The oral health company makes and markets toothpaste, toothbrushes, sonic teeth-cleaning systems, and breath mints, for better oral care. Dentist Ron Murayama developed a less-expensive system for whitening teeth in the 1980s, then sold that product and business before starting Amden (where he's now chairman) in 1992. The firm promotes its products, primarily the Cybersonic system and its "harmonic resonance," through infomercials, often enlisting the help of celebrities, such as Vanna White and Cheryl Tiegs. Amden claims the Cybersonic is the world's fastest toothbrush.

Valentino Fashion Group continues to make a splash on the fashion scene. Spun off to shareholders by Italian fabric maker Marzotto in mid-2005, the company holds Marzotto's former apparel units. The group is divided into three businesses: Valentino (which includes Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino), Hugo Boss (with its Boss and Hugo brands), and a final business unit that comprises licensed brands Marlboro Classics and M Missoni, as well as its own brands Lebole, Oxon, and Portrait. Valentino Fashion Group operates more than 1,600 boutiques in 110 countries and sells through e-commerce site Valentino.com. Its corporate offices are located in Italy, France, Hong Kong, Japan, and the US.

Celebrating more than 40 years in business, Mary Kay is in the pink as one of the top direct sellers of beauty products in the US. It offers more than 200 products in six categories: body care, color cosmetics, facial skin care, fragrance, nail care, and sun protection. More than 1.8 million independent sales consultants demonstrate Mary Kay products in the US and some 35 other countries. Consultants vie for awards each year, ranging from jewelry to the company's trademark pink Cadillac (first awarded in 1969). The company also founded the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation in 1996 to fund cancer research and domestic violence programs. The family of founder Mary Kay Ash owns most of the company.

Dege & Skinner was founded in 1865 as J. Dege & Sons; its name changed to Dege & Skinner in 1916 when the first member of the Skinner family joined the firm. The Skinner family now owns and operates the company. Dege & Skinner wants you to strive for the Savile Row-proper look, even if you are on your way to take part in a fox hunt. Dege & Skinner custom-makes suits and shirts and manufactures specialty club ties, hunting coats, ready-to-wear shirts, riding jackets, and shooting suits, as well military uniforms and traditional Scottish Highland dress, such as kilts. Dege & Skinner tailors regularly visit clients in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Japan.

Founded in 1790, Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth a.s. was the first to invent graphite leads from graphite and clay. Today it manufactures and distributes art, office, and school supplies. Formerly a Czech state-owned company, it was privatized in 1992 and bought by Gama Group in 1994. Products include such items as crayons, pastels, pens, pencils and erasers, oil and watercolor paints, tempura and India inks, modelling clays, as well as office supplies such as ink cartridges, plastic injection moldings, and so on. Koh-i-noor products are sold in more than 70 countries. Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth a.s. company is owned by Gama Group, which, in turn, is held by G Group.

Founded in 1854, Timex is owned by the family of chairman Annette Olsen, whose grandfather bought the company in 1942. Timex is strapping on fresh faces so it can tap new markets worldwide. The nation's largest watch manufacturer has expanded its lines from simple, low-cost watches to include high-tech tickers capable of paging or downloading computer data. Its sports watches have gone upscale and gadgety with its Expedition and Ironman lines. Timex Corporation company also makes and markets thermostats, pedometers, and weather instruments. Through a licensing agreement, Timex makes watches for Guess? and Versace, among others.

DC Shoes was among the first to capitalize on the skateboard, snowboard, and adventure sports niche market. The company designs technical footwear for skateboarding and snowboarding, as well as casual apparel, accessories, and other sports gear. In addition to its standalone retail shops in New York and Los Angeles, DC Shoes markets its products online and through such retailers as Macy's and Pacific Sunwear. Co-founders Damon Way and Ken Block sold the firm to Quiksilver in 2004 to the tune of $87 million. Quiksilver, which had been under pressure to sell assets to help alleviate its debt, appears content to keep DC Shoes in its closet.

Founded in 1912 as All-Steel-Equip, Allsteel invented the lateral file in 1967. The company is a subsidiary of HNI. he office furniture company makes office systems, desks, seating, storage products, tables, and accessories under names such as Energy, Stride, Align, Concensys, Scout, and Terrace. Allsteel sells its products through dealers and its own sales force. Its customers originate in the corporate, government, and educational markets. The company operates about 10 showrooms in the US and Canada.

Seiko Holdings (formerly Seiko Corp.) is way beyond its tradition of marking time -- whether it's wristwatches, clocks, or precision timing devices for athletic events. The corporation serves as a holding company for subsidiaries, such as Seiko Watch, maker of watches such as the Kinetic and Thermic series that generate power by the movement of the owner's wrist or body heat. The watchmaker also makes mass-market watch brands Pulsar and Lorus. Seiko Watch's other timepieces range from small bedside alarm clocks to large-scale public clocks. Seiko Holdings other subsidiaries include Seiko Clock, Seiko Instruments, Seiko Optical Products, Seiko Sports Life, and Seiko Precision. The Hattori family controls Seiko.

Lozier Corporation was founded in 1956. Lozier Corporation makes retail store fixtures such as display shelving and back-room storage systems for supermarkets, discount stores, mass merchandisers, and a variety of other retail formats. It has manufacturing operations in Alabama, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah, and Pennsylvania. Lozier distributes fixtures across the US, as well as internationally; the firm maintains a sales and service network for its international retailers. In addition to selling fixtures, Lozier also offers installation services.

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