As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2016

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Armstrong Flooring, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

47-4303305

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2500 Columbia Avenue

Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603

(717) 397-0611

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan

Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

Christopher S. Parisi

General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary

Armstrong Flooring, Inc.

2500 Columbia Avenue

Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603

(717) 397-0611

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

James W. McKenzie, Jr.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

1701 Market Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

(215) 963-5000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class

of Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be

Registered (1)(2)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share (3)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price (3)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee (3)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

  6,100,000   $13.37   $81,557,000.00   $8,212.79

 

 

(1) Represents an aggregate 6,100,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “common stock”), of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (the “Registrant”), comprised of 5,500,000 shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2016 LTIP Plan”), which became effective as of the separation of the Registrant from Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and its affiliates on April 1, 2016 (the “Separation Date”) and 600,000 shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan (the “2016 Directors Plan” and, together with the 2016 LTIP Plan, the “Plans”),which became effective on the Separation Date.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement also covers additional shares that may become issuable under the Plans referenced above by reason of certain corporate transactions or events, including any common stock dividend, common stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant’s outstanding common stock.
(3) Established solely for purposes of determining the registration fee pursuant to provisions of Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act by averaging the high and low sale prices of the Registrant’s common stock in the “when issued” trading market as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on March 30, 2016.

 

 

 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed for the purpose of registering 5,500,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “common stock”), of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (the “Registrant”) that may be issued pursuant to the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2016 LTIP Plan”) and 600,000 shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan (the “2016 Director Plan” and, together with the 2016 LTIP Plan, the “Plans”).

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in this Part I of Form S-8 (plan information and registrant information and other information) will be sent or given to participants in the Plans as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission are incorporated by reference into this registration statement:

(1) The Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (Commission File No. 001-37589) initially filed with the Commission on October 8, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on December 21, 2015, Amendment No. 2 on February 2, 2016, Amendment No. 3 on March 1, 2016, Amendment No. 4 on March 11, 2016 and declared effective on March 15, 2016, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including, without limitation, the description of the Registrant’s common stock contained therein; and

(2) The Registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-37589) filed with the Commission on March 15, 2016 and March 24, 2016.

All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this registration statement that indicates that all of the shares of common stock offered have been sold or that deregisters all of such shares then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. Unless expressly incorporated into this registration statement, a report furnished but not filed on Form 8-K shall not be incorporated by reference into this registration statement to the extent furnished but not filed.

Any statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein) modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not Applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties


as directors, and the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes such an exculpation provision. The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of the Registrant, or for serving at the Registrant’s request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws also provide that the Registrant must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to the Registrant’s directors and officers, subject to the Registrant’s receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL. The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation expressly authorize the Registrant to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect the Registrant, its directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against the Registrant’s directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit the Registrant and its stockholders. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate the Registrant’s rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws.

The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Delaware law and the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws dealing with indemnification of directors and officers and does not purport to be complete

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not Applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

A list of exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference is contained in the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature pages and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9. Undertakings.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;

provided, however, that Paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.

 

  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Armstrong Flooring, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on April 4, 2016.

 

ARMSTRONG FLOORING, INC.
By:  

/s/ DONALD R. MAIER

  Donald R. Maier
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Donald R. Maier and Christopher S. Parisi, with full power to act without the other, such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) and any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with exhibits and schedules thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/ DONALD R. MAIER

    
Donald R. Maier    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)   April 4, 2016

/S/ JOHN W. THOMPSON

    
John W. Thompson    Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)   April 4, 2016

/S/ KIMBERLY Z. BOSCAN

    
Kimberly Z. Boscan    Vice President and Controller (principal accounting officer)   April 4, 2016

/S/ LARRY S. MCWILLIAMS

    
Larry S. McWilliams    Chairman of the Board of Directors   April 4, 2016

/S/ MICHAEL F. JOHNSTON

    
Michael F. Johnston    Director   April 4, 2016

/S/ KATHLEEN S. LANE

    
Kathleen S. Lane    Director   April 4, 2016

/S/ JEFFREY LIAW

    
Jeffrey Liaw    Director   April 4, 2016

/S/ JAMES C. MELVILLE

    
James C. Melville    Director   April 4, 2016

/S/ JAMES J. O’CONNOR

    
James J. O’Connor    Director   April 4, 2016


Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/ JACOB H. WELCH

    
Jacob H. Welch    Director   April 4, 2016

/S/ RICHARD E. WENZ

    
Richard E. Wenz    Director   April 4, 2016


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  4.1    Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-37589) filed on March 1, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.2    Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-37589) filed on March 1, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.3    Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
  4.4    Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan.
  5.1    Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2    Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 filed herewith).
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on signature pages hereto).

Exhibit 4.3

 

ARMSTRONG FLOORING, INC.

2016 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN


ARMSTRONG FLOORING, INC.

2016 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Index of Defined Terms    Section Where Defined or First Used Term
Affiliate    14(c)(ii)
Assumed Benefits    1
Beneficial Owner or Beneficially Owned    14(c)(iii)
Benefits    4(a)
Board of Directors    2(a)
Cause    13(a)(i)
Cash Awards    10
Change in Control    14(c)(i)
Code    2(a)
Committee    2(a)
Common Stock    2(a)
Company    1
Consultants    3(a)
Dividend Equivalent Right    9(c)
Effective Date    20(j)
Exchange Act    2(a)
Fair Market Value    17
GAAP    11(f)
Incentive Stock Option    6(a)
Injurious Conduct    13(a)
Nonqualified Stock Option    6(a)
Performance-Based Awards    11(a)
Person    14(c)(iv)
Plan    1
Reliance Period    19(c)(i)
Restricted Business    13(a)(ii)
Restricted Stock Award    8
Stock Appreciation Rights    7
Stock Options    6
Stock Unit    9(c)
Substitute Awards    5(e)


1.    Purpose      1   
2.    Administration      1   
   (a)    Committee      1   
   (b)    Authority      1   
   (c)    Indemnification      1   
   (d)    Delegation and Advisers      2   
3.    Participants      2   
4.    Type of Benefits; Vesting Restrictions      3   
5.    Common Stock Available Under the Plan      3   
   (a)    Aggregate Limitations      3   
   (b)    Individual Employee Limitations      3   
   (c)    Source of Shares      4   
   (d)    Share Counting      4   
   (e)    Acquisitions      5   
6.    Stock Options      5   
   (a)    Generally      5   
   (b)    Exercise Price      5   
   (c)    Exercise of Options      5   
   (d)    Exercise Period      6   
   (e)    Limitations on Incentive Stock Options      6   
   (f)    Additional Limitations on Incentive Stock Options for Ten Percent Shareholders      6   
7.    Stock Appreciation Rights      6   
   (a)    Generally      6   
   (b)    Exercise Period      7   
8.    Restricted Stock Awards      7   
   (a)    Generally      7   
   (b)    Payment of the Purchase Price      7   
   (c)    Additional Terms      7   
   (d)    Rights as a Shareholder      8   
9.    Stock Units      8   

 

-i-


   (a)    Generally      8   
   (b)    Settlement of Stock Units      8   
   (c)    Definitions      8   
10.    Cash Awards      9   
11.    Performance-Based Awards      9   
   (a)    Generally      9   
   (b)    Business Criteria      9   
   (c)    Establishment of Performance Goals      9   
   (d)    Certification of Performance      9   
   (e)    Modification of Performance-Based Awards      10   
   (f)    Impact of Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Items or Changes in Accounting      10   
   (g)    Death, Disability or Other Circumstances      10   
12.    Foreign Laws      10   
13.    Certain Terminations of Employment; Forfeitures      11   
   (a)    Forfeiture of Unsettled Benefits      11   
   (b)    Forfeiture of Settled Benefits      12   
   (c)    Timing      12   
   (d)    Determination from the Committee      12   
   (e)    Condition Precedent      12   
   (f)    Enforceability      12   
14.    Adjustment Provisions; Change in Control      12   
   (a)    Adjustment      12   
   (b)    Effect of a Change in Control on Benefits      13   
   (c)    Definitions      14   
15.    Nontransferability      16   
16.    Other Provisions      16   
17.    Fair Market Value      16   
18.    Withholding      17   
19.    Duration, Amendment and Termination      17   
   (a)    Amendment and Termination      17   

