Armstrong World Industries and Roxul USA (Rockfon) have entered into a confidential settlement agreement to fully resolve the litigation between them that was pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
According to a Form 8-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, “all claims in the litigation will be fully and finally dismissed and released, with Armstrong making a payment to Rockfon for its costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees. Pursuant to the settlement, both parties acknowledge that Armstrong denies all claims of wrongdoing and makes no admission of wrongdoing or of the truth of any of the claims or allegations contained in Rockfon’s complaint or otherwise alleged in the litigation.”
Additionally, “all Armstrong exclusive distribution locations (i.e., any location where a reseller has agreed to sell only Armstrong ceiling system products) will remain exclusive to Armstrong under their respective distribution agreements, and in all other non-exclusive or “open” distribution locations, resellers are free to purchase and resell ceiling systems products of any manufacturer at their discretion.”
Roxul, a ceiling tile manufacturer, originally filed an antitrust suit against Armstrong for what it felt was a “monopoly” on the ceiling tile market through Armstrong’s exclusivity agreements with distributors in the U.S. and Canada. Armstrong denied the allegations.