Yaohua Pilkington is another steadily profitable company, and an executive there, responding to a reporter's questions, was willing to entertain a visit.

In a sense, G.M.A.C., which has been steadily profitable, is suffering for the reputation of its money-losing parent.

The companies declined to release earnings or revenue figures for RCA Global but asserted that it had been steadily profitable.

A decade ago, the company mainly insured mortgages held by other investors against default, an unglamorous but steadily profitable business.

It has been steadily profitable since being reorganized in April 1988 and has $12.7 billion in assets.

Cheap planes and a route network that largely avoids head-to-head competition against bigger airlines have made Allegiant steadily profitable since 2003, a rarity in the business.

With changes in work rules that resulted in more productive employees, the company was steadily profitable, he said.

Still, such innovations have kept Nanofilm growing and, since 2001, steadily profitable.

In the early 1990's, Fannie Mae mainly insured mortgages held by other investors against default, an unglamorous but steadily profitable business.

In the process, it has built a steadily profitable business for shareholders and enriched its top executives.