EXHIBIT 99.1

CONTACT:            INVESTOR RELATIONS                 (NYSE:  BMC)
               (952) 851-6000                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                   BMC INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

August 4, 2000 -- Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA -- On August 3, 2000, BMC
Industries, Inc.'s Board of Directors approved a continuation of its quarterly
cash dividend of $.015 per share.

Shareholders of record as of September 20, 2000 will receive a dividend of $.015
for each share owned on that date, to be paid on October 4, 2000.

BMC Industries, Inc., through its Vision-Ease subsidiary, is a leading
designer, manufacturer and distributor of polycarbonate, glass and hard-resin
plastic eyewear lenses. BMC, through its Buckbee-Mears division, also
manufactures precision imaged products such as aperture masks and
photo-etched metal and electroformed parts. BMC is the only North American
manufacturer of aperture masks, which are used in color television and
computer monitor picture tubes. BMC's common stock is traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol "BMC". For more information about BMC
Industries, Inc., visit the Company's website: www.bmcind.com.


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