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
Answer the following questions.
What does this company do?
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?
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?
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?
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.