This Component has achieved important results . and it aims at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of presently underachieving MSME clusters by strengthening the capacities of the Associations and of the manufacturing Units.

The main leverage is the establishment of some international cooperation agreement between cluster associations in India and corresponding cluster associations in Italy (Twinning). The agreements focus on:

(i)           promoting in India the advanced Italian cluster model,

(ii)          building competences within the Indian clusters through dissemination of the relevant good practice emerging from the Italian manufacturing sectors

(iii)         fostering – in tandem with ITP component – the  upgrading of the adopted technology to meet the international standards,

(iv)          forging sustainable international business networks between twinned clusters.

The CT component technical assistance addresses:

(i)           the Indian industrial Associations to increase their clustering capacities in relation to local actors and their networking abilities towards Italian corresponding cluster actors,

(ii)          the Indian training Institutes to improve their skills so they replicate international standard manufacturing and design best practices,

(iii)         the selected manufacturing Units through tailored capacity building courses at the shop floor level and awareness skill generation  like vision building, mktg strategy development, supplier development program (automotive sector only).  

Highlights of ongoing activites

1.    Cooperation agreement between Indian Shoe Federation Chennai and Unioncamere Confindustria Marche (footwear sector) in October 2007:

1.1 Opened a training & technological audit,

1.2 Followed by some tailored training courses (manufacturing) conducted in India and then in Italy, imparted by Italian “doers” on both the selected manufacturing

1.3 Firms (25) and the Indian Training Institutes (3).

Note: the involvement of the local training institutes started from day one with the double objective of re-building the lost trust between industry and institutes and increases their knowledge for further and much larger replication of the training course, after the completion of the Project. Actually a first replication was already positively concluded in August 2009.

1.4 A new round of training (design/fashion) course will be conducted this year in Italy c/o specialized school of design.

2.    Cooperation agreement between Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers & Exporters Association and Assoconciatori-Santa Croce Tuscany (tannery sector) in June 2008.

2.1         Replicated the footwear scheme (first audit, then training in India, involvement of Indian Training institutes) and targets.

Specific attention is given to the promotion / adoption of innovative technology to reduce the environmental impact of the leather industries.

2.2         Expected training in Italy c/o specialized school and companies by the end of the year

3.    Created an auto component sub-cluster within AIEMA and conducted an intensive ground work to formulate cluster development strategies for possible twinning. Conducted Excellent Gap Analyses for 25 firms on competitiveness. Based on the outcome and the recommendations:

3.1         mapped soft and hard skills of the participating units and delivered a 3 year road map. Implemented Vision Building & Strategy Development and Website modernization support interventions.

3.2          Organized interaction with Auto Cluster Institute Pune and association for drawing synergies between the clusters.

3.3         Organized an inter-firm co-operation workshop between AIEMA Auto Cluster members and Rane (Madras) Limited. This interaction helped cluster members in increased understanding and practices of TQM to become competitive.

3.4         Launched a Supplier development Program in Pune, based on VW methodology and standard quality management.

3.5          Supplier Development Programs focused on local OEMs like Hyundai, Ford etc will be initiated for the cluster members during 2009. 

4.    Leather goods sector: Shantiniketan.

4.1         An Italian expert conducted a cluster diagnostic intervention to identify technological and commercial gaps. Conceptualized and planned the Technical and MKTG assistance for the artisan cluster.

4.2         Delivered first Skill up-grading Training to the Cluster Members during Aug’ 08: new designs, finishing, usage of machinery for quality and productivity were focused to artisans in the cluster. Around 22 members benefited from the training and developed 12 new designs of lady handbags for commercial production.

4.3         Second intervention during Nov-Dec ‘08 focused on new products / innovative designs in the cluster. 32 members of the association participated in this phase and Buyers from Kolkata shown keen interest on the new products / designs.