With a strong desire to reduce transplanting labour costs and increase yield by reducing plant stress, Rob Gemmell invented a simple "Plug Popper" using compressed air to do the "popping." The original device, still being used in production today, formed the basis for the first commercial product. The first product was designed to accommodate two different tray sizes with non-adjustable air manifolds. A quantity of 30 units were manufactured and sold in Canada.

The market place identified product enhancements that have made the "Economy Plug Popper" an even better product with increased salability. These enhancements include:

1. Improved material selection

2. Improved uniformity of air flow

3. A product that could accommodate 7 different tray sizes

4. Adjustments between tray sizes that could be made in seconds

5. A product that would have no loose parts, i.e. pins and plates, etc.

6. No necessity to buy any additional parts to accommodate different tray sizes. The standard unit will do if the most popular sizes in the industry are being used.

7. The addition of discs that can facilitate using 11 inch 10 7/8 inch and 10 1/2 inch wide trays and now the 10 inch guide for the True Trays

8. It could easily be customized to accommodate non-standard tray sizes

9. An 800 Customer support line.

In early 1995, Rob involved Robert Wilson of Ottawa, Ontario to help achieve a product that includes the desired improvements, and to establish a manufacturing capability, that would have the capacity to respond to significant success in the marketplace. Robert Wilson provided extensive experience in design, manufacturing and marketing in the high-technology industry. The current product is the result of applications of that experience.

The Economy Plug Popper is manufactured by Economy Innovations and sold by authorized distributors throughout Canada and United States.