Sectoral Cluster Development
in Twente
Mr. Peter den OudstenMayor of EnschedeOctober 11th, 2006
Region of Twente
Transition to successful and innovative Region• Transformation traditional industries
into high-tech companies– innovative textile products for the aircraft and
aerospace industry.
• 583 spin-off companies University of Twente
• Largest number of patents – per capita in the Netherlands
High-tech spin-offs University of Twente
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
`76 `78 `80 `82 `84 `86 `88 `90 `92 `94 `96 `98 `00 `02 `04
Major challenge Closing the GRP gap
Slower rise regional product than Dutch average
Source: CBS (NL), August 2005
GRP per capita
0
5.000
10.000
15.000
20.000
25.000
30.000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
€ NL Twente
European benchmarking important
Compare European Regions/Cities (Leuven, Grenoble, Oulu)
Stronger: • technological competence• knowlegde infrastructure• high tech spin-off, • living• environment Weaker• access of SME´s to knowledge,• number of knowledge workers• innovation reputation
Scores benchmarkingTwente Oulu Leuven Grenoble
Focus technological competences + + + +
Knowledge infrastructure ++ ++ ++ ++
Access of SME’s to knowledge - 0 0 0
Number of knowledge workers - 0 + +
Number of high tech spin offs ++ + ++ +
Co-operation between companies/knowledge institutions
0 ++ ++ ++
Living environment ++ 0 + ++
Exciting cultural environment - - + +
Realistic self image 0 + + +
Innovation reputation - ++ + +
2006 Innobarometer on clusters
Companies active in cluster-like environment:• United Kingdom 84%, Latvia 67%, Average 24%,
Netherlands 15%, Poland 4%• Cluster companies more stable turnover
Cluster development urgent in the Netherlands
65% clustercompanies agree: ‘public authorities have important role supporting the cluster’.
• Source: Flash Eurobarometer 187, The Gallup Organization, July 2006
Innovation Platform implements cluster policy
Public/private partnership in regional Innovation Platform
• Increase innovation strength of the region• Members: Captains of industry, directors of major institutions, government leaders
• How: Regional Innovation Action Programme200 mln Euros, 5 years, excluding European Funds
Development of public/private sectoral clusters
Support cluster development
5 clusters: Healthcare, Security, Food, Construction, Materials
Challenge introducing new technology in clusters:
nano-technology, ICT, mechatronicsHow:• Companies and Institutes higher education co-operate in
R&D• Government facilitates• encouraging SME´s to join clusters• Joined promotion region
The C-airlift
Example of an European award-winning healthcare product in Twente
Company: INDES
Example of cross border cluster
• Initiative Medical Product Development, TIMP, founded 1998
• Cross-border cluster companies & institutions• medical/revalidation technologies (17 Dutch
& 6 German)• TIMP supports members contacts potential
clients• Joint development new product-market
combinations• Contribution by the EU
Cross border R&D within TIMP cluster
Dry powder inhaler
Developed in Twente
Tested by Uselab in Münster
Food for discussion
Question: What could and should local/regional authorities do to foster cluster development?
• Co-financing action programmes cluster development
• Launching customership (health, construction, security)
• Lobby funding at the national/European level
• Removal administrative and regulatory barriers
• Provision risk capital revolving funds
Thank you
Mr. Peter den OudstenMayor of Enschede