Research guide for identifying companies – ways to locate jobs, competitors, or corporate customers

These are the links for the accompanying tutorial: voicethread.com/share/167833

First, you might want to find your NAICS code and SIC code for your industry – these provide a numerical shorthand that will help later on when using databases, particularly the Dun & Bradstreet below. Here’s an example of the NAICS code breakdown for the utilities industries.

Some databases that provide lists of companies:

• Dun & Bradstreet Million Dollar Directory - 34 million companies worldwide, from the smallest to the largest; can create tailored lists and download results.
• Hoover’s – no downloading, but more information on each company; tip: locate a company in your industry and then look on the left to click on “competitors.”
• CorpTech – highly defined breakdown of technology companies in the U.S.
• Thomas Register - free database of manufacturing firms; highly specific breakdown of products and services.

We’re here to help!

• Hunt Library Reference Desk: (412) 268-2442; huntref@andrew.cmu.edu
• Drop in - hours are M - Th 9 am - 8 pm, F 9 am - 5 pm, Sat 1 - 5 pm and Sun 1- 5 pm.
• Ask a question via the library's chat service

Or, contact me directly:

Roye Werner, Business and Economics Librarian, rwerner@andrew.cmu.edu, (412) 268-2453