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Cluster Mark
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Cluster Mark
The search is on for the regions most successful manufacturing clusters to represent the East of England in the national cluster mark competition.
The national “Cluster Mark” competition will highlight best practice being carried out across the UK and raise the profile of winners within the UK and internationally.
The “Cluster Mark” is an independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of the cluster
A panel chaired by a Department of Business Minister and consisting of leading members of the business community and academia will select the overall winners. The national awards will be presented at a gala dinner in 2010.
What is a Cluster?
Clusters are defined in the Manufacturing Strategy as “geographic concentrations of inter-connected companies, specialised suppliers and service providers and institutions such as universities”.
This mutual cooperation across a broad front results in the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
The most internationally renowned cluster is the IT industry in “Silicon Valley”, California.
What will entrants need to demonstrate?
The competition focuses on the primary rationale for competing businesses to locate and/or cooperate within a cluster and that is that there is some form of competitive advantage in doing so. It is the cooperation within the cluster and the resultant benefits that entrants in the national competition will need to demonstrate.
Entrants will need to demonstrate the competitive advantage achieved by businesses engaged in the cluster through a narrative supported by data where possible. In addition, applicants will have to describe how activity within the cluster is coordinated and how it is well placed to adapt to change
Who can enter?
The competition is open only to clusters involved in manufacturing. This, however, covers a broad spectrum of activity. The Manufacturing Strategy views manufacturing as a process and as such clusters focused on design or research services in support of manufacturing would also be considered for the Cluster Mark. Other services in the manufacturing process such as marketing or transportation will not be included. Although these services potentially add value to the manufactured product they do not directly affect its manufacture.
To put this definition more formally entrants should be involved in activities that are directly related to the physical transformation of raw materials into any higher value form, ultimately resulting in the creation of finished, tangible products. Such activities include the development and design process.
What are the benefits of winning a Cluster Mark?
The main benefits are in terms of credibility, public relations, marketing and staff morale, and could also have direct impacts on the overall performance of the cluster. The “Cluster Mark” is an independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of the cluster. Such an endorsement will serve as an excellent sales and marketing tool helping to attract inward investment and engendering staff with a sense of identity, confidence and pride throughout the cluster.
How to enter
The closing date for applications is 9 October 2009.
The competition is being administered in the region by Hethel Engineering Centre.
Hethel Engineering Centre is EEDA’s regional enterprise hub for advanced manufacturing, supporting engineering & manufacturing businesses in Norfolk and the East of England with a focus on Enterprise, Skills and Innovation.
Application forms and more information on the competition can be found by visiting http://www.hethelcentre.com/innovation/cluster-mark.php
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