MEMO

The Missouri Department of Economic Development is searching for products to be showcased and sold on QVC, the world's largest cable television shop-at-home network.

Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan and economic development director Joe Driskill announced the search for unique Missouri products last week.

The program is part of QVC's "Quest for America's Best. QVC plans a live telecast from Missouri selling goods to a potential audience of more than 50 million.

QVC President Douglass Briggs said the program is a part of a nationwide effort to find new and innovative products normally offered on a regional basis.

Products must be made in the United States, and not be distributed nationally, have a value of at least $15, and be UPS shippable. Products can fall into categories of housewares, beauty products, home furnishings, automotive, gourmet foods, jewelry, health and fitness, or apparel and accessories.

QVC doesn't sell junior apparel, furs, subscriptions, personalized products or 900 telephone services.

Vendors interested in having their products considered for the QVC program may call 1-800-523-1434, extension 5, for applications. Applications must be submitted no later than Jan. 15.

Spartech Corp. reported record sales and earnings for its fiscal year that ended Oct. 29.

The St. Louis-based company, which has two large operations in Cape Girardeau -- Spartech Plastics, 2500 Spartech Drive, and Spartech compounding on Nash Road -- announced last week that sales for 1994 were $256.6 million, up 35 percent from the $189.4 million recorded in 1993.

Bradley B. Buechler, Spartech president and chief executive officer, reported that 1994 earnings were $16.4 million, an increase of about 55 percent over the $10.6 million of fiscal 1993.

The increase resulted in record net earnings of $10.8 million, or 97 cents primary and 46 cents fully diluted earnings per share for the year. This compares to $6.7 million net earnings or 54 cents primary and 30 cents fully diluted earnings per share last year.

"Spartech Plastics, our rigid sheet and rollstock group, had a stellar year in 1994, generating more than $200 million in sales for the first time in its history," Buechler said. "These sales increased Spartech's share of the $1 billion market to more than 20 percent."

Westvaco Corp., a major manufacturer of paper, packaging and chemicals, has reported record sales for fiscal 1994, which ended Oct. 31.

Westvaco, which includes a paper processing facility at Wickliffe, Ky., reported sales at $2.6 billion, 11.2 percent more than 1993 sales.

Net income for the fiscal year totaled $103.6 million, or $1.55 per share of common stock.

The company reported a strong fourth quarter this year, a record $762.5 million in sales and $41.3 million in earnings, or 77 cents a share, 54 percent from fourth-quarter earnings of 50 cents a share.

Westvaco purchases timber from a number of Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri timber growers.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- The Norris and Son Funeral Home, 800 Public Square, Jonesboro, has a new name -- Hileman & Parr Funeral Services.

Owners of the funeral home, Danny L. Parr and Phil Hileman, have owned the business since 1981, but continued to operate it as Norris & Son.

The funeral home was founded by Thomas Norris in 1898. It was later operated by Cecil Norris. Hileman and Parr started work in the business in 1972.

Over the past 20 years, the funeral home has been remodeled. New services have been added, including insurance and trust accounts for pre-need funeral arrangements and monuments.

The annual Heartland Agriculture and Natural Resources Expo will be held Jan. 20 and 21 in the Bess Activity Center at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

More than 70 booths will feature exhibits of agriculture and natural resources.

The two-day "Expo `95" is free to the public. Show hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Jan. 20 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 21.

Toy tractor pedal contests will be held for boys and girls during both days, a petting farm will be featured Jan. 20, and a beauty pageant will be held for several age divisions Jan. 21.

Other activities include an old-time auction at noon Jan. 21; a water testing clinic and educational seminars on gardening.

The expo is sponsored by Butler County University Extension Council and the Ag Club at Three Rivers Community College.

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- General Mills plans to split into two separate companies next year, one for consumer foods and one for restaurants.

The food business will retain the General Mills name while the restaurant business gets a new one, the company said recently. Its food products include Big G cereals and Betty Crocker desserts. The restaurants include Red Lobster, The Olive Garden and China Coast.