Armstrong World Industries sells European carpet manufacturer Desso to NPM Capital

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE: AWI) – U.S. has completed the sale of the European carpet and artificial turf manufacturer ‘Desso’ to NPM Capital N.V. Armstrong expects that the sale will not generate any notable profit or loss, and the company will invest the proceeds in continuing activities.

Carpet manufacturer H. Desseaux N.V. and its subsidiaries produce and market tile and wall-to-wall carpets for business and private use in Europe and the U.S under the Desso® and Bergoss® brands, as well as artificial turf for sports applications in Europe and the United States under the Desso DLW Sports Systems® and GrassMaster® brands. 

Desseaux achieved sales of around € 200 million (some USD 250 million) in 2006. The head office of Desso is established in Waalwijk. The business has around 1,000 employees and three plants, in the Netherlands and Belgium.
 
Armstrong will retain ownership of the businesses that manufacture needlefelt for the office market, carpeting for the car industry and indoor sports floors in Europe. The European activities of Armstrong consist of linoleum production in Delmenhorst, Germany, homogenous vinyl, luxury vinyl tiles and carpets for Automotive in Bietigheim, Germany, cushion vinyl in Teesside, England, and heterogeneous vinyl in Holmsund, Sweden.