BUSINESS MEMO: SPARTECH TO BUY HAMELIN

Spartech Corp. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell 6 million shares of common stock.

Proceeds from the stock sales will be used to help purchase the plastic extrusion, color and molding division of the Hamelin Group Inc.

Spartech, headquartered at Clayton, produces thermoplastic materials and polyeric compounds. The stock sale will include 3 million shares Spartech plans to sell and 3 million shares investors plan to offer. The stock sale is expected to raise about $32 million after expenses. The costs to buy the Hamelin Group is $60 million.

Spartech Corp. includes two operations in Cape Girardeau -- Spartech Plastics, 2500 Spartech Drive, and Spartech Compounding on Nash Road.