Exhibit 99.1


                                   FOR:  Home Products International, Inc.

                           APPROVED BY:  James R. Tennant, Chairman & CEO
                                         Home Products International, Inc.
                                         (773) 890-1010
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 ---------------------         CONTACT:  Investor Relations:
                                         James Winslow, Executive VP & CFO
                                         Home Products International, Inc.
                                         (773) 890-1010


   HOME PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF SENIOR  LOAN FACILITY


      Chicago, IL, August 6, 2003 _ Home Products International, Inc.
 (Nasdaq: HOMZ) (the "Company"), and Fleet Capital Corporation today
 announced they had agreed to several amendments to the Company's existing
 $50 million asset based senior loan facility.  The amendments extend the
 life of the facility by 29 months to March 31, 2008 and also provide
 expanded definitions of availability.

      In announcing the amendments, James E. Winslow, executive vice
 president and chief financial officer, commented, "We have enjoyed a great
 working relationship with Fleet Capital in the two years that we have been
 working together.  The expanded definition of availability will make it
 easier for us to pursue the repurchase of our high yield bonds.  Given the
 current interest rate environment and trading level of our bonds, there is
 an opportunity to make a positive change in our capital structure.  I am
 particularly happy to see that Fleet Capital has extended the facility by
 another 29 months.  They clearly have confidence in the Company's ability to
 perform in the long term and in management's ability to make the difficult
 choices necessary to get the Company back on the road to sustained
 profitability."

      Commenting on the banking relationship, Al Meier, vice president, Fleet
 Capital Corporation, stated, "We have had a great working relationship with
 the management team at HPI.  The availability changes we have agreed to free
 up more collateral for lending.  We look forward to continuing our
 relationship in the future."

      The Company's current senior loan facility provides up to $50 million
 of financing depending on the Company's asset and collateral levels.
 The announced amendments are effective as of July 31, 2003 and added
 approximately $13 million to net availability under the senior loan
 facility.


      Home Products International, Inc. is an international consumer
 products company specializing in the manufacturing and marketing of quality
 diversified housewares products.  The Company sells its products to all the
 largest national retailers.  For more information about HPI, visit its Web
 site at www.homz.biz.


      Fleet Capital Corporation, which has 25 offices located throughout the
 United States and approximately $16 billion in committed lines of credit,
 provides secured financing and other financial services to middle-market
 companies.  Fleet Capital is part of FleetBoston Financial Corporation
 (NYSE: FBF), the nation's eighth largest diversified financial holding
 company with more than $200 billion in assets.  For more information about
 Fleet Capital, visit its Web site at www.fleetcapital.com.


 This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
 the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
 regarding expected plant closing costs and estimated annual cash savings
 from such plant closing as well as other statements that may concern the
 Company's future growth, operating results, product development, markets
 and competitive position.  While management makes its best efforts to be
 accurate in making these forward-looking statements, such statements
 are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks,
 uncertainties and assumptions, including those identified below as well
 as other risks not yet known to the Company or not currently considered
 material by the Company.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
 materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual
 results may differ materially from those expected.  These risks include
 unanticipated plant closing costs; unanticipated difficulties and costs
 associated with the relocation of equipment and the manufacture or sourcing
 of products; market risks such as increased competition for both the Company
 and its end users and changes in retail distribution channels; dependence on
 a few large customers; economic risks; financial risks such as fluctuations
 in the price of raw materials, future liquidity and access to debt and
 equity markets.  For a more detailed description of these and other risk
 factors, please refer to the Company's 10-K, 10-Q and other SEC filings.
 The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such factors or to
 announce the results of any revision to any of the forward-looking
 statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.