3M is fundamentally a science-based company. They produce thousands of imaginative products, and they're a leader in scores of markets - from health care and highway safety to office products and abrasives and adhesives. Their success begins with their ability to apply their technologies - often in combination - to an endless array of real-world customer needs. Of course, all of this is made possible by the people of 3M and their singular commitment to make life easier and better for people around the world.The diversified company makes products through six operating segments: consumer and office; display and graphics; electro and communications; health care (through 3M Health Care); industrial and transportation; and safety, security, and protection services. Well-known brands include Post-it Notes, Scotch tapes, Scotchgard fabric protectors, Scotch-Brite scouring pads, and Filtrete home air filters. 3M has operations in more than 60 countries. About two-thirds of its sales are made outside of the US. It sells products directly to users and through numerous wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and dealers worldwide.

Textron Inc. is not only one of the world's best known multi-industry companies, it is a pioneer of the diversified business model. Founded in 1923, Textron Inc. have grown into a network of businesses with total revenues of $14.2 billion, and approximately 37,000 employees with facilities and presence in 29 countries, serving a diverse and global customer base. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.,Textron is ranked 173rd on the FORTUNE 500 list of largest U.S. companies. Organizationally, Textron consists of numerous subsidiaries and operating divisions, which are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their businesses.The company's golf carts enrich their golfing jaunts, its Cessna airplanes and Bell helicopters whisk them around, its auto parts keep their cars running, and its financial subsidiary provides loans. Cessna and Bell are bright spots in Textron's financial results. Cessna accounts for more than half of profits; Bell about 20%. While Textron enjoyed healthy sales growth and good profit margins for several years, changes in the Pentagon budget and the global recession may dampen business in several segments. The US government accounts for about one-quarter of Textron's sales; geographically, customers in the US represent nearly two-thirds of sales.

Streamlight, Inc. manufactures a wide range of professional flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps for law enforcement, fire, industrial, outdoor, and automotive applications. Streamlight's products have virtually indestructible plastic cases and can maintain reliable high powered luminosity in extreme heat and cold environments. The company's lights are also waterproof to a depth of up to 200 feet. Streamlight also makes a line of rechargeable flashlights.

The personal care products company makes soap, lotions, and creams, as well as more specialized products such as acne treatments. Dermalogica's products are not sold directly to the public, but through dealers or "qualified skin care professionals" in more than 40 countries worldwide. These vendors can provide clients with Dermalogica's face mapping consultation, thermal back treatment, and touch therapies. Dermalogica was founded in 1986 by Jane Wurwand.

Spanx, Inc. makes footless and footed hosiery, tights, and body shapers to give its customers a slim and smooth look with any style shoe. Spanx also sells bras (Bra-llelujah!), slips (Hide & Sleek), panties (Power Panties), and lined apparel (Bod-a-Bing!). The firm's products are sold at such retailers as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, and Bloomingdale's. Discounter Target developed ASSETS (bodyshaping hosiery) with Spanx in 2006; they're also sold at www.loveassets.com. Company founder Sara Blakely is credited with inventing footless pantyhose. In 1998, she founded Spanx with $5,000 of her own savings and patented her footless body-shaping pantyhose.

Schurman Fine Papers, which operates American Greetings, Carlton Cards, and Papyrus retail stores, offers specialty gift products such as greeting cards, stationary, gift wrap, and other paper products. Its retail network consists of more than 500 stores located throughout the US and Canada. More than 170 of its stores operate under the Papyrus name, a brand on which the company was originally built (the brand was sold to American Greetings in 2009). Schurman Fine Papers was founded in 1950 by Marcel and Margrit Schurman; their daughter Dominique Schurman now heads the company.

GenCorp is a major technology-based manufacturing company headquartered in Sacramento, California. GenCorp’s two businesses, Aerojet and Real Estate, concentrate on two principal market areas: aerospace and defense, and real estate.GenCorp has been in business for the better part of a century. Established in 1915, GenCorp was formerly the General Tire & Rubber Company. The name change was implemented in 1984 when GenCorp was formed as a parent holding company. In a subsequent restructuring, the company exited the tire business by divesting General Tire. In 1999, GenCorp spun off its Decorative & Building Products and Performance Chemicals businesses into a separate, publicly-traded company called OMNOVA Solutions, Inc.

PPG Industries is a leader in its markets; is a streamlined, efficient manufacturer; and operates on the leading edge of new technologies and solutions. It is their vision to continue being the world’s leading coatings and specialty products and services company, serving customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. PPG has manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 60 countries around the globe.Coatings -- such as paints (sold under the Pittsburgh Paints, Lucite, and Monarch brands), stains (Olympic), and sealants that help protect surfaces -- account for most of its sales; the remainder comes from glass and chemicals. PPG's glass offerings include flat glass for buildings, fabricated glass, and continuous-strand fiberglass used in aircraft and buildings. PPG's chemicals segment makes chlor-alkali chemicals. The company operates more than 130 manufacturing facilities worldwide; it also operates 450 retail centers in the US. PPG greatly enhanced its European operations in 2008 by buying SigmaKalon from Bain Capital for $3 billion.

Container Marketing, Inc. manufactures and wholesales chairs, tables, bar stools, buffet tables, dining room tables, and curio cases for all areas of the home. Primarily, CMI uses metal, wood, fabric, and leather in its designs. It expanded its portfolio in recent years to include beds. Its various product lines are on display online and at its showroom in High Point, North Carolina, but are available throughout the US only through authorized dealers. CMI's division, Designer's Choice, specializes in manufacturing parson's chairs in the US.

California Accessories has a long history of providing great products and excellent service to its many customers in the United States and beyond. We began over 70 years ago as California Optical Leather. The focus of the company was on designing and manufacturing eyeglass cases, primarily those that retailers or practitioners give away when they dispense a pair of eyewear.In the 1990’s the company was renamed California Optical. During this period, the company diversified its product lines--still focused on the optical industry--with a wider, more comprehensive line of optical accessories. By the early 2000’s, they had segued our products into categories that were not only optically related. Small mini-bags, clutches, jewelry cases and cosmetic cases meant that they needed a new name. California Accessories was born, and the fashion and design focus of the company was intensified. In 2008, the company opened a subsidiary in Hong Kong, SAR, called California Accessories Asia LTD. This new division is responsible for expediting product development lead-time and for maintaining their strict quality standards for all of their products produced in Asia.

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