Cluster Development in the Sa Tooling Industry

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. OPSOMMINGHierdie 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 werkswinkeleienaars, word probleme in die totstandbrenging van 'n Suid-Afrikaanse gereedskap groepering ondersoek, en spesifieke areas wat verdere analise nodig het, uitgelig.

A Decision-Making Framework for Implementing Digitalisation in the South African Tooling Industry

“…Web-based technologies have been used in the tooling industry to facilitate collaborative quality management [34], inventory control [2], and decision support [35]. The strategy of collaborative manufacturing has been gaining popularity in the TDM industry [5], a sector characterised by intense global competition [4]. Toolmakers have realised the need to focus on their core competencies and narrow their scope of value addition, thus teaming up during the fabrication of parts.…”

Digitalisation of Shop-Floor Operations in the South African Tool, Die, and Mould-Making Industry

“…The organisational shortfalls of the South African TDM sector are a sign of poor business or operational practice on the shop-floor. According to Von Leipzig and Dimitrov [9], the results from the on-going benchmarking surveys clearly show that the initial and later stages of the tool production value stream are being neglected by South African TDM firms. In their analysis, Von Leipzig and Dimitrov [9] commented that the South African TDM sector is characterised by difficulties in data collection and manipulation.…”

“…According to Von Leipzig and Dimitrov [9], the results from the on-going benchmarking surveys clearly show that the initial and later stages of the tool production value stream are being neglected by South African TDM firms. In their analysis, Von Leipzig and Dimitrov [9] commented that the South African TDM sector is characterised by difficulties in data collection and manipulation. It is evident that the South African TDM sector has an intermediate potential to develop and improve its status and to become a globally recognised competitor -that is, attaining 'Allstar' status.…”