 

-ii-


   (b)    No Repricing      17   
   (c)    Shareholder Approval for Performance-Based Awards      18   
   (d)    Termination of Plan      18   
20.    Miscellaneous      18   
   (a)    Employment Rights      18   
   (b)    Unfunded Plan      18   
   (c)    No Fractional Shares      19   
   (d)    Company Policies; Holding Requirements      19   
   (e)    Requirements for Issuance of Shares      19   
   (f)    Compliance with Law      19   
   (g)    Benefits in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise      20   
   (h)    Section 409A      20   
   (i)    Governing Law      20   
   (j)    Effective Date      20   

 

-iii-


ARMSTRONG FLOORING, INC.

2016 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose.

Effective as of the Effective Date, the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan is hereby established. Stock option and stock unit awards that were made under the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (or any predecessor plan) and were converted to stock options and stock unit awards on Common Stock and assumed by the Company effective as of the Effective Date (the “ Assumed Benefits ”) will be subject to the terms of the applicable grant agreements and this Plan, and the shares with respect to such outstanding Assumed Benefits will be issued or transferred under this Plan.

The Plan is intended to provide incentives which will attract, retain and motivate highly competent persons as officers, key employees, consultants and advisors of Armstrong Flooring, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and its subsidiaries and affiliates, by providing them with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ of the Company, to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company and to reward the performance of individuals in fulfilling their personal responsibilities for long-range achievements.

2. Administration.

(a) Committee . The Plan will be administered by a committee (the “ Committee ”) appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company ( the “ Board of Directors ”) from among its members (which may be the Management Development and Compensation Committee or a subcommittee thereof) and shall be comprised, unless otherwise determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, solely of not less than two (2) members who shall be (i) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) (or any successor rule) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), (ii) “outside directors” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3) under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and (iii) “independent directors,” as determined in accordance with the independence standards established by the stock exchange on which the common stock of the Company (“ Common Stock ”) is at the time primarily traded.

(b) Authority . The Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and the Committee has sole discretionary authority to make such determinations and interpretations and to take such action in connection with the Plan and any Benefits granted hereunder as it deems necessary or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Committee shall be binding and conclusive on all participants and their legal representatives.

(c) Indemnification . No member of the Committee and no employee of the Company shall be liable for any act or failure to act hereunder, except in circumstances involving his or her bad faith or willful misconduct, or for any act or failure to act hereunder by any other

 

1


member or employee or by any agent to whom duties in connection with the administration of this Plan have been delegated. The Company shall indemnify members of the Committee and any agent of the Committee who is an employee of the Company, a subsidiary or an affiliate against any and all liabilities or expenses to which they may be subjected by reason of any act or failure to act with respect to their duties on behalf of the Plan, except in circumstances involving such person’s bad faith or willful misconduct.

(d) Delegation and Advisers . The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members, to one or more officers or members of management, or to one or more agents such administrative duties as it may deem advisable; provided, that such delegation does not adversely affect the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or prevent a Benefit from qualifying as a Performance-Based Award, if so intended, and provided that such delegation complies with applicable law and applicable stock exchange requirements. The Committee, or any person to whom it has delegated duties as aforesaid, may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such person may have under the Plan. The Committee may employ such legal or other counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion or computation received from any such counsel, consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee in the engagement of such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company, or the subsidiary or affiliate whose employees have benefited from the Plan, as determined by the Committee.

3. Participants.

(a) Participants will consist of such officers and key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as the Committee in its sole discretion determines to be significantly responsible for the success and future growth and profitability of the Company and whom the Committee may designate from time to time to receive Benefits under the Plan. Consultants and advisors who perform services for the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates (“ Consultants ”) shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if the Consultants render bona fide services to the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates, the services are not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and the Consultants do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Consultants are eligible to receive all Benefits under the Plan except Incentive Stock Options as described in Section 6, below. Members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

(b) Designation of a participant in any year shall not require the Committee to designate such person to receive a Benefit in any other year or, once designated, to receive the same type or amount of Benefit as granted to the participant in any other year. The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems pertinent in selecting participants and in determining the type and amount of their respective Benefits. Benefits granted pursuant to a particular Section of the Plan need not be uniform as among the participants. For purposes of the Plan, the term “employee” excludes any person who is classified by the Company as a “contractor” or “consultant,” no matter how characterized by the Internal Revenue Service, other governmental agency or a court. Any change of characterization of an individual by the Internal Revenue Service or any court or government agency shall have no effect upon the classification of an individual as an employee for purposes of this Plan, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

2


4. Type of Benefits; Vesting Restrictions; Assumed Benefits.

(a) Benefits granted under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of (i) Stock Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Stock Awards, (iv) Stock Units and (v) Cash Awards (each as described below, and collectively, the “ Benefits ”). Restricted Stock Awards, Stock Units and Cash Awards may, as determined by the Committee in its discretion, constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11 hereof. Benefits granted under the Plan may be evidenced by an agreement (which need not be identical) that may provide additional terms and conditions associated with such Benefits, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, provided, however, that in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and any such agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail.

(b) Benefits granted under the Plan shall vest over a period that is not less than one year from the date of grant. Subject to adjustments made in accordance with Section 14(a) below, up to five percent (5%) of the shares of Common Stock subject to the share reserve set forth in Section 5(a) as of the Effective Date may be granted without regard to the minimum vesting requirement.

(c) Benefits under the Plan shall be made conditional upon the participant’s acknowledgement, in writing or by acceptance of the Benefit grant, that all decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding on the participant, his or her successors and any other person having or claiming an interest under such Benefit grant.

(d) The Committee shall have discretion to accelerate vesting in connection with a participant’s death, disability, retirement, involuntary termination without Cause, in the event of a Change in Control or a corporate transaction or event described in Section 14(a), or in other circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate.

(e) Assumed Benefits shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreements and the plan under which they were granted and shall vest and be paid according to the applicable award agreements and plan.

5. Common Stock Available Under the Plan.

(a) Aggregate Limitations . Subject to adjustments made in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Benefits granted under this Plan and the Assumed Benefits shall be 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock.

(b) Individual Employee Limitations .

(i) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards and Stock Units may be granted to any individual employee under the Plan in any one calendar year shall not exceed one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) shares, subject to adjustments made in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof.

 

3


(ii) For dividends and Dividend Equivalent Rights that are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exemption of Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum amount of dividends and Dividend Equivalent Rights that may accrue in any calendar year with respect to Performance-Based Awards granted to any individual employee under the Plan is $6,000,000.

(iii) The maximum Cash Award payout that may be earned by an employee for each 12 months in a performance period is $5,000,000.

(c) Source of Shares . Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or reacquired shares of Common Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open market for purposes of the Plan.

(d) Share Counting .

