James Avery Craftsman, Inc. company got its start in 1954 when James Avery, himself, set up shop in a two-car garage with about $250 in capital. James Avery Craftsman is a leading jewelry designer, manufacturer, and retailer in the US, mostly throughout the southern states. Its jewelry collection, numbering some 1,100 designs and 14,000 items made in sterling silver, 14-, and 18-karat yellow and white gold, and gemstones, is sold through about 200 independent retailers and about 50 of its own stores in Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. James Avery also sells its products through a catalog and via the Internet.

Consolidated Ecoprogress Technology Inc. (CET) produces and distributes biodegradable and disposable absorbent products, including diapers, incontinence products, and femine hygiene products. Every part of its Flushaway-branded feminine hygiene products degrades completely within 28 days of disposal; the product is flushable and begins to break down immediately upon contact with water in the toilet bowl. Wal-Mart is one of the company's biggest clients.

Baby Blanket Suncare was founded in 1986 and is owned by its officers. The Mercer Group, doing business as Baby Blanket Suncare, wants to make sure that the only time your baby turns red is when the little darling is bawling for a diaper change or feeding. The company markets sunscreen products for babies and adults with sensitive skin. Its line includes sunblock lotions, sticks, sprays, and towelettes, all with SPF ratings of 30 or higher. Baby Blanket Suncare also offers water sandals and sunglasses for babies. The company's products are sold via its Web site and other online outlets, including drugstore.com. In addition, the firm works with distributors in Mexico, South Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.

American Educational Products (AMEP), a maker of hands-on educational materials (mostly math and science items) for school and home. A major producer of raised maps, AMEP also makes items such as aquariums, human models, and other items that teach concepts in many fields of science. Operating through the Scott Resources, Hubbard Scientific, Teaching Tank, and National Teaching Aids divisions, AMEP markets its wares in the US and abroad through catalogs and educational dealers. Rival Nasco International acquired AMEP in mid-2001 and took it private. Nasco merged with Aristotle (medical teaching aids) in 2002 and AMEP became a subsidiary of Aristotle.

Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&CO.) strives to provide the world's casual workday wardrobe, inside and out. LS&CO., a top manufacturer of brand-name clothing globally, sells jeans and sportswear under the Levi's, Dockers, and Levi Strauss Signature names in more than 110 countries. It also markets men's and women's underwear and loungewear. Levi's jeans -- department store staples -- were once the uniform of American youth, but LS&CO. has been working to reconnect with the niche and expand outside the US. It has transformed its products portfolio to include wrinkle-free and stain-resistant fabrics used in making some of its Levi's and Dockers slacks. The Haas family (relatives of founder Levi Strauss) owns LS&CO.

Tomiya Apparel is all about dressing sharp. The company, headquartered in Tokyo, manufactures tailored men's dress and sports shirts, women's blouses, knit sportswear, and uniform items including pants. Tomiya distributes its products primarily to general merchandise stores, major department stores, and specialty shops. The company, which operates a number of domestic subsidiaries throughout Japan, carries out about 90% of its production in factories in China and other areas of Southeast Asia, most notably Vietnam. Established in 1879, the shirt maker filed for bankruptcy in February 2009 -- citing stagnant sales and falling prices -- and is attempting to reorganize.

Multi-Pack LLC company is a third-party contract manufacturer of disposable cleaning products, such as wet wipes. It offers a variety of packaging, such as individual packs and a variety of coreless canisters. Multi-Pack also offers product development, testing, and formulation services. The company, founded in 1999, was acquired by Span Packaging Services, a subsidiary of Cloud Packaging Solutions LLC, in late 2005. The deal gave Cloud a deeper offering in towelette and wipe technology and, for Multi-Pack, deeper pockets for investing in future growth.

Volcom, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. Volcom, Inc. (Volcom), is a designer, marketer and distributor of young mens and young womens clothing, footwear, accessories and related products under the Volcom brand name. Its products include t-shirts, fleece, bottoms, tops, jackets, boardshorts, denim, outerwear, sandals, girls swimwear and a complete collection of kids clothing, combine fashion, functionality and athletic performance. As of December 31, 2008, the Company operated 13 full-price Volcom branded retail stores and licensed an additional eight full-price stores. In addition the Company own two multibrand Laguna Surf & Sport stores. On January 17, 2008, the Company acquired Electric Visual Evolution LLC (Electric). Effective August 1, 2008, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of Laguna Surf & Sport.

LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. was founded in 1897 and is based in Portland, Oregon. LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. (LaCrosse) is a developer and marketer of footwear for work and outdoor users. The Company’s Danner and LaCrosse brands are distributed through a network of specialty retailers and distributors, as well as its owned retail channels, and internationally through its subsidiary, LaCrosse Europe ApS, and through distributors and retailers in Asia, Europe and Canada. LaCrosse’s work customers include people in law enforcement, transportation, mining, oil and gas, military services and other occupations. Outdoor customers include people in hunting, hiking and other outdoor recreational activities. On July 21, 2008, the Company announced the formation of LaCrosse Europe ApS, a new subsidiary based in Denmark. In June 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets of Environmentally Neutral Design Outdoor, Inc., a performance footwear company.

The family-owned firm was founded in 1949 by Ivan Combe, who created Clearasil in 1950 and made it the #1 acne medication before selling it off in 1960. Combe's products are sold in more than 60 countries. Combe makes powders and creams you're itching to buy. The company's products portfolio includes an array of items in the anti-itch niche, including Lanacane, Scalpicin, Gynecort, and Vagisil. Combe combats other human indignities, too, including loose dentures (Sea-Bond), stinky feet (Odor-Eaters), and gray hair (Grecian Formula, Just For Men). Combe's acquisition of J.B. Williams in 2002 added popular names Aqua Velva, Brylcreem, and Cepacol to its brands, among others.

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