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.

M. Hidary & Co., Inc. company, founded in 1948 by Max and Moe Hidary, operates under The Hidary Group, an investor group that has holdings in consumer products, real estate, technology, and financial services. M. Hidary & Co., Inc. company makes apparel for men and children under numerous brand names, including Bon Bebe, Russell, Everlast, Amy Byer, Maui & Sons, and Pacific Trail. M. Hidary also makes licensed items under a dozen agreements for Marvel Entertainment and Disney, as well as apparel under private label. It sells its products through big box chains (Wal-Mart, Target), specialty stores (Sports Authority), national retailers (Sears), and catalogs (Global Sports Interactive).

LT Apparel Group, also known as Lollytogs, is all about providing the proper togs for the wee tots. It designs and makes fashion, licensed, and school uniform apparel under brand names French Toast, Healthtex, Pelle Pelle, @School, U2 Uniforms, and Cotler, among others. It primarily makes children's wear for girls and boys, including activewear, denim, outerwear, playwear, sportswear, and swimwear. LT Apparel targets a variety of distribution outlets, selling its products in department stores and discount stores, as well as in independent retail outlets. About half of the top 100 retailers in the US sell its children's wear. The company was launched in 1958 by Sam Gindi and Morris and Alfred Sutton.

This Harveys wouldn't be caught dead in the same category as the other famous Harvey-named apparel retailer, the ever-tony Harvey Nichols. Harveys of Oldham makes industrial work wear, uniforms, and protective clothing for clients in many industries, including hospitality and healthcare. The company's garments include flame-retardant and high-visibility coveralls, overalls, lab coats, and chefs' wear. Its Harpoon and Civic brands are more than a half-century old and are manufactured to meet regulatory standards for the workers wearing them. Clothes are distributed wholesale through contracts and brochures, as well as via the company's retail Web site.

Fila USA, Inc company markets athletic shoes and sportswear to major US retailers (Foot Locker, Kohl's). To tout its products, it signs up the talents of professional athletes such as tennis stars James Blake and Jimmy Arias and musical acts such as hip-hop headliners Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan. With a history of high design in athletic shoes and sportswear, Fila had run down its image in lieu of a hodgepodge of athletic endorsements. The ailing US entity, along with other Fila global footwear and apparel units, was acquired by Fila Korea in 2007 from Sport Brands International (SBI). Fila Korea chairman Gene Yoon holds a 20% ownership stake.

Wally's was founded in 1991. Wally's Natural Products wants you to stick it in your ear -- the company's handmade ear candles that is. The personal care products firm is one of the largest suppliers of ear candles in the US for removing ear wax naturally. Wally's has modernized the more than 2,000-year-old practice of ear coning by offering disposable hollow candles constructed of unbleached cotton or linen dipped in paraffin or beeswax. Its products, which include ear candles, oil, and its Practical Guide to Ear Candling, are sold at certain pharmacies, natural health food stores, and GNC, as well as through the company's Web site and other e-tailers.

Polka Dog Designs, LLC company, founded in 2000, sells its products through select specialty retailers nationwide. The plan at Polka Dog Designs is to have dogs everywhere dancing with joy and wagging their tails in expectation of culinary delights. The company (which does business as polkadogbakery) is a boutique for dogs, serving a variety of gourmet dog treats; it's also a wholesaler. Its menu includes morsels such as Treatza Pizza, Tuna Yelper, Queso Fundido, Liver's Lane, and Power Barks, as well as After Dinner Mints. polkadogbakery also sells a variety of pet supplies and apparel including lunchboxes, harnesses and leads, toys, beds, collars, and food and water bowls.

Embotelladora Andina S.A. company serves Argentina, Brazil, and Chile with Coca-Cola and other beverages; Coke beverages account for 88% of the company's sales. Along with Coke, Andina distributes beer in Brazil; fruit juices and mineral water in Chile; and ready-to-drink juices (Hi-C) in Argentina. The company also makes plastic bottles through its Edasa packaging subsidiary and manages vending machines through its Servicios Multivending subsidiary. Chilean investment group, Inversiones Freire, owns about 42% of Andina; The Coca-Cola Company owns approximately 11%.

Founded in 1953, Diam's customers have included Clinique, L'Oral, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Wal-Mart. Diam International Company designs, makes, installs, and maintains custom retail displays for retailers and manufacturers. Diam's point-of-purchase displays and retail fixtures include back wall cosmetic systems, counter displays, fixtures for electronics requiring power and security, floorstands, kiosks, and stock shelving solutions. Operating globally and comprising Diam USA and Diam Europe subsidiaries, it has manufacturing facilities in the US and overseas.

Pou Chen was founded in 1969. Pou Chen is one company that's full of sole. Its Yue Yuen subsidiary is the world's largest athletic shoe manufacturer turning out more than 100 million pair a year for customers like NIKE, adidas, Reebok, New Balance, and Puma. The company also makes plastic sandals and shoe parts as well as thin film transistor LCD modules and monitors. Footwear, produced in China, Indonesia, Mexico, Viet Nam, and the US, account for about two-thirds of sales. Pou Chen also makes hiking and work boots for Dr. Marten, Timberland, and Wolverine. The company, which handles its own R&D, chemical processing, logistics, and delivery, is planning to expand its retail and manufacturing operations.

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