Vulcan On Fortune Magazine's Most Admired List; Among Top Ten in Social Responsibility.

Business Editors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2002

Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC) announced it led several categories in Fortune Magazine's "America's Most Admired Companies" list in the publication's March 4, 2002 issue. Vulcan ranked first in

To compile its "Most Admired Companies" industry rankings list, Fortune identified the 10 largest companies by revenues in 58 industries, including large subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies. They then asked 10,000 executives, directors and securities analysts to rate the companies of their own industries in eight separate categories. The eight criteria include: innovation, financial soundness, employee talent, use of corporate assets, long-term investment value, social responsibility, quality of management and quality of products and services. Within its industry group, Vulcan was rated number one in all eight categories.

"We are dedicated to making sound investments for ensuring our company's future growth, while also operating in a socially responsible manner," said Donald M. James, Vulcan's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our high rankings on Fortune's list indicate that our efforts have placed us on the right track for future success for our company, customers and communities."

Vulcan's social responsibility efforts are focused upon education, environmental stewardship and employee involvement. Every year the Company's sites become open-air classrooms, offering thousands of students a hands-on experience in earth science and ecology. Approximately 25,000 students toured Vulcan locations in 2001. Each plant selects relevant activities that fit the interests of tour participants. In addition, many facilities partner with school groups or science classes to erect nest boxes for wildlife, create butterfly gardens, develop habitat to attract native flora and fauna, and build nature trails on our land. Some work with local Scouting organizations, retirement communities or other groups to monitor wildlife at these sites. Employees are active participants in these and other community-enhancing activities.

The other companies among the top 10 in Fortune's social responsibility category were the New York Times, Target, Proctor and Gamble, Union Pacific, American Express, Steelcase, Eastman Kodak, United Parcel Service and McDonalds. In the use of corporate assets category, Vulcan joined Berkshire Hathaway, Walgreen, Fifth Third Bancorp, Citigroup, General Electric, Union Pacific, Exxon Mobil, Wal-Mart and Liz Claiborne in the top ten.

Vulcan Materials Company, an S&P 500 company, is a producer of industrial materials with significant positions in two industries. It is the nation's foremost producer of construction aggregates, a major producer of other construction materials, and a leading chemicals manufacturer, supplying chloralkali and other industrial chemicals.