Whirlpool

Description:With brand names recognized by just about anyone who has ever separated dark colors from light, Whirlpool is one of the world's top home appliance makers. It makes washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, freezers, microwave ovens, ranges, trash compactors, air purifiers, and more. In addition to Whirlpool, the company sells its products under a bevy of brand names including KitchenAid, Bauknecht, Roper, Maytag, and Magic Chef. Whirlpool peddles its appliances in North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Competition in the home appliances market has heated up in recent years, with Bosch Siemens, LG, Samsung, and Haier commanding equal attention.

Sony Corporation

Description:All eyes and hands are on Sony -- or, more likely, on its high-profit consumer electronics products and gaming systems. While PlayStation ousted Nintendo from the top spot in the home game system market in the mid-1990s, the disappointing debut of PlayStation 3 in late 2006 has the two companies dueling. Sony also makes a host of other products, including digital and video cameras, Walkman stereos, and semiconductors. Sony's entertainment assets include music (Sony Music Entertainment and Epic), motion pictures (Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Digital Production), DVDs (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment), and TV programming (Sony Pictures Television).