(i) If and to the extent Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan, or stock options or stock appreciation rights that are Assumed Benefits, terminate, expire, or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without having been exercised, and if and to the extent that any Restricted Stock Awards or Stock Units granted under the Plan, or any stock units that are Assumed Benefits, are forfeited or terminated, or otherwise are not paid in full, the shares reserved for such grants shall again be available for purposes of the Plan. Shares of Common Stock withheld or surrendered in payment of the exercise price of a Stock Option granted under the Plan or a stock option that is an Assumed Benefit, and shares withheld or surrendered for payment of taxes with respect to Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan or stock options that are Assumed Benefits, shall not be available for re-issuance under the Plan. Shares withheld or surrendered for payment of taxes with respect to Benefits other than Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights and Assumed Benefits other than stock options shall be available for re-issuance under the Plan. If Stock Appreciation Rights are granted under the Plan, the full number of shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Rights shall be considered issued under the Plan, without regard to the number of shares issued upon exercise of the Stock Appreciation Rights. To the extent that any Benefits or Assumed Benefits are paid in cash, and not in shares of Common Stock, such Benefits or Assumed Benefits shall not count against the share limits described above in Section 5(a).

(ii) The provisions of this Section 5(d) shall apply only for purposes of determining the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, but shall not apply for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Benefits may be granted to any individual participant under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if shares of Common Stock are repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise price of Stock Options granted under the Plan or stock options that are Assumed Benefits, such shares may not again be made available for issuance under the Plan.

 

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(e) Acquisitions . In connection with the acquisition of any business by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any outstanding equity grants with respect to stock of the acquired company may be assumed or replaced by Benefits under the Plan upon such terms and conditions as the Committee determines in its sole discretion. Shares of Common Stock subject to any such outstanding grants that are assumed or replaced by Benefits under the Plan in connection with an acquisition (“ Substitute Awards ”) shall not reduce the Plan’s share reserve as described above in Section 5(a), consistent with applicable stock exchange requirements. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, Substitute Awards shall have such terms as the Committee deems appropriate, including without limitation exercise prices or base prices on different terms than those described herein. In the event that the Company assumes a shareholder-approved equity plan of an acquired company, available shares of Common Stock under such assumed plan (after appropriate adjustments to reflect the transaction) may be issued pursuant to Benefits under this Plan and shall not reduce the Plan’s share reserve as described above in Section 5(a), subject to applicable stock exchange requirements.

6. Stock Options.

(a) Generally . Stock Options will consist of awards from the Company that will enable the holder to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock, at set terms. Stock Options may be “incentive stock options” (“ Incentive Stock Options ”), within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or Stock Options which do not constitute Incentive Stock Options (“ Nonqualified Stock Options ”). The Committee will have the authority to grant to any participant one or more Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options (in each case with or without Stock Appreciation Rights). Consultants are not eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. All of the authorized shares as described in Section 5(a) may be granted as Incentive Stock Options. Each Stock Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, consistent with the Plan as the Committee may impose from time to time, subject to the following limitations.

(b) Exercise Price . Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall have a per-share exercise price as the Committee may determine on the date of grant. The per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

(c) Exercise of Options . A participant may exercise a Stock Option that has become exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a notice of exercise to the Company. The participant shall pay the exercise price of the Stock Option (i) in cash, (ii) if permitted by the Committee, by the withholding of shares of Common Stock subject to the exercisable Stock Option, which have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, (iii) if permitted by the Committee, by delivering shares of Common Stock owned by the participant and having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price or by attestation to ownership of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, (iv) by payment through a broker in accordance with procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, or (v) by such other method as the Committee may approve. Shares of Common Stock used to exercise a Stock Option shall have been held by the participant for any requisite period of time to avoid adverse

 

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accounting consequences to the Company with respect to the Stock Option, as determined by the Committee. Payment for the shares pursuant to the Stock Option, and any required withholding taxes, must be received by the time specified by the Committee depending on the type of payment being made, but in all cases prior to the issuance of the Company Stock.

(d) Exercise Period . Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, as shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however , that no Stock Option shall be exercisable later than ten (10) years after the date it is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Committee determines otherwise, if a vested Nonqualified Stock Option would terminate at a time when trading in Common Stock is prohibited by law or by the Company’s insider trading policy, the vested Stock Option may be exercised until the thirtieth (30th) day after expiration of such prohibition. All Stock Options shall terminate at such earlier times and upon such conditions or circumstances as the Committee shall in its discretion set forth in such option agreement on the date of grant.

(e) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options . Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to participants who are employees of the Company or of a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) on the date of grant. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Stock Option is granted) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under all option plans of the Company and of any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively)) shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), provided, however, that if such one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) limit is exceeded, the excess Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they are granted.

(f) Additional Limitations on Incentive Stock Options for Ten Percent Shareholders . Incentive Stock Options may not be granted to any participant who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing (after the application of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively), unless the exercise price of the option is fixed at not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and the exercise of such option is prohibited by its terms after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant of such option.

7. Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) Generally . The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Appreciation Rights, including a concurrent grant of Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem with any Stock Option grant. A Stock Appreciation Right means a right to receive a payment in cash, Common Stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised over (ii) the Fair Market Value of such shares

 

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of Common Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted, or other higher specified amount, all as determined by the Committee. If a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with a Stock Option at the date of grant of the Stock Option, the designated base amount in the award agreement shall reflect the Fair Market Value on the date such Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right were granted, or a higher specified amount as determined by the Committee. In any event, the base amount of each Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than the per-share Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, as the Committee shall impose from time to time, provided, however, that if a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in connection with a Stock Option, the Stock Appreciation Right shall become exercisable, be transferable and shall expire according to the same vesting, transferability and expiration rules as the corresponding Stock Option, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

(b) Exercise Period . Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, as shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however , that no Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable later than ten (10) years after the date it is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Committee determines otherwise, if a vested Stock Appreciation Right would terminate at a time when trading in Common Stock is prohibited by law or by the Company’s insider trading policy, the vested Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised until the thirtieth (30th) day after expiration of such prohibition. All Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate at such earlier times and upon such conditions or circumstances as the Committee shall in its discretion set forth in such right at the date of grant.

8. Restricted Stock Awards.

(a) Generally . The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Restricted Stock Awards consisting of Common Stock issued or transferred to participants with or without other payments therefor. Restricted Stock Awards may be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, as the Committee determines appropriate. Restricted Stock Awards may constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11 hereof

(b) Payment of the Purchase Price . If the Restricted Stock Award requires payment therefor, the purchase price of any shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may be paid in any manner authorized by the Committee. Restricted Stock Awards may also be made in consideration of services rendered to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

(c) Additional Terms . Restricted Stock Awards may be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, as the Committee determines appropriate, including without limitation (i) Change in Control, (ii) restrictions on the sale or other disposition of such shares, and (iii) the right of the Company to reacquire such shares for no consideration upon termination of the participant’s employment within specified periods, the participant’s competition with the Company, or the participant’s breach of other obligations to the Company. Restricted Stock Awards may constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11 hereof. The Committee may require the participant to deliver a duly signed stock power, endorsed in blank,

 

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relating to the Common Stock covered by such an Award. The Committee may also require that the stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody or bear restrictive legends until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed.

(d) Rights as a Shareholder . The participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company, including the right to vote the shares. At the discretion of the Committee, cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock may be either currently paid to the participant or withheld by the Company for the participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to performance-based Restricted Stock Awards shall vest only if and to that the underlying Restricted Stock Award vests, as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the participant upon the release of restrictions on such shares and, if such share is forfeited, the participant shall have no right to such cash dividends or stock dividends.

9. Stock Units.

(a) Generally . The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Units to participants hereunder. Stock Units may be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting and provisions applicable to a Change in Control as the Committee determines appropriate. Stock Units may constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11 hereof. A Stock Unit granted by the Committee shall provide payment in shares of Common Stock or in cash at such time as the award agreement shall specify. Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Section 9 may be issued with or without other payments therefor as may be required by applicable law or such other consideration as may be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall determine whether a participant granted a Stock Unit shall be entitled to a Dividend Equivalent Right and the terms and conditions applicable to Dividend Equivalent Rights. Any Dividend Equivalent Right underlying a Stock Unit which is payable based on the achievement of specific vesting conditions shall vest and become payable at the same time as the underlying Stock Unit, unless the Committee determines otherwise; provided that, any Dividend Equivalent Right with respect to a performance-based Stock Unit shall vest and be paid only if and to the extent the underlying Stock Unit vests and is paid as determined by the Committee.

