Supply Chain: Supplier Identification

Despite the proliferation of available supplier information on the internet, identifying potential suppliers worldwide who provide a product or service meeting required specifications remains a challenge.
 

• While Kresge Library business directories such as D&B Hoovers, Orbis or the below mentioned manufacturer identifiers provide initial leads, their business descriptions or assigned industry codes are frequently too broad and fail to accurately capture company offerings. 
   
• Trade publication buyer guides and company rankings, trade show exhibitor lists, association member directories, and marketing reports often provide better on-target supplier descriptions since they focus on a more narrower, manageable market.   Foreign country investment and trade office company databases are also good for identifying real, existing companies ready to do global business.
   
• U.S. Customs import and export maritime shipping records provided to fee-based  vendors such as Datamyne, IHS Piers and others are frequently used to identify competitor suppliers.  These tools however frequently provide inadequate product identification and companies can petition the government not to disclose the information.
   
• In some industry sectors or world regions, supplier capabilities are not well documented and can only be obtained through personal networking. Fee based sourcing agents can also provide information.