Creating territorial clusters is one of the best ways of increasing competition in Russia. The collaboration of big, medium and small enterprises representing one sector creates a network of the best suppliers and customers providing for sustainable competition.
A cluster is a community of closely connected (in economical terms) companies of the same profile in one region which encourage each other’s development and competition.
Rail transport (including metro and city electric transport), its infrastructure, innovation technology etc. stands high on the list of strategic economic growth priorities and plays an important role in the development of infrastructure in the country.
All transport systems are different. Saint Petersburg, for example, can boast having all types of passenger transport: the second biggest metro system, all types of rail transport (freight, passenger, auxiliary) and city transport (trams, trolleybuses and soon a rapid tram system).
The existing industrial base in the region was a prerequisite for the creation of a cluster aimed at developing rail systems including Saint Petersburg Metro.
The Metro and Rail Equipment Innovative and Industrial Cluster of Transport Engineering Companies was formed after the foundation of MetroDetal non-profit partnership which brought together the producers of metro spare parts and equipment.
Based on the ideas suggested by its members, MetroDetal began helping the enterprises develop and launch new programmes, draft regulatory documents, rules and guidelines, and develop marketing, management, IT, engineering, ecological modernisation programmes.
The Partnership is aimed at:
The members of MetroDetal offer over 1,500 pneumatic, mechanic and electric spare parts items for the metro rolling stock. They often get orders from the Russian Railways, Tver Car-Building Plant, Demikhov Engineering Plant, Ust-Katav Car-Building Plant, Moscow Monorail System, Admiralteiskie Vefi, Sevmash, enterprises for housing and communal services etc. The equipment of the members of MetroDetal includes state-of-the-art lathes, gear-shapers, vertical turning lathes, boring, slotting, milling, broaching and polishing machines. The industrial enterprises offer magnetic and ultrasound crack detection, thermal and mechanical treatment, spare parts made of cast iron, non-ferrous alloys, bronze, brass, aluminum and titanium alloys.
The total annual income of the companies in the past 3 years amounted to 4,5 billion roubles. Over 1,200 people work there.
Big metro operators and rail systems began collaborating with many SMEs, developers, institutes and other consumers in Saint Petersburg and its region.
The members of the cluster exchange ideas, discuss new technologies and services. It is beneficial for all the members as it helps to improve the quality of products and services boosting competition.
The work of the cluster encourages innovation and the development of new technologies.
The members collaborate with each other discussing their problems and working more with technical colleges and research institutes.
This results in faster development of the transport system of the region. The members of the cluster conduct researches, introduce new technologies, invest in infrastructure development and in human resources which helps them win in the global markets.
In September, 2011, MetroDetal applied for accreditation of The Metro and Rail Equipment Innovative and Industrial Cluster of Transport Engineering Companies. In order to develop the policy of the cluster, it signed framework agreements with a number of organisations, including the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia, the non-profit partnership Union of Scientists in R&D, the Association of Manufacturers of Saint Petersburg etc.
The cluster began active collaboration with Saint Petersburg Industry Supporting Fund which acts as coordinator of all the parties striving for their successful collaboration.
Having signed the agreements the cluster drew up its new plan of development for 2011-2015.
Contact
Metro and Rail Equipment Innovative and Industrial Cluster of Transport Engineering Companies, Non-profit Partnership
24, Polytechnicheskaya st., Saint Petersburg, 194021, Russia
Tel./fax: +7 812 318 19 53