Reasons to Use ThomasNet
ThomasNet provides a free online directory of thousands of industrial suppliers. Businesses of all types use the directory to find products or services in hundreds of categories. Reasons to use ThomasNet depend on your particular business needs. Both buyers and suppliers can make profitable business relationships by learning how to use the ThomasNet directory.
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Retail Supply
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Some retailers use ThomasNet to find industrial suppliers. For example, as of the time of publication, the website lists 34 categories of chemical suppliers. A retail store specializing in chemicals could use the directory to find companies that manufacture acids, ammonia, wax and other chemicals. Each listing has contact details. As a retailer, you contact individual suppliers and ask about wholesale buying opportunities. Select the "Suppliers" tab from the main page to find the supplier categories.
Manufacturing Resources
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Manufacturers also use ThomasNet to find suppliers of components or other services related to their own manufacturing. For example, ThomasNet lists dozens of companies that specialize in the construction of factory buildings. A product maker seeking to set up a new plant could use that list and negotiate a deal with a building manufacturer.
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CAD Drawings
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Some manufacturers of components provide CAD drawings of their products on ThomasNet. The website has millions of 2D and 3D CAD drawings. Company engineers use the CAD drawings to help select components for the product manufacturing process. Choose the "CAD Drawings" tab on the home page to search for suppliers who include these drawings in their listings.
Product Listings
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ThomasNet also has a database of over 100 million products. Use the "Products" tab on the main page to find this directory. This feature is ideal if you want to get the full range of available products in a specific category across all industrial suppliers. For example, there are thousands of box types if you are looking for a box to ship your product.
Business Services
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Companies can use ThomasNet to find suppliers of various business services. At the time of publication, the website lists 17 categories of service suppliers. As an example, a company looking for an accounting firm can find suppliers of these services in the "Financial" section.
Getting Listed
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Suppliers can get a free listing in ThomasNet. Fill out the form on the "List My Company" page to get your company listed in the directory. ThomasNet also provides advertising and a number of other business services, including creation of product catalogs and e-commerce capabilities. Prices vary widely based on the amount and kind of services you need. Call 866-585-1191 for pricing and other details.
Inventions
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If you have created a new product idea, ThomasNet can give you a list of suppliers that already manufacture similar products. Contact these companies to see about adding your product idea to their existing line of products. If using this method, it is helpful to have an existing prototype. There are companies that specialize in helping you build invention prototypes. Examples include the 3-Dimensional Services Group, ProtoCAM and Schmit Prototypes.
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References
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