Getting Started With Company ResearchThe first step in company research is to make sure you know the following:
Although this may seem a simple start, company identity is often a more complex question than it may appear to be. Many companies have similar names, but are separate, distinct companies based in different cities. For example, Ford may refer to Ford Motor Company or The Ford Foundation. Subsidiaries may be easily confused with their parent companies. RJR Nabisco, for example, is a public company which owns subsidiaries Nabisco and RJ Reynolds.
- the proper and full company name
- the corporate headquarters' address
- the company's form of ownership
Form of ownership is not always easy to guess either. Large, well known companies, such as Hallmark Cards, may be private. Smaller local companies, such as First Federal Savings Bank of Youngstown, may be publicly owned. Remember also that companies are bought and sold daily. A company that was independently owned may be purchased by a public company. Private companies occasionally go public as they grow and develop a need for more capital. Subsidiaries and divisions change ownership, operating under new parent companies. It is essential that you know who presently owns your company before you begin your search.
You will save time and effort by confirming your company's identity . Use the following resources to obtain this information.
Online Directories
These directories are free and accessible to anyone using a computer connected to the World Wide Web.Corporate Information.com (free service, but requires registration)
Thomas Register (free service, but requires registration)
The following directories are in print format. They are linked to an OhioLINK record so that you may check your individual institution's holdings for each directory. If you are not an OhioLINK patron, check with your local academic or public library for availability.
Directories of Public Companies
If your company is publicly owned, then you should find it listed in one of the directories listed in this section. If you do not find your company, continue through the directories listed in the following sections until you have identified the ownership of your company.Directory of Companies Required to File Reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Corporate Directory of U. S. Public Companies. (Walkers)
Directoriesof Public and Private CompaniesReference USA. Directory information on ten million public and private U.S. businesses. Also includes credit rating and net sales range. Kent State On-campus only.
Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries
Standard and Poor's Register of Corporations. (3 Vols.) Lists officers, products, SIC numbers, sales range and number of employees. Geographic and SIC index. Annual.
Million Dollar Directory. Dun & Bradstreet. Provides information on America's leading public and private companies. Annual.
Ward's Business Directory of U.S. Private and Public Companies.
Standard Directory of Advertisers. Guide to over 25,000 corporations. Annual.
Thomas Register of American Manufacturers. (10 Vols.) A comprehensive listing of American manufacturing firms.
Directoriesof SubsidiariesAmerica's Corporate Families: Vols. 1-2, The Billion Dollar Directory; Vol. 3, International Affiliates.
Directory of Corporate Affiliations. Includes international affiliations.
Directories of International CompaniesDirectory of Corporate Affiliations. Includes international affiliations.
Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the United States
Directory of Foreign Investment in the U.S.: Real Estate and Business
Hoovers Handbook of World Business
Who Owns Whom: North America. Shows ultimate ownership and corporate links.
Foreign Corporations with Operations in Ohio. Ohio. Dept. of Development.
Business directories are also published for individual countries. Consult your library catalog or a librarian for appropriate country directories.
Specialized DirectoriesThere are many other types of directories published:
Consult a your library catalog or a librarian for business directories that may be helpful for your company research.
- regional, state, and local business directories
- service company directories
- manufacturing directories
- and directories of specialized business, such as the Directory of Ohio Biomedical & Biotechnology Companies and Directory of High-Volume Independent Restaurants.
Why Can't I Find a Directory Listing ?You will not find a listing for all companies in the directories listed above. Information available on small companies and subsidiaries will generally be minimal and difficult to locate. The Private Company and Subsidiaries/Divisions sections of this site will suggest regional and local directories and help you develop some strategies for obtaining resources, but expect the available information to be sparse. Small international companies will present an even greater challenge. If you are unable to find a listing for your company, ask a librarian for help.
Select the appropriate form of ownership for your company.
07/2003