by type of business, location, size, etc.

The following company directories will allow you to identify companies through screening on a variety of criteria, such as by Industry or SIC and / or NAICS codes, location, sales, company size, and public vs. private companies.

Once you've identified companies, your next step will be to find background information, whether that be about the company's financial situation, products, history, recent news and events, etc. Along with visiting the company's own website, and along with the sources above: Hoovers.com, Reference USA, and ORBIS, look to the following sources...