PZ Cussons is no washout at washing up. Its focus is making and distributing body and hand soaps. It also produces detergents, surface cleaners, over-the-counter medicines, skin and hair care products, men's toiletries, and other household products. While the company sells some internationally recognized brands, the majority of its products are branded and marketed for regional markets. In addition to its personal care and soap and detergent product lines, PZ Cussons has added household electrical appliances and food products to its products portfolio. In 2002 the firm changed its name from Paterson Zochonis to PZ Cussons. The family of co-founder George Zochonis still owns about 30% of the company.

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.

Raani Corporation is a private label manufacturer and contract packaging firm that offers blending and filling services, research and development, and regulatory guidance to the personal care product industry. The company specializes in the production of hair care (including the ethnic hair care niche), skin care, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, household products, toiletries and bath care, baby care, and cosmetics. Raani's deodorants and assorted toiletries are sold by well known retailers including Kmart. CEO and president Rashid Chaudary started the business out of a garage in 1983.

Professional Veterinary Products, Ltd. (PVPL) wholesales and distributes pharmaceuticals and supplies to licensed veterinarians. The company carries more than 20,000 products from about 350 manufacturers, ranging from diagnostic equipment to animal identification tags. It boasts two subsidiaries: Exact Logistics (distributes to other animal-health firms) and ProConn (supplies products directly to the consumer). The company was founded by a group of veterinarians in 1982. PVPL says that even its telesales staff has field experience -- phones are manned by veterinary techs and others with animal science degrees.

Founded by Elbert Allen in 1922, Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation was sold to Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison in 2006 for $123 million. Allen-Edmonds' shoes stand their ground in the US. Maker of high-end men's dress and casual shoes, boots, belts, leather care goods, and hosiery, Allen-Edmonds makes most of its shoes in Maine and Wisconsin, resisting the trend of moving production abroad. Its shoes are handmade by skilled craftsmen, and Allen-Edmonds is known for its full range of shoe sizes for men. The company also offers a namesake cologne. Its products are sold in more than 25 company-owned stores in the US, Belgium, and Italy, as well as in department stores (Nordstrom), other specialty retailers, online and by catalog.

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.

Founded in 1988, Yue Yuen is majority owned by Taiwanese athletic material maker Pou Chen. The firm spun off its retail unit, Pou Sheng International (Holdings), in an initial public offering in 2008. Chinese cobbler Yue Yuen Industrial has some mighty big shoe orders to fill. The world's largest manufacturer of branded footwear turns out shoes for the biggest names in sports: adidas, ASICS, New Balance, Nike, Puma, Reebok, and Timberland. Its manufacturing centers are located in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In addition to these, the company operates about 2,100 athletic footwear and apparel stores directly or through subsidiaries, as well as about 2,600 stores under joint ventures.

Birmingham Budweiser was founded in 1966. Birmingham Budweiser company distributes alcoholic beverages from Anheuser-Bush InBev in the fine southern cities of Birmingham and Jasper, in the Yellowhammer State. Birmingham Budweiser, located in West Oxmoor Industrial Park, is run by members of the Kampakis family. The editors of Business Alabama magazine have named Birmingham Budweiser Distributing as one of the top 100 private companies in Alabama.

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.

Redbarn Pet Products was started by two friends who believed there was a better alternative to feeding your dog dry food. They felt that the natural proteins found in fresh meat were important to a dog’s health and well-being and set out to develop a food that was meat based, preserved naturally and convenient to use. The result was the Redbarn Premium Food for Dogs in the roll format. With the aid of food nutritionists, the food was perfected and now includes Beef, Chicken & Liver and Wheat Free Lamb & Rice flavors. With the success of the food under their belt, the next step was to complete the line by adding an assortment of premium quality treats. The result is a full selection of natural body parts and a range of exciting and unique treats. The Redbarn team has since grown to include food scientists who work solely at developing new, wholesome products for your dog to enjoy.

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