The Westervelt Company has turned over a new leaf -- several, actually -- since its inception in 1884. A paper and paperboard packaging manufacturer for many years, Westervelt now operates several distinct businesses related to land resource management. Besides owning and managing 500,000 acres of timberlands, the company operates sporting lodges around the world, offers wildlife gaming and recreational property management, develops masterplanned residential communities in Alabama, and is involved in creating renewable energy. The company is privately owned by the Westervelt and Warner families.

Rothenberg Sawasy Architects provides architectural and interior design services through its offices in Los Angeles and San Diego and in Beijing. The company's clients include The Allstate Corporation, Bank of America, Brinks International, and MetLife. Managing principal Mark Rothenberg and design principal Mitchell Sawasy founded the firm in 1979.

Mercedes Homes won't put you up in a Benz, but it can set you up in a stylish dwelling. The employee-owned company builds and sells single-family homes in 80 communities in Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas. One of its largest markets is the Orlando area. Mercedes Homes operates through three primary subsidiaries: MHi Mortgage, BDR Title, and Space Coast Truss, which offer everything from mortgage financing to truss design and building materials. Mercedes Homes' properties range in price from about $100,000 to more than $500,000. The family of founder Howard Buescher controls the company he began in 1983. Faced with mounting debt and liquidity problems, Mercedes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009.

Exotic Hardwoods and Veneers is what its name suggests. The company offers a variety of lumber and veneers for residential and commercial applications. It also sells custom-made wall panels, ceiling panels, and doors. The company's products are made from some 30 different domestic and imported wood species, including ash, beech, birch, ebony, mahogany, maple, oak, and walnut. Exotic Hardwoods and Veneers operates a showroom in Oakland, California, but its wood comes from such far-flung locales as Brazil, Hawaii, Honduras, Switzerland, and Nigeria.

Baldwin & Shell Construction's natural state is as a construction firm in The Natural State. Founded in 1946, Baldwin & Shell is a general contractor and commercial construction management company operating primarily in Arkansas. The company's services include general construction, project management, and renovation and remodeling, as well as assembly of prefabricated steel buildings. Its completed projects, many of which are located in Little Rock, include high schools, churches, industrial plants, office buildings, and hospitals.

Cobra Products is America's leading manufacturer of drain-cleaning tools and machines for the "do-it-yourself" retail market.Distributed through more than 25,000 home centers, mass merchandisers and hardware stores, the product line includes a complete array of hand tools for cleaning sinks, toilets and drains. Cobra's power-operated drain-cleaning machines are also gaining wide acceptance throughout the U.S.

Trandes is right there in the trenches with the US government. The contractor provides engineering services for the Department of Defense (primarily the US Navy) and other federal agencies. Its offerings range from the repair of advanced communications equipment and systems engineering to acquisitions support and field services. Trandes also provides IT services including systems design, technical support, and training. The company has about a half-dozen offices strategically located near military locations in Florida, California, and near Washington, DC. CEO James Brusse founded Trandes in 1972 to provide the public transportation sector with software design and support services.

Aecon Group is both public and private about its day-to-day business. The company provides construction services for infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, and utilities. Through its buildings segment, Aecon is active in the construction and renovation of commercial, retail, institutional, hospitality, and multifamily residential properties. Industrial operations range from fabricating specialty pipe to designing and manufacturing steam generators. The group also manages public-private partnership and other alternatively financed infrastructure projects. Canada accounts for about 90% of Aecon's revenues.

GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C) is aiming to take a larger piece of the global construction pie. Founded in 1969, the company provides engineering and construction services to a variety of industries around the world. GS E&C's civil division builds roads, bridges, railroads, underground subways, and harbors. Its plant division undertakes work on oil and gas and petrochemical facilities. Projects include sewage system maintenance and wastewater treatment and commissioning of nuclear power plants. GS E&C also builds housing across Korea and in Vietnam. In addition to offices in South Korea, the firm has offices in China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Italy, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

Energy Maintenance Services Group I (EMS) is a one-stop shop for pipeline services in North America. The company's service offerings include compressor and meter station construction, corrosion surveying, environmental analysis, pipeline laying, and repair to major oil and gas producers, pipeline operators, local distribution companies, and independent power and utility operators in the US, Canada, and Mexico. It also operates and maintains about 25 pipelines and facilities throughout the US. Additionally, it supplies products such as valves and fittings and high-performance materials that help strengthen or protect pipes. Founded in 2003, EMS is one of the fastest growing privately-held companies in Houston.

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