Drug makers in Trans-Thane Creek form a cluster

The bulk drug manufacturers of Thane-Belapur industrial belt have formed a cluster to be registered soon under the Companies Act.

The cluster body will function under the control of the Thane-Belapur Industries Association (TBIA). There are 34 drug manufacturers based in the Trans-Thane Creek (TTC) industrial area.

"The aim is to bring all such units on the same platform. There need not be many consultants for each unit, but only a common consultant will serve the purpose for the whole cluster," said Jayadevan K, joint secretary, TBIA.

This will help in reducing the cost for manufacturers here. A common warehouse for raw materials as well as for manufactured drugs has been planned.

Pointing out the advantages of such a cluster, Jayadevan said, it will help in reducing costs and widening the scope for drug exporters. Sources close to the development said that the drug manufacturers have been dependent on agents for marketing and exports.

These agents were not passing on the benefits to the manufacturers. Being a part of the cluster, these units will be able to buy raw materials in bulk, thereby reducing their costs to a great extent.

"We will educate the manufacturers to make their own marketing strategy, thereby reducing their dependence on agents. New informations will be made available at their doorsteps," Jayadevan added.

In a meeting with the Small Industries Service Institute, Food and Drug Administration and Sidbi, the association focused on building trust among the cluster units, manufacturers, association, business service providers, technical and financial institutions.

The cluster includes such names as Aarti Industries, Flame Pharmaceuticals, Paras Organics and Chemphol Industries.

The cluster approach has been a big success in the international and national arena for developing small scale industries. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has identified 358 clusters in the country for assistance.