Teknion Corporation was founded in 1981. After being publicly traded for 10 years, the firm was taken private in 2008 by an affiliate of A-Tean Holdings, its controlling shareholder. Teknion Corporationmakes office systems, including cubicles, cabinets, desks, and relocatable walls, for the middle to upscale workplace furniture market. It also produces other furnishings and decor, such as seating, tables, case goods (credenzas, bookshelves), ergonomic items, and workplace accessories (clocks, lighting). Products are sold through a worldwide network of about 400 dealers and its US subsidiary, Teknion LLC.

Founded in 1923, CSS Industries, Inc. was previously a department store and furniture store retailer. By 1985, the nature of our business had changed through a series of acquisitions and divestitures. The foundation of our current business was laid in 1988 with the acquisition of The Paper Magic Group, Inc. In the years following this acquisition, CSS acquired Berwick Offray LLC and Cleo Inc. Today these three affiliates form the pillars of CSS's leadership in the seasonal product industry.

Stirling Group customers are said to shine with character, at least in terms of their style of dress. Stirling Group designs apparel, particularly knitwear and lingerie, and accessories for distribution through retailers, including Marks and Spencer, for whom Stirling has sourced lingerie since 1947. It has operations in India, Morocco, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and China. In 2005 the company opened one retail outlet in Manchester, selling factory surplus and seconds. After being listed on the London Stock Exchange for a quarter century, executives decided in 2003 to take Stirling Group private to boost potential for future growth.

B.J. Vines, aka Betsey Johnson, is a perennial favorite among women who are funky and consider themselves eclectic, and after some 30 years in the business, the eccentric designer and her company namesake are still going strong. Betsey Johnson clothes, shoes, fragrance, makeup, lingerie, legwear, and accessories are distributed through about 50 specialty stores of the same name and department stores worldwide. B.J. Vines has expanded its product offerings and operations through about a dozen licensing agreements. Having owned a majority of the firm, Johnson sold a controlling stake to Boston-based private equity firm Castanea Partners in August 2007.

J. Choo, which does business as Jimmy Choo, gained its original notoriety from celebs strutting in the strappy soles down Oscar-night carpets and across Fashion Week runways. Still, Choo caters to self-proclaimed divas. The firm designs and manufactures shoes, distributing them through about 30 of its own standalone stores and some 150 high-end retail outlets. During the company's first buyout in 2001, Mr. Choo lost his toehold as chief designer. TowerBrook Capital Partners and Jimmy Choo management bought out Lion Capital's lion's share of Jimmy Choo for more than $364 million in February 2007.

Founder Salvatore Ferragamo started as a shoemaker for Hollywood stars in 1914. His wife Wanda took over upon his death, and the Ferragamo family still owns and runs the company. Salvatore Ferragamo Italia knows the value of style. It offers clothing and accessories, such as belts, ties, handbags, and scarves. Ferragamo has a reputation for elegance -- outfitting popes and presidents. The Ferragamo shoe line still generates most of its sales, while handbags, belts, luggage, and small leather goods account for another large chunk of revenue. The company, which also got into watches in 2007 and eyewear in 2009, distributes its products through more than 450 department stores and boutiques in some 60 countries.

Twincraft was born from twins. Twincraft Soap, founded by twin brothers Bob and Dave Asch, makes bar soap for the private-label market. The company provides product development, manufacturing (in Vermont and Guatemala), and packaging services and produces more than 350 million soap bars annually. Twincraft's roster of clients includes specialty retailers such as Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, and Victoria's Secret, as well as personal care industry behemoths including Johnson & Johnson and Unilever. Founded in 1971, Twincraft was sold to Langer, a medical and skin care products firm, for nearly $27 million in January 2007.

Alterna, a hair-care maker launched in 1997, has developed high-end products that have been embraced by the likes of Jennifer Aniston, whose healthy, stylish hairdo became quite the "to do" in the 1990s. Alterna has made a name for itself through its progressive lines, such as Enzymetherapy, Color Hold, and The Science of Ten (which includes 10 ingredients from sources worldwide). It also boasts Caviar, Life, and Luxury lines, as well as a Hemp hair-care line and Private Reserve white-truffle oil shampoo and conditioner. Alterna's products are sold in specialty stores, as well as at retailers Ulta and Beauty Store & Salon. The company is owned by TSG Consumer Partners.

Stanley Wright began his company in 1934 as a builder of counting or tabulation equipment and accessories. Based in Massacusetts, the company operates offices and distribution centers in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and other countries. The Tower of Cool is no amusement ride; it's an innovative computer cabinet designed by Wright Line. Along with designing and selling computer cabinets, Wright Line also makes modular office furniture and other enclosures specialized for computers, monitors, and associated equipment. The company's products are used in professional offices, data centers, 911 centers, and other control hubs. Wright Line has been in business since long before the PC made the technology scene.

ABCO, founded in 1990, was acquired by Jami (office furniture holding company) in 1995. Jami sold the company to JSJ Corporation in 2008, and ABCO became a unit of JSJ's izzydesign business. ABCO Office Furniture offers mid-market solutions for a variety of corporate, institutional and educational applications with a broad product offering of workstations/desking, educational workstations, conference tables, training tables, multipurpose tables, stack seating, office panels, folding tables and folding chairs. An extensive fabric and finish palette allows compatibility with any setting.

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