IMPROVING PERFORMANCE THROUGH NETWORKS AND CLUSTERS
WESTBIC engages in a range of activities aimed at facilitating the developing company networks and clusters, toward the provision of benefits to members through improved performance, competitiveness and innovation. A sample of some of these initiatives is described below.
Building opportunities through collaboration and innovation
BUILD UP is a cross border cluster of innovative and quality businesses who provide products and services to the construction industry. The cluster comprises of some 30 SMEs located in North West of Ireland. BUILD UP includes some innovative products ranging from water proofing material for shower trays, portable ramps, marquetary for wooden floors to concrete waterproofing products, copper cylinders, grease traps and solar powered heating systems.
The cluster has been in operation since March 2005 and has successfully participated in a joint marketing strategy. It is estimated that approximately €1,000,000 in additional sales have been generated through the cluster and its aim is to continue the momentum created and to assist SMEs in the North West to grow their businesses in a competitive market.
The main activities of the programme are networking, identification of opportunities and participation in joint marketing initiatives.
For further information see www.buildup.ie
Micro-enterprises benefit from Innovative Networking Programme in County Roscommon
WESTBIC, through the Roscommon office have been involved in a successful EU programme, NETWIN, aimed at improving the performance and competitiveness of SME's through local networking activity. Significant local and inter-regional results have been achieved over the three year lifetime of the programme including the following:
- Recruitment of a full-time local Co-ordinator to promote and implement networking activity in the region
- Establishment and development of three local networks, including the successful implementation of a wide range of joint initiatives and activities in the following sectors:
- Roscommon Craft Network: over 30 members - activities included training programmes, joint promotional materials, collective website, attendance at trade fairs, mentoring programmes etc.
- Roscommon Food Network: 10 members - activities included advice and consultancy services, implementation of hygiene, health and safety standards, product and market development programmes
- Roscommon Tourism Network: over 70 members - main activity included facilitating the production of a comprehensive Action Plan for long term tourism development in the region, collective brochures etc.
- Production of a comprehensive methodological guide to networking and cluster development, as a significant output of the inter-regional activity amongst the six EU project partners.