Commercial & industrial services & supplies market research
Research Associates was founded in 1976 and has conducted well over 1,000 studies throughout the world for public and private sector clients.
RA carries out business-to-business market research in most industries and has particularly good experience in commercial and industrial services & supplies market research in UK and international markets.
In these sectors RA has carried out b2b market research projects relating to customer satisfaction and company image, market entry and development, new products or services, and company acquisition or due diligence.

These projects have included working in markets such as –
- Accountancy services
- Audio-visual consultancy services
- Breakdown services
- Business process outsourcing
- Catering supplies distribution
- Commercial solicitors
- Commercial supplies catalogues
- Commercial valeting services
- Consumer product testing
- Construction management services
- Contract hire
- Distribution services
- Educational supplies
- Components catalogues
- Energy consultancy
- Environmental testing/consultancy
- Facilities management
- Facilities services
- Financial SaaS
- Fleet management
- Fork-lift hire services
- Geographical information services
- HR services
- M&E contracting services
- Management consultancy
- Marine consultancy
- Moving and relocation services
- Online legal information
- Patent services
- Pest control
- Process engineering consultancy
- Rail maintenance services
- Risk management consultancy
- Road maintenance services
- Security and guarding services
- Supply chain management
- Tool hire
- Trailer rental
- Training services
- Truck & van servicing
- Utilities maintenance services
- Vending machine supply
- Warehousing
- Waste and recycling services
Here are some of the many client endorsements RA has received for its studies in the commercial and industrial services & supplies sector. Please see clients page for a list of some of our customers and international page for a list of countries where RA has conducted market research projects.
“Research Associates were one of only a few companies with demonstrable expertise in acquisition search. RA quickly understood the brief and added value in the definition phase. The project proceeded to plan and on time and RA may have found a needle in a haystack!”
“Very good. Well managed and professionally portrayed to our customers. Keep in touch.”
“Very good. They did a nice job overall partnering with me on all aspect of the project. A lot of great insights obtained to help stakeholders determine their strategy.”
“Very good. We are already making changes to our service offering as a result of the report findings which we know will have a positive impact. The speed at which the research was carried out and the depth of feedback received.”
“Excellent. I chose RA on the basis of having commissioned two previous successful studies from them. It was an excellent exercise that met all of my requirements – it was produced to the required timescale and to the level of detail that made it a very valuable piece of work. Personal attention, hitting deadlines and being good people to work with. The approach works well!”
“Very good. I chose RA on a combination of previous experience, strong proposal and flexibility in designing the programme to suit budget available. The study was delivered on time and all milestones were met. It is also useful to have individual comments as well as the overall summary.”
“Very good. The depth of the research will be used the company to set its international vision. The dedication and service of RA is greatly appreciated.”
“Very good. Very professional with clear conclusions. We now know where we stand in the market.”
“As always, the commitment of the staff and the quality of the work at RA is exemplary, and once again I would like to thank you for your continuing support.”
“Excellent. A well-balanced report based upon in-depth interviews. Though confirming many of our own views of the sector the project highlighted the hurdles we need to overcome to enter the market and clarified the steps required to create a successful business. I found the marketing advice of particular value.”
“Excellent. This research will be invaluable to me in the future as we begin to develop additional aspects to our sales and marketing policy and I hope that the knowledge that your work will be of practical value justifies the hard work that you clearly put into the exercise.”
“Excellent. I was impressed by the “no nonsense” approach to the work. It has been an excellent piece of work in terms of holding a mirror to our organisation – warts and all. The methods were sound. It delivered to us hard evidence of the real and sometimes emotive issues facing users of our service, and an insight into how well our competitors understand these.”
“Very good. Professional and well presented. Very interesting competitor rating. Keep in touch!”
“Excellent! All questions we raised in our research brief have been fully answered. I chose RA because of the quality of previous work, knowledge and experience of the industry, and professionalism. Very professional, competent – a piece of work in which we can have commercial confidence. Quality and professionalism of project leader.”
“Understood the requirements fully, actioned the research project professionally and capably and matched the tight timescale laid down. A different approach that resulted in achieving the objectives set down. Did the job without fuss or bother. The questionnaire on company perceived customer needs and actual customer needs was enlightening.”
“Very good. RA has good experience of our type of business and had a good understanding of our requirements. Very well done.”