Founded in 1894 by Tomas Bata, his son escaped Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and fled to Canada, bringing with him some 100 "Bata pioneers" to re-establish his family's formerly profitable shoe business. Now enjoying a worldwide presence, the shoe maker operates some 5,000 company-owned stores in more than 50 countries. Bata produces millions of its own brand of shoes annually in facilities located mainly in India. Donations of funds and shoes from the company's owners, the Bata family, built the world's largest shoe museum in Toronto (one of the city's biggest tourist spots).

Buckeye Technologies Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Buckeye Technologies Inc. manufactures and distributes cellulose-based specialty products made from wood and cotton worldwide. Buckeye Technologies products include chemical cellulose, customized fibers, fluff pulp, and nonwoven materials. Its chemical cellulose is used in the manufacture of various products, including food casings, cigarette filters, rayon filaments, acetate fibers, and thickeners for consumer products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Buckeye Technologies ustomized fibers are used to provide porosity, color permanence, and tear resistance in filters, letterheads, currency papers, and personal stationery, as well as absorbency and softness in cotton balls and cotton swabs. Its fluff pulp and nonwoven materials are used to increase absorbency and fluid transport in products, such as disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence products, as well as used to enhance fluid management and strength in wipes, tabletop items, food pads, household wipes, and mops.

Celebrating more than 40 years in business, Mary Kay is in the pink as one of the top direct sellers of beauty products in the US. It offers more than 200 products in six categories: body care, color cosmetics, facial skin care, fragrance, nail care, and sun protection. More than 1.8 million independent sales consultants demonstrate Mary Kay products in the US and some 35 other countries. Consultants vie for awards each year, ranging from jewelry to the company's trademark pink Cadillac (first awarded in 1969). The company also founded the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation in 1996 to fund cancer research and domestic violence programs. The family of founder Mary Kay Ash owns most of the company.

The studious-looking research types are likely to be at Procter & Gamble Technical Centers Limited. Also known as Rusham Park Technical Centre (RPTC), the division conducts research related to its parent's health and beauty care products. A subsidiary of consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) and one of nine research centers within Western Europe, the unit is involved in the development of the company's hair care products, skin care items and cosmetics, oral care products, fragrances, deodorants, and respiratory medicines. President Laurent Philippe succeeded Paul Polman, who retired in June 2005.

Hanesbrands Inc. is a consumer goods company with a portfolio of apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, C9 by Champion, Playtex, Bali, L’eggs, Just My Size, barely there, Wonderbra, Stedman, Outer Banks, Zorba, Rinbros and Duofold. The Company designs, manufactures, sources and sells a range of apparel essentials, such as t-shirts, bras, panties, men’s underwear, kids’ underwear, casualwear, activewear, socks and hosiery. Its products are sold through multiple distribution channels. The Company’s operations are managed and reported in five operating segments: Innerwear, Outerwear, International, Hosiery and Other.

Martignetti Companies has been family-owned since its founding in 1908. Martignetti Companies owns both retail and wholesale outlets for selling wine and spirits in New England. The company also offers its wine and spirits for sale online. Its 435,000-square-foot temperature-controlled warehouse in Massachusetts offers more than 3,500 varieties of wine. Brands and wineries include Coldstream Hills, Fairvalley, and Moet & Chandon. Martignetti Companies also owns subsidiaries such as Carolina Wine And Spirits, Classic Wine Imports, and United Liquors.

The creator of the women's wristwatch (in 1888) also made the first wristwatch with a leather strap -- for a Brazilian aviator in 1904. Now a global symbol of cosmopolitan fashion, the glittering Cartier trademark bedecks jewelry, clocks, watches, perfume, leather goods, apparel, and accessories. Nearly three-fourths of sales come from jewelry and watches. Cartier baubles and beads are distributed worldwide through more than 250 Cartier boutiques and through licensees and retail concessions. Cartier is the jewel in the crown of Swiss group Compagnie Financier Richemont, one of the world's largest luxury goods companies.

United-Guardian, Inc. was founded in 1942 and is based in Hauppauge, New York. United-Guardian, Inc. engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of cosmetic ingredients, personal and health care products, pharmaceuticals, and specialty industrial products in the United States and internationally. The company offers LUBRAJEL, a line of water-based moisturizing and lubricating gel formulations; KLENSOFT, a surfactant for cosmetic formulations; UNITWIX, a cosmetic additive used as a thickener for oils and oil-based liquids; CONFETTI DERMAL DELIVERY FLAKES for use in various water-based products; ORCHID COMPLEX, a base for cosmetics; LUBRASLIDE and B-122 lubricants used in cosmetics; RAZORIDE, a hypo-allergenic and water-based shaving product; PLEXAJEL ASC, a water-based gel product to produce clear and low pH personal care products; AQUATHIK, a powder used as a gelling agent for aqueous solutions; and HYDRAJEL PL and HYDRAJEL VM personal lubricants and moisturizers for the feminine personal care market.United-Guardian company also provides LUBRAJEL RR and RC water-based gels used as lubricants for catheters; LUBRAJEL MG to lubricate urinary catheters, prelubricated enema tips, and other medical devices; LUBRAJEL LC, a mouth moisturizer for oral use; and LUBRAJEL FLUID to lubricate water-soluble products. In addition, the company offers RENACIDIN, a urological drug to prevent and dissolve calcifications in catheters; and CLORPACTIN WCS-90, an antimicrobial for use in urology and surgery to treat localized infections. Further, it offers DESELEX Liquid, a sequestering and chelating agent; and POLYCOMPLEX M and Q complexing agents to produce clear solutions of water-insoluble materials. The company distributes its products to drug wholesalers, hospitals, physicians, long-term care facilities, Veteran's Administration, and other government agencies through marketing partners, distributors, advertising in medical and trade journals, mailings to physicians, and exhibitions.

In 1916, Keds created an American Classic: the first shoe with a soft rubber sole and coined the term "sneaker." This original sneaker, called "the Champion" has remained a style icon for over ninety years. Worn by Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O, and consistently celebrated by Vogue, Elle and Women's Wear Daily, Keds continues to attract fashion designers, stylists and top editors in the industry with their classic, authentic style. Today, a new generation has discovered the Keds brand, which is helping to inspire a collective spirit of new American style, youthful optimism, collaboration and togetherness.

St. John Knits International has clothed some of the nation's most couture-worthy women, including Hillary Rodham Clinton and Diane Sawyer. St. John makes brightly colored, classically styled knitwear under the St. John, St. John Sport, and St. John by Marie Gray names and sells them in upscale department stores worldwide. It also operates more than 15 boutiques, about 10 outlet stores, and sells its pricey apparel online. In addition, the company offers accessories, jewelry, shoes, and home accessories through its own stores. Vestar/Gray Investors LLC, a partnership between the Gray family and Vestar Capital Partners, owns a majority of the company.

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