Proftech was founded in 1980, but it was first conceived the company in a college paper Montiel wrote about recession-proof industries. No matter what the economic outlook, people will always need office supplies. That was president Jose Montiel's theory when he started Proftech, a major distributor of office products and supplies to customers throughout the US. The company offers next-day delivery with no minimum order. Aside from the customary pens and notepads, Proftech supplies innovative products such as SMART Technologies' "smart board" and its own oil clean-up material, HTP. The company's products are distributed through about 50 facilities nationwide and can be ordered over the phone or online.

Seaman and sail maker Thomas Black founded Blacks in 1861, when he offered his sails for sale. From there, the company moved on to tents, eventually offering camping gear and sporting goods. Now Blacks Leisure Group (BLG) sells outdoor gear and apparel through more than 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland under the Blacks, Freespirit, and Millets banners. With 200-plus stores, Millets is the UK's largest outdoor retailer. The smaller Blacks chain sells North Face, Merrell, and Coleman brand merchandise and its owns brands from about 90 shops. BLG has been closing stores in its boardwear chain Freespirit, which now operates only about a dozen locations. Rival Sports Direct owns about 28% of BLG.

FTD.COM is an Internet and telephone marketer of flowers and specialty gifts. Founded by FTD, the world's oldest floral services organization, FTD.COM sells directly to consumers through its Web site, www.ftd.com, and its 1-800-SEND-FTD telephone number. Utilizing independent FTD florists who adhere to the highest quality and service standards, FTD.COM provides same-day delivery of floral orders to nearly 100 percent of the U.S. population. FTD.COM offers a wide variety of unique floral arrangements and specialty gifts for holidays and other occasions. On June 27, 2002, FTD.COM became a wholly owned subsidiary of Florists' Transworld Delivery, Inc. Additional information about FTD.COM; its parent company, Florists' Transworld Delivery, Inc.; and its respective parent companies, FTD, Inc. and FTD Group Inc., is available under the "investor relations" category on this site.

PaperCo, established in 1987, has a network of about 30 sales and distribution centers and operates throughout the UK. The Paper Company Limited is a subsidiary of Australia-based PaperlinX. The Paper Company (PaperCo) is among the UK's top four national paper distributors in terms of size and sales. PaperCo carries about 80 branded and generic products, including a growing range of recycled grades, that cover about 18,000 lines of coated and uncoated printing papers and laser, inkjet, and copier papers. The Paper Company Limited also operates specialist divisions that supply paper reels and display materials.

FlorStar was part of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. until 1988, when management purchased the flooring division and created a separate company. At FlorStar Sales, the floor is the star. Florstar Sales, Inc. distributes floor coverings to retailers throughout the Midwest from four locations in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. Florstar's product offerings include hardwoods, laminates, ceramic, porcelain, vinyl, rugs, and carpets from Armstrong, Interceramic, Milliken, Wilsonart, and Weyerhaeuser. From its four locations, Florstar Sales, Inc. serves nearly 5,000 customers in six additional Midwest states. In addition, it offers floor installation training and certification.

Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. engages in the retail and direct marketing of vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, natural pet food, low carb foods, diet and weight management supplements, and other health and beauty aids primarily in the United States. It sells its products through its retail stores, as well as through its catalog and Websites, primarily vitaminshoppe.com. Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. sells its products under its Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, and MD Select brand names, including Ultimate Man, Ultimate Woman, and Whey Tech, as well as under national brands, which include Solgar, Twinlab, EAS, and Nature’s Way. As of March 9, 2010, it operated 447 stores in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. was formerly known as VS Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. in November 2009. Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in North Bergen, New Jersey.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a gift retailer in the United States. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. provides a range of products, including fresh-cut flowers, floral arrangements and plants, gifts, popcorn, gourmet foods, cookies, chocolates, and wines. It offers its products through the Internet, company-owned and operated retail floral stores, and franchised stores. As of June 28, 2009, the company operated 2 floral retail stores located in New York, 1 fulfillment center, and 104 franchised stores primarily located in California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. It has online relationships with AOL, Yahoo!, Microsoft, and Google. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Carle Place, New York.

Greenhous Group third management-led buyout since it was founded in 1912.Greenhous Group (Holdings) wants to be the envy of its competitors. A leading automobile dealer in the UK, the company offers both new and used commercial and passenger vehicles through more than 10 locations in the West Midlands region of England. Its dealerships offer cars and SUVs from Vauxhall, Saab, and Chevrolet, as well as commercial vans and trucks from Volkswagen, Peugeot and DAF. The firm also operates brand-specialized body shop and repair facilities. Joint chief executives Derek Passant and Kerry Finnon acquired Greenhous in late 2004.

Cascio Music Company, Inc (aka Interstate Music or CIM) sells musical instruments, audio and lighting equipment, sheet music, recording software, DVDs, accessories, and more at its 30,000-square-foot superstore in New Berlin, Wisconsin and online. CIM sells, rents, and repairs all types of instruments, offers music lessons, and has an in-store 48-track digital recording studio for use by bands and other groups. The company supports local budding musicians with free clinics and scholarships along with its "Local Music Showcase." Founded in 1946 by WWII vet Frank Cascio, the company added its mail order department in 1970 to deliver musical instruments to rural school band leaders.

Bromberg and Co. is a jeweler and high-end retailer that sells china, crystal, jewelry, and sterling flatware through four Bromberg's stores in Alabama. Its fine offerings come from such makers as David Yurman, Mikimoto, Rolex, and Wedgwood. The company also operates an online bridal registry. In 2004 brothers Billy and John Bromberg, formerly part of the company's management, sold their stake in Bromberg and Co. to other family members (including chairman Frank Bromberg Jr.) and left to form their own jewelry store. Bromberg and Co. was originally founded by the Bromberg family in 1836.

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