FMI iDEA Methodology

Overview

A consistent research methodology is followed across all industry reports at FMI. We begin by defining the scope, followed by data gathering. Rigorous validation is then applied. Models are reconciled to ensure coherence, and key performance indicators are computed. The final stage involves publishing full lineage, which makes the outcome auditable and repeatable

What is fixed upfront

Scope, taxonomy, units (value/volume), seven regions and thirty countries, base year, and time granularity.

How content is organized on this page

At FMI, B2B data collection and validation are presented first. B2C and retail signals without EPOS appear next. Mathematical models come last, supported by equations and checks. The sequence concludes with sources, cadence, and FAQs.

B2B (All Industries)

2.1 What is collected

Our data stack begins with primary interviews and surveys, along with regulator and institutional datasets. Trade and production series, logistics records, tender data, and developer or app telemetry are incorporated where relevant. Company filings and plant registries are included. E commerce scraping is avoided unless explicitly licensed.

2.2 How data is collected

We field primary research in structured waves with samples stratified by region, size, channel, and product family. Institutional datasets are ingested through public APIs or licensed feeds, with dates and licenses logged. Ecosystem signals from B2B marketplaces, distributor portals, AIS lanes, and tender boards are captured under applicable terms of service. Company masters and product masters are maintained throughout. Deterministic keys are applied, and fuzzy matches are adjudicated by analysts.

2.3 When Reports are Updated

Prices, shipping patterns, and outages are updated weekly. Monthly cycles cover trade flows, production activity, and category mixes. Our quarterly rhythm focuses on capacity, installed base, and baseline metrics. Shocks trigger ad hoc updates whenever required.

2.4 Domain lenses (kept short; full detail is provided in reports)

We apply focused domain lenses across sectors. In Automotive and EV, production and registrations are reconciled, and tier 1 and tier 2 shipments are linked with recalls, charging sessions, and battery MWh. In Chemicals and Materials, capacity, utilization, spreads, and HS level flows are triangulated, with turnarounds monitored continuously. Healthcare coverage ties approvals, device UDI, trials, procedure volumes, and payer schedules into a single chain. Technology and Semis work combines filings, deployment telemetry, app installs, and fab or node datasets. Packaging, Food, Energy, Logistics, and Industrial categories follow standard FMI practice to close supply, demand, and price.

A friendly note: assumptions are never hidden and receive their own box.

B2C / Retail (No-EPOS, No Scraping)

3.1 What is collected

Public filings and trading updates, store-locator counts, opening/closure news, circulars and newsletters, app-store pages and reviews, public social content (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X), and search-interest signals. Supplier and distributor anecdotes are used as guardrails. Private data is not touched.

3.2 Retail proxy sandbox

3.3 What is not done

At FMI, EPOS and panel datasets are not used. Shopping cart scraping is avoided. Private pages are never accessed, and PII is not collected. No surprises (or shocks) here.

Mathematical Modelling

Interactive: quick calculators

Equations

Sources & Lineage

Cadence & Deliverables

Our quarterly baselines define the workflow. Monthly micro updates capture high frequency shifts. Immediate shock notes are issued when policy changes, supply outages, recalls, or sudden price spikes occur.

FAQs