Comparing legal structures for the management of collective action (France)
In 2001, Consulting companies compared the legal structures set up by LPSs to manage their inter-enterprise actions or projects. Limited companies, inter-company management syndicate, associations (Société par Action Simplifiée, SA, SARL, Société coopérative, Association, Groupement d'intérêt économique, Société en participation) are analysed and considered according to their status, partner roles, governance methods, results management etc.
Read the paper.

The development of clusters in Hungary
Before joining the European Union, Hungary started several large development projects. Among these projects, is "Support for Enterprise Network Strategies". For example, the Transdubanie Region encourages the creation and development of clusters in four different sectors identified as predominant : the motor industry, food-processing, electronics and timber. A pilot experiment was undertaken in early 2000 in motor manufacture, considered as one of the pillars of the Hungarian economy. With the support of the main car manufacturers in Hungary (Audi, GM-Opel, Suzuki, Rada) and the Széchenyi University of Gyor, the PANAC (Pannon Automobile Cluster) was created at the end of 2000. This body has begun several initiatives such as an inventory of existing production competencies, internet information portals, management training, inter-enterprise business relations and international conventions.

You will find more information on the ERFI Letter n°1 (Europeen Régional Developpement Institut).
Contact : Nicolas Széchényi, Président of the ERFI info@erfi.hu

The Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, and industrial coachbuilding LPS of Bourg en Bresse - A winning approach! (France)
The Bourg en Bresse regional LPS comprises 60 companies and more than 3000 jobs in the fields of mechanical engineering, metallurgy and coachbuilding. In 2002, 15 of these companies formed a federation called MECA BOURG and recruited a consultant, Frédéric Laroche, to drive and co-ordinate the network. The preliminary phase of the project started in 1997 with a study of each enterprises expectations and its chances of success. "The maturation phase took longer, said F. Laroche, but it was voluntary. We preferred to leave the choice to the companies to own the approach from the beginning. The organisation is a gathering of enterprises and not only the representatives of the biggest companies". Public support was important and the LPS's approach came from the Bourg en Bresse area Global Development Contract (with regional support). The collective action plan turns around five main strategic directions : promoting the industry, HR management, business development, strengthening of inter-enterprise activities and regulation controls.
For more information, mail: flaroche.mecabourg@wanadoo.fr

Opticsvalley, the fibre of technological challenge (France)
The optics and photonic sector "made in Ile de France". "The greater Paris region is home to more than half of this industrial sector, and more than half of that is based in Essonne", explains Eric Lambouroud, Director of communication, Opticsvalley. Located in Palaiseau, Opticsvalley comprises around 50 members: local authorities, large groups (Alcatel, Thales), SMEs, research laboratories, investors etc. Opticsvalley develops technology transfer projects (enterprises/laboratories), economic development, lobbying and institutional co-operation, employment and training grants, international relations and promotion of scientific culture. "This sector is facing a serious crisis, but our strength is our capacity to merge with other sectors (the motor industry, aeronautics, health) which have more need of high technology".
For more information, see www.opticsvalley.org or mail to e.lambouroud@opticsvalley.org

VisioMeca Rhône-Alpes, inter-enterprise co-operation training (France)
"Building co-operation with success": this is the ambition of the Assistance/Training offered to business people of the Rhône-Alpes region who wish to be part of this collective approach. Based on best practice accounts, this training has the objective of making company leaders aware of and ready for co-operation. The training turns around three key stages: individual assessment, personalised action plans for co-operative projects and a one-year programme of coaching. This programme is carried out in partnership with the Rhône-Alpes CCI (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie), the Union des Industries Métallurgiques et Electriques de Rhône-Alpes, the Fédération des Industries Mécaniques, the Association des Centres Techniques de Rhône-Alpes, the Drire (different bodies and organisations of the Rhône-Alpes region) and the regional council.
For more information, mail: Patrick Clert-Girard, clert@lyon.cci.fr

