Joining innovative knowledge-based economy with dynamic development of technology in the wood industry and its environment, training of professionals in the field of wooden housing, integration of the SME environment, universities, etc., entrepreneurs and representatives of business environment institutions created, on 03/18/2008, during the cluster establishment conference in the Lower Silesian Chamber of Crafts in Wrocław, a cluster named SIDE CLUSTER. The practice of developed countries and regions shows that enterprises, which, despite competition, are able to cooperate in particular fields at the same time, are in predominance. Thanks to knowledge and experience exchange with using common measures for research and regional brands promotion, they achieve much better results.

The SIDE CLUSTER [S – success, I – innovation, D – wood (Polish: drewno), E – ecology] is an organization which stimulates the technology and innovation progress, supports companies participating in introducing innovative solutions and popularizing technical and organizational achievements in the field of wooden housing and its environment.

The name “cluster” means a group, a gathering, a crowd, and comes from the basic cluster definition given by M. Porter – cluster is a group of geographically concentrated, co-linked enterprises, specialized suppliers (incl. service suppliers), businesses from other sectors and branches, and economy environment institutions (e.g. universities, trace councils) competing and operating together. A cluster as a particular organization is defined in Polish law. According to the definition, „cluster” means a spatial and sector-oriented gathering of at least 10 entities working on economy progress and innovation. By operating in the area of one or more voivodeships, they compete and cooperate in the same or related branches and are linked by a complex network of formal and informal relations. At least a half of the entities belonging to a cluster must be private entrepreneurs.

Innovative and supporting network approach of enterprises and business environment institutions, including research and progress entities, is the priority of the current development policy, that is why we may count on our venture being supported by the EU funds.

The area of SIDE CLUSTER’s activity includes microenterprises, small and medium enterprises associated with wooden housing, sawmills, design offices, architects, technical and production equipment suppliers and maintainers, final equipment suppliers, and fitters, who will become a core of the cluster. The environment will also include research and development institutions, business environment entities, foreign partners and technology parks.

The program of our cluster involves:

• rational use of wood for constructional purposes,
• promoting wood as building material,
• houses energy consumption decrease,
• supporting domestic and international cooperation,

The main aims of the cluster are to:

• create cooperation network between local companies, business organizations, local authorities, R&D institutions, foreign partners, other clusters,
• enhance cooperation on the local market without competitiveness restrictions,
• provide the flow of information inside cluster, introduce new technologies and solutions,
• promote pro-innovation actions including business activity.

If you are interested in any way of cooperation, please contact us.