Johns Manville is an under-performing and very cyclicalbuilding-products company.The deal still requires federal approval.After it is completed, Johns Manville will remain headquartered inDenver, but operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of BerkshireHathaway. No layoffs are expected.

Manville had boasted revenues of $2.2 billion last year. It isthe top seller in each of its product line except for fiberglassmanufacturing, a top spot held by Owens Corning.The ManvillePersonal Injury Settlement Trust, established to pay victims ofasbestos, which it once manufactured, owns about 76% of Manville'sshares. In 1982, Manville had been forced into bankruptcy as aresult of asbestos litigation costs.

Manville leases 161,000 sf at 17th and California streets in theheart of the CBD, making it one of the downtown's largest tenants.The company also owns a 400,000-sf building and 83 acres inLittleton, southwest of Denver.