EXHIBIT 99.1



                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of Home Products International, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 28, 2002 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2003, I, James R. Tennant, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company, certify, pursuant to
18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d)
     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ JAMES R. TENNANT
James R. Tennant
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
March 26, 2003


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Home Products International, Inc. and will be retained by Home
Products International, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.