Swallowfield wants its customers to live clean lives. The company is a contract manufacturer of toiletries, household goods, and cosmetics for major department and specialty retailers around the UK. It caters to such customers as Marks & Spencer and PZ Cussons. The firm boasts production operations in the UK and the Czech Republic. Swallowfield is expanding its presence in China through a joint venture with Jahwa, IE (a subsidiary of one of China's largest players in the toiletries sector) formed in 2008. The company, once a subsidiary of Cadbury, was spun off in a management buyout in 1986; later it was floated as a public company.

Amerex makes outerwear for men, women, and children. Founded in 1946, it has licensing agreements with brands such as Jones New York, London Fog, OshKosh, Mudd, and Wrangler. Amerex also produces outerwear under its own labels (1 Madison, Weather Tamer), sportswear (Adolfo), and swimwear (Isababies, Bombshell). Its products are sold in major department stores and specialty retailers throughout the US and Canada. Chairman and President Ira Ganger bought out retiring partner Fred Shvetz in 2006.

Founded in 1974, Gianfranco Ferré SpA in 2002 became a subsidiary of IT Holding, which went into administration in February 2009 alongside its Ittierre unit. Gianfranco Ferré is into what's in -- the fashion house designs men's and women's clothing and accessories, some of which used to be produced and distributed by Italian apparel and textile maker Marzotto, but the agreements have expired. Gianfranco Ferré also operates about 40 boutiques for men and women in Italy and 15 other countries. In an effort to extend its reach to new customers, the company has been renaming and reshuffling some of its labels, and uses the name Ferré (dropping the Gianfranco) on storefronts.

BeautiControl has a firm grip on the business of aesthetics and enjoys calling Texas home, alongside direct-selling rival Mary Kay. A subsidiary of household products maker Tupperware Brands Corporation, BeautiControl sells its beauty care items to its 1.1 million independent sales consultants, who in turn sell to consumers in 23 markets worldwide. Consultants provide computer-assisted, head-to-toe makeup advice through in-home demos. Its products include skin and nail care, fragrances, cosmetics, toiletries, nutritional and weight-management food supplements, and in-home spa retreats. Tupperware purchased BeautiControl in 2000 in a bid to expand its direct-selling reach to beauty and personal care products.

Converse has rebounded under NIKE as fashionable footwear and all-around cruiser for those off the court, too. Converse has sold some 750 million pairs of its classic Chuck Taylor All Star canvas basketball shoes, appealing to everyone from school kids to clothing designers. It licenses its name to sports apparel makers. Converse makes products under the names One Star and Jack Purcell that it sells through retailers such as Target and licensees in some 160 countries and its more than 40 stores. Converse operates as a separate unit from its parent's competing sports brands, reining in the kitsch value of Converse's vintage Chuck Taylor brand.

Giovanni Marcolin Coffen founded Marcolin S.p.A. in 1961; his twin sons, Cirillo and Maurizio, later took over. The Marcolin family still controls the company, but brothers Andrea and Diego Della Valle now own more than 40% of it. Marcolin S.p.A. company makes designer eyewear (frames, sunglasses, and eyewear for sports) under its own Marcolin brands and licensed labels such as Kenneth Cole (U.S. market only), Miss Sixty, Roberto Cavalli, and Timberland. The company's Cébé subsidiary, based in France, produces sports-related eyewear. Marcolin sells its frames and other products through more than 50,000 outlets in some 80 countries.

ClosetMaid Corporation company's products, sold through home improvement retailers, such as Home Depot and Lowe's, are used in closets, laundry areas, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and garages. Its products are made of wood, laminate, and wire. The company also offers professional design assistance and custom installation. In addition, ClosetMaid owns Stack-A-Shelf, a Canadian manufacturer of shelving and ready-to-assemble furniture.

Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc. company is the North American sales and marketing arm of Japan-based Citizen Watch. Citizen Watch's products include designs for sports, casual, and fashion wear for men and women. Focusing on technology, Citizen Watch boasts the slimmest LCD watch, one that uses voice recognition, and a professional dive watch with electronic depth sensor. Its Eco-Drive collection of environmentally friendly timepieces is fueled by light, rather than a battery. The company sells is products through retail jewelry and department stores. Its Japanese parent bought rival Bulova in 2008.

Dormer Laboratories manufactures and markets dermatological products, such as Dormer 211 moisturizers and sunscreens, as well as X-Tar and Z-Plus shampoos, for over-the-counter sale in Canada. Its Cantharone brand is a wart remover; the company also acts as a distributor for Acuderm medical devices and supplies. Its products are distributed through general and chain drugstores (Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs) and specialized skin care shops. Its Dormer Cosmetics division develops and sells skin care and cosmetics exclusively through www.skincareforall.com.

Empire Merchants company distributes a wide array of wines, spirits, and champagnes to licensed liquor stores throughout the region. In 2007 it combined its metro New York operations with those of Peerless Importers to form Empire Merchants. Founded in 1933, the company is a subsidiary of Maryland-based Charmer-Sunbelt Group, one of the largest wine and spirits wholesalers in the US. The Merinoff family controls Charmer-Sunbelt.

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