LANCASTER, Pa
., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TPG Capital ("TPG")
announced it has agreed to purchase seven million shares of Armstrong World
Industries, Inc. ("Armstrong") (NYSE: AWI), and economic interests in an
additional 1,039,777 shares, from the Armstrong World Industries Inc. Asbestos
Personal Injury Settlement Trust ("the Trust"). TPG's purchase price per
share of $22.31 is the 20-day trailing volume-weighted average price through
Friday, August 7. The transaction is expected to be completed during the next
several weeks, and will result in approximately $180 million of proceeds for
the Trust.
TPG will initiate a tender offer for 4,435,935 shares (or approximately 8
percent) of the Company's outstanding shares from investors unaffiliated with
the Trust. The tender, at the same price per share, will be consistent with
certain requirements of Armstrong's governing documents and commence promptly
following completion of the Trust transaction.
"TPG has a proven record of helping companies increase their value through
operational improvements and by providing an environment in which the company
can better realize its longer term strategic potential," Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer Michael D. Lockhart said. "We believe TPG's involvement
should make it easier for AWI to realize its objective to emerge from the
downturn better positioned than it was when it entered, and to remain solidly
profitable throughout the period."
Forward Looking Statement
These materials contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Such statements provide
expectations or forecasts of future events. Our outcomes could differ
materially due to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. We undertake no
obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
About Armstrong
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design and
manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets. In 2008, Armstrong's
consolidated net sales totaled approximately $3.4 billion. Based in Lancaster,
Pa., Armstrong operates 37 plants in nine countries and has approximately
11,200 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.armstrong.com.
About TPG Capital
TPG Capital is the global buyout group of TPG, a leading private
investment firm founded in 1992 with approximately $45 billion of assets under
management and offices in San Francisco, London, Hong Kong, New York, Fort
Worth, Menlo Park, Washington, D.C., Melbourne, Moscow, Mumbai, Paris,
Luxembourg, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. TPG Capital has extensive
experience with global public and private investments executed through
leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts, joint ventures and
restructurings. TPG Capital's investments span a variety of industries
including industrials, retail, consumer, financial services, travel and
entertainment, technology, media and communications, and healthcare. Please
visit www.tpg.com.
SOURCE: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. - 08/11/2009
CONTACT: Beth Riley, bariley@armstrong.com,
or Investors,
+1-717-396-6354,
or News media, +1-866-321-6677
Web Site: http://www.armstrong.com
(AWI)
Important Information:
The tender offer proposed by TPG referred to in this release has not commenced. If and when commenced, Armstrong will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. Armstrong shareholders are advised to read Armstrong’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 when it becomes available because it will contain important information. Shareholders may obtain, free of charge, a copy of the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (when it becomes available), as well as any other documents filed by Armstrong with the SEC at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.