Clusters and Sectors
Building sector and cluster strengths has an important role to play in economic development. Strong clusters that provide economies of scale and integrate the available resources, including know-how, skills, capital assets, suppliers, business support and training agencies are better able to compete and economic benefits.
Key Issues
- Identification of clusters and competitive advantage
- Census of firms, cluster structure, and market leaders
- Profiling linkages and supply chains
- Profiling networks, collaboration and lobbying
- Reviewing strengths and integration
- Weaknesses and business constraints
- Area and cluster visibility
- Identifying customised business support and training initiatives
- Developing strategies and action plans
Examples
- DTI. Employment clustering in Great Britain. Part of the national team which identified the main clusters in all English Regions.
- ONE NorthEast. Review and impact of chemicals sector in Teesside.
- LDA. Thames Gateway.. Development Framework. Sector/cluster development in Bexley and Greenwich: Manufacturing, printing, food, creative industries, ICT, construction and environmental management.
- Made In London. Manufacturing sector development in London's main Objective 2 area industrial estates: Park Royal, Belvedere and Lee Valley.
- Black Country LSC.. Review of skills needs in key sections: retail, hospitality, engineering, food processing and construction.
- West London Consortum. A review of the tourism and hospitality sector in the light of the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium and adjoining areas.
- Advantage West Midlands. A review of the importance of the food supply chain from primary production to retailing in the West Midlands Region.
PACEC has carried out sector and cluster studies in the following:
- Information and Communications
- Motor vehicles
- Engineering
- Electronics
- Design & creative industries
- Agriculture /horticulture
- Culture
- Fisheries
- Banking/financial service
- Research and development
- Software development
- Printing and publishing
- Retailing
- High-tech manufacturing
- Transport
- Health care
- Tourism and leisure
- Construction
- Biosciences
- Environmental technology
- Medical instruments
- Forestry
- Food & Drink
- Oil and Gas
- Textiles
