A History of Shaping Quality

Armstrong World Industries began as a tiny two-man cork-cutting shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, more than 160 years ago, when America's national frontier barely reached beyond the Rocky Mountains. Today, we are redefining how we create and experience spaces, paving the way with innovation, sustainability, service, design and technology.

Origin Story

Thomas Armstrong, the son of ordinary Scotch-Irish immigrants from Londerderry, started Armstrong Cork Company in 1860. Four years later, he was putting his name on every bag of Armstrong corks with a written guarantee of quality tucked inside - branding his product and standing behind it.

These humble beginnings have empowered us to imagine and enable new possibilities every day since then. Today, Armstrong World Industries is headquartered in Lancaster, PA, and employs more than 3,000 people. The company went public in October 2006, and has acquired multiple brands in the years following its IPO.

Armstrong: A Timeline

1860s
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Founded as the Armstrong Cork Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, manufacturing bottle stoppers and cork insulation. In 1864, begins to stamp “Armstrong” on each cork , making Armstrong a pioneer in branding.
1890s
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Armstrong was one of the largest cork suppliers in the world. Thomas Armstrong turned a 65% scrap rate into a new product that absorbs sound, starting our history of embracing the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle.
1929
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Relocated headquarters from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Lancaster, Pa.
1935
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Armstrong Cork Company’s common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
1941
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During WWII, AWI expands production to include machining of high explosive shells and munitions; fabricating airplane fuselage assemblies and plastic gun turret enclosures; as well as various gaskets and seals for industrial and military use.
1950
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Begins construction on the Armstrong Research & Development Center in Lancaster, Pa.
1980
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Armstrong Cork Company changes its name to Armstrong World Industries to reflect the growth of core business beyond cork and to recognize an international presence.
1993
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Became a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
1999
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Launched the first of its kind Ceilings Recycling Program
2016
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Launched SUSTAIN®, the industry’s first portfolio of high-performing, sustainable ceiling solutions. AWI and Armstrong Flooring, Inc. separated.
2017
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Begins expansion into Architectural Specialties with the acquisition of TECTUM
2020
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Launched Armstrong’s 2030 Sustainability Goals and expanded Architectural Specialties portfolio with the acquisition of Arktura, MOZ Designs, Inc. and TURF Design, Inc., featuring leaders in architectural specialty metal and felt solutions.
2021
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In partnership with Gensler, opened the Living Lab, exploring ways our ceilings and walls can improve the key elements of Indoor Environmental Quality.
2022
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Initiated an innovative partnership with Irving Consumer Products to divert 100% of their fiber by-product waste for use in our production.
2023
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Named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek magazine.

Guided by Values

Since our founder first adopted his philosophy, "Let the Buyer Have Faith," in 1864, our values have grown and evolved to meet the needs of our customers employees and communities.