Project Summary

Overall Objectives

The overall objective is to increase the international competitiveness of SMEs in the textile and clothing sectors.

Specific Objectives

• Increased networking among SMEs in the textile and clothing (T/C) sector, at local, national and European levels, as well as with business support organisations and related structures;
• Strengthened public and private support structures for SMEs in the textile and clothing sector.

Results

• Cluster Map developed;
• Needs analysis for Fashion and Textile Cluster (FTC), which will also include Fashion Institute, R&D Centre, Consultancy Centre carried out;
• Fashion and Textile Cluster model with management, action and financial plan developed;
• Textile & Clothing equipment needs analysis completed and an investment support model proposed consisting of an investment for common use equipment for SMEs;
• Supply tender dossier(s) with technical specifications prepared;
• Institutional capacity of ITKIB increased through an updated business plan, a human resource strategy and a plan for the improvement of operational processes within the proposed cluster model and assistance to ITKIB in setting up a Cluster Coordination Agency (CCA) provided;
• SMEs’ training needs analysis completed, proposal for the establishment of the Fashion Institute developed, assistance to ITKIB on the establishment of the institution provided and training programmes for the institute delivered;
• SMEs’ R&D needs analysis completed, proposal for setting up a Textile & Clothing R&D centre developed, assistance to ITKIB on the establishment of the centre provided and pilot services delivered;
• SMEs’ consultancy needs analysis completed, proposal for setting up a Textile & Clothing Consultancy centre developed, assistance to ITKIB on the establishment of the centre provided and pilot services delivered;
• At least 500 people trained or served through the Fashion Institute, Consultancy Centre, and R&D Centre, modules of the FTC to upgrade skills in accordance with the requirements of the sector
• At least 5 joint projects with stakeholders developed and implemented within the cluster network;
• Publicity and visibility plan designed and activities to promote and publicize the Fashion and Textile Cluster carried out.

Key Activities

The project consists of three components:

a) conducting a cluster analysis,
b) conducting a need analysis and elaborating a proposal for the investment support,
c) provision of technical assistance for the institutional development.

Component 1: Cluster Analysis

In this component; the network leaders and key issues will be identified, the value chain will be clarified, a SWOT analysis will be conducted, a cluster map will be developed. Following the detailed needs analysis, a Textile and Fashion Cluster model, which will also include a Fashion Institute, R&D Centre and Consultancy Centre, will be developed with the participation of the stakeholders to meet the needs of the sector. A model for the Cluster Coordination Agency (CCA) will be proposed, which will include an appropriate management and administrative structure.

Component 2: Investment Support Analysis

This component will provide inputs for the second phase of the programme (Investment Support). In this context, the detailed needs analysis for the investment support component (common use equipments for the cluster) of the programme will be carried out. In accordance with the results of the analysis, an investment support model will be proposed and required supply tender dossier(s) with the technical specifications for the common use equipment will be finalised.

Component 3: Institutional Development

Existing human resources, internal procedures, physical infrastructure and support services of ITKIB will be assessed and institutional capacity will be increased. The Cluster Coordination Agency (CCA) will be set up for the management and coordination of the cluster. Following the detailed training needs analysis, Fashion Institute will be established and training programmes deemed necessary for the institute will be developed and delivered. In line with the R&D needs analysis, Textile & Clothing R&D centre will be established in the cluster network and pilot services will be delivered. After completing consultancy needs analysis, Textile & Clothing Consultancy centre will be set up in the cluster network and pilot services will be delivered. In line with the publicity and visibility plan, several activities to promote and publicize the Textile and Fashion Cluster will be carried out.

Project Team

Technical Assistance Team (TAT) - ADA Muhendislik

• Mr. Peter Wilson: International Project Director (IPD)
• Ms. Lynne Hammond: International Senior Expert on Fashion (ISEF)
• Mr. Enrico Venturini: International Senior Expert on Technology (ISET)
• Ms. Burce Ozer: Assistant Project Manager

Local and International Short-term experts specialised on Fashion, R&D, Consultancy and Cluster issues.

Project Coordination Unit (PCU) - ITKIB

• Mr. Ahmet Ulgenerk: Director of PCU
• Mr. Mehmet Akalın: R&D Expert
• Ms. Ece Narcy: Fashion Expert
• Ms. Aygül Balik: Project Assistant
• Ms. Ceren Gökçe: Project Assistant

The Fashion Institute

A Fashion Institute for Turkey has been a long term vision as an investment for the future of the textile and clothing industry. Now this institute has the potential to be developed as one of the four significant outcomes planned for the FTC Project.

