rd day of February, 1998, at
which a quorum was present and acting throughout, the following resolutions were
adopted and are now in full force and effect:
RESOLVED That the 1997 annual report on Form 10-K in the form
presented to this meeting has been reviewed by the Board of Directors; and
the execution thereof on behalf of the Company by George A. Lorch, Frank A.
Riddick, III or Deborah K. Owen, with such changes therein and additions or
deletions thereto as any of them and the legal counsel to the Company may
approve, and the filing thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission
after being so executed by the requisite number of directors personally or
by their respective attorneys-in-fact, are hereby authorized.
FURTHER RESOLVED That the execution of the 1997 annual report on Form
10-K by George A. Lorch, Frank A. Riddick, III and Bruce A. Leech, Jr.,
personally or by their respective attorneys-in-fact, as principal executive
officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer,
respectively, of the Company, is hereby authorized.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said corporation
this 5th day of March, 1998.
/s/ Deborah K. Owen
-----------------------------------
Sr. Vice President & Secretary
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR DECEMBER 31, 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 58
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 290
<ALLOWANCES> 37
<INVENTORY> 220
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 600
<PP&E> 1,976
<DEPRECIATION> 1,004
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 472
<BONDS> 223
0
0
<COMMON> 207
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<SALES> 2,199
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,199
<CGS> 1,462
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,462
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 413
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 28
<INCOME-PRETAX> 296
<INCOME-TAX> 111
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<EPS-DILUTED> 4.50
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<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS 9-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 JUN-30-1997 SEP-30-1997 DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 32 51 70 65
<SECURITIES> 0 0 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 314 316 338 252
<ALLOWANCES> 33 35 41 35
<INVENTORY> 232 234 216 206
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 608 626 650 565
<PP&E> 1,953 1,987 1,992 1,939
<DEPRECIATION> 985 1,019 1,031 975
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,191 2,228 2,255 2,136
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<BONDS> 229 227 227 219
0 0 0 214
0 0 0 0
<COMMON> 214 214 215 0
<OTHER-SE> 567 606 605 576
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,191 2,228 2,255 2,136
<SALES> 518 1,096 1,671 2,156
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 518 1,096 1,671 2,156
<CGS> 347 725 1,105 1,460
<TOTAL-COSTS> 347 725 1,105 1,460
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 97 198 317 387
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 0 46
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6 14 21 23
<INCOME-PRETAX> 68 159 228 240
<INCOME-TAX> 23 55 90 75
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 46 104 138 165
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 0 (9)
<CHANGES> 0 0 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 46 104 138 156
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.11 2.56 3.39 3.81
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.10 2.53 3.35 3.61
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<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS 9-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995 DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 JUN-30-1996 SEP-30-1996 DEC-31-1995
<CASH> 119 83 79 257
<SECURITIES> 0 0 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 285 291 299 247
<ALLOWANCES> 30 33 33 29
<INVENTORY> 187 197 197 196
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 620 600 601 723
<PP&E> 1,885 1,921 1,938 1,854
<DEPRECIATION> 993 1,008 1,007 976
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,077 2,066 2,116 2,150
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 323 328 337 376
<BONDS> 188 188 215 0
0 0 0 101
244 244 0 0
<COMMON> 103 105 229 259
<OTHER-SE> 419 416 548 415
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,077 2,066 2,116 2,150
<SALES> 501 1,064 1,628 2,325
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 501 1,064 1,628 2,325
<CGS> 345 709 1,094 1,581
<TOTAL-COSTS> 345 709 1,094 2,281
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 96 197 307 2
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 46 46 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6 12 19 34
<INCOME-PRETAX> 54 100 162 8
<INCOME-TAX> 18 33 51 (5)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 36 67 111 14
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0 0 110
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 (8) 0
<CHANGES> 0 0 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 36 67 103 123
<EPS-PRIMARY> .89 1.63 2.50 2.94
<EPS-DILUTED> .81 1.49 2.35 2.68
</TABLE>
