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

     
                           BMC ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
                                             
September 5, 1997--Minneapolis, Minnesota--BMC Industries, Inc. today announced
that its Board of Directors has approved a continuation of its quarterly cash
dividend of $.015 per share.

Shareholders of record as of September 17, 1997 will receive a dividend of $.015
for each share owned on that date, to be paid on October 1, 1997.

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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