World Class Manufacturing

At the core of the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) programme is the benchmarking of participating firms using B&M Analysts' Market Driver Benchmarking Methodology, which was developed for the clothing industry during the pilot phase of the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster (CCTC) and modified for the textile industry during the course of the KZN Clothing & Textile Cluster's first year.

 The deliverables to participating firms are two-fold:

1. The generation of one firm-specific benchmarking report for each participating company per annum over the duration of the business plan. Each report highlights the operational competitiveness of the firm relative to its sub-sector, South African, and international averages.
2. Each participating firm also receives an in-depth presentation of its findings, thus giving management the opportunity to engage with reasons underpinning poor or strong performance.

 In addition to the firm-level benchmarking, the World Class Manufacturing programme also focuses on specific and direct interventions providing support at an operational level. The core focus areas of the WCM programme are therefore:

1. Firm-level benchmarking and expansion of a detailed database on the competitiveness and operating profiles of KZN CTC members
2. WCM seminars for executives and management
3. WCM implementation workshops and factory tours for middle managers and supervisors
4. Distribution of quarterly best practice newsletters.

World Class Manufacturing business plan
For additional information regarding the activities and deliverables of the World Class Manufacturing programme for August 2008 onwards, please refer to the business plan.