(b) Settlement of Stock Units . Shares of Common Stock representing the Stock Units shall be distributed to the participant unless the Committee provides for the payment of the Stock Units in cash equal to the value of the shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be distributed to the participant or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock.

(c) Definitions . A “ Stock Unit ” means a notional account representing one (1) share of Common Stock. A “ Dividend Equivalent Right ” means the right to receive the amount of any dividend paid on the share of Common Stock underlying a Stock Unit, which shall be payable in cash or in the form of additional Stock Units.

 

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10. Cash Awards . The Committee may, in its discretion, grant awards to be settled solely in cash (“ Cash Awards ”). Cash Awards may be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, as the Committee determines appropriate. Cash Awards may constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11 hereof.

11. Performance-Based Awards.

(a) Generally . Any Benefits granted under the Plan may be granted in a manner such that the Benefits qualify for the performance-based compensation exemption of Section 162(m) of the Code. Restricted Stock Awards (and any dividends payable with respect thereto), Stock Units and Dividend Equivalent Rights that are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exemption of Section 162(m) of the Code are referred to as “ Performance-Based Awards ”. As determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, either the granting or vesting of such Performance-Based Awards shall be based on achievement of performance objectives that are based on one or more of the business criteria described below, with respect to one or more business units or the Company and its subsidiaries as a whole.

(b) Business Criteria . The Committee shall use objectively determinable performance goals based on one or more of the following business criteria, individually or in combination: (i) net earnings; (ii) earnings per share; (iii) sales; (iv) operating income; (v) earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT); (vi) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); (vii) cash flow; (viii) working capital targets; (ix) return on equity; (x) return on capital; (xi) market price per share; (xii) total return to shareholders, (xiii) price-earnings multiples, (xiv) revenue, (xv) number of days sales outstanding in accounts receivable, (xvi) productivity, (xvii) margin, (xviii) net capital employed, (xix) growth in assets, (xx) unit volume, (xxi) market share, (xxii) economic value, (xxiii) relative performance to a comparison group designated by the Committee based on any of the foregoing criteria, or (xxiv) strategic business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified revenue goals, market penetration goals, customer growth, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures.

(c) Establishment of Performance Goals . With respect to Performance-Based Awards, the Committee shall establish in writing (i) the performance goals applicable to a given period, and such performance goals shall state, in terms of an objective formula or standard, the method for computing the amount of compensation payable to the participant if such performance goals are obtained and (ii) the individual employees or class of employees to which such performance goals apply; provided, however, that such performance goals shall be established in writing no later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of the applicable period of service to which the performance goals relate (but in no event after twenty-five percent (25%) of such period has elapsed), or such other period as may be consistent with the regulations issued under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(d) Certification of Performance . No Performance-Based Awards shall be payable to or vest with respect to, as the case may be, any participant for a given period until the Committee certifies in writing that the objective performance goals (and any other material terms) applicable to such period have been satisfied.

 

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(e) Modification of Performance-Based Awards . With respect to any Benefits intended to qualify as Performance-Based Awards, after establishment of a performance goal, the Committee shall not revise such performance goal to cause the goal to cease to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and the Committee shall not increase the amount of compensation payable thereunder (as determined in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code) upon the attainment of such performance goal. The Committee may reduce or eliminate the number of shares of Common Stock or cash granted or the number of shares of Common Stock vested upon the attainment of such performance goal, based on such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may make such changes to performance goals and Performance-Based Awards as the Committee deems appropriate in the event of a change in corporate capitalization, corporate transaction or other corporate event as permitted by Section 162(m), or as the Committee otherwise determines.

(f) Impact of Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Items or Changes in Accounting . To the extent applicable, subject to the following sentence and unless the Committee determines otherwise, the determination of the achievement of performance goals shall be determined based on the relevant financial measure, computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”), and in a manner consistent with the methods used in the Company’s audited financial statements. To the extent permitted by Section 162(m), in setting the performance goals for Performance-Based Awards within the period prescribed in Section 11(c), the Committee may provide for appropriate adjustment as it deems appropriate, including for one or more of the following items: asset write-downs; litigation or claim judgments or settlements; changes in accounting principles; changes in tax law or other laws affecting reported results; changes in commodity prices; severance, contract termination, and other costs related to exiting, modifying or reducing any business activities; costs of, and gains and losses from, the acquisition, disposition, or abandonment of businesses or assets; gains and losses from the early extinguishment of debt; gains and losses in connection with the termination or withdrawal from a pension plan; stock compensation costs and other non-cash expenses; any unusual or infrequently occurring items as described in applicable Accounting Principles Board opinions or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year; and any other specified non-operating items as determined by the Committee in setting performance goals.

(g) Death, Disability or Other Circumstances . The Committee may provide in the grant agreement that Performance-Based Awards under this Section 11 shall be payable, in whole or in part, in the event of the Participant’s death or disability, a Change in Control or under other circumstances consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

12. Foreign Laws . The Committee may grant Benefits to individual participants who are subject to the tax laws of nations other than the United States, which Benefits may have terms and conditions as determined by the Committee as necessary to comply with applicable foreign laws. The Committee may take any action which it deems advisable to obtain approval of such Benefits by the appropriate foreign governmental entity; provided, however, that no such Benefits may be granted pursuant to this Section 12, and no action may be taken, which would result in a violation of the Exchange Act, the Code or any other applicable law.

 

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13. Certain Terminations of Employment; Forfeitures.

(a) Forfeiture of Unsettled Benefits . Unless the Committee or any agreement providing for Benefits under this Plan shall otherwise provide, a participant shall forfeit all Benefits which have not been settled under this Plan if:

(i) the participant’s employment or service with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates is terminated for willful, deliberate, or gross misconduct, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, or such other definition of “cause” as may be applicable under the grant agreement;

(ii) during the participant’s employment or service with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, the participant engages in any business or enters into any employment relationship which the Committee in its sole discretion determines to be either directly or indirectly (A) competitive with any aspect of the business of the Company with respect to which the participant had responsibility for, or access to, confidential information within 12 months before the participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company or (B) substantially injurious to the Company’s business interests, in each case in any geographic area in which the Company conducts business with respect to which the participant had responsibility for, or access to, confidential information within 12 months before the participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company (a “ Restricted Business ”);

(iii) during the participant’s employment or service with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, the participant solicits any person who was a customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to any Restricted Business, or solicits potential customers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates who are or were identified through leads developed during the course of the participant’s employment or service with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to any Restricted Business, or otherwise diverts or attempts to divert any existing business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates;

(iv) during the participant’s employment or service with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, the participant directly for the participant or for any third party, solicits, induces, recruits or causes another person in the employment of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate such employee’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates; or

(v) during the participant’s employment or service or thereafter, the participant breaches any written confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competition covenant with the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate.

The activities described in subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) above are hereafter referred to as “ Injurious Conduct ”.

 

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(b) Forfeiture of Settled Benefits . If the Committee determines that a participant has engaged in Injurious Conduct as described in Section 13(a), the Committee may in its discretion require the participant to return to the Company any Common Stock or cash received in settlement of any Benefit under this Plan. If the Common Stock acquired in settlement of a Benefit has been disposed of by the participant, then the Company may require the participant to pay to the Company the economic value of the Common Stock as of the date of disposition.

