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The Longaberger Basket Company is shaking things up at the manufacturing plant, from the basket making process up to the location of their processing plant. The company says that the changes are being made both in an effort to streamline operations at the company, but also in an effort to save energy and increase productivity.

The changes in the basket will come in the stain used to finish the baskets. The company will convert to a roller system staining the basket before they are woven rather than spraying them afterwards. The move will not only use less of the stain but will also make the entire process more energy efficient.

Along with the changes in the basket making process, the company will move its basket making plant from Hartville to Frazeysburg. The current plant will be shut down. The 30 employees at the current plant are being given the option to move to Frazeysburg. If they choose not to make the move, they will be paid through the first of the year and receive career counseling.

“This is a landmark manufacturing improvement that will lead us into the next generation of basket making while at the same time solidify our commitment to our century-old craft,” said Kelly Walker, Longaberger’s vice president of operations. “These process improvements put us in a better position to make dramatic reductions in our annual energy consumption and raw materials use. Our goal is to integrate process improvement with environmental stewardship.”

The company would like to assure all of its loyal customers that while the basket making process will change slightly the quality of the baskets and the Longaberger brand itself will remain intact.  Just hope they dont decide to change the look of the corporate office which is by far one of the coolest buildings around.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Tupperware CEO Rick Goings made an appearance on a CBS News this week, in a series entitled “Hard Times.” The series deals with the downturn in the economy and challenges faced by many to keep their families afloat. Goings discussed with CBS Anchor, Kelly Cobiela, the history of the company and what contributes to the continuing growth in Tupperware Company. Goings says that not only has the stock risen to a 10-year high, but the sales force continues to grow. Since 2005 the sales force has grown almost 10 percent and sales in the last year were up almost 14 percent.

The CBS segment also featured the struggling family of Yevette Rivera. With only once income coming in, she turned to Tupperware to help make ends meet. Rivera’s story was compared to another top earner for the company who earns $60,000 dollars a year and drives a free car. While Rivera is only making $300 to $600 a month currently, she is optimistic about the future.

Goings discussed why he thinks the company has experienced higher growth in the last year, he explained, “When economists are soft, you usually have higher unemployment, and when there’s higher unemployment, there’s a bigger recruiting pool. And the number-one driver of direct-sell companies is recruiting a sales force.” The segment goes on to say that the slow down in the economy has led to a resurgence of the Tupperware “house party.”

Popularity: 7% [?]

Two Soccer moms from Yorba Linda, California took a great idea and a $10 tote bag and turned it into a hugely successful home based direct sales business. Using inspiration from the Pampered Chef Network Marketing business plan, Monica and Gabrielle found the inspiration to make their dream work and call it Gigi Hill. This is a great inspirational story about two real women who made it work.

The LA Times recently did a profile on the fast growing Gigi Hill company which is attracting more and more women who want to work from home to jump on this growing empire.

What is very cool about Gigi Hill is that they actually will enlist a stylist to help you with an in-home party including all the preparation and invitations too.

Some info you shoudl know about the Gigi Hill Program:

Hostess Rewards - March, 2008
Hostesses can buy up to three Marilyn Wristlets at the special purchase price of $20 each (regularly $55.00)
10% merchandise credit
50% off one item (not to be combined with above rewards)

Hostess Ambassador Rewards - 2008
(Hostess Ambassador: host 3 boutiques in 12 months)

Hostess Ambassadors will receive an additional 20% merchandise credit on the total sales of their three boutiques when the boutiques are held within 12 months of each other and the sales from each boutique are at least $400*.
For example, let’s assume you host a boutique in August, December and February (within 12 consecutive months) and the sales from each boutique are $1200*, $500* and $1000* respectively, you will earn an additional $540 (20% of $2700) in merchandise credit to spend on Gigi Hill products at the end of the third boutique.

*Sales totals do not include hostess reward purchases.

If you are interested in learning more about how to host a party, Click here to fill out this simple form

Popularity: 5% [?]

Tupperware Brands’ (NYSE: TUP) Chairman and CEO, Rick Goings, will be presenting at the Bear Stearns Retail, Restaurants & Consumer Conference in New York City on March 4, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

This presentation is being webcast and can be accessed at www.tupperwarebrands.com.

Tupperware Brands Corporation is a portfolio of global direct selling companies, selling premium innovative products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.1 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware brand and beauty and personal care products for consumers through the Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo and Swissgarde brands.

Popularity: 10% [?]