− The US flooring group Armstrong World Industries, is to withdraw from the European market. The company has been exploring strategic options for its European activities since June, including a sale. In a statement released on 11 December, the group said that it had not to go this route. Armstrong has also announced that it is to cease all payments to its German subsidiary Armstrong DLW GmbH, based in Bietigheim-Bissingen, with immediate effect.

1. Dlw Linoleum

Dlw Linoleum

The management of Armstrong DLW was thus forced to file for the opening of insolvency proceedings at the Heilbronn District Court on 11 December. The District Court named lawyer Martin Mucha from the law firm Grub Brugger Partnerschaft in Stuttgart as the preliminary administrator. Armstrong said that it had filed for insolvency because Armstrong DLW could not finance and sustain its activities without additional funding from the US parent group.