Working together Works Cluster Case Studies : Rajkot - Engineering , Jamnagar - Brass Parts

Abstract

Chapter 16: Rajkot - Engineering :- The seeds of the engineering cluster of Rajkot were sown in the 1940s when some entrepreneurs began manufacturing the spare parts of diesel engines. Today the cluster is a thriving one consisting of 6000 enterprises with a turnover of about Rs 3000 crore (USD 700 million). Initiative for development of the cluster at Rajkot was taken by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) and several interventions were made from which the cluster has positively benefited from, especially with respect to technological developments and new market opportunities. These were made possible with the support of BDS providers and a group based approach of the firms in handling their development opportunities. A major role was played by the Rajkot Engineering Association which took special interest in these activities. Chapter 07 : Jamnagar- Brass Parts :- As a part of a Government of Gujarat supported cluster development initiative, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) has helped in the process of a turn around of the brass parts cluster of Jamnagar. By providing information and identifying areas of critical interest in technology and marketing, through the cluster development techniques, EDI created trust with the stakeholders. The BDS providers as identified and put into service by EDI further alleviated this trust with actual delivery of results by solving technical issues, creating new market linkages, streamlining input costs, etc. In all these the local association was promoted to take lead and thus a mechanism of availability of such services in the future were also created in the cluster.