Key British Enterprises

SIC Indexes

For indexing purposes Key British Enterprises uses the 1972 US Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code system. However the UK SIC Codes appear as data elements in the main entry ensuring that no information is omitted.

SIC Codes are a vital tool in any business research. Market researchers and advertisers rely on them to pinpoint the kinds of business they want to reach. When economists study business segments they use the SIC Code to identify and compare industries - especially when they are analysing changes or trends in business and the economy. Job hunters use SIC’s to identify appropriate or interesting prospective employers. Finally SIC Codes are used for hard copy and computer assisted searches in business research everywhere. The letters N.E.C. may appear in the business description, these occur when a full descriptive business operation has not been identified. N.E.C. refers to Not Elsewhere Classified.

US SIC Codes divide all economic activity into ten major groups. These business segments are represented by the first two digits of the SIC Codes:

Each line of business is categorised within one of these ten divisions and assigned a code. The first two digits of this code describe the general line of business. The third and fourth digits pinpoint a specific business activity, e.g.

• 22 Manufacturing - Textile mill products
• 227 Manufacturing - Floor coverings
• 2272 Manufacturing - Tufted carpets, rugs

Key British Enterprises and other D&B directories are cross referenced by US SIC Code.

To find the right US SIC Code, simply turn to the alphabetical index at the end of these preliminary pages.

Alternatively, if you need an explanation of a particular US SIC Code, it may be found in the numerical index.

Volume 1-3

Alphabetical Section

A full business entry will appear as follows

Volumes 1-3 of Key British Enterprises list Britain's top 50,000 companies alphabetically.

The following alphabetisation conventions have been used

Acronyms Businesses whose names comprise initials appear at the beginning of the relevant alphabetical system, e.g. NCR Ltd. appears before National Freight Co. Ltd.

Surnames Where a company name consists of a person's name it will be listed under the christian name, e.g. Thomas H. Loveday Ltd. appears under `T'.

Business Names starting with `Mc', `Mac' are all listed as if they were spelt `Mac...', e.g. MacKinnon of Scotland Ltd. appears after McColl Ltd. and before McMurdo Ltd.

Business Names starting with `St.' are all listed as if the word `Saint' was spelt out in full, e.g. St. Austell Brewery Co. Ltd. appears before Sandvik Ltd.

Business Names starting `The' are listed according to the next word in the business name, e.g. The Boots Co. PLC appears under `B'.

Volume 4

Industrial Section

All businesses listed in Key British Enterprises are grouped by industry. This Industrial Cross Reference section lists company data organised by line of business as defined by US SIC Code.

This Industrial Cross reference can be used to:

• identify sales prospects by line of business
• identify competitors
• select suppliers
• discover where a particular industry is concentrated
• conduct market research
• formulate direct marketing activity

Geographical Section

The 50,000 businesses listed are further cross referenced geographically. Businesses are arranged in alphabetical order within counties and then post towns.

This Geographical Cross reference can be used to:

• identify businesses by county or post town
• assign sales territories based on the number of prospects within an area
• compile targeted mailing lists by location and line of business
• assess the potential of new markets
• approach prospective employers within a county
• contact local suppliers

Export Market Index

Each of the 50,000 businesses listed provides details of their market place to our researchers. This section provides details of organisations doing business in specific export markets.

This Export Markets Cross Reference can be used to help in:

• locating business partners
• sourcing sales prospects
• competitor identification
• identifying major transnational businesses

Principals' Name Index

Some two hundred thousand names of principals' are given in alphabetical order by surname. Next to each listing appear details of the business on whose board they sit.

Use this section of Key British Enterprises to:

• identify business relationships
• check out the range of an individual's directorships
• contact known directors
• confirm board appointments

The Business ranking section of Key British Enterprises takes the top 5,000 companies in each category and then ranks them accordingly.

Rankings Within County

Businesses within this section are ranked by employees within each county.

Use this section to:

• identify major businesses within a county
• compare the principal businesses across counties

Rankings By Employee Size

Businesses in this section are listed in descending order by employee size.

Use this section to:

• compare major businesses by employees
• contact businesses meeting your employee criteria
• establish the largest employers

Rankings By Sales Turnover

Companies in this section are listed in descending order by sales turnover. Business may appear in this section with the same sales figure. This occurs where companies are filing consolidated accounts.

Use this section to:

• identify high volume sales businesses
• compare major businesses by sales or employees
• contact businesses meeting your sales criteria

Rankings Within Industrial Groupings

Companies in this section are ranked by employees within each major industrial grouping based upon the US SIC coding system.

Use this section to:

• identify industrial giants
• contact key companies in a particular industry
• compare companies within a business sector
• establish the industries with corporate leaders