EXHIBIT 99.1




GENERAL SIGNAL

For Immediate Release    Contact:  Sue Warner

Phone: (203) 329-1454
                         Fax:         (203) 968-7014
                         Email: Sue.Warner@HQ.Gensig.com


General Signal To Sell Pump Business to Pentair, Inc.
Board Approves Stock Repurchase of up to $150 million of
Common Stock

Stamford, CT (July 21, 1997 ) -- General Signal Corporation
has announced today that it has entered into an agreement to
sell its Pump business unit to Pentair, Inc., a diversified
manufacturer headquartered in St. Paul, Minn.  The selling
price is approximately $200 million.  It's expected that the
sale will be completed by the fall.   Concurrently,  the
board of directors has approved a repurchase of up to $150
million of common stock .

     Included in the sale of the Pump unit will be all
businesses and brands of the Pump business, including Aurora
Pump, Hydromatic, Layne & Bowler and Fairbanks Morse.


"We are pleased that the Pump business and its employees
will be affiliated with such a highly respected and
successful manufacturer," said General Signal chairman and
CEO Michael D. Lockhart.  "Pentair is committed to the pump
industry, and will be able to give the GS Pump business and
its employees the opportunity to be successful in an
industry which has become increasingly competitive in an
expanding global market,"  Lockhart added.

 In addition to its concentration in water products,
Pentair, Inc. operates in the electrical and electronic
enclosures and  professional tools and equipment markets, in
addition to water products.

Regarding the stock repurchase, Lockhart noted, "This action
was based on the strong financial condition of the company
and the attractiveness of  buying the shares as a sound way
to build shareholder value."




General Signal Corporation of Stamford, CT (NYSE:GSX), with
1996 sales of more than $2 billion,  is a leading
manufacturer of quality products serving customers in the
process control, electrical control and industrial
technology industries throughout the world.  Please visit
our web site at: http://www.Generalsignal.com.