Tupperware (Orlando, Florida, USA), the plastic household container pioneer, and its former parent company Premark International Inc (Deerfield, Illinois, USA) are now going their separate ways. The split took place at the end of May, to coincide with Tupperware's launch on the New York stock exchange. In recent years, the container company that got its start with the famous "Tupperware parties" – almost obligatory events for housewives of the 1950s – was the strongest link in the sales chain of the diversified Premark group. With USD 1.3 bn in turnover in 1994, it accounted for nearly 40% of the parent company total and contributed around 55% to operating profits. In 1995, worldwide sales rose to around USD 1.4 bn, including more than USD 530m (DM 800m) at its German offshoot, Tupperware Deutschland GmbH (PO Box 930120, D-60456 Frankfurt am Main).

Founded in 1946 as a manufacturer of refrigerator food containers, over the past years the company added microwave articles, as well as home storage and organisaton systems. Tupperware's 19 production sites, including five European locations in Belgium, Portugal, Greece and France, in addition to Germany, use the most up-to-date injection moulding equipment. Central location is Belgium, with Dart Industries Belgium NV (B-9300 Aalst). The portfolio extends to more than 250 products, moulded for the most part in PE, PP and PC. In 1995, new products accounted for 20% of sales. Not one to rock its steady boat with bold experiments, Tupperware still markets its products through the "party circuit", a strategy still successful, if the sale of 60 million articles to 15 million customers in Germany last year is any indication. This year, the company will sponsor parties in Asia and eastern Europe, starting with China, India and Poland.

READER SERVICE: Information from Tupperware's Internet home page (English): PIE-No. 39748 – Company profile (German): PIE-No. 39747.