STRICTLY BUSINESS: LOOKING FOR DUCT TAPE USES

So you use duct (duck) tape as a fly trap? It can work, you know. Just hang a strip from the ceiling, and, presto, instant fly trap.

Duct tape was developed during World War II for the military for sealing canisters, fixing cracked windows and repairing jeeps and trucks.

Football players now use the tape to secure their protective padding and repair equipment; hunters and hikers use it to "blaze trails" and patch boots and clothing.

It has been used for alligator jaws, hurricane protection, car bumpers, water hose repair and as markers for turtle shells.

What do you use it for?

Tell us!

We're looking for creative and unusual uses for the sticky stuff.

We can probably arrange a roll of the sticky stuff as a prize for the "Top 10."

And we'll share them with our readers at a later date. Send to B. Ray Owen, Strictly Business, Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.

Largest employers

The Southeast Missourian's "Top 60" industries, based on number of employees, started as a "Top 25" seven years ago, but due to growth, expansions and new industry, the list went to "Top 40 in 1995 and to the "Top 60" in 1996.

We're in the process of compiling the 1998 list, which will appear about midyear.

This year, we'll present three lists -- a "Top 60" on manufacturing, industry and product-related companies throughout Southeast Missouri; a "Top 25" Cape Girardeau County list of all employers in the county (manufacturing, retail, medical, education and others); and a "Top 10" list of largest employers in Southern Illinois.

Companies eligible for any of the lists are urged to submit company name, type of product, how long in business, and total employment to: B. Ray Owen, Strictly Business, Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.

Or, call (573)-335-6611 and leave a message on the voice mail.

We will quickly review some of the top employers in each category from past years.

More than 8,500 facilities provide employment to more than 460,000 employees statewide, with Cape Girardeau County ranking in the top dozen Missouri counties in manufacturing facilities.

More than 130 Cape County plants provide employment to more than 7,000 people, with more than a third of them at two plants -- Procter and Gamble Paper Products north of Cape Girardeau, and Lee-Rowan Co. at Jackson.

P&G, which manufactures disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products, employs about 1,350, and Lee-Rowan, which produced plastic-coated wire, closet accessories and organizers, employs 1,125.

The P&G totals are changing. In 1997, the paper products company announced a $350 million expansion, which will result in an additional 350 to 400 jobs. Ground and foundation work is already under way on the new facility, which will be constructed to manufacture towels and tissues.

The 1997 Top 10:

1. P&G Paper Products Co., Cape Girardeau, manufacturer of disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products, 1,325.

2. Gilster-Mary Lee Co., Perryville, and McBride, manufacture and packaging of cake mixes, stuffing mixes, hot cocoa drink mix and popcorn, 1,200 to 1,500.

3. Noranda Aluminum Inc., Marston, producer of aluminum for sale throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, 1,170.

4. Lee-Rowan Co., Jackson, manufacturer of closet organizer items, 1,025.

5. TG-USA of Perryville, manufacturer of parts for Toyota Motors and for domestic automakers, 950.

5. Plastene Supply, Portageville, manufacturer of plastic products, 950;

7. Briggs & Stratton, Poplar Bluff, producer of air-cooled gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment, 900.

8. Hudson Foods, Dexter, poultry processing, 800.

9. Emerson Electric Co., Kennett, manufacturer of electric motors, coils and other electrical products, 700.

10. Mississippi Lime Co., Ste. Genevieve, manufacturer of crushed stone and high calcium lime, 600.

Top Employers in Cape County

In compiling top employers in Cape Girardeau County, we consulted with the Directory of Manufacturing and Basic Industry for Missouri, the Directory for Southeast Missouri Region, and made personal contact with a number of firms. The top five:

1. Southeast Missouri Hospital, Cape Girardeau, 1,480.

2. St. Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, 1,469.

3. P&G Paper Products Co., manufacturer of disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products, 1,325.

4. Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, 1,112.

5. Lee-Rowan Co., Jackson, manufacturer of closet organizer items, 1,025.

The Southern Illinois list, which includes the region's largest employers, from Mount Vernon south, is headed by an educational facility -- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, at 5,600.

One of Southern Illinois' largest employers is also mentioned on the Southeast Missourian's "Top 60." Gilster-Mary Lee Corp., headquartered at Chester, is third on the current Southern Illinois list with 1,500 employees in Illinois. The company also has two manufacturing facilities in Missouri, at Perryville and McBride.

Second on the Southern Illinois list is General Tire Co. of Mount Vernon, with 1,900 employees. Rounding out the top five are Menard Correctional Center at Chester and Southern Illinois Hospital Service of Carbondale, each with 1,100 employees. Not far down the list is the Players Riverboat Casino at Metropolis, with 800 employees.

B. Ray Owen is business editor for the Southeast Missourian.