Kreller Companies

Kreller Companies

Company type	Private
Industry	Corporate investigations, Risk management, Business intelligence
Founded	1989
Founder	Joseph "Joe" Davidoski
Headquarters	Cincinnati , United States
Area served	United States; Mexico; Brazil; China; United Kingdom; United Arab Emirates; Russia; global
Key people	Joseph Davidoski (President), Harvey Rosen (Chief Operating Officer), Scott Shaffer (Managing Director)
Products	Due diligence, Corporate investigative services, Credit reporting, Risk consulting

Kreller Companies is a privately held American firm specializing in corporate investigations and risk management, with its main office located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Established in 1989 by Joseph "Joe" Davidoski, the company offers business intelligence solutions including tailored due diligence, corporate investigative services, and credit reporting. Their operational approach utilizes licensed investigators and analysts who bring experience from federal, state, and local law enforcement to assist clients in managing and mitigating risks.

With a global footprint, Kreller maintains offices throughout the United States and has official representatives in important international markets such as Mexico, Brazil, China, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. The firm caters to a broad range of sectors including healthcare, telecommunications, defense, energy, manufacturing, and financial services, serving corporate clients, academic institutions, and government entities.

The leadership team features President Joseph Davidoski, Chief Operating Officer Harvey Rosen, and Managing Director Scott Shaffer. In January 2020, Kreller broadened its global reach by acquiring Smith Brandon International, a Washington D.C.-based boutique firm specializing in corporate investigations and risk consulting. This strategic acquisition strengthened Kreller’s global operations and expanded its service capabilities within the competitive corporate investigations landscape.

History

Between 1982 and 1988, Joe Davidoski was employed in sales at Dun & Bradstreet, a publicly traded company that controlled approximately 90% of the credit-check market. As one of the company’s leading sales performers, Davidoski raised internal alarms regarding deceptive and unethical sales tactics employed by Dun & Bradstreet. Following the enactment of Ohio’s Whistleblower Statute in June 1988, he submitted a comprehensive letter to management exposing these practices. The ensuing controversy attracted national media coverage including an episode of 20/20, triggered multiple lawsuits and investigations, and ultimately resulted in Dun & Bradstreet agreeing to an $18 million settlement in 1989.

Davidoski departed from Dun & Bradstreet in 1989 to establish Kreller, Inc., now known as Kreller Companies. Initially, the company concentrated on assisting clients in reducing costs associated with third-party data providers like Dun & Bradstreet. By 1991, Kreller had expanded its offerings to include international credit reports and subsequently introduced international due diligence services. After the events of September 11, the firm experienced substantial growth as Fortune 500 companies increasingly sought assistance in addressing terrorism-related risks.

In January 2020, Kreller Companies enhanced its service portfolio by acquiring Smith Brandon International (SBI), a specialized corporate investigations and risk consulting boutique based in Washington, D.C., thereby strengthening its global risk management capabilities.

Companies

Kreller Companies functions through four affiliated divisions: Kreller Group, Kreller Credit, Kreller Consulting, and Smith Brandon International.

Kreller Group

Kreller Group focuses on conducting international due diligence and background investigations by utilizing local investigators to gather intelligence on the ground worldwide. It examines companies and individuals involved in potential business arrangements such as joint ventures and mergers or acquisitions while offering strategic counsel on choosing international business partners. Additionally, the group advises clients on adherence to anti-corruption regulations including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). In 2012, Kreller Group introduced Kreller Online, an online platform designed to assist clients with ongoing compliance related to anti-corruption mandates.

Kreller Credit

Kreller Credit offers comprehensive international credit inquiries, credit reporting services, and localized risk evaluations to verify the legitimacy of credit transactions. Additionally, it facilitates debt recovery and asset retrieval processes, strengthening clients’ capabilities in managing financial risks across global markets.

Kreller Consulting

Focusing on cost reduction for clients’ third-party information expenditures, Kreller Consulting provides expertise in industries such as credit, legal, insurance, real estate, and debt recovery. The division also advises on optimizing subscription purchases for information services, helping clients achieve greater efficiency in their information-related investments.

Smith Brandon International

In January 2020, Kreller Companies broadened its international reach by acquiring Smith Brandon International (SBI), a boutique firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., that specializes in corporate investigations and risk advisory. SBI’s offerings include political risk analysis, worldwide due diligence, risk mitigation strategies, corporate and financial investigative services, political risk evaluation, and business intelligence—thereby expanding Kreller’s service range and market presence.

See also

• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• Smith Brandon International