Contact:  Jeffrey J. Hattara                             (NYSE-BMC)
          (612)851-6030                                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                       BMC ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

March 18, 1998 --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 March 30, 1998 will receive a dividend of $.015 for
each share owned on that date, to be paid on April 13, 1998.

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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