(c) Timing . Unless the grant agreement provides otherwise, the Committee shall exercise the right of forfeiture provided to the Company in this Section 13 within one-hundred and eighty (180) days after the Company’s discovery of the Injurious Conduct activities giving rise to the Company’s right of forfeiture.

(d) Determination from the Committee . A participant may make a request to the Committee in writing for a determination regarding whether any proposed business or activity would constitute Injurious Conduct. Such request shall fully describe the proposed business or activity. The Committee shall respond to the participant in writing and the Committee’s determination shall be limited to the specific business or activity so described.

(e) Condition Precedent . Unless the Committee or any agreement providing for Benefits under this Plan shall otherwise provide, no Benefit shall be deemed awarded to any participant under this Plan unless and until the participant agrees to the applicability of this Section 13.

(f) Enforceability . The purpose of this Section 13 is to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates from Injurious Conduct. To the extent that this Section 13 is not fully enforceable as written, the unenforceable provisions shall be modified so as to provide the Company with the fullest protection permitted by law. The Committee may waive any provisions of this Section 13, as the Committee deems appropriate.

14. Adjustment Provisions; Change in Control.

(a) Adjustment . Benefits granted under the Plan and any agreements evidencing such Benefits, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan as stated in Section 5(a) and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Benefits may be granted to any one employee as stated in Section 5(b) shall be subject to mandatory adjustment or substitution, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Common Stock or other consideration subject to such Benefits or as otherwise determined by the Committee to be equitable:

(i) in the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of stock or extraordinary cash dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, spinoffs, recapitalization, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges, or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of grant of any such Benefit, or

 

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(ii) in the event of any change in applicable laws or any change in circumstances which results in or would result in any substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, participants, or which otherwise warrants equitable adjustment because it interferes with the intended operation of the Plan.

Any adjustment in Incentive Stock Options under this Section 14 shall be made only to the extent not constituting a “modification” within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and any adjustments under this Section 14 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Any adjustment to Nonqualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code, as applicable. Further, with respect to Benefits intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, such adjustments or substitutions shall be made to the extent that the Committee determines that such adjustments or substitutions may be made without causing the Company to be denied a tax deduction on account of Section 162(m) of the Code, or as the Committee otherwise determines is appropriate. The adjustments of Benefits under this Section 14(a) shall include adjustment of shares, exercise price, base price, performance goals or other terms and conditions, as appropriate. The Company shall give each participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

(b) Effect of a Change in Control on Benefits . The following provisions shall apply in the event of a Change in Control:

(i) Unless the Committee determines otherwise, if there is a Change in Control of the Company, and if participants’ Benefits remain outstanding after the Change in Control (or are assumed by, or converted to similar benefits with equivalent value as of the date of the Change in Control of, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation)), and the Company or its successor terminates a participant’s employment without Cause upon or within two years after the Change in Control, the participant’s outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall vest and become exercisable, any restrictions on Restricted Stock Awards shall lapse, and Stock Units or Cash Awards shall become payable. In that event, Benefits that are based on performance goals will vest and be payable at their target value unless the Committee determines otherwise. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, “Cause” shall mean conduct described in Section 13(a)(i) above.

(ii) Unless the Committee determines otherwise, if there is a Change in Control of the Company, and if participants’ Benefits do not remain outstanding after the Change in Control (and are not assumed by, or converted to similar benefits with equivalent value as of the date of the Change in Control of, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation)), then all outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall immediately vest and become exercisable, any restrictions on Restricted Stock Awards shall lapse, and Stock Units and Cash Awards shall become payable as of the date of the Change in Control. In that event, Benefits that are based on performance goals will vest and be payable at their target value unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may establish such other terms and conditions relating to the effect of a Change in Control on Benefits as the Committee deems appropriate. In addition to other actions, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, the Committee may take any one or more of the following actions with respect to any or all outstanding Benefits, without the consent of any participant: (A) the Committee may determine that outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be fully exercisable, restrictions on outstanding Restricted Stock Awards shall lapse, and Stock Units and Cash Awards shall become payable, as of the date of the Change in Control or at such other time as the Committee determines, (B) the Committee may require that participants surrender their outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights for cancellation in exchange for one or more payments by the Company, in cash, Common Stock or other property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction), as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to the amount, if any, by which the then Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the participant’s unexercised Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights exceeds the exercise price or base amount, as applicable, and on such terms as the Committee determines, (C) after giving participants an opportunity to exercise their outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the Committee may terminate any or all unexercised Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights at such time as the Committee deems appropriate, (D) with respect to participants holding Stock Units or Cash Awards, the Committee may determine that such participants shall receive one or more payments in settlement of such Stock Units or Cash Awards, in such amount and form and on such terms as may be determined by the Committee, or (E) the Committee may determine that Benefits that remain outstanding after the Change in Control shall be converted to similar Benefits of the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation). Without limiting the foregoing, if the per share Fair Market Value of the Common Stock does not exceed the per share exercise price or base amount of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Company shall not be required to make any payment to the participant upon surrender of the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right. Any acceleration, surrender, termination, settlement or conversion shall take place as of the date of the Change in Control or such other date as the Committee may specify.

(c) Definitions. For purposes of this Plan, the following terms have the following meanings:

(i) “ Change in Control ” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following sections shall have occurred :

(A) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (I) of subsection (C) below;

 

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(B) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

(C) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (I) a merger or consolidation immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board of Directors immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (II) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

(D) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board of Directors immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or disposed or any parent thereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred (i) by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions or (ii) by virtue of the consummation of a spin-off of any business line or business unit of the Company or a sale of (or similar transaction with respect to) all or substantially all of the assets that comprise a business line or business unit of the Company. The Committee may provide in a grant agreement for another definition of Change in Control, including as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(ii) “ Affiliate ” shall mean with respect to any Person, any other Person that, at any time that a determination is made hereunder, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such first Person. For the purpose of this definition, “control” shall mean, as to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to elect or appoint a majority of directors (or other persons acting in similar capacities) of such Person or otherwise to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(iii) “ Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficially Own ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor provision.

(iv) “ Person ” shall mean any individual, entity or group, including any “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

15. Nontransferability . Benefits granted under the Plan shall not be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable, during the participant’s lifetime, only by the participant. In the event of the death of a participant, each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right theretofore granted to him or her shall be exercisable during such period after his or her death as the Committee shall in its discretion set forth in the grant agreement and then only by the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased participant or the person or persons to whom the deceased participant’s rights under the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Committee, and subject to applicable law, a grant agreement for a Benefit other than an Incentive Stock Option may permit the transferability of the Benefit by a participant solely for charitable purposes or to the participant’s spouse, siblings, parents, children and grandchildren or trusts for the benefit of such persons or to partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or other entities owned solely by such persons, including trusts for such persons, without consideration, subject to any restriction included in the grant agreement for the Benefit.

16. Other Provisions . The award of any Benefit under the Plan may be subject to such other provisions (whether or not applicable to the Benefit awarded to any other participant) as the Committee determines appropriate, including, without limitation, for the forfeiture of, or restrictions on resale or other disposition of, Common Stock acquired under any form of Benefit, for the acceleration of exercisability or vesting of Benefits (subject to Section 4(b)), or to comply with federal and state securities laws, or understandings or conditions as to the participant’s employment or service in addition to those specifically provided for under the Plan.

17. Fair Market Value . For purposes of this Plan and any Benefits awarded hereunder, Fair Market Value on any given date means (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange on a last sale basis, the closing price reported as having occurred on the such date, or, if there is no sale on such date, then on the last preceding date on which such a sale was reported, or (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee to be the fair market value based upon a good faith attempt to value the Common Stock accurately.