The considerable importance of the Textile and Clothing industries, particularly SMEs, to Turkey highlights the importance of related education provision. Research has shown that whilst the sector has much strength, in particular a strong entrepreneurial spirit and good customer service, these strengths are largely built around contract manufacture and there are significant needs in terms of innovation capabilities and functions linked to product development and management. A review of education provision evidences a system designed for vocational training for manufacture, textile technology and engineering and indicates that there are many gaps if the future of these industries is to be strong.

The prospect of creating a Fashion Institute offers the opportunity to develop a strengthened fashion system for Turkey. The Institute should be a focus for the creative and industry networks including young designers, entrepreneurs, journalists, photographers and stylists. That is, the style leaders and opinion formers who can join the fashion system worldwide and in doing so will amplify the perception of Turkish creativity, Turkish fashion and Turkish brands.

Demand for the Fashion Institute starts with the requirements of the current and future industries. Initial research demonstrates a need for courses in creative design and fashion product development, including innovative pattern cutting; specialist management, marketing and related courses.

Government figures and anecdotal comment demonstrate significant over-demand for HE (University) level courses, borne out by application rates to arts related departments and private institutions. Fashion design, technology and related cultural and other studies are emerging but as yet under-developed academic subject areas linking the arts, design and social sciences.

So development of a Fashion Institute should be seen as critical in a socio-economic sense, to support the most important industry sector for employment and export; and to maintain the offer of specialist education and entry to the labor market for significant numbers of the well educated young people becoming of working age.

Research & Development Centre

A specialist Research and Development Centre is seen as an investment for the future of the Turkish Textile and Clothing industry. Together with the Fashion Institute and Consultancy Centre, the R & D Centre will be the “engine” of the competitiveness of the T/C SME’s. It should also be the driver for innovation within the sector.

The fundamental importance of the Textile and Clothing industries, particularly SMEs, for Turkey’s economy highlights the importance of achieving best practice and world class performance in all areas of manufacturing and managing. Our initial findings have shown that whilst the sector has a lot of strengths, particularly strong entrepreneurial spirit and good customer attention, these strengths are largely built around traditional manufacturing techniques and commercial practice. Therefore there are many needs for R&D. Some of the areas that we believe need developing and increasing are product diversification, production efficiency and quality. This may be achieved by the development either of the product or of the process. The issues of innovation are seen as a crucial part in the competitive development of the SME textile and clothing field.

The prospect of creating a R&D Centre offers the opportunity to provide services that will help companies to improve their competitiveness. The R&D Centre should be a focus for innovative thinking, product and process development. Every new project and idea will find at the R&D Centre the right place to be developed.

Skilled people, up-to-date technologies and common use equipment will be a service for the SMEs of the T/C sector. Beside this an international network will provide a huge number of contacts all around the world.

Day-by-day problems as well as long term projects will find the right attention and the appropriate solution.

The demand for a R&D Centre starts with the requirements of the current and future industries, and undoubtedly as the industry becomes more focused on niche markets and products there will be a demand for specialist services.

Consultancy Centre

The importance of the Textile and Clothing industries, particularly SMEs, to Turkey highlights the importance of achieving best practice and world class performance in all areas of manufacturing and commercial operation. Whilst the sector has many strengths, particularly strong entrepreneurial spirit and good customer service, these strengths are largely built around traditional manufacturing techniques and commercial practice. There are significant needs in terms of sales and marketing, cost reduction, quality management, export development, and functions linked to product development and management. Our initial review of the needs for consultancy services shows that there are many gaps, and that there is a need to upgrade company performance and help improve added value.

The prospect of creating a Consultancy Centre offers the opportunity to provide a service that will help companies improve their competitiveness. The centre should be a focus for best practice thinking, information and implementation assistance.

The demand for a Consultancy Centre starts with the requirements of the current and future industries, and undoubtedly as the industry becomes more focused on niche markets and products there will be a demand for specialist advice.

Initial thoughts on what the consultancy centre will provide to the cluster are as follows:

• Sales and marketing advice, export development.
• Intellectual property rights, and brand management
• Business planning, and H.R. management
• Technical assistance in manufacturing relating to quality management, process improvement, methods development, productivity improvement, supply chain development, health and safety, and buyers compliance.
• We also need to determine how the consultancy centre will work with the proposed Fashion Institute and R&D Centre, and what management it should have under an organisation such as a Cluster Coordination Agency.