BDA has extensive experience performing target industry studies and market research to support industry recruitment strategies. We have worked with small and large communities nationwide to match them with appropriate industry target sectors.

BDA's process has successfully identified companies on the move in the highly focused market segments/niches defined for clients. While a 3 year window is generally recommended for developing new prospects, this process also identifies near-term opportunities:

• 5 out of 10 prospects identified for a business park marketing effort opened new facilities or announced new projects in the region as predicted within 2 years
• 8 out of 20 light manufacturing companies identified for a business park expanded or constructed new facilities within 2.5 years.  2 additional companies expanded operations in the client’s home state – while closing facilities elsewhere
• 8 out of 28 companies in an electronics industry segment identified for a regional organization expanded (capital investment and new hires) or built new facilities within 1.5 years
• 21 out of 92 companies in the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and information technology industries identified for a state organization had moved, expanded or built new facilities within 2.5 years
• 4 out of 30 companies in a specialized IT industry sector identified for a county organization expanded or moved as forecast within one year

BDA has implemented its target sector and prospect company identification process in the following industries:

• Life sciences
  - Biotechnology
  - Pharmaceuticals manufacturing
  - Medical device manufacturing
  - Research-oriented medical device companies
  
• Information technology
  - Software development for manufacturing users
  - Federal defense contractors
  
• Advanced manufacturing
  - Robotics
  - Modeling and simulation
  - Nanotechnology
  - Semiconductors
  - Sensors
  
• Logistics and distribution
  - E-commerce distribution
  - Third party logistics companies
  - Big box retail distribution operations
  
• Manufacturing
  - Computer hardware manufacturers
  - Plastics manufacturers
  - Automotive suppliers
  - Home supply products manufacturers
  - Food processing operations
  - Electronics products manufacturers
  
• Back office and call center operations

• Worked with chamber of commerce and university leaders to focus targeting efforts on a highly-focused segment of sensor research, development and manufacturing.  Profiled 20+ companies with growth potential in the market segment for a direct contact initiative.

• Collaborated with a large regional economic development agency to identify potential prospects among research-oriented companies specializing in cardiovascular and orthopedic clinical fields within the medical device industry. 

• Identified 20 home supply manufacturers likely to become qualified prospects for a southeastern community striving to attract light manufacturers. Prepared detailed profiles for each company to support a direct contact strategy. Coached marketing staff on effective calling strategies.
  

• Provided targeting intelligence to support a state's business attraction efforts. Identified regional clusters to determine recruitment mission itineraries. Created industry profiles for each market segment. Identified promising company prospects to support proactive marketing efforts.
  

• Created a marketing strategy to attract information technology companies for a county agency. Developed an outreach strategy that addressed identification of target companies, advertising and public relations using print and Internet resources, trade shows, direct mail, networking, special events, and proactive marketing.
  

• Provided critical industry and company research for a start-up business development effort in a city in central Mexico. Researched trends and site selection criteria for several target industries. Screened and identified potential prospects among US and Mexican companies in each industry. Advised on implementing the contact process to maximize the likelihood of generating prospect interest.
  

• Evaluated the viability of attracting back office and call center operations to a suburban Washington, DC community. Provided insight into how the community would fare against typical site selection criteria and estimated the likely market opportunity based on presence in the region, national trends, growth projections and interviews with regional managers of major back office and call center operations.