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

     
                   BMC INDUSTRIES ADDS TWO DIRECTORS TO ITS BOARD
                                          
                                          
May 12, 1998 --Minneapolis, Minnesota - BMC Industries, Inc. ("BMC") today
announced the addition of H. Ted Davis and James Ramich to its Board of
Directors, effective May 8, 1998.   

Dr. Davis has over 35 years of experience in education and research and
consulting in the areas of chemical engineering, science and technology.  Dr.
Davis serves as Dean of the Institute of Technology and is the Regents'
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, at the
University of Minnesota.  For 15 years Dr. Davis also served as Head of the
Department of Chemical Engineering, which has been rated the top chemical
engineering department in the country.  In addition to holding a Ph.D. in
chemical physics from the University of Chicago, Dr. Davis has received numerous
honors and awards for his work in these areas.

Mr. Ramich has had a distinguished career with Corning Incorporated for 25
years, most recently as Executive Vice President, Corning Communications.  He
served in a number of other senior management and operating positions at
Corning, including President, Corning Japan, Executive Vice President,
Information Display Group and Vice President of Corporate Development.  Mr.
Ramich also served in several manufacturing, sales and marketing positions.  Mr.
Ramich holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Paul B. Burke, BMC's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated,
"We are delighted that Ted Davis and Jim Ramich have agreed to serve on BMC's
Board of Directors.  Ted brings a tremendous amount of knowledge in chemical
engineering and technology that will be instrumental in developing and enhancing
our processes and products.  Jim offers vast experience in business management,
corporate development and operations in multinational operations and in the
display industry.  BMC will benefit greatly from Jim's ability to apply this
experience to BMC's existing and future business operations."

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 glass, plastic and polycarbonate eyewear
lenses.  BMC's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol BMC.


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