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.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) runs more than 3,100 facilities -- including PXs and BXs (Base Exchanges) -- at US Army and Air Force bases in more than 30 countries (including Iraq), all 50 US states, and five US territories. Its presence ranges from tents to shopping centers, including 180 retail stores, 1,000 fast-food outlets (brands like Burger King and Taco Bell), movie theaters, beauty shops, and gas stations. AAFES serves active-duty military personnel, reservists, retirees, and their family members. Although it's a government agency under the DOD, it receives less than 5% of its funding from the department.

Lyreco was founded in 1926. To a stationer's ears, Lyreco sounds poetic-- and lucrative. Catering to the business-to-business market, stationery and office supply giant Lyreco operates from some 180 locations in about 30 countries. In the UK it operates under the name Lyreco UK. Through alliances with Staples and other distributors, Lyreco's distribution network has an even greater reach. Customers may order their supplies via the Internet, the company's stores, or catalog. Products include computer supplies, envelopes, filing products, furniture, labels, paper, and writing instruments. Stores carry the company's own brand of office supplies as well as major names such as 3M, BIC, HP, Lexmark, PILOT, and Quill.

Established in 1973, PartyLite has been owned by Blyth since 1990. It's tough to make money by selling ambience, but PartyLite Worldwide pulls it off. The company sells candles, incense, diffusers, sachets, bath products, and decorative accessories for the home through more than 65,000 independent consultants in about a dozen markets worldwide, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, the US, and the UK. It also markets breads, cheeses, desserts, sauces, and other snack foods under the Two Sisters Gourmet brand. Consultants sell PartyLite's products through home parties held by hostesses and via personalized e-commerce sites.

W & G Foyle operates about a handful of Foyles bookstores in London. Founded in 1903 by brothers William and Gilbert Foyle as a depot for their own used textbooks, the bookstore has been located at Charing Cross Rd. ever since, though as of 2006 it has three additional retail locations and a retail web site. Besides books, Foyles also stocks such items as printed music, gifts, stationery, and assorted memorabilia. Chairman Christopher Foyle is the third generation of the family (with cousin, vice chairman Bill Samuel) to have a hand in running the company.

Sotheby’s, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an auctioneer of fine and decorative art, jewelry, and collectibles primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and France. The company operates in three segments: Auction, Finance, and Dealer. The Auction segment functions as an agent offering authenticated works of art for sale at auction. It also involves in brokering private sales of artwork. The Finance segment provides collectors and dealers with financing, which is secured by works of art that the company has in its possession or permits the borrower to possess. The Dealer segment invests in and resells artworks. It also operates as an art dealer for Dutch and Flemish Old Master paintings, as well as French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. In addition, this segment sells works of art directly to private collectors and museums, as well as acts as a broker in private purchases and sales of art. Additionally, it operates a retail wine shop in New York City, as well as offers a range of wines online. Sotheby's was founded in 1744 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Signature Brands International (SBI) is a fashion jewelry and watch wholesaler that sells to retail and duty-free stores, domestically and internationally. SBI's vast products portfolio includes Carlo Orsini (sterling silver and cubic zirconium), Colibri of London (men's accessories), Daring Diamonds (affordable diamond jewelry), Krementz (14k gold religious and inspirational jewelry), and Skagen Watches, among other items. Owner and President Carolyn Morgan founded SBI in 2001 after spending 18 years in the duty-free buying business.

Like Ellis Island in the past, Cruise America welcomes thousands of Europeans each year. Cruise America is the US's largest recreational vehicle renter with about 20 company-owned stores, some 120 dealer locations, and a 3,000-vehicle rental fleet of RVs (cab-over motor homes). For those who choose to cruise north of the US-Canada border, Cruise America boasts locations in Canada. Up to a million dollars in liability insurance is included with each rental. The company allows its customers (nearly half of whom are foreign) to have the freedom of the open road while saving money on travel and lodging costs. It also sells its used trucks, along with new and used RVs, through RV Depot dealerships.

Founded in 1914 by Jacob Perelman, the firm was run by three generations of his family until 2007 when Dale Perelman, his grandson, stepped down. Brian Eckstein, the company's former CFO, was named president at that time. King's of New Castle (better known as King's Jewelry) doesn't sell the Crown Jewels but instead provides less renowned diamond, gemstone, and gold jewelry, as well as watches and giftware, from about 35 stores (down from about 50 in 2007) in Pennsylvania, Ohio,West Virginia, and Maryland. Like those of its larger rivals Zale and Kay Jewelers, the regional jewelry chain's stores are mostly mall-based. King's also sells jewelry online and by catalog and offers repair and appraisal services.

Campmor takes its name seriously and seriously implores you to take to the outdoors and camp more. A leading manufacturer of outdoor clothing and equipment, the company is best known through its catalogs and website, though it does operate a single retail store in Paramus, New Jersey. Offerings include apparel and footwear, climbing gear, sleeping bags, tents, and more. Besides its name brand, Campmor carries products from such makers as Columbia Sportswear, JanSport, The North Face, and Patagonia. It also sells canoes and kayaks, and runs a full-service bike shop at its brick-and-mortar store. Founded in 1978 by chairman Morton Jarashow, the company is run by his son, Daniel (president and CEO).

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