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                                                                      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.