 

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18. Withholding . All payments or distributions of Benefits made pursuant to the Plan shall be net of any amounts required to be withheld pursuant to applicable federal, state and local tax withholding requirements. If the Company proposes or is required to distribute Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, it may require the recipient to remit to it or to the corporation that employs such recipient an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding requirements prior to the delivery of any certificates for such Common Stock. In lieu thereof, the Company or the employing corporation shall have the right to withhold the amount of such taxes from any other sums due or to become due from such corporation to the recipient as the Committee shall prescribe. The Committee may, in its discretion and subject to such rules as it may adopt (including any as may be required to satisfy applicable tax and/or non-tax regulatory requirements), permit or require a participant to pay all or a portion of the federal, state and local withholding taxes arising in connection with any Benefit consisting of shares of Common Stock by having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of tax to be withheld, or permit a participant to pay such withholding taxes by tendering shares of Common Stock held by the participant. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, share withholding for taxes shall not exceed the participant’s minimum applicable tax withholding amount.

19. Duration, Amendment and Termination .

(a) Amendment and Termination . The Company, by action of its Board of Directors, may amend the Plan from time to time or suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall not amend the Plan without approval of the shareholders of the Company if such approval is required (i) in order to comply with the Code or other applicable laws, or to comply with applicable stock exchange requirements or (ii) in order to comply with Section 19(b) below. No amendment or termination of this Plan shall, without the consent of the participant, materially impair any rights or obligations under any Benefit previously granted to the participant under the Plan, unless such right has been reserved in the Plan or the grant agreement, or except as provided in Section 20(f) below. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board of Directors may amend the Plan in such manner as it deems appropriate in the event of a change in applicable law or regulations.

(b) No Repricing . Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spinoff, combination, or exchange of shares), the Company may not, without obtaining shareholder approval, (i) amend the terms of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or the base amount of outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights, (ii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for other awards or Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price or base amount, as applicable, that is less than the exercise price or base amount, as applicable, of the original Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or (iii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price or base amount, as applicable, above the current stock price in exchange for cash, Common Stock or other securities.

 

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(c) Shareholder Approval for Performance-Based Awards .

(i) The Plan is intended to comply with the transition relief set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.162-27(f)(4) for companies that become publicly held in connection with a spinoff. Subject to compliance with Treas. Reg. §1.162-27(f)(4), the transition relief applies to Cash Awards and Stock Units paid, or Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or Restricted Stock Awards granted, prior to the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Company’s shareholders that occurs more than 12 months after the Effective Date (“ Reliance Period ”).

(ii) Following the Reliance Period, if Performance-Based Awards are to be granted under the Plan, the Plan must be approved by the shareholders in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. Following such shareholder approval, the Plan must be reapproved by the Company’s shareholders no later than the first shareholders meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the shareholders previously approved the provisions of Section 11, if Performance-Based Awards are to be made under Section 11 after the date of such shareholders meeting and if required by Section 162(m) of the Code or the regulations thereunder.

(d) Termination of Plan . The Plan shall terminate on the day immediately preceding the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless the Plan is terminated earlier by the Board of Directors or is extended by the Board of Directors with the approval of the shareholders. The termination of the Plan shall not impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to outstanding Benefits. Incentive Stock Options shall not be granted after the date that is ten (10) years after the date on which the Board of Directors adopts the Plan or the Effective Date, whichever is earlier.

20. Miscellaneous.

(a) Employment Rights . Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any participant the right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

(b) Unfunded Plan . Participants shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments which the Company may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any participant, beneficiary, legal representative or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan. The Plan is not intended to be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

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(c) No Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Benefit. The Committee shall determine whether cash, or Benefits, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

(d) Company Policies; Holding Requirements . All Benefits granted under the Plan shall be subject to any applicable clawback or recoupment policies, share trading policies and other policies that may be implemented by the Company’s Board of Directors from time to time. Participants who are subject to the Company’s stock ownership policy must hold a portion of the net after-tax shares received upon vesting, exercise or payment of Benefits under this Plan until the applicable stock ownership guidelines are met, in accordance with the Company’s stock ownership policy.

(e) Requirements for Issuance of Shares . No Common Stock shall be issued in connection with any Benefit hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance of such Common Stock have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to condition any Benefit granted to any participant hereunder on such participant’s undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of such shares of Common Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable, and certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan will be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as may be required by applicable laws, regulations and interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon. No participant shall have any right as a shareholder with respect to Common Stock covered by a Benefit until shares have been issued to the participant.

(f) Compliance with Law . The Plan, the exercise of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and the obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Common Stock in accordance with Benefits granted under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. In addition, it is the intent of the Company that Incentive Stock Options comply with the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, and Performance-Based Awards comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. To the extent that any legal requirement of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 422 or 162(m) as set forth in the Plan ceases to be required under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 422 or 162(m) of the Code, that Plan provision shall cease to apply. The Committee may revoke any Benefit granted under the Plan if it is contrary to law or modify a Benefit to bring it into compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The Committee may also adopt rules regarding the withholding of taxes on payments to participants. The Committee may also, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this Section.

 

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(g) Benefits in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise . Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to (i) limit the right of the Committee to grant Benefits under this Plan in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business or assets of any corporation, firm or association, including Benefits to employees thereof who become employees of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, or for other proper corporate purposes, or (ii) limit the right of the Company to make stock-based awards outside of this Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may grant Substitute Awards to an employee of another corporation who becomes an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates by reason of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or property, reorganization or liquidation involving the Company in substitution for a grant made by such corporation. The terms and conditions of the Benefits may vary from the terms and conditions required by the Plan and from those of the substituted stock incentives, as determined by the Committee.

(h) Section 409A . The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable. All Benefits shall be construed and administered such that the Benefit either (i) qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or (ii) satisfies the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. If a Benefit is subject to Section 409A of the Code, (A) distributions shall only be made in a manner and upon an event permitted under Section 409A of the Code, (B) payments to be made upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code, (C) unless the Benefit specifies otherwise, each installment payment shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and (D) in no event shall a participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year in which a distribution is made except in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Any Benefit granted under the Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code and that is to be distributed to a key employee upon separation from service shall be administered so that any distribution with respect to such Benefit shall be postponed for six (6) months following the date of the participant’s separation from service, if required by Section 409A of the Code. If a distribution is delayed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, the distribution shall be paid within thirty (30) days after the end of the six (6)-month period. If the participant dies during such six (6)-month period, any postponed amounts shall be paid within ninety (90) days of the participant’s death. The determination of key employees, including the number and identity of persons considered key employees and the identification date, shall be made by the Committee or its delegate each year in accordance with Section 416(i) of the Code and the “specified employee” requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(i) Governing Law . This Plan, Benefits granted hereunder and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

(j) Effective Date . The Plan shall be effective as of the date that the separation of the Company from Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and its affiliates is consummated (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

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Exhibit 4.4

Armstrong Flooring, Inc.

2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan

 

1. Purpose

Effective as of the Effective Date, the Armstrong Floorings, Inc. 2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan (the “ Plan ”) is hereby established.

Stock unit grants made under the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2008 Directors Stock Unit Plan and the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Phantom Stock Unit Plan that have been converted to stock unit grants on Common Stock and assumed by the Company effective as of the Effective Date (the “ Assumed Grants ”) will be subject to the terms of the applicable grant agreements and this Plan, and the shares with respect to such outstanding Assumed Grants will be issued under this Plan.

The purposes of this Plan are to promote the growth and profitability of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (the “ Company ”) by increasing the mutuality of interests between directors and the shareholders of the Company.

 

2. Definitions

The following terms shall have the meanings shown:

2.1 “ Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, at any time that a determination is made hereunder, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such first Person. For the purpose of this definition, “control” shall mean, as to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to elect or appoint a majority of directors (or other persons acting in similar capacities) of such Person or otherwise to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

2.2 “ Assumed Grants ” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 1.