Scottish Enterprise Biotech Cluster Success
"Scottish Enterprise" has set up a series of action groups to support sector clusters. This group, specialising in the biotechnology industry, has been created to catalyse the development of the sector. In Scotland, the biotech sector is growing faster than predicted. In the group, an operational team of specialists is in charge of developing industrial activities as well as local markets. Furthermore, the group seeks to promote flagship products in the biomedical research field through partnerships with international firms. It also seeks to expand industrial production. Studies by industry and researchers have facilitated an action programme (1999-2004) financed by Scottish Enterprise up to 40 million pounds sterling (58 million Euros). This action programme has three major objectives :
- To increase the critical mass of companies
- To increase local competitiveness
- To improve local/global connections
The group's studies and documentation are available on www.biotech-scotland.org
Source: TCI Newsletter 15, bdoesborg@competitiveness.org

Partnership between the Textile LPS of France and Mauritius
In the trans-national projects sponsored by the Datar, the group Initiative Cité & Developpement undertook a one-year project in Mauritius in 2002 to motivate enterprises and partnerships using the LPS concept, more specifically in the textile sector. This project, co-financed by the European Union, the Government of Mauritius and the Datar, has set up two networks of SMEs, one of 20 companies in the clothing industry and the second bringing together companies in the shoe manufacturing field.
Companies in this LPS have exchanged information on best business practice and partnerships, especially in design.
For more information, mail to annie@favrie.com

Copenhagen - 10 June 2003
A European seminar on cluster policies organised by DG Entreprises. "Cluster policy has proved to be a useful tool for company development. Clusters can support change management, innovation, investments etc. They operate at key levels in projects, thanks to their expertise."
Copenhagen will be an opportunity to disseminate the main lessons, methods and information on best practice. Three workshops, on regional, national and international policies, will be platforms from which LPSs will have the opportunity to express to the European Union their requirements and needs for support.
The seminar will present the studies of a group of experts brought together by DG Enterprise during 2002, along with the CDIF.
For more information www.ebst.dk/cluster or mail to : clusterseminar@ebst.dk
Discussions are translated into French, English and German.

Citext Europe: 7th International Convention of Textile techniques, Troyes (France)
On 25 and 26 June, Troyes, centre of excellence in weaving techniques and their unconventional applications, will host the 7th Citext Europe. Organised by the Union Interprofessionnelle Textile (UNIT), in partnership with the Institut Français du Textile et de l'Habillement (IFTH), this event is a business gathering of pre-booked professional encounters (3400 had been set up during the previous event in 2002) and conferences to assess the latest technical trends and markets.
For more information www.adhes.com/citext. For application forms, contact : Denis Tirel, tel : 01 41 86 41 20 dtirel@adhes.com

The CDIF in one click www.districts-industriels.com
The internet web site of the CDIF has been redesigned. It is the gateway to the know-how of member LPSs. The site informs visitors of flagship initiatives classified by action, sector, domain etc. and presents information on the club's activities. Find more information on specialist themes, former Newsletters etc at www.districts-industriels.com. An English version will be available soon.
For more information, contact xavierroy@wanadoo.fr

Specialist centres in the IDF region - keys to regional economic development "
AIn their monthly Newsletter 44 of October 2002, the Centre régional d'observation du commerce, de l'industrie et des services (Crocis) (an organisation that monitors commercial activity in the region) associated with the Paris Chamber of Commerce, listed "specialised centres in the Ile-de-France region, keys to regional economic development ". Clothing manufacture in the Sentier district of Paris, the financial sectors of the 8th and 9th arrondissements and La Défense, tourism, motor manufacture, aeronautics etc. Their performance has been listed according to three criteria :
1) companies rated as first in Europe in their own sector
2) competitive position in the market (national, European or worldwide)
3) high investment flows and innovation rates
See CROCIS Letter n°44. For more information on Crocis website or crocis@ccip.fr.

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