Contact:   Michael P. Hawks                    (NYSE-BMC)
               (612) 851-6030                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE





                           BMC ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND




    March 8, 1996--Minneapolis, Minnesota--BMC Industries, Inc. today announced
    that its Board of Directors has approved a continuation of its quarterly
    cash dividend of $.0125 cents per share.

    Shareholders of record as of March 20, 1996 will receive a dividend of
    $.0125 for each share owned on that date, to be paid on April 3, 1996.

    BMC Industries, Inc. is one of the world's largest manufacturers of
    aperture masks for color picture tubes used in televisions and computer
    monitors.  The Company is also a leading producer of polycarbonate, glass
    and plastic eyewear lenses.  BMC's common stock is traded on the New York
    Stock Exchange under the symbol BMC.


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