2.3 “ Beneficial Owner ” and “ Beneficially Own ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor provision.

2.4 “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5 “ Change in Control ” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following sections shall have occurred:

(a) Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of subsection (c) below;


(b) The following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended;

(c) There is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates) representing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

(d) The shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or disposed or any parent thereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred (i) by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions or (ii) by virtue of the consummation of a spin-off of any business line or business unit of the Company or a sale of (or similar transaction with respect to) all or substantially all of the assets that comprise a business line or business unit of the Company. The Committee may provide in a grant agreement for another definition of Change in Control, including as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

2.6 “ Committee ” shall mean the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board, or any other committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

2.7 “ Common Stock ” shall mean Common Stock of the Company.

 

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2.8 “ Company ” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 1.

2.9 “ Deferred Payment Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(c).

2.10 “ Dividend Equivalent ” shall mean the right to receive an amount equal to any cash dividend that is paid on a share of Common Stock underlying a Unit, including regular cash dividends and extraordinary cash dividends.

2.11 “ Effective Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 5.14.

2.12 “ Exchange Act ” shall mean Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.13 “ Non-Employee Director ” shall mean a member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries.

2.14 “ Participant ” shall mean a Non-Employee Director to whom Units are granted under the Plan.

2.15 “ Person ” shall mean any individual, entity or group, including any “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

2.16 “ Plan ” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 1.

2.17 “ Separation from Service ” shall mean a “separation from service” with the Company and its subsidiaries under Section 409A of the Code.

2.18 “ Unit ” shall mean a right granted by the Committee pursuant to Section 4.1 to receive one share of Common Stock as of a specified date, which right may be made conditional upon continued service or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of specified events as herein provided.

 

3. General

3.1 Administration . The Plan may be administered by the Board or, if so delegated, to the Committee. Administration shall be delegable to the extent it does not adversely affect the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and provided that such delegation complies with applicable law and applicable stock exchange requirements. To the extent that the Board or Committee administers the Plan, references in the Plan to the “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board or the Committee, as applicable.

(a) Committee Membership . Unless the Plan is administered by the Board, each member of the Committee shall at the time of any action under the Plan be a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b) (or any successor rule) promulgated under the Exchange Act, and to the extent any member of the Committee is not a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b) (or any successor rule) promulgated under the Exchange Act, such member shall abstain or recuse himself or herself from such action, provided that, upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed of two or more “Non-Employee Directors.”

 

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(b) Committee Authority . The Committee shall have the authority in its sole discretion from time to time: (i) to make discretionary grants of Units to eligible directors as provided herein; (ii) to prescribe such terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions, not inconsistent with the Plan, applicable to any grant as deemed appropriate; and (iii) to interpret the Plan, to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and to make all other determinations and take all other action necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the Plan. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the action of a majority of the members of the Committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously adopted in writing without the holding of a meeting, shall be the acts of the Committee. All such actions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Participant.

(c) Indemnification . No member of the Committee and no employee of the Company shall be liable for any act or failure to act hereunder, except in circumstances involving his or her bad faith or willful misconduct, or for any act or failure to act hereunder by any other member or employee or by any agent to whom duties in connection with the administration of this Plan have been delegated. The Company shall indemnify members of the Committee and any agent of the Committee who is an employee of the Company, a subsidiary or an affiliate against any and all liabilities or expenses to which they may be subjected by reason of any act or failure to act with respect to their duties on behalf of the Plan, except in circumstances involving such person’s bad faith or willful misconduct.

3.2 Eligibility . A grant of Units under the Plan may be made to any Non-Employee Director of the Company.

3.3 Common Stock Available under the Plan .

(a) Aggregate Limitation . The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued in connection with Units granted under the Plan and the Assumed Grants shall not exceed 600,000 shares, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 5.4.

(b) Individual Participant Limitation . For grants made on or after the Effective Date, the maximum grant date value of shares of Common Stock subject to grants of Units made to any Participant during any one calendar year, taken together with any cash fees earned by such Participant for services rendered during the calendar year, shall not exceed $600,000 in total value. For purposes of this limit, the value of such grants shall be calculated based on the grant date fair value of such grants for financial reporting purposes.

(c) Source of Shares . Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or reacquired shares of Common Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open market for purposes of the Plan.

(d) Share Counting . If and to the extent any Units granted under this Plan are forfeited, terminated, or otherwise are not paid in full, the shares reserved for such grants shall again be available for purposes of the Plan. The provisions of this Section 3.3(d) shall apply

 

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only for purposes of determining the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, but shall not apply for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which grants may be granted to any individual Participant under the Plan.

 

4. Units; Assumed Grants

4.1 Grant of Units . Each Non-Employee Director shall be granted Units under the Plan in accordance with the provisions set forth below, contingent upon his or her continued service as a director of the Company:

(a) Annual Grants . Unless the Committee determines otherwise, each year, each Non-Employee Director shall be granted a number of Units under the Plan based on a formula approved by the Committee. The Committee shall establish appropriate terms and conditions for the annual grants.

(b) Pro-Rated Grants . In the case of a Non-Employee Director who is elected to the Board other than at the annual meeting of shareholders, the Committee may pro-rate the amount of the annual grant of Units awarded to such director to correspond to the period of time to be served by the Non-Employee Director between such Non-Employee Director’s election and the next annual meeting of shareholders.

(c) Discretionary Grants . Units may also be granted under the Plan to eligible Non-Employee Directors at such times, in such amounts, and upon such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.

4.2 Grant Agreements . The grant of Units shall be evidenced by a written agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, stating the number of Units granted and such other terms and conditions of the grant as the Committee may from time to time determine. Units granted under the Plan shall be made conditional upon the Participant’s acknowledgement, in writing or by acceptance of the Units, that all decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant, his or her successors and any other person having or claiming an interest under such Units.

4.3 Standard Terms and Conditions of Units . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, each grant of Units under the Plan shall be made on the following terms and conditions, in addition to such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe:

(a) Vesting . The date on which each Unit shall vest, contingent upon the Participant’s continued service as a director of the Company on such date, shall be the first to occur of:

(i) The date of the next annual shareholders meeting;

(ii) The date on which the Participant has a Separation from Service on account of death or total and permanent disability of the Participant (as determined by the Committee); or

 

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(iii) The date of a Change in Control.

(b) Payment Date . Each vested Unit shall be paid upon vesting of the Units in accordance with Section 4.3(d) below, unless the Participant has made an effective deferral election in accordance with Section 4.3(c) below.

(c) Deferral Elections . A Participant may elect to defer payment of vested Units that will be granted in a designated year, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The deferral election may provide for payment upon the first to occur of (i) the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service for any reason other than cause (as determined by the Committee) or (ii) a Change in Control that meets the requirements of a “a change in the ownership or effective control, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets,” of the Company under Section 409A of the Code. The first to occur of (i) or (ii) is referred to as the “ Deferred Payment Date .” Any election to defer payment of Units must be made in writing in a form approved by the Committee and must be made prior to January 1 of the calendar year in which the Units are to be granted to the Participant, or as otherwise permitted under Section 409A of the Code. The Company shall create a bookkeeping account for each Participant who defers Units, and shall credit the Participant’s deferred Units to such bookkeeping account.

(d) Time and Form of Payment . Vested Units shall be paid in the form of shares of Common Stock, with one share of Common Stock delivered for each vested Unit, within 60 days after the date of vesting in accordance with Section 4.3(b) or within 60 days after the Deferred Payment Date in accordance with Section 4.3(c), as applicable.

