According to a government spokesman, "The capability of SSI units can be improved only by adopting the cluster approach. The Tamil Nadu State Government is taking speedy and effective action for development of Industrial Cluster in Tamil Nadu. District Industries Centres are implementing product-based clusters." The Cluster in Tiruthangal is part of this scheme.    

Despite an increase in print production in India, the Rs 1,500-crore printing industry in Sivakasi is going through a slump. Many printing units are idle or running fewer shifts. Printing units – mostly SMEs – are encountering power cuts and a slowdown in their traditional businesses of notebooks, stationery, calendars, text books, novels and labels.

Today, 80% of the 6,000 units in and around Sivakasi are medium and small sized and are unable to make capital investment in top technology.

“An individual firm in Sivakasi cannot make huge investment because of the huge mismatch in the turnover, ROCE and the capital investment. Investing in a pre-owned kit will not result in quality in printing,: said AMSG Ashokan, the president of the All India Federation of Master Printers, who is hosting the GC meet.
 

30 members of the printers association raised the funds for the Rs 15-crore project. “While the Centre gave a grant of 70 per cent, the State contributed 10 per cent,” Raveendran said.

The common facility centre is located on a four-acre land and houses a 12,000 sqft building. "A five-colour Heidelberg with varnish coating has been installed.” he said. On cards is a CTP kit and an imported Japanese cutting machine.

Raveendran added, any player in the industry could use the facility for a nominal charge. The Sivakasi Master Printers' Association plans to provide hands-on training to the students from the two print institutions in Sivakasi.