1 EXHIBIT 99 Bird Corporation 1077 Pleasant Street Norwood, MA 02062-6714 Contact: Joseph Vecchiolla, Chairman Phone: (203) 622-4880 Bird Corporation agrees to Merge with Certain Teed Corporation a Subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Corporation Norwood, Mass. -- March 15, 1996 -- The Board of Directors of Bird Corporation (NASDAQ:BIRD) today announced unanimous approval and acceptance of an offer from Certain Teed Corporation, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Corporation, to acquire in a merger transaction all of Bird's outstanding common, preferred and preference shares. Certain Teed 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/Certain Teed merger provides for the 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 will include any previously accrued but unpaid dividends. The total consideration of the transaction exceeds $50 million, including common and preferred equity plus debt. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Bird's shareholders and appropriate governmental authorities. 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/Certain Teed merger is anticipated at the end of the second quarter, following distribution of proxy materials to Bird 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 organization with similar goals and philosophies. The agreement reached with Certain Teed 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 Certain Teed 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.