 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The publisher has two teams of researchers.

1. The Contract Research Team compile industry reports who consult various public domain sources
including those provided by companies either in terms of regulation/statute or voluntarily for marketing
or other purposes. In addition, voluntary interviews are conducted with companies and other industry
sources. Information is then organised per our standard research template, detailed below. The
publisher’s industry reports provide an overview of the industry in a specific country. Research is
conducted largely at the five-digit Standard Industrial Classification Codes as set out by Statistics South
Africa (Stats SA) and are also aligned to the publisher’s Industry segments:

 Agriculture  Forestry & Wood

 Automotive & Parts  Healthcare
 Aviation  Hospitality, Gaming & Entertainment
 Business Support Services  Manufacturing
 Chemicals & Fertilisers  Marine
 Communication, Media & Technology  Mining
(CMT)  Public Enterprises
 Community and Personal services  Real Estate
 Construction  Research and Development
 Education  Retail & Wholesale
 Energy & Water  Sanitation & Waste Management
 Financial Institutions  Textiles, Clothing and Footwear
 Fisheries & Aquaculture  Transportation
 Food & Beverage
2. The Inhouse Research Team compile company profiles. Company information is sourced from the public
domain and each company is given the opportunity to verify our information when we update them. A
company profile includes contact details, directors and management, ownership, turnover, number of
employees, auditors, bankers and nature of business. The extent of this information is however
dependent on what companies are willing to divulge.

Industry overviews and company profiles undergo a quality control and editing process by the respective
editing teams to ensure that the information is current and accurate. While the publisher uses all reasonable
endeavours to ensure the information contained in its industry reports is accurate and of a high quality, it
does not warrant or guarantee that the information will at all times be free of errors.

Research Template

1. INTRODUCTION
Generally includes statistics such as value, contribution to GDP and number of employees.
The most important problem or issue is usually mentioned.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY

Provides a general outline of the industry, whether there are many players, whether there is
vertical integration, whether it forms part of a larger sector, and includes the products
manufactured by the industry.

 2.1 Industry Value Chain

General value chain points, either in a paragraph or in diagrammatic form.

 2.2 Geographic Position

Includes a graph showing the location of the head office of profiled companies by province.
Focuses on where the dominant companies are situated and why.

3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY

Provides an indication of the size of the industry.
Approximate market share if it has been determined.
A table showing the major companies as well as smaller companies involved in the sector,
arranged by province is attached as an Appendix.

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 4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

 4.1 Local
The important events of the last year or since the last report.
What is happening now? What are the trends, developments, successes, issues, government
initiatives, problems?
Imports and exports.
New locations and investment in capacity.

 4.1.1 Corporate Actions

Any corporate activity in the last two years. This includes takeovers, unbundling and mergers
and acquisitions.

 4.1.2 Regulations
Regulations that govern the industry.

 4.1.3 Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development

(Only applicable to South African reports)
The charter that is applicable to the industry.
Includes any BEE corporate activity.
Graph showing comparative analyses of BEE Scorecard against Overall Industry Scores.
Includes Opportunities for SMMEs and Entrepreneurs which identifies SMME opportunities
within the sector, or supplying to the sector.

 4.2 Continental
Trends and/or events for the industry in Africa and the implications of these trends.
Any facts and figures of South African companies already involved in Africa.
Any relevant trade/economic/political agreements and any notable developments regionally are
mentioned here.

 4.3 International
Compares South Africa with the global market.
Includes the names of major global players.
Includes information about South African companies with a global presence.
Trends, implications and market opportunities for South African companies.

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 5. INFLUENCING FACTORS
Factors that influence the success of the industry vary from sector to sector but the following
are always included.

 5.1 Economic Environment

Describes the current conditions and how they influence the sector.

 5.2 Labour
Includes sub-headings: Employment figures; Unions; Skills and training.
Includes the SETA and training authority, skills shortages and training initiatives.

 5.3 Environmental Concerns

Discusses any issues or developments within the sector that have resulted because of
environmental concerns.

 5.4 Technology, Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation

The importance and effect of new technology on the sector.
R&D initiatives in the sector.
Innovations in the sector.
Other factors included could be Rising Input Costs, Cyclicality, Government Support, Legislation,
Infrastructure Programmes, Rapid Urbanisation, Information Technology, etc.

6. COMPETITION
Includes graphs on companies profiled, employees and turnover segmented by ownership type.
Local and international competition events and issues, including Competition Commission
rulings and active investigations.

 6.1 Barriers to Entry

Factors that impede entry to the industry.

7. SWOT ANALYSIS
The SWOT analysis acts as a summary as it focuses on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities
and Threats of the industry concerned. The points are drawn from the preceding content in the
body of the report.

8. OUTLOOK
Prospects for the sector

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 9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
Contact details for the associations that govern the industry.

10. REFERENCES
Names of the individuals interviewed are kept confidential.

 10.1 Publications
List of Publications used in the compilation of the report.

 10.2 Websites
List of Websites used when conducting internet research.

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