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                                                              EXHIBIT 99



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         Contact:
                                                              Samuel Cypert
                                                              313-792-6646



   MASCO CORPORATION ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF FIVE COMPANIES WITH COMBINED
      ANNUAL SALES IN EXCESS OF $1.5 BILLION FOR APPROXIMATELY $3.8 BILLION
                            INCLUDING CASH AND STOCK


         Taylor, Michigan (September 1, 1999)--Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS)
today announced that it has acquired five home improvement and building products
companies with combined annualized 1999 sales anticipated to be in excess of
$1.5 billion. The acquisition cost of the five companies approximates $3.8
billion including cash, assumed debt and approximately 106 million shares of
Masco common stock.

         The companies are:

         -    Arrow Fastener Company, a Saddle Brook, New Jersey-based
              manufacturer of manual and electric staple gun tackers and
              staples, glue guns and supplies and other hand tools that are sold
              to consumers and commercial contractors primarily through home
              centers, mass merchants and specialized retailers.

         -    Behr Process Corporation, a Santa Ana, California-based
              manufacturer of premium architectural coatings, including stains,
              varnishes and paints that are sold primarily to the do-it-yourself
              market through major home centers and other retailers.

         -    Inrecon, L.L.C., a Birmingham, Michigan-based company specializing
              in the repair, remodeling and restoration of residential,
              commercial and institutional facilities damaged by fire, wind,
              water and storms. Primary customers are local homeowners, large
              retail chains, restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, churches,
              nursing homes and municipalities. Commercial customers often
              include Inrecon in their disaster plans as a key supplier of
              restoration and repair services.

         -    Mill's Pride, L.L.P, a West Palm Beach, Florida-based manufacturer
              of ready-to-assemble and assembled kitchen and bath cabinetry and
              a leading manufacturer of bath vanities, home office workstations
              and entertainment centers, storage products, bookcases and kitchen
              utility products that are sold through home centers and other mass
              merchants.


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                                                              MASCO ACQUISITIONS
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         -    Superia Radiatoren, N.V., a Zedelgem, Belgium-based manufacturer
              of standard plate radiators. The addition of Superia complements
              the Company's existing radiator and hydronic heating system
              manufacturing capabilities and enables Masco to offer a full range
              of radiators to customers in Europe.

         Based on present economic trends, the Company believes that each of
these acquisitions will be accretive to Masco's earnings per share next year.

         Masco will incur after-tax charges of approximately $120 million in the
third quarter of 1999 to reflect non-recurring costs related to the acquisition
of these companies.

         Certain of the transactions have been completed on a
"pooling-of-interests" basis, which will require restatement of Masco's
previously reported results. Masco also announced that prior to the completion
of these transactions, it has rescinded its share repurchase program, as
required by accounting rules related to "pooling-of-interests" transactions.

         Masco Chairman Richard A. Manoogian commented, "These companies are all
recognized leaders in their markets and will enable Masco to further broaden its
product offerings. We believe the anticipated continued high rate of growth of
these fine companies should increase Masco's rate of internal growth in the
future. We are delighted that they have decided to join the Masco family of
companies."

         Masco Corporation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of
faucets, cabinets, locks and other brand-name consumer products for home
improvement and building markets.






         Statements in this press release may include certain forward-looking
statements regarding Masco's future sales and earnings growth potential. Actual
results may vary materially because of external factors such as interest rate
fluctuations, changes in consumer spending and other factors over which
management has no control. Additional information about our products, markets
and conditions, which could affect our future performance, is contained in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.