Champion Window Manufacturing is looking for a home-improvement boom as its window of opportunity. The company makes custom-built, vinyl-framed replacement windows and doors and sells them directly to homeowners through about 75 sales and installation offices in some 30 states. It also manufactures patio rooms, porch enclosures, and vinyl siding; remodels basements; and sells patio furniture made by third-party vendors. Champion Window, founded in 1953 by Alvin Levine and Arthur Stevens as a maker of aluminum storm windows, doors, and awnings, was owned by former executives Edward Levine (son of Alvin) and Bernard Barbash until mid-2007, when a private-equity investor gained control of day-to-day operations.

Ho-Chunk, Inc. (HCI) the economic development corporation run by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, manages about 18 subsidiaries in the fields of communications, construction, distribution, gasoline and convenience store retail (under the Heritage Express banner in Iowa and Nebraska), government contracting, lodging (The WinnaVegas Inn), marketing, used-vehicle sales, and more. The profits from these businesses are in turn managed by the Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that directs commercial growth and community infrastructure development for the tribe. "Ho-Chunk" is a modernized form of Hochungra, the Winnebago tribe's traditional name.

Dobbies Garden Centres plc was founded by James Dobbie in 1865 as a seeds and cut flowers shop, after a lifelong hobby as a horticulturist. It first floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1997. In 2008 Dobbies became a subsidiary of Tesco, the UK's largest retailer. Also in 2008, the chain acquired Sandyholm Garden Center in Crossford, Carluke. What started out as a hobby has become Dobbies. Dobbies Garden Centres operates about two dozen nurseries in the UK, providing merchandise for all types of gardening, including plants, fertilizers, and tools, garden furniture and grills, outdoor clothing, certain home wares, and books on gardening. Gardening centers also offer such services as demonstrations and catering facilities.

Robb & Stucky sells home furnishings and decor from about 30 retail showrooms in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, and Texas. It also operates an outlet location in Florida. The stores sell indoor furniture, including dining room table sets, sofas, loveseats, chairs, occasional tables, and accent pieces, as well as patio furniture. The company also markets furnishings through its catalogs and website. In addition to its retail operations, Robb & Stucky serves up international cuisine from a culinary center in Florida. The company was founded in 1915.

El Dorado Furniture Corporation sells home furnishings in South Florida through about a dozen retail showrooms in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach counties. It offers wood, upholstered, and leather furniture for every room in the house, as well as mattresses, bedding, and decorative accents. Stores are designed to look like a small town, with building facades situated along a main street; locations also feature cafes. El Dorado, one of the largest Hispanic-owned retail enterprises in the US, was founded in 1967 and is still operated by the Capó family.

Milaeger's was founded in 1960 by Dan and Joan Milaeger. Milaeger's has the difficult task of keeping things green on the banks of Lake Michigan. The company operates two nurseries in Racine and Sturtevant, Wisconsin, selling seeds, soil, plants, mulch, as well as apparel, Christmas collectibles, figurines, folk art, outdoor furniture, and home decor. It also offers landscape services including lawn, tree, and shrub care along with design services. Milaeger's regularly hosts shows by collectibles merchants, local fashion shows, and gardening workshops. The company's Java Garden Cafe, onsite at both locations, offers hot and cold beverages, dessert, and light lunch and dinner items.

Sedano's Supermarkets was founded in Hialeah, Florida in 1962. Our founder, Armando Guerra, was a thriving businessman in Cuba, and it was there where he gained the necessary experience to establish himself in the U.S. In 1971, Guerra brought Manuel Herrán on board to help out with the daily operations of his small business. From its humble beginnings, Sedano's is now the No. 1 Hispanic retailer in the nation.Manuel Herrán was born in Santander, Spain in 1937. In 1951, he moved to Cuba with his family. By 1967, Herrán and his family made their way to Miami where he worked as a salesman before beginning his career with Sedano's. Mr. Guerra passed away in 1979, and Herrán took over the reigns of the company. Agustin Herran, Manuel's son, is the current President and CEO, and Manuel is now Chairman of the Board.This year, Sedano's celebrates its 47th year of operation. From a single store in 1962, the Sedano's chain has grown to more than 30 supermarkets across South Florida. Sedano's has also become the largest member of the Associated Grocers of Florida. The company's plans include opening a new location in 2009 and an expansion to the Orlando market in 2010 where Sedano's will open three stores. Future plans include the ongoing beautification of all existing stores.

Grafton Group unites mortar manufacturing plants with building materials and DIY stores on both sides of the Irish Sea. The company operates building and plumbing supply outlets under the Chadwicks and Heiton Buckley brands, as well as Woodie's DIY stores in Ireland. In the UK, Grafton operates Plumbase plumbing supply stores and building supply stores under the Buildbase and Jackson brands. In Northern Ireland, the company operates Macnaughton Blair building-supply stores. Grafton also runs plastic and concrete manufacturing plants, including EuroMix dry-mortar facilities, in England and Scotland. Grafton acquired Heiton Group in early 2005.

At Carphone Warehouse, "upward mobility" means calling someone while driving uphill. The firm has more than 2,400 stores in Europe that sell mobile phones, contracts, and services. It operates stores under the Carphone Warehouse banner in the UK and The Phone House in eight other European markets, including France and Spain. Carphone Warehouse also sells Internet access to homes in England and Europe and has begun selling laptops, touch phones, and other mobile devices at a new, larger store format called Wireless World. Founded in 1989 by CEO Charles Dunstone and former director David Ross, Carphone Warehouse sold 50% of its retail business in 2008 and spun off its TalkTalk telecom unit in 2010.

Englefield Oil Company supplies fuel and lubricants and operates about 100 convenience stores under the Duke and Duchess Shoppe banner in Ohio and West Virginia. Many of the company's convenience stores sell BP brand gasoline. In addition, Englefield Oil operates several truck stops, a pair of Super 8 motels, several Taco Bell Express restaurants, and other various businesses in Ohio and West Virginia. Englefield also operates more than a dozen Pacific Pride automated commercial fueling sites. Chairman F. W. "Bill" Englefield III founded the company in 1961 with three service stations and an office operating out of his basement.

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