Lancaster, Pa. -- Armstrong World Industries has cut 56 corporate and staff positions, citing a market slowdown in its flooring-and-building products business. Most of the positions being eliminated are at the headquarters in Lancaster, Pa., the company said.

Armstrong World filed for bankruptcy protection last month in the wake of mounting legal costs and potential liability of up to $1.4 billion over asbestos insulation it manufactured before the 1970s. But the company said the cutbacks stemmed from slowing market conditions.

Affected employees will receive severance packages and career counseling based on their length of service with the company, officials said.