JEANS CLUSTER OF BELLARY
Draft End of Project Report under the project ‘Support to Country Effort for SME Cluster Development’ of UNIDO (US/IND/01/193) during 2002-05
JEANS CLUSTER OF BELLARY
By: UNIDO Cluster Development Programme
November 25, 2005
1. Executive Summary
Bellary, the second important garment cluster in Karnataka is known for its specialization in manufacturing jeans for men, although it manufactures formal wear made from cotton, gabardines, chinos, cavalry twill and half pants for boys. The value of the garment output from the cluster is estimated around Rs 1000 million (USD 23 million) per annum.
The cluster comprises of small and tiny units, which perform only a portion of the garment making like sewing, pocketing, buttonholing as job work for the merchant manufacturers. Hence the fabric was moving to different units before taking the shape of a garment. Most of the merchant manufacturers outsource their production from such sub-contractors. Such sub-contracting establishments are mostly operated from their residence or from small spaces hired for the purpose.
The diagnostic study strongly suggested that the cluster faces problems related to non-availability of appropriate infrastructure facilities, inconsistency in quality, low productivity & out-dated technology, underdeveloped human resources and restricted market.
Of these, lack of proper infrastructure was identified as the major constraint for long-term growth. Hence, the strategy for intervention hovered around rejuvenating the various industry associations through training and exposure and through them establishing necessary infrastructure facilities to ensure smooth long run growth prospect of the cluster. Once established, these infrastructure facilities were provided support to stabilize through appropriate activities. Experimentations were also done to promote marketing initiatives at this juncture.
Due to the efforts taken during the programme, three industrial associations were
JEANS CLUSTER OF BELLARY
By: UNIDO Cluster Development Programme
November 25, 2005
1. Executive Summary
Bellary, the second important garment cluster in Karnataka is known for its specialization in manufacturing jeans for men, although it manufactures formal wear made from cotton, gabardines, chinos, cavalry twill and half pants for boys. The value of the garment output from the cluster is estimated around Rs 1000 million (USD 23 million) per annum.
The cluster comprises of small and tiny units, which perform only a portion of the garment making like sewing, pocketing, buttonholing as job work for the merchant manufacturers. Hence the fabric was moving to different units before taking the shape of a garment. Most of the merchant manufacturers outsource their production from such sub-contractors. Such sub-contracting establishments are mostly operated from their residence or from small spaces hired for the purpose.
The diagnostic study strongly suggested that the cluster faces problems related to non-availability of appropriate infrastructure facilities, inconsistency in quality, low productivity & out-dated technology, underdeveloped human resources and restricted market.
Of these, lack of proper infrastructure was identified as the major constraint for long-term growth. Hence, the strategy for intervention hovered around rejuvenating the various industry associations through training and exposure and through them establishing necessary infrastructure facilities to ensure smooth long run growth prospect of the cluster. Once established, these infrastructure facilities were provided support to stabilize through appropriate activities. Experimentations were also done to promote marketing initiatives at this juncture.
Due to the efforts taken during the programme, three industrial associations were