PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport company, which makes sports-specific shoes and apparel sold under the PUMA and Tretorn labels, was formed when German brothers Rudi and Adi Dassler feuded and split their family firm into adidas and PUMA. While shoes are PUMA's heritage, apparel accounts for a growing portion of sales. The company has been expanding its athletic apparel styles to include men's golf, motorsports, and denim items. PUMA also operates its own retail business under the Concept Store banner and controls distribution of its products in many countries. French luxury-goods firm PPR, which had owned about a quarter of the firm, increased its stake to some 66% in July 2007.

Acme United Corporation was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut. Acme United Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, supplies cutting, measuring, and safety products to the school, home, office, and industrial markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Its cutting device products include scissors, shears, guillotine paper trimmers, rotary paper trimmers, rotary cutters, hobby knives and blades, chef shears, utility knives, manicure products, medical cutting instruments, and pencil sharpeners. The company's measuring instrument products comprise rulers, math tools, and tape measures. Its safety products include first aid kits, personal protection products, and over-the-counter medication refills. The company markets its products primarily under the Westcott, Clauss, and PhysiciansCare brands. Acme United Corporation distributes its products through independent manufacturer representatives and direct sales forces to wholesale, contract, and retail stationery distributors, office supply super stores, school supply distributors, industrial distributors, wholesale florists, mass market retailers, and hardware chains.

The family-owned and -operated company was founded in 1956 by Victor and Madeline Tarica. Jimlar Corporation's boots are made for walkin'. It manufactures work boots, classic styles, and western boots. A pioneer importer of footwear in the US, the company makes footwear under its namesake and Frye brands, as well as licensed products under the RJ Colt, and Coach names. It sold its licensing rights to the American Eagle brand in 2006. It remains an international company and boasts offices in Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan. Jimlar also serves customers in Africa, Europe, and South America.

Theo Fennell calls its wares the "unstuffy alternative" to jewelry -- others have called it simply quirky (and expensive). It offers the designs and jewelry of its namesake founder at prestigious locations (such as its flagship Fulham Road store and at Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman). The firm also designs and fabricates watches, silver gifts, and tableware, as well as corporate trophies and awards. Products are pricey: A typical limited-edition watch costs more than $50,000. Customers have included celebrities such as Liz Hurley and Victoria Beckham. The company has been concentrating on expanding its distribution.

Founded in Dallas in 1973, Bag'n Baggage was acquired out of bankruptcy in mid-2008 by Colorado Baggage Company and renamed Colorado Bag'n Baggage. The company stocks luggage and travel goods from such manufacturers as Hartmann and Tumi, among many others. It also sells backpacks, business and travel accessories, business cases, luggage racks, travel organizers, and wallets from about 35 mall stores in about a dozen states. The company, which also does business as Houston Trunk Factory, Malm Luggage, and Colorado Baggage Co., offers repair services for luggage and leather goods, as well.

Leach & Garner (HK) Limited is the Asian subsidiary of Leach & Garner Co., which established its manufacturing operations in the US in 1899 and serves major jewelry markets throughout the world. Leach & Garner markets its products in the US under the General Findings name. Leach & Garner (HK) Limited, like its parent, manufactures gold and silver findings -- including pendants, clasps, lever backs, posts, hoops, jump and spring rings -- for use in the jewelry industry. Leach & Garner (HK) Limited serves customers in the Asia/Pacific region, except Japan.

Gerry Weber's prominence grew along with Steffi Graf's winnings. In 1986 the fashion retailer signed a sponsorship contract with the budding 17-year-old tennis star. It now operates about 500 shop-in-shops and some 25 House of Gerry Weber stores throughout Europe and the Middle East. The company sells three brands of women's clothing: Gerry Weber (mid-to-upper range), Taifun (junior), and Samoon (large sizes). Gerry Weber plans to open another 80-100 stores. The Gerry Weber brand was created in 1986, and the company changed its name to its popular label in 1989.

Gravis Footwear, Inc. company makes sporty (for sports and for the sportif) footwear, bags (handbags and luggage pieces), and apparel (T-shirts, hats, hoodies and jackets) printed with the company's logo. Gravis' trendy collections, which appeal to men and women 25-35 years of age, are available through more than 2,500 specialty retailers worldwide. These include 200-plus stores in the US, including surf and skate shops, as well as chains such as Urban Outfitters and Whole Earth Provision. Snowboard manufacturer Burton Snowboards owns Gravis.

The business was founded in 1923 by G.E. Sellstrom and his wife, Ellen, as Excell Sales Company. Sellstrom Manufacturing Company provides protective wear and related products to do-it-yourselfers, as well as corporations, schools, and hospitals. Sellstrom's product line includes eye, face, knee, and head protection (goggles, face shields, knee pads, and hard hats), welding protection (filters and helmets), fall protection (harnesses, lanyards, and lifeline systems) and emergency eye washers and showers.

Talon International, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California. Talon International, Inc. engages in the manufacture and distribution of apparel accessories to manufacturers of fashion apparel, specialty retailers, and mass merchandisers. The company offers a line of metal and synthetic zippers under the TALON brand name; Trim items, such as labels, buttons, rivets, printed marketing material, polybasic, packing cartons, and hangers; machinery used to attach the buttons, rivets, and snaps; and stretch waistbands under the TEKFIT brand name. It also provides outsourced trim design, sourcing, and management services. Talon International, Inc. sells its products in the United States, Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Dominican Republic. The company was formerly known as Tag-It Pacific, Inc. and changed its name to Talon International, Inc. in July 2007.

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