LibGuides: Market Research: Market Competition & Locations

Industry Classification

Industrial classification codes (NAICS & SIC) are used to classify and measure industry activity. Knowing the code for your industry will help you find articles, reports and other information about an industry.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Adopted in 1997,the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System

Adopted during the 1930's, the Standard Industrial Classification System updates ended in 1987. Although many older industries still use the SIC codes, newer industries are better defined using the NAICS.

Find Industry Locations Using Classification Codes

Data Axle (Formerly ReferenceUSA)
Uniworld Online

Data Axle
Unlimited users.
Updated monthly. Contains basic directory information for more than 210 million U.S. residents and 14 million businesses in all zip code areas of the United States. Information includes name of business, address, telephone number, headquarters, branch and subsidiaries identification, SIC codes, yellow pages headings, ticker symbol, credit rating, number of employees, and estimated sales volume. Also includes some federal, state, and municipal offices.
Formerly known as ReferenceUSA.

Use NAICS codes or the SIC keyword search function to locate industries.

**Consists of two directories, American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries and Foreign Firms Operating in the United States.**

To search for industries or companies locally or internationally:

Add the locations you are interested in. You can use countries or postal codes.
Enter the industry code.
Download the results in Excel or PDF format, or you can view them online.

Uniworld Online
Unlimited users.
Updated regularly. Consists of two directories, American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries and Foreign Firms Operating in the United States.
Over 220,000 listings in 200 countries. Find contact information for headquarters, branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates of the multinational firms. Each listing, in addition to contact information, contains a link to the company website and details whether the company has their own job posting page. Search by country, state, region, keyword, industry sectors [NAICS codes], zip codes, postal codes, company employees and company revenue.