Panel Specialists company makes and markets partitions, panels, casework, and wall systems for a variety of uses. PSI also manufactures laminated wood furniture (desk and filing systems, wardrobes, and chests) and stone-fabricated countertops. The company's products are used in office settings, college dorm rooms, and apartment dwellings. PSI also peddles its products to clients of both government and institutional buildings, as well as to those who outfit interiors of marine vessels.

Viva Optique, Inc. company, which was founded in 1978 by Harvey Ross, has in-house design teams located in Italy and New Jersey that pump out some 1,000 designs yearly. Viva Optique company is part of HVHC, a subsidiary of health insurance provider Highmark. Viva Optique has set its sites on keeping its customers in shades worldwide. It operates Viva International Group, a leading worldwide eyewear and sunglass manufacturer. It has about 15 international offices and distributes its products in more than 60 countries. Brand names include Bongo, Candie's, Ermenegildo Zegna, Escada, Givenchy, Guess?, Harley-Davidson, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Bill Blass Group (formerly Bill Blass Holding) has reached ubiquity status as a licensor. The legendary late designer's longtime, namesake company was famous for its tailored men's and women's clothing known to adorn noteworthy clients from Barbara Bush to Barbra Streisand. William Ralph "Bill" Blass who retired in 2000 and died in 2002, sold the firm in 1999 to its jeanswear licensee, The Resource Club, and CEO Michael Groveman. NexCen Brands bought Bill Blass Holding for more than $54 million in 2007. In late 2008 Peacock International Holdings acquired the worldwide rights to the Blass trademark and the Blass licenses already signed for just $10 million.

Aalfs Manufacturing Company, owned and run by the founding Aalfs family, just might have a gene for the jeans business. The company designs, makes, and markets clothing (primarily jeans and denimwear) to big-name retailers nationwide. Clients include J.C. Penney (since 1943), American Eagle, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, Old Navy, and even Harley Davidson. Aalfs also makes and sells its own 4 Stroke brand of denim apparel. Founded in Iowa in 1892 by H.A. Baker and renamed the Aalfs-Baker Manufacturing Company in 1929, when Wilbur Aalfs held the presidential title, the apparel manufacturer officially became Aalfs Manufacturing Company in 1959.

Boss Holdings Inc. company was founded in 1893 and is based in Kewanee, Illinois. Boss Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the import, marketing, and distribution of gloves, boots, rainwear, and pet supplies in the United States and Canada. The company offers gloves, boots, and rainwear products primarily to retailers, such as convenience stores, mass merchandisers, and hardware and grocery stores; and industrial customers comprising companies in the agricultural, automotive, energy, lumber, mining, and construction industries. It markets its products through distributors and manufacturer representatives, as well as directly through its own sales force to certain retail customers. The company provides custom imprinted balloons, mini-sport balls, signature balls, exercise balls, beach balls, and other inflatable products, as well as various non-inflatable imprinted items, including yo-yos, juggle balls, sport horns, fan-ta-sticks, holiday candles, and ornaments. Its pet supplies include pet cable restraints, collars and leads, pet toys, rawhide chews, shampoos, and other pet specialty products, which are marketed primarily to pet supply specialty, and hardware and discount retailers under the Prestige brand name.

Founded in 1941, KI was bought in the 1980s by its managers, who later allowed the company's employees to buy its stock. KI is now 100% owned by its employees. Formerly known as Krueger International, KI makes ergonomic seating, cabinets, and other furniture used by businesses, health-care organizations, schools, and other institutions. KI offers everything from desks to daybeds, not to mention tables, filing systems, and even trash cans. KI operates manufacturing facilities in Canada and the US, and markets its products through sales representatives, furniture dealers, architects, and interior designers.

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.

SoftSheen/Carson Products is keeping the shine on its ethnic beauty. The company is one of the world's leading makers of ethnic hair care and beauty products, including shampoos, conditioners, gels, hair straighteners, relaxers, and shaving products. Its brands include Let's Jam, Baby Love, Optimum Care, Dark and Lovely, Magic Shave, and Weave Care. Founded in 1964 by Edward and Bettiann Gardner, SoftSheen was the largest African-American-owned beauty products company in the country until its acquisition in 1998 by L'Oréal USA, a division of French cosmetics giant L'Oréal. Carson was a subsidiary of L'Oréal USA before being merged with SoftSheen in 2000.

Founded when a young woman by the name of Merle Norman first opened up shop in Santa Monica, California, in 1931, the beauty company makes and markets skin care products and color cosmetics. Its products (all of which are manufactured in the US) are sold through about 2,000 independently owned and operated retail outlets -- Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios -- in the US and Canada. Many are located in malls. Brand names include Automatic Definitive, Inspirations, Luxiva, Only Natural, and more. The company is owned by chairman Jack Nethercutt, Norman's great-nephew.

In 1967 Graham Webb founded the international hair care company, which is now woven into Wella AG. The firm's roots are in hair care education. Its first Graham Webb Academy opened in London in 1981. The company now has academies in the US -- specifically the District of Columbia, Minnesota, and California. Along with its some dozen UK salons, Graham Webb makes hair care, body care, and cosmetics worldwide and sells them through licensed beauty salons, cosmetologists, and distributors. Wella AG bought Graham Webb in 2001. Procter & Gamble acquired Wella in 2004.

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