Manufacturing, heavy industry and engineering 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 engineering 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 –
- Abrasives
- Aerospace engineering
- Air conditioning and ducting
- Aluminium extrusions
- Automotive components
- Automotive design consultancy
- Cable trays and access panels
- Clothing and footwear machinery
- Compressors
- Construction plant
- Diesel engines
- Domestic boilers
- Domestic pumps
- Electric water heating
- Engineering consultancy services
- Ferrous and non-ferrous powders
- Fluid management
- Forgings
- Fork lifts
- Fusegear
- Garbage compactors
- Heat exchangers
- Industrial ceramics
- Industrial food process plant
- Industrial refrigeration
- Injection moulding
- Iron and steel manufacture
- Marine pumps and spares
- On- and offshore fire protection
- Packaged heat exchange equipment
- Packaging machinery
- Rivets and fasteners
- Shipbuilding
- Steam boilers
- Steel fabrication
- Street furniture
- Transformers
- Vending machinery
- Weighing machinery
- Wire fabrication
Here are some of the many client endorsements RA has received for its manufacturing, heavy industry and engineering market research studies. 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.
“Very good. A very useful piece of research which played an important role in assessing a potential acquisition. The ability to get a representative sample and get them to talk!”
“Excellent. RA was chosen for the professional approach and track record. The best thing about this job was the detailed approach. Excellent work, good presentation document.”
“Very good. I chose RA on Group recommendation. Adopted a professional approach and delivered on the brief given. They took time to understand our business.”
“Excellent. Fully achieved the objectives. The quality of the contacts and information.”
“Excellent. Interviewing customers and competitors is a new approach compared with previous research we have undertaken – and produced more balanced results. The best thing about the work was the considerable detail and attention to providing clear easily understood information. Sound final recommendations.”
“Excellent. As usual RA has provided a very high level of service and the end result was a very professional piece of work with which we are very pleased. Still represents very good value for money. The best thing was the speed of delivery and the quality of report.”
“Very good. Professional execution. Very clear report and presentation.”
“Very good. Recommended through past work for the Group. Well managed and executed. We were kept fully informed of the progress throughout. Whilst the required output was achieved the most valuable information was the quotes. The people – both Richard and Lucy – were good to work with and thoroughly professional.”
“Excellent. We have used RA before and found them excellent. The best RA report yet – strong, incisive and witty. They really got to the heart of the subject.”
“Very good. The best thing was Research Associates were willing to use their own expertise in helping us to outline the survey. Keep up the good work.”
“Excellent. Extremely satisfied. Very highly effective and therefore worth the investment. Very professional and delivered the promised results. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Well presented, objective research. A professional organisation to work with. The methodology was correct, good interpretation of research brief. The best thing was the recommendation to exit the market. This was not the conclusion we were seeking but an obvious one on the strength of the reports.”
“Very good. Thanks again for the report and all the good work on this project. Thanks also for a good discussion which certainly generated some food for thought.”
“Very good. This difficult project was executed very well. Professional and co-operative approach.”
“We have used Research Associates in the past and RA have knowledge of our industry and access to installers to survey. Fulfilled the brief as set out with thorough reporting on the findings.”