ABS was founded in 1997 by president Craig Knouf. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ricoh Americas. When you think of business, what systems do you associate with it? Associated Business Systems (ABS) thinks of big gadgets. ABS sells and services high-tech office machines (such as printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners) made by companies such as Ricoh, HP, and Kyocera Mita. Other products include archival and retrieval devices, network imaging systems, and supplies for all the machines on the sales floor. Associated Business Systems operates more than a dozen locations in Oregon and Washington, and it services about 35,000 copiers and printers in both states.

Darcars was founded in 1977 by chairman and CEO John Darvish, whose family still owns and runs the company. Buying a new vehicle in the Washington, DC, area can expose you to the Darcars side of human nature. Darcars Automotive Group, an automobile dealership holding company, has about 25 automobile dealerships in Maryland and Virginia. They sell new and used automobiles, including cars made by Ford, General Motors, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Darcars also offers a full range of automotive services, including collision repair through nearly 10 locations, parts and service departments, and rental cars.

Monsoon Commerce Solutions (MCS) helps online retailers and booksellers through its Marketplace Services and Selling Solutions divisions, providing retail management software, distribution assistance, and hosted store services. Its roster of more than 15,000 customers includes libraries, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers in about 50 countries. The Alibris Retail unit operates Alibris.com, an online marketplace for independent sellers of books, music, and movies. Founded in 1998, the firm acquired Monsoon in early 2010 and then reorganized and changed its name. MCS is owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners.

American Service Center was founded in 1937 by Saul Brooks and his brother-in-law Saul Gordon. It was located at the intersection of Glebe Road and North Randolph Street in Arlington, Virginia. Although the business has gone through many changes, it is still at the same location operating as a Mercedes-Benz dealership. Today, it is owned and operated by the second and third generations of it's founders. The daily operation of the business is now in the capable hands of Alvin Brooks and Morton Zetlin, the son and son-in-law of Saul Brooks. Mark Zetlin, Morton's son, is currently the New Mercedes-Benz Sales Manager. American Service Center, through the hard work and dedication of over 300 employees, has achieved and maintained great success in the Washington Region of Mercedes-Benz USA. By constantly paying attention to Customer Satisfaction and remembering Saul Brooks' most often used directive "Take care of the Customer, that's the main thing", ASC ranks either 1st or 2nd in: New Mercedes-Benz sales; Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned sales; Service sales; Parts sales; and Body Shop sales. Our Body Shop is, not only 'Fully Certified' by Mercedes-Benz USA, but also is an 'authorized' and 'designated' repair facility for both GEICO and USAA insurance companies.

Dive N' Surf outfits its patrons to catch the waves. Specializing in diving equipment and training, as well as surf boards, surfing gear and apparel, the company sells products through its own retail store in Redondo Beach, California, and its website. Brands include Billabong, Lost, UGG, and Volcom, among others. In addition to these, Dive N' Surf markets its Body Glove brand of high-tech surf gear. The family of the founding twin brothers Bob and Bill Meistrell own Dive N' Surf, which opened for business in 1953.

Brown & Brown Chevrolet became part of AutoNation in 1998, but retained the Brown & Brown Chevrolet local market brand.Customers hope air conditioning comes standard on Brown & Brown Chevrolet's vehicles. Located in Mesa, Arizona, the company is part of the AutoNation family and markets new and used cars and trucks. Brown & Brown Chevrolet offers customers a chance to research (through a link to Kelley Blue Book), search, and get a free quote using its brownandbrownchevy.com Web site. The auto retailer peddles some 30 Chevrolet models, including SUVs, coupes, hatchbacks, vans, wagons, trucks, convertibles, and others.

Founded in 1932, the firm is majority owned by private equity firm The Carlyle Group. Brentwood Associates owns about a 25% stake. Oriental Trading Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010 and is reorganizing. Party planners don't have to travel to stock up at Oriental Trading Company. The company sells more than 30,000 products, including party supplies, toys and novelties, arts and crafts, and home decor through its websites and catalogs. It mails about 300 million copies of its seasonal catalogs, which include such titles as Oriental Trading Company, Terry's Village, Crafts, Hands on Fun, and Inspirations. Oriental Trading supplies carnivals, schools, churches, nonprofits, and businesses.

Founded in 1978, Aloette is part of Astral Health & Beauty, which also makes and markets the Pur Minerals and CosMedix skin care brands. Since hiring a new CEO in 2009, Astral and its investors are looking to expand Aloette and its sister brands. Aloette Cosmetics loves a good party. Best known for selling aloe vera-based skin care products, Aloette also markets cosmetics, fragrances, and other personal care items. The company's products are sold mainly through home parties held by Aloette's direct-sales network of more than 10,000 consultants in some 40 franchises across the US and Canada. Aloette also markets its goods through a website, catalog, and on television shopping channels.

Desert Sun Motors Inc sells new Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, and Toyota brand vehicles. And of course, it sells used cars, provides parts and annual service, and operates a quick lube center. The dealership has three locations in New Mexico -- one in Roswell and two in Alamogordo. The Desert Sun Motors Web site allows customers to view featured vehicles and Internet specials, print out service coupons, search the inventory, and make reservations for a test drive. Founder Bobby Martinez owns the company.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and sale of automotive products and services. It offers new and used vehicles and related financing, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts, warranty, insurance, and extended service contracts. The company has operations located in major metropolitan areas in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas in the United States; and in the towns of Brighton, Hailsham, and Worthing in the United Kingdom. As of June 23, 2010, Group 1 Automotive owned and operated 101 automotive dealerships, 136 franchises, and 25 collision service centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 32 brands of automobiles. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

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