The Alexander Doll Company (ADC) was founded 80 years ago by Madame Beatrice Alexander Behrman, the daughter of Russian immigrants. She was raised over her father's doll hospital—the first in America—and often played with the dolls waiting to be mended. Her love of dolls led this dynamic woman to creating her own line of dolls.The company manufactures a variety of dolls, including collectibles and play dolls, in addition to its signature line of Madame Alexander Dolls. The firm sells its products through several thousand specialty retailers, as well as online through its company Web site. Alexander Doll Company also provides its customers with repair services through its Doll Hospital. Founded by Madame Beatrice Alexander the company was acquired by the private capital fund, Kaizen Breakthrough Partnership in 1995.

Watkins Incorporated manufactures more than 350 natural products, including body lotions and bath salts, organic dish soaps and bathroom cleaners, and organic black pepper and vanilla extracts. Watkins, which distributes its products in the US, Canada, the UK, and the Philippines, sells through retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, and Whole Foods, as well as through its e-commerce Web site. Owned by chairman Irwin L. Jacobs since 1978, Watkins' roots go back to the 1860s.

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.

Founded in 1978 as H. Bernbaum Import & Export Company by Harry Bernbaum and Hank Bernbaum, High Sierra Sport Company has grown to become the tenth largest outdoor company in the United States (Sporting Goods Business, November 1999). Today, High Sierra Sport Company employs 40 people and distributes and sells to more than 1500 retailers and 2250 corporate accounts worldwide. High Sierra Sport Company is the official supplier of bags to the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding teams and its memberships include the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and the Travel Goods Association (TGA).The firm makes and markets a wide range of backpacks, day packs, and other gear for carrying stuff into the great outdoors, onto airplanes, and on their backs as they work out. Company bags are made under the High Sierra, Sierra Expedition, and other labels. In 2007 High Sierra debuted the ATQ line, which includes a wheeled backpack, duffel, and computer case, to its products portfolio. It also makes popular hydration bags. The company, which sells to some 1,500 retailers worldwide the likes of Sports Authority, was founded in 1979 as the H. Bernbaum Import & Export Company.

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.

Crane Co. is a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products with a substantial presence in a number of focused niche markets. With approximately 12,000 employees working together in five business segments across 25 countries, Crane generated 2008 net sales of $2.6 billion.Crane is committed to the highest standards of business conduct. Within that framework, their objective is to grow Economic Value Added (EVA) by continuing to transition to a more integrated operating company. They strive to create value for all their stakeholders with a highly disciplined approach to materially strengthening our businesses through successful implementation of the Crane Business System, through strategic linkages among their businesses, and through utilization of strong free cash flow for strategic acquisitions.

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.

Cherokee Inc. markets, licenses and manages their owned brands, which include Cherokee, Sideout, Carole Little, Chorus Line, Saint Tropez West and All That Jazz brands, as well as represents other brands in various consumer product categories such as apparel, home, food, fashion accessories and footwear and recreational products. The brands that Cherokee owns and represent generate over $4 billion in annual retail sales worldwide. The Company’s principal focus is global “retail direct” licensing. The Company has partnered with many well-known retailers throughout the world to provide consumers with well-known brands at affordable prices. These global retailers include Target Stores, Wal-Mart Stores, TJX Companies, Tesco Plc, Zellers (Hudson Bay Company), Grupo Eroski, Comercial Mexicana, Pao de Acucar, Tottus Stores (Falabella), Arvind Mills, Shufersal, Geant (Al Hokair) and Pick ’n Pay. The Company’s retail licensing partners license these well-known brands, and receive the exclusive right to sell branded merchandise in their geographic areas.The Cherokee brand, which began as a footwear brand in 1973, is one of the preeminent global family lifestyle brands with annual retail sales approaching $3.0 Billion worldwide. Sideout is a young active lifestyle brand, which was acquired by the Company in the late 1990’s. In addition, in 2002 the Company acquired the trademarks for Carole Little, a well-regarded women’s wear brand, and Chorus Line, All that Jazz and Saint Tropez West, three women’s sportswear brands. The Company seeks to develop relationships and strategies that benefit its retail and wholesale partners through licensing arrangements both in the U.S. as well as throughout the world.

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.

Annin & Co is the world’s oldest and largest flag manufacturer. Starting from a sail loft in downtown New York City making signal flags for sailing ships in the 1820’s, Annin incorporated in 1847 and has since grown to four manufacturing locations. Annin now has worldwide distribution. As the official flag manufacturer to the United Nations, Annin’s international flags are the standards for exactness, followed by the rest of the world. Every state flag is exact according to specifications. Annin now manufactures over 10,000 different flags and flag accessories.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.