ALIGARH LOCK CLUSTER

A cluster is a geographical location where enough resources and competences amass and reach a critical threshold, giving it a key position in a given economic branch of activity, with a decisive sustainable competitive advantage over others places, or even a world supremacy in that field. Some clusters are based on more traditional activities that maintain their advantage in know-how over the years, and for some of them, over the centuries. They are often industry specific – like ALIGARH LOCK CLUSTER.

Clusters have the potential to affect competition in three ways:

by increasing the productivity of the companies in the cluster,
by driving innovation in the field
by stimulating new businesses in the field

The process of identifying, defining, and describing a cluster is not standardized. Individual economic consultants and researchers develop their own methodologies. Cluster Pulse , an NGO : www.clusterpulse.org has developed its own innovative way of cluster development initiatives : “International exposure of a cluster leads to technology upgradation in the cluster”

ALIGARH is located about 90 miles south-east of New Delhi. It is the administrative headquarters , and has a population of about 700,000. It is mostly known as a university town where the famous Aligarh Muslim University (AMU ) is located.

The city was originally established as a fort in the 12th century, and was known as Kol. The name was changed to Aligarh in 1776 upon the building of an important fort there. It was taken by the British in 1803. Its garrison mutinied in 1857. The remains of the ancient fort still stand 3 km north of the town. Many railway lines pass through the city connecting it to most of the important destinations in the region.

The city is located on a plain between the Ganges and Jumna Rivers. The Grand Trunk Road passes through the city. Aligarh is synonymous with the University that is spread across much of the city civil lines area.

However , Aligarh is also famous for its LOCKS MANUFACTURING and brass castings (sculptures).

In Aligarh lock cluster different types of locks are manufactured. Mainly padlocks , mortice locks , cycle locks etc…. Different mechanisms are used for locks like lever type, pin cylinder type etc…

In Aligarh there are 4 – 5 large lock manufacturers ; 25-30 medium sized & 1000+ small manufacturers. A lot of work is being carried out in Aligarh under jobwork system also. Several companies are into trading of locks also. There are only a handful of exporters in Aligarh. However , several Aligarh based lock manufacturers supply their locks to merchant exporters in Delhi , Mumbai & Chennai as indirect exports. Some lock manufacturers supply their locks to hardware exporters who use the locks as part of their larger hardware shipments.