Cascade Forest Corporation, formed in 1983 by the Johnson family, is a wholesale lumber brokerage that designs, produces, trades, and supplies wood products primarily in the western US. Its red cedar, douglas fir, and Chinese cedar are used to make fencing, porch and mailbox posts, construction framing, flooring, doors, and specialty outdoor structures, such as gazebos, arbors, and playground equipment. Cascade Forest also makes agricultural and industrial products, including fruit drying trays and bins used by farmers to dehydrate, sun dry, and transport crops. If you're in the wholesale lumber business you might be trying to keep up with the Johnsons.

Founded in 1952 by namesake -- the late Jack Fruth -- the company is family owned and operated. Fruth Pharmacy operates about 25 drugstores in southern Ohio and West Virginia. While prescriptions account for the majority of sales, Fruth pharmacies also sell gift items and computer supplies, and have floral departments and digital printing. The regional drugstore chain competes by constantly trying new things, such as participating in the Face2Face diabetes program and testing in-store dollar departments. It is countering Wal-Mart Stores's $4 generic offering with a discount generic drug program created by Cardinal Health.

AUTOBACS STRAUSS INC. was created in 1982 through the acquisition of Strauss, a New York City auto-parts chain founded in 1919, by R&S Auto. It spent two years under the ownership of Japan's AUTOBACS SEVEN CO. before being sold back to its former owner Glenn Langberg in 2009. If your car conks out in the city that never sleeps you might seek out AUTOBACS STRAUSS (formerly Strauss Discount Auto) for a wake-up call. The auto parts and service chain has about 75 locations in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The stores sell accessories and car-care products, as well as hard parts such as batteries, mufflers, radiators, and spark plugs, tires, and tools. Many locations also offer repair services.

Farm Stores Corporation is exploring plans to expand its concept nationally. Founded in 1935, the Bared family, fronted by company president and CEO Carlos Bared, bought Farm Stores out of bankruptcy in 1992.Farm Stores Corporation's drive-thru markets, you never leave the car. With more than 100 Express Markets throughout Florida, Farm Stores is the nation's largest drive-thru grocery retailer. The chain's pre-paid Farm Stores Quick Card (think of it as a debit card for milk) allows customers to buy gallons more cheaply by paying in advance. The grocery chain's stores are supplied by Associated Grocers of Florida.

Haggen showers shoppers in the Pacific Northwest with salmon, coffee, and other essentials. The area's largest independent grocer, Haggen operates 30-plus combination supermarkets throughout Washington and Oregon. Most upscale Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores feature specialty departments, while the TOP Food & Drug outlets emphasize savings; however, both may offer such amenities as Starbucks coffee shops, Blockbuster video outlets, or child-care centers. To keep up with the Joneses of supermarket fame and fortune, Haggen partnered with ShopEaze.com (an e-commerce service provider), which failed, leaving Haggen without an online store. Brothers and co-chairmen Don and Rick Haggen own the chain.

Focus (DIY) Limited company is owned by US investment firm Cerberus Capital Management. Focus (DIY) Limited has its sights fixed on weekend warriors. The company markets a range of products for do-it-yourselfers engaged in light home improvement and gardening projects, including power tools, hardware, appliances, decking and flooring, contemporary home and patio furniture, garden buildings, and plants and seeds. Focus sells its merchandise through about 180 stores in the UK and Ireland, as well as through its Web site. The site also offers guides, price lists, and calculators for DIY projects.

Baltimore Door & Frame was founded in 1982. Baltimore Door & Frame is looking to have customers line up at its doorstep -- for its doors. The company makes and markets wood and metal doors, door frames, and related hardware accessories. Baltimore Door & Frame's inventory includes hollow metal doors and frames manufactured by Pioneer, detention doors, wood doors, exit devices, door closers, hinges, Schlage and other locks, door stops, and other goods. As part of its menu of services, the company also offers residential and commercial keying services.

Colorado Springs-based MSPS was incorporated as Mountain States Pipe & Supply in 1955. MSPS is committed in it's mission to provide superior services and solutions, and quality products in the utilities industry. MSPS is known for longevity, stability, and the knowledge and experience, to provide you with a complete solution for a wide range of utility applications. In 2002 MSPS established a meters division, US Metering & Technology, or USM&T, to position ourselves as a trusted leader in Automated Meter Reading and technology. AMR is an interesting and growing industry as more goverments, municipalities, and utilities services managers look for ways to cut down on costs and improve customer service for their utilities customers. USMT&T has built long-term relationships with Acalara Hexagram, Elster, Itron and Tropos - all leaders in Automated Meter Reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure technology solutions.

GNC is owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Board Plan, its affiliate Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund II, and management. GNC filed to go public in September 2010.What's good for the customer is good for GNC Acquisition Corporation (formerly General Nutrition Centers). GNC operates the world's leading nutritional-supplements retail chain devoted solely to items such as vitamins and dietary products. The company also makes Rite Aid private-label products. It sells its products online, as well, through a partnership with drugstore.com. GNC has 2,800 company-owned retail stores in the US and Canada; 1,900 store-within-a-store sites in Rite Aid's drugstores; and 2,220 franchised stores in 47 countries.

The Robert Allen Group is a leading designer and marketer of fabrics and home furnishings under numerous brand names, including Robert Allen, Robert Allen @ Home, Ametex, and Beacon Hill. Each line serves a particular price point and market niche. Also, the Robert Allen Contract division works to customize fabrics and designs for corporate, hospitality, and healthcare customers. In 2002 The Robert Allen Group was acquired by family-owned Decor Holdings.

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