As editor of Tupperware Corp. may have a reputation as being a bit old fashioned -- remember Tupperware parties? But the PBS Nightly Business Report did a story on the Orlando, Fla.-based housewares company that emphasizes Tupperware's emphasis on new products, and its success in global markets.
Jeff Yastine, correspondent for Nightly Business Report, noted that Tupperware "doesn't even try" to compete with cheap food storage containers that consumers can buy at Wal-Mart. Instead, Tupperware invests in research, design and product development, to come up with innovative products.
Chairman and CEO Rick Goings added: "We made this very important decision, oh goodness it had to be 15 years ago, that we weren't going to make commodity products. So technology had to play a part."
He cited an example -- a cheese container that's a big seller in France. The top has a semi-permeable membrane, "very much like Goretex," that allows the container to release moisture.
On the financial side, Goings said Tupperware plans to boost its dividend -- a move sure to be popular with investors.
"You have got these baby boomers who've been so terribly disappointed over this last decade of what's happened in the equity market. We think they're going to be looking for income, fixed income, from companies like us. And if our stock appreciates, then that's just double good for them. So that's the road we're going down," Goings said.