Cluster development in the SA tooling industry

Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAIIE
Abstract
This paper explores the concept of clustering in general, analysing research and experiences in different countries and regions, and summarising factors leading to success or contributing to failure of specific cluster initiatives. Based on this, requirements for the establishment of clusters are summarised. Next, initiatives especially in the South African tool and die making (TDM) industry are considered. Through a benchmarking approach, the strengths and weaknesses of individual local tool rooms are analysed, and conclusions are drawn particularly about South African characteristics of the industry. From these results, and from structured interviews with individual tool room owners, difficulties in the establishment of a South African tooling cluster are explored, and specific areas of concern are pointed out.
Hierdie artikel kyk in die algemeen na die beginsel van groeperingsnetwerk, gebaseer op navorsing en ondervinding van die beginsel in verskillende lande en streke, en ’n analise van die faktore wat kan lei tot sukses of wat moontlik bydra tot falings met spesifieke groeperingsnetwerk inisiatiewe. Gebaseer daarop word die voorwaardes vir die daarstelling van so ’n groeperingsnetwerk bespreek. Van die inisiatiewe in Suid-Afrika, spesifiek in die gereedskap en passtuk vervaardigingsindustrie, word bespreek. Deur ’n ondersoek word sterk en swak punte van individuele gereedskapmakers analiseer, en afleidings word gemaak oor die stand van die industrie in Suid-Afrika oor die algemeen. Met die afleiding en deur middel van gestruktureerde onderhoude met individuele gereedskap werkswinkel-eienaars, word probleme in die totstandbrenging van ’n Suid-Afrikaanse gereedskap groepering ondersoek, en spesifieke areas wat verdere analise nodig het, uitgelig.
Description
CITATION: Von Leipzig, K. & Dimitrov, D. 2015. Cluster development in the SA tooling industry. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 26(3):110-124, doi:10.7166/26-3-946.
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Industrial clusters, Tools -- Design and construction, Benchmarking
Citation
Von Leipzig, K. & Dimitrov, D. 2015. Cluster development in the SA tooling industry. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 26(3):110-124, doi:10.7166/26-3-946