Green Mountain preferred to keep the chain of coffee shops intact and operating under the Tully's name.

MSN: Judge: Tully's Coffee to go to Dempsey's group

For a company like Apple (AAPL) that relies heavily on Japanese partners for critical components for its iPhone and iPad, the decision to keep its supply chain lean has painful implications when faced with the disruption caused the Japanese disaster.

FORBES: Supply Chain Lessons From Japan

But with interest rates low and housing inventory continuing to decrease, there is a runway for builders, property owners and companies throughout the housing food chain to keep reaping the benefits of a comeback.

FORBES: Stocks Smacked, But Whirlpool Shines Thanks To Housing Lift