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Private Company Research

There are many difficulties in searching for private company information. Consequently, researching private companies often requires considerable creativity. After exhausting some of the more basic directories like Wards, some of the sources below MIGHT reveal more information. One of the most common sources for private companies is Dun & Bradstreet.

Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so the information that can be found in those documents is not necessarily available for companies that are private. Many times after a merger (or for other reasons) a company that was once was public chooses, or is forced, to go private. If you want information on those companies, the basic company information will still be available; as well as old SEC documents and the filing to go private (13E-3). You can find additional guidance on researching private companies, in the following publication.

Researching Private Companies. Arlington, VA : Washington Researchers.
LC Call Number: HD2771.H695
LC Control Number: 2004205474

Catalog record

Sources of Information about Private Companies

Dun & Bradstreet Reports

A source useful for both current business information and business history. Most companies have D&B reports (generally for credit information). Dun & Bradstreet is a publisher that often actively seeks information from private firms by directly calling the company. Much of the information in a D&B report is voluntary so the quantity of information will likely vary from company to company.

Hoover's Handbook of Private Companies. Austin, Tex. : Hoover's Business Press, c1997-.
LC Call Number: HG4057.A28616
LC Control Number: 98657723

This is a source much more for the large private companies. Also see the publisher's web site for additional information.

Catalog record

Web pages.

Never underestimate the information that companies publish on their own web sites. However, keep in mind that some companies use their web pages as glorified catalogs, brochures, or advertisements.

Article searches.

In addition to searching in business journals, you may also search for articles from multiple sources in many full-text databases, such as Infotrac, Nexis, ABI-Inform, EBSCO Masterfile, and Business & Industry (Gale/RDS); however, such databases are generally not free so check to see if your local public or a university library in your area has subscribed to any of them.

Local Business Journals.

The American City Business Journals are a good source for local company information. Such companies are often the companies that are most difficult to find information on. The site does require registration, and some things are not free, but there is no charge for most access. The site links to business news from over thirty cities including Washington, Seattle, Philadelphia, Birmingham, Baltimore, Albany, Orlando, Nashville, and more.

In addition there are also several web sites which have compiled links to other local resources including City/Regional magazines and Local/Business periodicals.

Secretaries of State.

Companies are required to file with the Secretary of State of the state in which they are established. The National Association of Secretaries of State has an easy pull-down menu to find your state's web page.

 

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Doing Company Research

Table of Contents

Scope
Directories
Rankings/Lists
Private Company Research
Public Company Research
Foreign Company Research

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   September 5, 2007
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