Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) for one thing. The third-largest bottler of Pepsiproducts, PBV serves some 8 million consumers in North Carolina (home of its corporate headquarters) and also on Long Island, New York, as well as other East Coast states. PBV operates 28 bottling, distribution, and sales facilities located in Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, New York, North and South Carolina, and Vermont. The company's portfolio of more than 800 beverages includes Pepsi soft-drink brands, Aquafina bottled water, Starbucks coffee drinks, Tropicana juices, Gatorade isotonics, and Lipton teas. PBV is a joint venture of PepsiCo and Suntory Holdings.

Hartmann, established in 1877 and one of the oldest makers of premium luggage, manufactures upscale brief cases, wheeled luggage, wallets, garment bags, personal leather goods, and other accessories. The company's products are distributed and sold through high-end department stores and luggage shops in the US and internationally. It offers US customers custom luggage design through its DesignTime service. In May 2007 spirits distributor Brown-Forman sent Hartmann packing by selling the luggage firm to middle-market, private equity firm Clarion Capital Partners.

Seiko Corporation of America (SCA) keeps US time for Japan's Seiko Holdings Corporation, a firm best known for its watches, clocks, and athletic timing devices. SCA markets watches and clocks under popular brands the likes of Pulsar and Seiko. Watches in Seiko's Kinetic series are powered by wrist movement rather than batteries; if the watch is set aside, a chip stores the time for several years. The manufacturing company is focusing more on fashion than function by adding the kinetic features to some of its fashion watches. SCA also offers personalized touches such as custom engraving and diamond settings.

Alpha Industries not only caters to the corps, but to fashionistas the world over. The company is a leading manufacturer of flight jackets for the US Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps. It caters to men, women, and children. Its products have been seen on the likes of Tom Cruise (in Top Gun), Nicole Kidman, and Victoria Beckham, as well. Alpha Industries, which has produced some 40 million pieces of military outerwear since its founding, sells its apparel products through military outlets, as well as through specialty US retailers. The company got its start in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1959. Since that time Alpha Industries has produced the M-65 Field Coat, creating more of them than any other company.

Founded in 1906 American of Martinsville was a subsidiary of furniture maker La-Z-Boy until it was sold to private equity firm Hancock Park Associates in mid-2006 for an undisclosed amount. American of Martinsville strongly believes in Southern hospitality. Based in Martinsville, Virginia, the company produces guest room furniture (chairs, tables, sofas, bureaus) for hospitality customers, such as Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton. It also sells to institutional customers, including hospitals, assisted living centers, and the US government. The company makes all its furniture at its 1 million-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant.

Catherine Hinds Company (formerly Custom Esthetics) offers equipment and skin care products to professional estheticians (salon and spa owners and managers). Its offerings include skin care, waxing, and makeup supplies, as well as equipment, furniture, and general supplies (makeup brushes and applicators, candles, soaps, gloves). Products include its Classics TX line of cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and scrubs, as well as the American Skin Care System line of gloves and blankets for keeping spa patrons snuggled and warm. Catherine Hinds started the company in 1979; her daughter, CEO and president An G. Hinds, purchased it in 2001 and renamed it Catherine Hinds Company in 2007.

Established in 1984, Suncast acquired some assets and product lines of Consolidated Foam, an outdoor accessories maker, in 2005. Suncast resin and metal storage products help to keep the sun shining. The company manufactures more than 1,000 outdoor storage and garden items, including dog houses, fencing, hose reels, pet feeders, rain barrels, snow shovels, storage systems and bins, and sheds. Products are sold in Canada and the US at retailers such as Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Meijer.

Theo Fennell calls its wares the "unstuffy alternative" to jewelry -- others have called it simply quirky (and expensive). It offers the designs and jewelry of its namesake founder at prestigious locations (such as its flagship Fulham Road store and at Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman). The firm also designs and fabricates watches, silver gifts, and tableware, as well as corporate trophies and awards. Products are pricey: A typical limited-edition watch costs more than $50,000. Customers have included celebrities such as Liz Hurley and Victoria Beckham. The company has been concentrating on expanding its distribution.

In 1991, beauty and cosmetics expert, Yong Lee set out to find skincare products that achieved what others only promised. She wanted to create a line of skincare that actually worked. Through continuous development with an independent lab, she has produced a range of natural skincare that rejuvenates the user's delicate skin.Out of her own frustration of not being able to find an all natural line that actually gave her results, Yong made a promise to herself that she would create a line that would give amazing results the all natural way. She researched what her ancestors used and what she grew up with and decided to develop a skincare that would mix her Asian roots as well as the modern philosophy of organics. All the products developed in the line consist of nature's best anecdotes researched from all over the world.

The family-owned firm was founded in 1949 by Ivan Combe, who created Clearasil in 1950 and made it the #1 acne medication before selling it off in 1960. Combe's products are sold in more than 60 countries. Combe makes powders and creams you're itching to buy. The company's products portfolio includes an array of items in the anti-itch niche, including Lanacane, Scalpicin, Gynecort, and Vagisil. Combe combats other human indignities, too, including loose dentures (Sea-Bond), stinky feet (Odor-Eaters), and gray hair (Grecian Formula, Just For Men). Combe's acquisition of J.B. Williams in 2002 added popular names Aqua Velva, Brylcreem, and Cepacol to its brands, among others.

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