Formation of five mini-clusters begins in Tirupur knitwear cluster to improve profitability and competitiveness. Four of the mini-clusters formed comprise garment production units and the remaining cluster has textile printing units, said T. R. Vijayakumar, coordinator of Tirupur Thozhil Pathukappu Kuzhu which is facilitating the implementation of the project.

A few more mini-clusters comprising knitting units would soon be constituted. Each of the clusters now had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Quality Council of India and MSME Ministry to get the employees of the units trained for lean manufacturing practices that were followed in industrial units in Japan.

Each mini-cluster had 10 homogeneous units involved in identical activities of the garment production processes. The mini-clusters have the privilege to select the trainers from among the approved list of people published by the Quality Council of India for such purposes, said Mr. Vijayakumar.

Of the total cost for training needy on how to reduce wastages and improve the manufacturing skills, 80 percent would be borne by the Union MSME Ministry subjected to a ceiling of Rs. 29 lakh. The training would be spread over 18 months.

Once the training cycle is over, the profitability of the units involved in the scheme will go up considerably through minimization of material wastes and reducing the unwanted procedures in the manufacturing process, Mr. Vijayakumar pointed out.

The ambitious project of mini cluster and availing of Government funds to implement some of the progressive industrial practices followed in Japan.