Nike, Inc.

In its attempts to better compete with industry leader Nike, adidas-Salomon AG will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Reebok International Ltd. for approximately $3.8 billion.

Even though the following IT firms did not land a coveted spot on this year's Reader's Choice list, Consumer Goods Technology would be remiss by not bringing them front and center.

25 mid-market companies to watch out for

It amazes me that failed technology implementations that occurred years ago continue to make headlines today.

In 1987, Nike started a revolution by unleashing The Air Max running shoe, the first of its type to incorporate Nike-AIR cushioning, which put a comfy new spin on athletic footwear and sent the industry-at-large back to the drawing board.

With a higher degree of mandates from retailers, corporate legislation like Sarbanes-Oxley and a crowded product marketplace, it would appear that the consumer goods landscape is an unforgiving atmosphere full of revenue roadblocks.

Keep an eye on these up-and-coming IT vendors

CG companies confront new import rules