Exhibit 99(A)(6)
 
Bird Corporation [LOGO]          PRESS RELEASE
                                                     Bird Corporation           
                                                     1077 Pleasant Street       
                                                     Norwood, MA 02062-6714     
                                                     Contact: Joseph Vecchiolla,
                                                                Chairman
                                                     Phone (203) 622-4880 




Bird Corporation Agrees to Merge
with CertainTeed Corporation
a Subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Corporation

Norwood, Mass.--March 15, 1996--The Board of Directors of Bird Corporation
(NASDAQ:BIRD) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement with 
CertainTeed Corporation, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Corporation, providing 
for CertainTeed to acquire in a merger transaction all of Bird's outstanding 
common, preferred and preference shares.

CertainTeed will pay $7.50 per share for the common stock. As of March 1,
1996 there were approximately 4.1 million shares of Bird common stock
outstanding.

The Bird/CertainTeed merger provides for the acquisition or redemption at their
liquidation preference of all outstanding 5% cumulative preferred stock for
$110.00 per share and all outstanding $1.85 cumulative convertible preference
stock for $20.00 per share. Payment for preferred and preference stock will
include any previously accrued but unpaid dividends. The total consideration
for the transaction exceeds $50 million, including common and preferred equity
plus debt.

Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Bird's shareholders, 
appropriate governmental approvals and other customary conditions. The 
transaction is not subject to a financing contingency. Bird's Board of Directors
has received a fairness opinion from its investment bankers regarding the 
merger. Closing of the Bird/CertainTeed merger is anticipated at the end of the 
second quarter following distribution of proxy materials to Bird's shareholders 
and approval at a special meeting.

Commenting on today's announcement, Joseph D. Vecchiolla, Bird's Chairman stated
that, "Bird has enjoyed a rich and innovative history since its founding over
200 years ago. However, during the past year it became apparent that greater
progress could be made if Bird became part of a larger, financially strong
orqanization with similar goals and philosophies. The agreement reached with
CertainTeed is the culmination of several months of negotiations with a number
of candidates and meets our criteria. There is an excellent fit between our
organizations, as we are both producers of high quality asphalt roofing
shingles. Integrating Bird's resources with CertainTeed will strengthen our 
core manufacturing operations".

Bird Corporation, founded in 1795, is primarily a manufacturer of asphalt 
shingles and roll-roofing goods with annual sales of more than $50 million.