Final answer:
Thompson Manufacturing is customer-oriented, using marketing research to adapt to market demands by focusing on product features and strategic location for better visibility and distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thompson Manufacturing uses marketing research to stay attuned to its customers' needs and preferences. Doing so enables the firm to be customer-oriented. By focusing on such elements as the physical aspects of a product — like an unbreakable bottle, nonstick surface, or freezer-to-microwave capabilities — and strategic factors like the firm's location, Thompson Manufacturing can strategically adjust and promote its products. For instance, the importance of a product's non-shrink or extra spicy features are highlighted to appeal to specific market segments. Similarly, being situated at a prime location advantageous for visibility or distribution, just like a gas station at a busy intersection or a supplier near an automobile factory, can improve a company's market presence and sales opportunities.