The search is on for the region’s most successful manufacturing clusters to represent the West Midlands in the national Cluster Mark competition.
Through its business cluster programme, Advantage West Midlands has invested over £100 million to support businesses in a variety of initiatives, which have given a return of £765 million.
The Cluster Mark competition is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how initiatives to support the clusters have excelled in creating a vibrant business community for the West Midlands and for regional businesses to showcase their successes on a regional and a global scale.
What is the Cluster Mark competition?
This initiative was set out in the Governments Manufacturing Strategy 2008 and is intended to "raise the profile of manufacturers involved in the best clusters and support international marketing of local strengths." As such the competition is open to clusters which are primarily focussed on manufacturing.
Manufacturing cluster groups in each region are invited to enter the competition. In the West Midlands the process will be managed by Advantage West Midlands. Two winners from this round will then be put forward to the national competition in February/March 2010.
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.
Entrants from the manufacturing sector will need to demonstrate the competitive advantage achieved by businesses engaged in the cluster. A successful cluster should be able to show entrepreneurial dynamism and we would expect the businesses within the cluster to be performing in areas such as productivity, exports or market share at a higher level than competitors outside of the cluster.
In addition, applicants will have to describe how activity within the cluster is coordinated and how it is well placed to adapt to change. The competition aims to recognise where companies, specialist suppliers, service providers and educational institutions are working together to develop competitive advantage in a global economy.
The national winners will be able to use the "Cluster Mark Winner" logo on their promotional material, an independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of the cluster, and an excellent sales and marketing tool helping to attract inward investment.
The regional winners will receive PR support as part of the Advantage West Midlands cluster promotion campaign.
What is the criteria?
We’re looking for initiatives that demonstrate ‘competitive advantage in a global economy’ by some or all of the following measures and attributes:
A demonstration of the value of co-operation/collaboration for the businesses involved, defined by the number of well functioning networks and partnerships.
Advantages of ‘doing business’ in the location identified.
Evidence of entrepreneurial dynamism, which may be demonstrated by an increase in productivity, exports or market share.
Growth in the sector, shown by businesses relocating to join, new business start ups, increase in business investment, increase in GVA and/or order books, or an increase in the numbers employed by the businesses involved.
Demonstration of innovation – by the presence of R&D institutions and/or universities, SMEs innovating, or large firms working in their supply chain to develop new products or processes.
Access to a skilled workforce, where their knowledge, experience and attitude has led to competitive success.
A strong educational base demonstrated by appropriate courses for the cluster’s activity, showing skills that may include entrepreneurship, leadership and management, R and D skills etc.
Evidence of a responsiveness to change and adapt to retain competitive advantage.
How do I apply?
Interested clusters should complete the entry form - DOC - 480kb highlighting their activities by 11 December (deadline extended from 20 November).
Guidance - DOC - 656kb is also available for those completing the entry form.
All applications will be forwarded to the Department of Business as examples of best practice within the region.
The judging process will be completed by 18th December, with the successful two initiatives being forwarded to the Department of Business as entries for the national Cluster Mark competition.
For any queries contact Karen Wright on 0121 503 3298 or karenwright@advantagewm.co.uk