Different types of business

6.1 Case study activity

The following activity will help you review what you have learnt about the Schaefer Kalk company.

Activity 3 Understanding the case study

Spend approximately 10 minutes on this activity.

Answer the following questions.

What does this company do?

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Discussion

Schaefer Kalk is a limestone extracting and processing company. This means it straddles the primary (resource extraction) and secondary (manufacturing) sectors.

Who are Schaefer Kalk’s main customers?

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Discussion

Schaefer Kalk sells a variety of products derived from limestone to customers in the construction, steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paper and plastic industries.

How is the company managed?

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Discussion

Three company directors supported by a number of middle managers and advised by an external advisory board.

List some further key features of this company that you think are worth bearing in mind?

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Discussion

Long history – founded in 1860, owned and managed by the fifth generation of descendants of the founder, slightly larger than medium sized but with international reach.