As Iams tells it, Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to fetch her portly pooch a bag of Eukanuba Large Breed Weight Control food. The Iams Company makes Eukanuba and Iams dry and canned versions of premium dog and cat foods and sells them in pet supply stores and veterinarians' offices in more than 70 countries. However, North America accounts for the vast majority of the company's sales. Founded by Paul Iams in 1946, Iams also funds research efforts related to animal dermatology, geriatrics, allergies, and nutrition through its Paul F. Iams Technical Center. Former chairman Clayton Mathile acquired the company in 1982 and sold it to consumer products giant Procter & Gamble in 1999.

Sportif USA is making its living off of the great outdoors. The family-run company, founded by John Kirsch Sr. in 1965, makes casual clothing for men and women including sportswear (ski apparel, fleece and waterproof outerwear) and clothing targeting outdoor enthusiasts (shirts, hiking shorts, jackets). It also offers organic items. Sportif's apparel collections are sold through traditional retailers, as well as through catalogs and online. The apparel company operates Aventura Clothing Co., a division run out of Sparks, Nevada. After a single-engine plane crash claimed the life of John Kirsch Sr. in 1991, his son John Kirsch Jr. (company president) took the reins of Sportif's operations.

Founded in 1985 to market a tea tree oil formulation called Melaleuca Oil, the firm sells personal care products, cosmetics, household cleaning supplies, and vitamins directly to consumers through a network of sales representatives, catalogs, and its Web sites, but members only please. Melaleuca now sells more than 350 products, many of which are environmentally friendly and derived from natural ingredients, including tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic and antifungal agent used for skin care, as well as the treatment of a variety of ailments, insect bites, boils, and wounds.

Blauer Manufacturing literally covers the backs of those who cover others' backs each day. The company designs and makes high-tech uniforms for men and women in the police, fire safety, EMS, and other public safety and security industries. Blauer makes rain gear and other outerwear, shirts, pants, hats, and other work clothes. Its products are manufactured at the company's handful of US-based factories and sold through specialty stores. The founding Blauer family owns and operates the company.

Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing makes Dickies-brand khaki pants, bib overalls, jeans, women's and children's apparel, and Workrite safety uniforms. It also makes apparel and footwear for work and outdoor use under the Kodiak and Terra names. Its work clothes, originally tailored for the blue-collar set, have come back into fashion with teens, which account for a growing portion of sales. Its products are sold worldwide through retailers (Academy, Wal-Mart), directly to businesses, and through its Work Authority stores. It was founded in 1922 by the Williamson family, which still owns the company. Dickies acquired Kodiak Group Holdings in April 2008.

Dana Classic Fragrances Company makes, markets, and distributes some 50 classic fragrance brands, taking older products that may have fallen on hard times and updating them for current generations of consumers. Among its products are the classic 1970s women's scent Love's Baby Soft, as well as Navy, Toujours Moi, Tabu, and Chantilly. For men, the company sells British Sterling, Canoe, and English Leather, among other brands. Dana Classic Fragrances sells its products through major drug stores, mid-range department stores such as Sears, and other mass-market retailers. The company is owned by the private equity firm Patriarch Partners.

Barks, mews, and caws are music to the ears of Pets at Home. The retailer operates about 230 pet-oriented stores throughout the UK, and also offers its own-brand products through a retail Web site. Pets at Home offers veterinary services, called Companion Care, at the majority of its stores. The company also offers 24-hour emergency services as well as ordinary care. Many Pets at Home stores also offer pet behavior training for some animals. Founder Anthony Preston developed the stores' concept in 1991; in 2004 he sold the majority of his stake in the company to private equity firm Bridgepoint. Management and employees retain an almost 20% interest in the company, which is being groomed to go public in 2010.

SanMar wants to help you show your team spirit. The firm supplies some 800 different imprintable sportswear and accessory items to screen printers, embroiderers, promotional products distributors, and athletics dealers. SanMar markets T-shirts, golf shirts, hats, bags, and other products. It's the exclusive distributor for the Red House, Tiger Woods Collection, NIKE Golf, PING, and OGIO brands and makes clothing under private labels Port Authority, District Threads, Sport-Tek, CornerStone, and Precious Cargo. SanMar sells Jerzees, Hanes, Gildan, and Outer Banks lines, as well. Executive Marty Lott founded the family-owned business in 1971.

Founded in 1906, Montblanc is a subsidiary of Swiss holding company Compagnie Financire Richemont. Montblanc International GmbH company's classic fountain pen and other high-end writing implements have long been a tradition among those who appreciate such rites of luxury. The company also markets a growing portion of desk accessories, leather bags, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and fragrances. Montblanc products are sold through selected retailers, jewelers, and through about 360 Montblanc Boutiques worldwide. It has been concentrating on maintaining a strong presence in China, where is operates more than 90 boutiques.

Wella brushes off much of its competition. One of the world's leading haircare companies, it sells professional and retail haircare products, cosmetics, and fragrances. Its Wella brand is its top seller; hair coloring products (Koleston, Wella Viva) are also leaders. Its Tondeo unit supplies professional products and appliances to salons. Wella's fragrances include Alfred Dunhill, Anna Sui, and Gucci, among others. Reluctantly for Wella at the time, Procter & Gamble acquired a majority stake in the firm in 2003 from four families (Ebert, Pohl, Sander, and Stroeher) that owned some 80% of Wella. Through a Domination Agreement transaction, P&G in November 2007 acquired the rest of its outstanding shares.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.