Johns Manville - a presence in the global reinforcements market:

Bad Homburg (April 9, 2002) --- Johns Manville (JM) has expanded its presence in the global reinforcements market. During the JEC trade conference in Paris Johns Manville Europe will be showcasing reinforcements products from JM's U.S. locations as well as products manufactured at its new Trnava, Slovakia facility. These manufacturing locations serve markets in North America, Europe and Asia.

The Slovakia facility, acquired in March 2001, propelled Johns Manville into a global position in the reinforcements market - a position sought for some time. "We are very excited about our opportunities in the global reinforcements industry. Our strategic acquisition of Skloplast in Slovakia in early 2001 enables us to better serve our global customers," said Steve Hochhauser, senior vice president, Engineered Products Group (EPG). EPG is one of Johns Manville's three strategic business units, and the business to which Johns Manville Europe reports. "We've invested in the Slovakia operation by building a new furnace, which almost doubled the plant's capacity."

In addition to the new furnace in Slovakia, EPG is completing a new furnace at its Etowah, Tennessee (USA) plant. "The state-of-the-art direct melt technology used in these furnaces signifies JM's commitment to our global customers and the industry," continued Hochhauser. "These two new furnaces were built to support our global growth plan in continuing to provide innovative solutions to our regional and global customers."

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company has sales in excess of $2 billion and holds leadership positions in all of the key markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs approximately 9,500 people and operates 52 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. Johns Manville Europe is the European operations for one of Johns Manville's three strategic business units, and has 11 manufacturing locations in Germany, Sweden, the U.K., Poland, Slovakia and China. Additional information can be found at www.jm.com.