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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