(e) Forfeiture of Units . Upon the effective date of a Separation from Service for cause, as determined by the Committee, all Units that have not been paid, whether or not vested, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without consideration or further action being required of the Company or the Participant. Upon the effective date of a Separation from Service for any reason other than cause, as determined by the Committee, all unvested Units (other than those that vest in accordance with Section 4.4(a)(ii)) shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without consideration and without further action being required of the Company or the Participant.

(f) Dividend Equivalents . If an award of Units is outstanding as of the record date for determining the shareholders of the Company entitled to receive a cash dividend on its outstanding shares of Common Stock, each Participant shall be entitled to be credited with Dividend Equivalents with respect to the Participant’s outstanding Units. Dividend Equivalents will accrue as of the date of the dividend payment and, if applicable, will be credited to a bookkeeping account established by the Company for the Participant. Dividend Equivalents on unvested Units will accrue and be paid in cash within 60 days after the date of vesting of the underlying Units. Dividend Equivalents on vested Units that have been deferred will be paid in cash on the payment date for the applicable dividend. If and to the extent that the underlying Units are forfeited, all related accrued Dividend Equivalents shall also be forfeited. No interest shall accrue on Dividend Equivalents.

 

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4.4 Optional Terms and Conditions of Units . To the extent not inconsistent with the Plan, the Committee may prescribe such terms and conditions applicable to any grant of Units as it may in its discretion determine, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.3. The Committee shall have discretion to accelerate vesting of Units in such circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate.

4.5 Transfer Restriction . No Unit shall be assignable or transferable by another than by will, or if the Participant dies intestate, by the laws of descent and distribution of the state of domicile at the time of death.

4.6 Continued Service as an Employee . Unless the Committee determines otherwise, if a Participant ceases serving as a director and, immediately thereafter, he or she is employed by the Company or any subsidiary, then such Participant will not be deemed to have ceased service for purposes of the Plan at that time, and his or her continued employment by the Company or any subsidiary will be deemed to be continued service for purposes of the Plan; provided, however , that such service shall cease as of the date of a Separation from Service, and such former director will not be eligible for additional grants of Units under the Plan while he or she is an employee of the Company or a subsidiary.

4.7 Assumed Grants . Assumed Grants shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable grant agreements and the plan under which they were granted and shall vest and be paid according to the applicable grant agreements and plan.

 

5. Miscellaneous

5.1 No Right to Continued Service . Nothing in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon any Participant the right to continue in the service as a director of the Company or an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor shall it affect any right that the Company or its shareholders may have to elect or remove directors or hire or fire any employees.

5.2 Non-Uniform Determinations . The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, grants under the Plan, whether or not such persons are similarly situated.

5.3 No Rights as Shareholders . Recipients of grants under the Plan shall have no rights as shareholders of the Company with respect thereto until shares of Common Stock are delivered in payment therefor.

5.4 Adjustments of Stock . Units granted under the Plan and any agreements evidencing such grants, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan as stated in Section 3.3(a) and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which grants may be made to any one Participant as stated in Section 3.3(b) shall be subject to mandatory adjustment or substitution, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Common Stock or other consideration subject to such Units or as otherwise determined by the Committee to be equitable:

 

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(i) in the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of stock or extraordinary cash dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, spinoffs, recapitalization, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges, or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of grant of any such Units, or

(ii) in the event of any change in applicable laws or any change in circumstances which results in or would result in any substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants, or which otherwise warrants equitable adjustment because it interferes with the intended operation of the Plan.

The adjustments of grants under this Section 5.4 shall include adjustment of shares or other terms and conditions, as appropriate. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

5.5 Amendment or Termination of the Plan .

(a) Amendment . The Board may from time to time amend the Plan as it may deem advisable; provided, however, that approval of the shareholders of the Company will be required if such approval is required in order to comply with applicable law or stock exchange requirements. An amendment of this Plan will, unless the amendment provides otherwise, be immediately and automatically effective for all outstanding grants. The Committee may amend any outstanding grants under this Plan, provided the grants, as amended, contain only such terms and conditions as would be permitted or required for a new grant under this Plan.

(b) Termination . The Plan shall terminate on the day immediately preceding the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless the Plan is terminated earlier by the Board or is extended by the Board with the approval of the shareholders. The termination of the Plan shall not impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to outstanding grants.

5.6 Unfunded Plan . Participants shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments which the Company may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal representative or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan. The Plan is not intended to be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

5.7 No Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any grant. The Committee shall determine whether cash or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

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5.8 Company Policies . All Units granted under the Plan shall be subject to any applicable clawback or recoupment policies, share trading policies and other policies that may be implemented by the Board from time to time. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Non-Employee Directors must hold a portion of the net after-tax shares received upon payment of Units granted under this Plan until the applicable stock ownership guidelines are met, in accordance with the Company’s stock ownership policy applicable to Non-Employee Directors.

5.9 Requirements for Issuance of Shares . No Common Stock shall be issued in connection with any grant hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance of such Common Stock have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to condition any grant to any Participant hereunder on such Participant’s undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of such shares of Common Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable, and certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan will be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as may be required by applicable laws, regulations and interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon. No Participant shall have any right as a shareholder with respect to Common Stock covered by a grant until shares have been issued to the Participant.

5.10 Compliance with Law . The Plan and the obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Common Stock in accordance with grants under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any legal requirement of Section 16 of the Exchange Act ceases to be required under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, that Plan provision shall cease to apply. The Committee may revoke any grant under the Plan if it is contrary to law or modify a grant to bring it into compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The Committee may also adopt rules regarding the withholding of taxes on payments to Participants. The Committee may also, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this Section.

5.11 Grants in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise . Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to (a) limit the right of the Committee to make grants under this Plan in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business or assets of any corporation, firm or association, including grants to persons who become Non-Employee Directors of the Company, or for other proper corporate purposes, or (b) limit the right of the Company to make stock-based awards outside of this Plan. The terms and conditions of the grants hereunder may vary from the terms and conditions required by the Plan and from those of the substituted stock incentives, as determined by the Committee.

5.12 Section 409A . The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable. All grants shall be construed and administered such that the grant either (a) qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or (b) satisfies the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. If a grant is subject to

 

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Section 409A of the Code, (i) distributions shall only be made in a manner and upon an event permitted under Section 409A of the Code, including, if required by Section 409A, the six-month delay applicable to payments to specified employees upon Separation from Service, (ii) payments to be made upon a termination of service shall only be made upon a Separation from Service under Section 409A of the Code, (iii) unless the grant specifies otherwise, each installment payment shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and (iv) in no event shall a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year in which a distribution is made except in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

5.13 Governing Law . This Plan, grants hereunder and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

5.14 Effective Date . The Plan shall be effective as of the date that the separation of the Company from Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and its affiliates is consummated (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

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Exhibit 5.1

April 4, 2016

Armstrong Flooring, Inc.

2500 Columbia Avenue

Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603

 

RE: Armstrong Flooring, Inc., Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Armstrong Flooring, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of the referenced Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Registration Statement relates to the proposed offering and sale of 5,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), issuable under the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP Plan Shares”) and 600,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable under the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan (the “Director Plan Shares” and, together with the LTIP Plans Shares, the “Shares”).

In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined the Registration Statement and originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company and such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of the opinion set forth herein.

We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of the documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, facsimile or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered by the Company in the manner and in accordance with the terms of the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan or the Armstrong Flooring, Inc. 2016 Directors Stock Unit Plan, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law.

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the SEC thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Armstrong Flooring, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 22, 2016, with respect to the combined balance sheets of Armstrong Flooring, Inc. and affiliates as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related combined statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), AWI equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and the related financial statement schedule, which report appears in the March 11, 2016 Registration Statement on Form 10 of Armstrong Flooring, Inc.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

4 April 2016