SIGN FIRMS REACH SALES AGREEMENT

General Sign Co. of Cape Girardeau and Universal Sign Co. of St. Louis have entered into a sales agreement which will benefit both companies, says a spokesman of the local firm.

"General Sign has the ability to produce huge electric signs," said the spokesman Thursday. "Universal has the sales staff to sell signs. This agreement will help both companies."

General Sign has not been sold, said the spokesman, adding that General Sign, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings April 6, has put about 60 employees back to work, following layoffs over the past few months.

General Sign, located in Nash Road Industrial Park, also recently sold off some antiquated wooden molds to a firm in Minnesota. "These old molds had not been used by General Sign in a number of years," said company officials.

"We have prospects for some big jobs this year," added one official. "The Chapter 11 filing and the agreement with Universal could get this company back on good footing."